Son of Corse (The Raven Chronicles Book 2) (2 page)

Chapter One

B
lackness enveloped Arwenna.  Not a gentle one, swathing her like a comfortable blanket.  Rather, it chilled her to her very core.  This was wrong.  It wasn’t going to be a peaceful sleep.  Her mouth opened to scream, but no sound emerged. 

              The guttering light of torches flirted with the edges of the black void, slowly eating away at it.  She knew she was suspended in the air.  All the dreams had that in common.  It was what she would see as the darkness dissipated that changed.

              Before, it had been a sitting room or bedroom.  She hadn’t been able to recognize any of the figures in the room, or hear what they said.  But the feeling of evil had remained with her for days afterwards.  What was below her now was no bedchamber, though.  It was something far more frightening.

              Torches filled the area with light and shadows; she tasted the thick smoke rising from them.  A man, someone she did not know, lay on a stone altar.  A robed figure moved around towards an elderly priest.  A shadow behind it grabbed at the old man’s hair, pulling his head back.  She could see the face.  A tear rolled silently down her cheek as she watched the knife slice slowly through Father Cedric’s neck.  Memories of her brief childhood with her own kind darted as fragments through her mind.  His face was there almost as much as her mother’s.

              The metallic smell of blood assaulted her as two more figures were slaughtered.  Arwenna felt the power within her build to the point where it felt as if she would explode.  The people below were summoning black magic.  Whatever was going on, she needed to stop it.  Tapping into the reservoir of power within her, she started to hurl bolts of lightning towards the figure holding the chalice.  Nothing made it through.  Panic rose within her as the blood filled cup was held to the lips of the person on the slab.  She could not allow the spell to be completed!  The lightning bolts changed to balls of fire and ice. 

“Arwenna!”  Joss’ voice cut through the darkness, but she ignored it.  There wasn’t much time left to stop the ritual below her.  And it had to be stopped, every part of her screamed at her to do so.

She intensified her attacks. Panic flared as her attempts failed time and time again.  The figure on the slab stirred as it fought the possession being forced onto him.  Tears streamed unchecked down Arwenna’s cheeks.  She’d lost, just as the man on the altar had succumbed to the magic forced on him.  The new occupant swung his legs around, sitting to face the robed one who’d performed the ritual.  A sword was handed to him.  Slowly, his face turned to look up towards her. The smile on his face chilled Arwenna to the core. Whatever occupied that body was pure evil. She took a deep breath, preparing to let loose enough magic to decimate the scene below her.

“Shayn!” Arwenna paused, the magic ready to go.  That was Joss’ voice.  He wouldn’t call her that name in such a tone unless something was very wrong.

Arwenna regained control of her mind, willing herself to wake up. The nightmare faded quickly, replaced by Joss’ face.  His black hair was disheveled.  He was holding her by her shoulders.  Wisps of smoke rose from the walls of their bedroom.  A blue glow surrounded the room.  Over Joss’ shoulder, she could make out Lexi standing in the doorway. 

She let Joss ease her down onto the side of the bed.  The walls bore marks of her magic.  Lexi must’ve shielded the room to keep it from falling down around them.  Arwenna dropped her head into her hands. Joss gently caressed her shoulders as he sat beside her.

“Something was different this time, wasn’t it?”  Joss asked quietly.

Arwenna nodded, taking in a deep breath before answering.  “It was a rite this time.  One that reeked with the stench of dark magic.  I tried to stop it, but I couldn’t….”  Her voice trailed off.  The sense of failure sat heavily upon her shoulders.

“You can’t go on like this, Cousin.”  Lexi’s voice carried softly into the room. “I’ve already spoken with Hauk. He’s on his way now.  You can’t keep losing control of your magic.  If I hadn’t been here to shield the house, who knows what would’ve happened.”

Raising her head, Arwenna surveyed the damaged room.  Black scorch marks on the wall from the fire balls were interspersed with wide cracks made by the lightning.  Outside of the bed, there wasn’t a piece of furniture in the room that wasn’t best suited for kindling now.  The small cradle at the foot of their bed lay empty. 

