Sorceress (Book 2) (16 page)

Cyemma nodded her head and chomped on the apple while Kayleigh pulled a thick brush from the saddlebag. The unicorn still seemed uncertain of the fact that she was with child. Kayleigh knew almost nothing about the birth cycle of unicorns. The fourth and fifth year students are the ones who help the female unicorns deliver. Their mounts are closer to the age where they can mate.

Knowing Cyemma was probably concerned about the possible effects on her developing colt or filly, Kayleigh held up the brush and said, “Your rider can’t brush you right now but if you let me, I will.”

The unicorn responded with a hazy image of riders brushing their unicorns and Kayleigh took that as permission.

“I wish I could have finished off that manticore. That man deserves it for what’s been done to Majherri.”

The image shifted to a dark haired woman riding on Majherri. Kayleigh was still trying to get used to the dark coat Majherri now had, but now she concentrated on the woman. Her skin lacked color and she looked more dead than alive.

“Is that Danella Lynch?” The changes in the woman were dramatic. She couldn’t even imagine the amount of corruption that had caused the transformation in the two of them. “She looks ghastly!”

Cyemma nodded and Kayleigh strained to pick up the words from the distorted memory. Something the young woman thought she heard gave her great pause.

Did Lynch just say Count Darius?

Fighting the knot of fear growing in the pit of her stomach, she asked, “Cyemma, were Penelope and Danella calling the leader Count Darius? He was the one riding the manticore wasn’t he? Are you certain?”

Another nod from Cyemma confirmed her new worst nightmare.

“He’s supposed to be dead,” she sputtered.

The unicorn shook her head to indicate that this was wrong and showed her the grainy memory of Penelope pledging her service to the man.

“I’ll be right back,” Kayleigh said and jogged to the wagon.

Both Orsa and Rahzir were still awake and looked at her with questioning eyes. Tamera was on the ground sleeping on a blanket. Kayleigh went into the wagon to find the prisoner. Penelope typically yelled and screamed when she wasn’t gagged. On the first day, she’d spit any water back at the person holding the canteen and refused to eat. By the second day, she’d stopped and accepted food and nourishment. Kayleigh reasoned that it was to keep her strength up for an escape attempt.

Making a small fire in the palm of her hand, she looked into Rider Garrett’s eyes. They were still completely dark. The woman smelled awful and Kayleigh felt a pang of sympathy.

“I’m sorry you’re being kept in such a state, we’ll try and get you cleaned up when we can.”

Using the hand that wasn’t producing the light, she reached over and pulled the gag from Penelope Garrett’s mouth. “Do you need any water?”

Garrett spit in her face and said, “You get poor marks for how you treat your prisoners, little girl.”

“If you weren’t so dangerous, we wouldn’t have to do this. We’re trying to help you return to the person you once were.”

“I am the person I want to be! Spare me your caring, you insignificant, little bitch! Just tell me what you want?” Garrett demanded.

Put off slightly by Penelope’s insults, Kayleigh faltered as she asked, “I just want to know one thing…the man leading this…the one you call your master…what is his name?”

“The master’s name is not to be spoken to those who do not believe,” Garrett answered Kayleigh.

Pausing, Kayleigh made certain she could see Penelope’s face. Kayleigh’s mother used to tell her to watch people’s expressions when doing business. Brenda Reese had an almost uncanny ability to read other people’s faces when negotiating a price or tell when her daughter wasn’t being completely truthful.

Of course this is a little more dangerous than selling artwork,
Kayleigh thought before continuing aloud, “Cyemma just showed me a memory that it’s really Count Darius.”

“You can’t see images from my unicorn!” the prisoner protested, but the shocked look on her face confirmed what the unicorn had shown her. “You’re lying. That’s impossible!”

“Just like I couldn’t be Majherri’s rider when Danella was still alive, or bond with another unicorn? So it really is him,” Kayleigh said dismissively.

“It’s not, stupid girl!”

“So, Lynch hasn’t done something to Majherri that turned his coat black?”

More surprise, followed by another denial. “She’s lying to you…I’m still controlling her! I just want you to think that so you’re scared.”

“No,” Kayleigh said. “I stopped being scared. Now, I’m just angry. Thanks to you, I finally know who I’m angry at. As soon as we get to Salif, I’m going to make sure everyone knows who is behind this.”

Forcing the gag back down on Penelope’s mouth as the woman began spewing threats and obscenities, Kayleigh leapt out of the wagon and turned to Orsa and Rahzir.

“Wake Tamera. We have to push on to Salif. Rahzir, you’ll have to try and sleep in the wagon.”

“What of your friends?” Orsa asked.

“I’ll leave them a message. You heard our prisoner. The leader of this army is Count Darius. That information is too important and we have to get it to General Hawthorne.”

Rahzir didn’t know who Count Darius was, but Orsa did.

