Dragonvein - Book Three (33 page)

The following morning Ethan and Kat began saying their farewells. Both Halvar and Ganix were looking ragged from their previous night of merry-making, though Ganix still made a point of pulling Ethan aside for a private talk. While they spoke together, Kat set off to the home of Lady Thora to see her and the girls one last time.

“There is something I must tell you,” Ganix began. “I would have told you last night, but you were in no condition to hear it.” He looked directly into Ethan’s eyes. “Jonas is dead.”

Ethan caught his breath; this was a major shock. Gradually composing himself, he nodded solemnly. “How did it happen?”

Ganix recounted the events as told to him by Markus. “I know that Kat was very fond of him,” he concluded. “So I thought the news of his passing should come from you.”

“It sounds like he died bravely,” remarked Ethan. “I’ll be sure to tell her before we get there.”

Ganix gave his arm a fond squeeze. “Thank you.”

After Kat's return from Lady Thora’s house, the two of them set out in search of Keira. They found her busily preparing her people to march. In spite of Ethan’s objections, she insisted on providing them with an escort all the way to where they were meeting the boat.

This time on horseback, the journey to the shore took only two days. Ethan contacted the vessel using the sending rod, and just as Martok had stated in his message, it was already waiting for them a few miles offshore.

Ethan waited until their sea journey was well underway before telling Kat about Jonas. He could see that she was deeply saddened, despite putting on a brave face.

“You know,” she said, leaning over the bow railing, “He was the very first man I trusted after running away from home. Even when he was being mean, I knew he wasn’t like the scumbags I dealt with every day in Miltino.”

“Are you going to be all right?” he asked.

She nodded. “Yes. I just wish I'd had the chance to tell him how much he meant to me. So many people have died. And there will be more...a lot more...before this is all over.”

“Let’s just hope that whatever Martok has found will help us end it soon,” said Ethan.

Kat placed her head on his shoulder, and together they watched the sun sink slowly over the horizon.

Aside from revealing the sad news regarding Jonas, the trip was pleasant and largely uneventful. Six dwarves were now crewing the vessel, which meant Ethan and Kat had little to do apart from relax and enjoy each other's company. Ethan spotted a small group of sirean on the sixth day, but they took only a passing interest in the boat.

It was late in the evening when they at last reached their destination. Jake and Val leapt from the other boat and came running along the dock to greet them. Two dwarves, who Ethan guessed had brought the boat back to the Dragon Wastes after delivering King Ganix, along with an unfamiliar and unhappy looking man, followed them rather more slowly.

The dwarves bowed curtly, then joined their people on the newly arrived vessel. After hugging Kat, Val set about introducing David.

“So you’re the great Ethan Dragonvein,” he said. “I expected you to look more impressive.”

The insult was ignored. “I am very pleased to meet you,” Ethan said, extending his hand.

David barely touched his palm before withdrawing again. “I wish I could say the same.”

“Stop being an asshole,” Jake scolded. “Just for one day.”

David merely sniffed and set off back to the boat.

“I guess he’s not very happy about being here,” Ethan said, staring after him.

“Yeah, you could say that,” replied Val. “I keep thinking he’ll get over it, but he hasn’t so far. But don’t worry. He’ll come around sooner or later.”

“I’m afraid it will have to be sooner,” Ethan said. “I need to speak with Renald right away.”

“Old fella’s probably asleep by now,” said Jake.

“Then I’ll need to wake him up. This can't wait.”

He turned to Kat. “I want you to wait here for me. I’ll be back soon, I promise.” After kissing her tenderly, he headed down the dock and toward the cabin.

He could tell that Kat was reluctant to see him leave her side, even here, where they both knew it was safe. He felt the same way. But what he had to say to Renald needed absolute privacy.

He smiled as he crossed the threshold of the ward keeping the land alive and fertile. The scent of apple blossoms and wild onions wafted on a gentle north breeze, bringing back pleasant memories.

Contrary to what Jake had said, Renald was not asleep. Rather, he was sitting on the porch munching on a pear. He nodded curtly as Ethan approached and took a seat beside him.

“Markus and Lylinora are sleeping inside,” the old mage told him. “And I assume you know about Jonas.”

Ethan nodded. “Yes. King Ganix told me what happened.”

“And how do you feel about it?”

Ethan lowered his head. “He will be missed. If the story I heard is true, he sacrificed his life for all of us.”

“Is that right? You will miss him?”

Ethan cocked his head and frowned. “Of course I will. What are you saying?”

Renald took another bite from the pear before answering. “I am saying you can drop the deception, Martok. I am not so easily fooled.”

Ethan straightened his back. “That’s not funny.”

“Better,” said Renald. “That’s sounds a bit more like Ethan. But you still need to work on it.”

Ethan glared angrily, but slowly his features softened into a wry grin. “You are a clever old man, I must admit. How did you know?” His hand shot up before Renald could answer. “It was the wards, of course. I should have been more careful.”

“How long have you possessed his body this time?”

“For considerably longer than you might think. And I do not intend to return it.”

“You must.”

“And what will you do if I refuse? Expose me? I think not.”

Renald raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

“Because of what I know.”

“Your power is truly awesome,” Renald admitted. “But the others will not follow you, especially Kat.”

Seeing Martok's reaction to the sound of her name, he smiled. “Is that what this is all about? You are in love with Kat?” He shook his head. “I suppose even the mighty Martok is not immune to matters of the heart. But she loves Ethan. Not you. And stealing his body will not change this. In any case, I will tell her the truth.”