She met Joss’ eyes, fear gnawing at her stomach.  “Sera,” was all she could get out.

Joss placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.  “She’s fine.  Lexi moved her to the other room when the nightmare started.”

Arwenna took in his appearance.  “Did I hurt you?”

“No one was hurt, my daughter. Not this time.”  Arwenna’s head snapped towards the sound of her father’s voice. Hauk stood in the room; the green nimbus surrounding his form shimmered in a way that calmed her.

Relief flooded through her. Slowly, she related what she remembered of the dream.

Hauk spoke first. “It is a good thing you woke when you did, daughter. Had you released that much power, this house would’ve been gone along with all inside it.”  He glanced at Lexi. “Even you, young Goddess.  There is enough power within her to harm all of Us.”

Arwenna slammed her palms against the side of the bed. “This can’t keep happening.  There’s no guarantee Joss is going to be able to wake me in time from the next one.  I can’t run that risk.”

“Forgive me, Daughter. But I do not want you to forgo these dreams. If indeed they are portents of things to come, you will need to draw upon this information at some point soon.  There is a way, however, to keep you from harming yourself or others unintentionally.”

Glancing at her father, Arwenna waited for him to continue.

Slowly, the God stepped around various shards of wood littering the room.  He knelt in front of her, taking her hands into his. “If you are willing, we can make it so you can be cut off from your power until you are ready to control it again.  You will be in a trance, but still aware of things around you.”

“Absolutely not!”  Joss stated firmly. 

Lexi looked at Arwenna, then Joss. “It won’t hurt her, Joss.  If she’s willing, you could be the one who triggers it.”

Arwenna laid a gentle hand on her husband’s thigh. “Joss, if it keeps people from getting hurt, then I need to do this.”

The uncertainty in his eyes surprised Arwenna. “Then let me try it first. I won’t leave you blocked off from your magic without knowing you’re safe in doing so.”

Rising, she traced one of the cracks in the wall with a finger as Joss followed Hauk from the room. A trickle of magic flowed through her, repairing the crack as she went. She’d begun repairing the furniture by the time Joss reentered the room.  He held out a hand to her, and she gladly melted into his embrace.

“It feels a bit odd, Shayn.  But I think it will help calm your fears.  I hope I won’t have to do this much.”  Joss whispered in her ear.

“The trigger will be a single word, Arwenna, said to you by Joss.  It will not work if anyone else says it, unless he gives the task to another.  When you come out of the trance is up to you.”  Lexi’s voice remained even.

Joss’ breath caressed her cheek as he whispered, “Nimki” into her ear.  The deep void suggested by the word enveloped her.  She felt Joss support her body as it went limp.  A wall slammed into place, holding back the magic that was so central to her. The core of her soul burned, but was oddly comforting at the same time. The way back was easy to see in her mind. Arwenna pushed the barrier aside, coming back into control of both her body and magic.

Joss held her tightly, and she placed a gentle kiss on his chest to let him know she was back to her senses. Turning her head, she looked for her father and cousin.

“They’ve left. Hauk told me they would, once you were in the trance.  He and Lexi both want to start investigating what you’ve seen.  Perhaps they can stop it before it starts.”  The tone of Joss’ voice gave Arwenna little reassurance.  It sounded like he was as resigned as she felt that the quiet life they’d hoped for wasn’t going to remain such for much longer.

Tightening her grip on him, Arwenna pushed that line of thinking out of her mind.  If the Daughter of Hauk was needed, she would answer.  Until then, however, she’d enjoy what peace she could.

Chapter Two

A
rwenna silently closed the door to her daughter’s room so as not to awaken the youngster.  Releasing a deep sigh, she turned to the main room and headed for her favorite chair.  The day’s work finally over, she sank wearily into her seat.  A pair of strong hands began to gently massage the kinks out of her shoulders. “You shouldn’t let her get under your skin, Arwenna.  She’s just doing some of this to see how you’ll react.” Joss gently chided her.