Kayleigh used her scimitar to pry a flat piece of wood loose from one of the homes while the others followed her directions. Using her flames, she heated the tip of her bone knife and carved a brief message to anyone who might come. When finished, she took a spear from the wagon and drove the tip into the ground on the path leading into the empty village and propped the crude sign against it.

Looking down at it, she silently prayed for her classmates before going to get Cyemma.

Count Darius had almost conquered the entire world and they believed him dead, banished to the pages of history, and invoked as a monster to scare small children. There was a memory from when she was young and couldn’t even remember what town they were living in at the time, but Kayleigh had gone to her mother, complaining that a boy teased her and saying that Count Darius was going to get her.

The day Kayleigh had renounced her mother and claimed her independence was the angriest Brenda Reese had ever gotten, but that other time, so long ago was a very close second. They left that town a week later.

Maybe the man is just pretending to be Darius, but if he truly is the world is in more trouble than anyone can imagine!

The ferry carried them to the eastern banks of the Clef River. Instead of going to the numerous docks and piers available, they arrived at what was commonly called a “smuggler’s point.” It was a small spit of land, little more than a sand bar where criminals did business under the cover of darkness.

Majherri didn’t like the idea of being smuggled any more than wearing the set of reins which gave him the appearance of a common horse. Some of those seeking refuge on this side of the river used anything they thought might float to try and get them across. Doors, logs, and even a crude boat made of a wooden tub drifted by along with several bodies, those who had risked everything in a bid for freedom and lost.

The unicorn watched the approaching shore and still tried to comprehend how Kayleigh may very well be the daughter of Count Darius. The man seemed certain enough of it and had claimed that his magic had failed to harm her. As fate would have it, Reese was not even Kayleigh’s last name.

Her mother had only mentioned that the last war had cost Kayleigh her father. Now, one of the tasks assigned to Danella was to locate and capture the woman who goes by the name of Brenda Reese and return her to Count Darius, who would use her to bring Kayleigh to him.

Internally, he cringed at the thought of his other rider being exposed to the foul heart of the netherbeast and what it might do to the young girl. He vowed to prevent that from happening no matter what, even if it meant sacrificing his life.

“Quit thinking about her and concentrate on what must be done,” his rider scolded. She was angry and frustrated. Because of Kayleigh’s lineage, Danella had been denied her revenge and, in Majherri’s opinion, she wasn’t handling the new orders very well at all.

Danella was full of pent up energy, like a caged animal about to be freed from her prison. She wanted to ride, fight, and ride some more. His rider was determined to bring the Yar to their knees. With Kayleigh, he’d fought the Yar and hadn’t been too terribly impressed. Of course, the ones they had encountered were a pitiful group of raiders. The Yar who held true power might be more fearsome opponents.

Either way, they were still weeks of hard riding from learning the answer to that question. The most immediate concern would be getting through the patrols in the kingdoms surrounding them. The flood of refugees had no doubt alerted them to an uprising, even if they did not yet realize the scope of the events unfolding.

The lie that they would tell was that they were the survivors of a cavalry unit from Molansk, a city that fell early in the attacks. It was far enough behind the front lines to make verifying that tale difficult under any circumstances. Count Darius was using the increasing number of refugees to seed spies and saboteurs in cities where they would await the opportunity to act.

Majherri grudgingly conceded that the human knew how to use chaos as a weapon against his enemies. His last campaign against the kingdoms had schooled Count Darius in the art of warfare and the sorcerer seemed eager to put his knowledge to use.

As the boat bumped gently against the shoreline, the unicorn watched as more shiny coins were given to the three men operating the ferry.

Humans are odd,
thought Majherri.
They put such significance in these useless circles of metal. You cannot put one in your mouth to fill your stomach. There would be decidedly less fighting if humans could just eat grass. Sadly, if that were the case, there would be much less grass.

In the days before his rider’s corruption, Majherri would have shared the essence of his thoughts with Danella Lynch and she would have remarked how foolish he was while the two of them laughed. Now, the woman was consumed with naked aggression and a burning sense of rage.

“You seem sad,” Danella commented. “Do you miss the old days?”

The unicorn nodded. She already knew the answer so there was no reason to lie to her.

“I’d like to think we’ve changed for the better,” she said, leaning closer and whispering into his ear. “I see the world in a different light now. My eyes…they see more then I could ever dream. I want you to understand something and this is very important. You still hope that I can go back to being that pitiful excuse of a person you remember. I will not! Not now, not ever.”