In a flash, Martok sprang up from his chair. He loomed over Renald, face glowering. “This is about far more than whatever I may feel for Katyana, you old fool. Ethan cannot hope to defeat Shinzan.”

Unmoved by this sudden display of aggression, Renald shook his head. “Neither can you. As powerful as you are, you are no match for him. And you know it.”

“Alone, no. But I am not alone, am I?”

Renald snorted a laugh. “You would challenge him with these novices at your side? Are you insane? They would not last thirty seconds.”

Martok turned away and rested his hands on the porch railing. “They will be sufficient. I do not need them to challenge Shinzan directly.”

“Then how will you use them?”

“There is an ancient magic known only to a few. If used properly, it will weaken him long enough for me to destroy him.”

“And what will happen to the others?”

“If they do as they are told, they should survive.”

Renald got up and stood beside him. “But you are not sure of this.”

“There are few guarantees in life. You know that as well as anyone.” He shot the old man a sideways glance. “The magic I speak of is dangerous. And yes, they may be killed. But one thing is certain. If we fail,
everyone
will die. The armies marching on each other are inconsequential. For Shinzan, it is nothing but a game. He could not care less about the outcome.”

“And I suppose you do.”

“More than you know. The stories you have heard about me…many are true. But in war a person must be ruthless, even when fighting on the side of good. I will ensure that Shinzan’s armies are defeated. However, this will have no impact whatsoever on the outcome of the real war. I do this only to save the lives of those who have lived under the rule of a monster for far too long.”

“I wish I could believe you. I dearly want to.”

“You do not have to believe me. You need only to remain silent.”

Renald sighed. “I am sorry. I cannot. What you have done…are doing...it is wrong.”

“And I suppose freeing your son would be wrong as well.”

“My son? What in the name of the spirits are you talking about? I have no son.”

“Of course you do,” Martok said. “I can only assume that you have erased him from your memory. But you
do
have a son. I saw his likeness projected from your ward.”

Renald waved a hand. “This is sheer nonsense. No one could cast such a spell on me.”

“They could if you were to allow it.”

Before Renald could react, Martok pressed his palm to Renald’s forehead. The old mage went instantly rigid. 

“Do not be alarmed,” Martok told him. “This will not hurt you. I am only showing you what it is you need to see.”

* * * * *

Renald had no idea of how long he had been standing there. He could not tear his eyes away from the crystal. Encased within was the most important person in his life. He reached out and placed a loving hand on the cold hard surface.

“I am truly sorry, Lynial,” he said. “But I just couldn’t let you go through with it. This is the only way I could stop you.”

He bent down to kiss the crystal, then, with one final tender look, exited the chamber.

The powerful wards he had cast just a short time earlier still glowed with a pale green light. He pushed open the iron gate at the end of the corridor and snapped the lock shut. It was done…almost.

The sound of soft footsteps approaching made his heart pound. It was now that his resolve would be fully tested. Could he go through with it? He had thought so. But when actually faced with it…

“I am here, Renald.”

Her voice was like a crystal chime in the summer breeze. The scent of her perfume instantly created thoughts of the carefree days of his youth. He turned slowly and smiled. “Illyrian.”

Even when wearing the worn pants and ragged shirt she put on so as to travel without attracting attention, she was still a true beauty to behold. She moved closer. “Have you secured Lynial?”

Renald nodded. “I have. The wards are in place. Not even Praxis could undo them.”

“And you are sure this is what you want to do?”

“I can see no other way. I will not allow him to go off with my brother to fight Shinzan. It is a fool’s quest doomed to failure.” Realizing that his words were upsetting her, he quickly softened his tone. “I wish I could have changed Praxis' mind. I tried, but it is firmly set.”

“I know.” Her eyes were sad and her voice a mere whisper. “And you are right. It is a fool’s quest. The time for action is long past. Even if we had fought Shinzan the moment we became aware of his threat, it may still have only hastened our defeat. Soon he will control everything. And when he does, he will hunt us down and kill us all.”

There was a long silence. Renald knew she was right. Once Shinzan defeated Praxis and the remaining members of the Council, he would slaughter every other mage who still lived. Not even the healers would be safe. “What will you do?” he asked.

“Should Praxis and the others fail, I will take my son to Elyfoss and pray that their gates are strong enough to hold the beast at bay.” She forced a smile. “At least there I will have a few luxuries to enjoy. I’m afraid I have become a touch spoiled of late.”

After a brief pause, she blew out a cleansing breath. “I suppose we should get started.”

Renald’s nerves instantly began to unravel. This was it. “I’m…I’m ready,” he said.

Illyrian touched his cheek. “There is nothing to fear. You are doing the right thing.”

“It’s not that. It’s just that you will see…everything.”

“And I will not whisper a word of it to anyone,” she promised.

Allowing this to continue would expose all of Renald's deepest secrets. Mostly, this was not a problem for him. He would willingly share his innermost thoughts with her. It was only the most private secret of all that he longed to keep to himself. But there was no other way.

He nodded his consent and closed his eyes.

The spell was subtle at first. He felt only a slight tingling on his face where she had placed her hands. Then, gradually, it became much more intense. Soon it felt as if tiny needles were probing their way all around his brain. He sucked his teeth, trying not to cry out. Flashes of his past raced randomly through his mind. Some he remembered. Others were of days long forgotten.

A minute later, the sensation began to ease and then ceased completely. He opened his eyes. Illyrian was standing a few feet away, her hands folded at her waist.