              Closing her eyes briefly, she willed the tension in her shoulders away. “I know that.  Considering her parentage, does it surprise you she’s so strong willed?”  A small chuckle escaped her lips.  “A lot of today was just excitement and anticipation on her part. She loves visiting Y’Dürkie and the Clan.  Even more so now that she’s got a cousin there.  She just wants to get to the wedding and be able to see everyone again.”

              Joss stopped massaging her neck and settled into a nearby chair.  “I’m surprised the wedding is taking place so soon. Their daughter is less than nine months old. I thought Y’Dürkie wanted to wait until Hala was a year old.  Or was it until she knew Hugh wouldn’t slip away some night?”

              “No one said my sister was predictable.  I think it has more to do with D’Mitta’s health.  It hasn’t been great since the war.  Y’Dürkie’s taken over more and more of the clan leadership over the last year or so.  She may have decided to marry her blacksmith now so that D’Mitta would be able to participate.” With a fluid motion, she slowly combed her fingers through her long black hair.  “I doubt Hugh is going anywhere.  He’s been devoted to Y’Dürkie since we were welcome in Tanisal.  Before all that other business started.  It just took him a while to let her know.”

              The fire crackled and popped, the only sound in the room.  Arwenna stared into its depths, mindful of Joss’ eyes on her.  There was a great deal of her life she hadn’t filled him in on.  And, although she could tell he was curious about all of it, she was grateful that he waited until she was ready to open up.  Some of the scars ran very deep.

              Closing her eyes, she slowly found herself telling him some of the story.  “We’d been heroes of the city at one time. Barek, Y’Dürkie, Senyan, all of us. They hailed as champions against evil.  Most, outside of the guard, weren’t allowed to carry weapons.  They let us walk around freely with them.  Somewhere in there is when Y’Dürkie met Hugh.  She went to get a piece of armor repaired.  Several times, as I recall” Arwenna paused and sipped at a cup of tea.  “Things were going well between them.  Then, we got asked to go investigate the dragon sightings to the east.  We found the problem, and the hoard, but needed some extra equipment in order to deal with the dragon without ending up as wall decorations in its lair.  Tanisal was the closest city we could possibly do any trading in.  The decision was made for Barek, Mialee, and Senyan to go in and do the trading.  The rest of us stayed holed up in a small cave in the foothills nearby.” Her voice trailed off while a slender finger absently traced the rim of her cup.

              Without a sound, Joss rose from his chair and moved a small stool to the front of his wife’s chair.  The familiar feel of his hand gently stroking her arm let her know he was there if she needed him.  Arwenna drew in a ragged breath before she continued.

              “We didn’t know that Corse had been recruiting people to his cause, or that he was even a threat.  Barek and the rest were arrested for treason as soon as they set foot in the city.  We waited in that cave for a day or two.  That’s when I started to notice I wasn’t able to tap into my magic.  Silas wasn’t listening to me
anymore.”  She paused, drawing another breath.  “From what I can gather, that was the time Silas realized He was being used as much as I was, and that Hauk was looking for me.  Having Silas walk away from me at that time was something Corse and his Corrupted were counting on.  They didn’t want me to have any magic at my disposal when they arrested me.”  A single tear trickled down her cheek at the memory.

              The sensation of Joss’ finger on her cheek as he gently wiped at the tear brought her back into the room.  She reached out and squeezed his hand to let him know she was okay.  “I think I’ve told you the rest. Finding out that Bohrs was among them wasn’t that much of a shock.  I didn’t know he was in the city, though. Then again, he and I never kept in touch.” Jaws clenched, the muscles in her face tightened at the thought of her foster brother. There were memories of him that she could never relate, not even to Joss.

              Joss stood, pulling her up with him and engulfing her into his arms.  What she went through at the hands of that man still haunted them both.  Barek all but dismembered him on the battlefield close to two years ago, but the memories remained.

              The sound of a small knock on the door jerked both of them alert. Without thinking, Joss shoved Arwenna behind him as he turned to the door. “Arwenna, Joss…it’s me, Mialee.” The sound of their friend’s voice made them relax.  Arwenna took a moment to calm herself outwardly as Joss crossed the room and opened the door.

              Mialee’s slender form emerged from the dark beyond the door.  Shaking some raindrops off her cloak, she darted in quickly so Joss could close the door behind her.  “It’s starting to get wet out there. I’m glad we got here before it got worse.”  She headed over to warm her hands at the fire.  “Barek’s taken the horses out to the stable.  I don’t know how long he’ll be….” Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Arwenna. 

              “Here, let Joss deal with your cloak.  I’ll get some tea going for you.” Arwenna busied herself as Joss headed upstairs. Once a cup was ready, she handed it over to Mialee.  “I was surprised at your message saying he was willing to stop here with you.  I didn’t expect to see him until we got to the Clan.” Arwenna settled back into her chair, motioning Mialee to do the same.

              Mialee accepted the cup, sipping at the contents.  “I was too, actually.  He’s never taken me up on the offer to come with me before.  He won’t talk about it, but I’ve gotten the impression something keeps him from here.”

              Joss came back down the short staircase, “I lit a fire upstairs.  It should be warm for the two of you later on.  I threw a couple of extra blankets on the beds, also.  It’s still chilly at night around here.” 

              Before anyone could reply, the front door swung opened, admitting another guest. Barek turned, closing it behind him.  A pair of saddlebags slid off his shoulders and landed with a dull thump on the floor.  The smile on his face faded when he spied Joss. “Where’s that daughter of yours, Arwenna?”

              Arwenna stood up and gave him a quick hug.  “Asleep, Barek.  You can surprise her in the morning.  Sera’ll be very excited to see you.” 

              Barek nodded as he picked the packs back up off the floor. “I’m a bit tired myself.  Was a long ride.  Mialee, I’ll go ahead and put your pack up there as well.”  Without another word, he crossed the room and disappeared up the staircase.

              Arwenna let out a heavy sigh as she heard the door to the loft open and close.  Looking over at Joss, she saw him shrug his shoulders.  “I think I’ll turn in as well.  You two get caught up while you can.  I’ll see you both in the morning.”  Arwenna watched him as he quietly retreated to their bedroom.

              She sat down, the muscles in her back beginning to tighten up. She’d hoped that time away would alter Barek’s opinion of Joss.  From what she saw just now, it hadn’t changed a bit.

              The curiosity in Mialee’s face was expressed by her raised eyebrows. Remembering that her friend wasn’t around when Joss joined them, Arwenna spoke quietly. “Barek has never really cared for Joss.  There are other people Barek would be happier with being in charge of my personal safety.”  Arwenna hoped that was enough to answer whatever questions were floating around in Mialee’s head.  Her gray eyes locked with Mialee’s green ones.  Understanding crossed her friend’s face after a moment.

              They sat, the silence stretching uncomfortably. Arwenna began to notice a shift in how Mialee was sitting. Her hands picked at imaginary pieces of string on her skirt, jerking in a way that wasn’t her normal graceful movement. From the way she fidgeted, something was on Mialee’s mind. “What’s wrong, Mialee?  You’re acting rather nervous. I can see it if we’re trying to get past a rather tricky locked door, but why now?”  Arwenna took another sip of her tea, watching Mialee closely over the rim of the cup.

              Mialee shifted slightly in the chair, gently placing her cup down on a small table.  She ran slender fingers through her red hair before answering, “Have you ever had something you needed to explain but couldn’t find the words to use?”  She tilted her head sideways and locked eyes with Arwenna. “I owe you a huge apology, Arwenna.  And an explanation.  But I don’t know where to start.”

              Taken aback, Arwenna stalled a bit by putting her own cup down. “I take it you mean about when you were with Senyan? Are you sure you’re ready to talk about that?  None of us want to push you for details you’re not ready to share.”  Inwardly, Arwenna tried to calm the small bit of alarm growing in her stomach. A gentle touch on her mind she knew to be from Joss helped.  He was listening from the other room. If she needed him, he’d be ready.

              Mialee looked back at the floor, nodding her head. “There were things I said…that I did…it wasn’t really me. It sounds like a very poor excuse, even to me. But it’s the only possible one I can give you.” She paused again, her fingers picking some offending piece of dust off her riding outfit.

              Curling her legs up under her, Arwenna tried to get as comfortable as possible.  “Why don’t you just say what wants to come out.  If I get lost on the way, I’ll let you know.”

              Turning her head towards the fire, Mialee nodded. “I don’t know when it started, to be honest, but Corse somehow wormed his talons into part of me. At first, I didn’t care who Senyan kept company with. That started to change at some point.  Corse is…was…very good at manipulating emotions.  I didn’t even know I was being messed with.  It got to the point that I was happy the day we went into Tanisal and you stayed in that cave.  It was like I had a day where I didn’t have to watch your every move and be afraid you were trying to move in on Senyan.  Even after you were executed before my eyes, I wasn’t sure I wanted to raise you even though that was what Barek was intent on doing.”  Her voice trailed off slightly. 

“We were at an inn to the north, after we’d fled Tanisal, when the dreams started.  Senyan was asking me why I left him, why I wasn’t trying to help him.  Or the dream would be of better times with him.” She paused again, releasing a heavy sigh.  Arwenna sat quietly.  She didn’t want to push her friend if Mialee wasn’t ready.

“By the time Barek had raised the army, Senyan was begging me to come to him.  I thought I could save him; help him break free of Corse. I caught a glimpse of you and Y’Dürkie the day you rode into the camp and panicked.  I thought, if I told him you were alive and able to help him, he’d rejoin us.  So, I ran.  Bolted might be a better term.  It didn’t go like I planned, though.  I found him easily enough. But Corse was whispering in my ear the whole way. Telling me that you were either going to kill Senyan or steal him from me. That I was nothing but a distraction, that Senyan wouldn’t care if I was around as long as you were near.  By the time Bohrs rode into camp with you as his prisoner, I was ready to slit your throat.”

The rattling of the cup against the saucer as she tried to pick it up alerted Arwenna to how badly her body shook.  This was not the sort of confession she expected. Some questions began to be answered, though, as she pieced the puzzle together.  Steeling herself against what else may come, she replied in a soft voice.  “You knew I was there from the start?”

Mialee nodded, “By the time you arrived, Corse was using my eyes as his own. He had almost taken me over completely by then.  I was a means to control Senyan. Somehow, Senyan had found a way to keep part of his mind shut from Corse.  Corse controlled me as a way to get his talons further into Senyan.  I think Senyan knew that, though.  I had no idea that he was going to set you free that night.  I followed him when he went to Bohrs’ tent.  When I saw him set you free, I was so happy to have you gone that I ran ahead and cleared the way for you.  I didn’t want anyone to stop you, not after the promise Senyan had made you. Corse had fanned my jealousy into such a fire that I was insane with the idea that you’d be the one he’d have in bed.  I wanted you gone. Dead wasn’t good enough, because he could have you raised. I needed you gone from his sight and mind.”  She swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks.

Arwenna let her own tears flow unchecked.  Closing her eyes, she endeavored to regain her sense of balance.  “You knew I was there the whole time?  Why was I a threat then?  It was Bohrs that had me, not Senyan.”

“Senyan had me watching Bohrs’ tent.  He was certain Bohrs would do something to you even though Corse had forbidden it. You were the carrot being dangled before him to keep Bohrs in line. If it matters at all, Corse was livid with Bohrs. He deliberately kept him busy for several days as a punishment for disobedience.  When he finally gave Bohrs permission to have you is when Senyan acted.” Mialee raised her head and looked at Arwenna, “If I could, I would go back and take your place. Somewhere deep inside I cringed every time I saw that whip slice across your back.  I screamed when I saw the hammer breaking your fingers.  Corse laughed.  At you and I both.  And his laughter drowned out my screams in my own mind.”