Before he could compose a suitable response, Danella pulled on his reins and led him off the front of the ferry like a common animal. As with the horses, his hooves sank into the muddy sand as they disembarked and struggled up the inclined bank through the tall weeds. This close to the water, everything smelled dank and musty. This was an area with little current and the water itself smelled foul and stagnant. Majherri was relieved when he reached the top of the bank and the odor receded. Danella mounted him as he glanced back at the men using their long poles to push the flat barge, now weighing much less than before, back into the river. The Great Western Desert was now officially behind him. Considering what that wasteland had cost the unicorn, he hoped that he would never set another hoof in it for as long as he drew breath.

Riding through the night, the group covered a sizable distance and the humans stopped shortly after dawn to allow the horses a chance to graze and have a few minutes of rest. Majherri could have easily kept going as unicorns have far more endurance than even the stoutest of draft horses. Beyond that, the vile power that flowed across their bond made him stronger and more powerful than he had ever imagined.

Such power would have once meant everything to me,
he thought, while looking around. Seeing his shadow on the ground angered him. His horn was missing from there as well.

“You’re still upset,” Danella said, reaching to where his horn
wasn’t
and caressing it. At least he could feel the pressure of her hand on the missing part of him.

“Once we take control of those northern savages, you will be able to walk freely, without any concerns.”

Somehow, he didn’t think that being able to see his horn would solve the sum of his problems.

“I see riders,” one of the lookouts shouted. Majherri looked up from the ground and saw the shapes approaching in the distance. He guessed that there were three riders which meant a patrol.

“You! Kuresh,” Danella shouted and pointed at the officer leading the horsemen. “Talk to them. The rest of you, if you see me attack, make certain none of them escape.”

Kuresh was a thick and imposing man, not especially tall, but bulky. He was the commander of these warriors. Most had shaved their heads rather than have their hair braided like the warriors in Molansk, but because of his leadership position, the man had done this as part of their ruse. His expression was cold and calculating with a scar running down the right side of his face. The human was always serious and, from what Majherri had seen to this point, a harsh taskmaster with the men under him.

The patrol behaved as Majherri had anticipated. Two approached while the third held back, in case weapons were drawn.

The leader cupped his mouth with his left hand and called out, “You ride on the lands of King Farum and openly bear arms. From where do you hail and to where do you ride?”

Kuresh did as Danella instructed. “We once rode for the Vizier of Molansk, but escaped the fall of the city to the savages and when we approached Jaruciax two days ago, we saw it was in enemy hands. Have they crossed the Clef yet?”

“Not in force,” the man answered. “You will come with us. We will escort you to Halus.”

“I cannot,” the disguised nomad replied and gestured to Danella. “My orders from the Vizier himself were to deliver his daughter to the safety of the High-King’s court. My honor and my life demand that I and my men do this.”

“I recognize the importance of your mission and give you my word that the lady will be safe on the road to Halus. Your delay will be as short as possible.”

There was more back and forth between the two, but after two minutes Majherri sensed Danella’s irritation as she slipped into his saddle. Her training as a Master Scout emphasized patience, resourcefulness, and diplomacy where possible. She’d abandoned those principles.

Moving alongside Kuresh, she looked down and said, “This has gone on long enough. I’ll take care of this.”

The officer hesitated before saying, “As you command.”

From the look on the man’s face, Majherri could tell that the warrior still believed that he could have talked their way out of the situation.

The unicorn agreed with him.

Nevertheless, Danella urged Majherri forward and bellowed, “Very well! Onward to Halus.”

Majherri saw that the two nearby scouts were confused by the lone female rider approaching at a quick trot.

“Thank you,” she called, with a voice full of false sweetness. “We’ve been on the road so long and it’s been so very hard.”

Both men nodded to her. The leader, a gaunt man with a neatly trimmed beard, said, “As I said, you will be safe while in our care, milady.”

“Of that I have no doubt,” Danella answered.

“Are you ill?” he asked. “You look rather pale.”

“I’ve never felt better,” she said. Majherri sensed a quick shift in his saddle. His rider had either drawn a weapon or tossed her hair over her shoulder.

She’s trying to entice these males into lowering their guard? Sickening behavior.

It was a sad truth that he had become used to Danella’s new appearance, but knew her pale complexion would be especially troubling to those in the warmer climates. It would probably work to her favor amongst the Yar.

“Still, you should allow our healers to examine you.”

“Oh this, it is merely a skin condition and nothing to be worried about. I do appreciate your offer.”

“It is the least we can do, milady. I have family in Jaruciax. Do you have any news?”

“I’m afraid not,” Danella said. “We skirted the city, but have seen many refugees. Perhaps your relatives made it out.”

Amusement and mirth bubbled through their bond. Danella was like a feline toying with prey and she was enjoying it.

“Let us hope so,” the man replied. “How soon will your men be able to ride? We should not linger.”

“I thought you said it was safe?”

“It is safe for the moment, but this is a time of ill omens and I pray to the Goddess and her daughters for guidance. Still, I will assure your well-being for as long as you ride with us.”

“Again, I thank you, noble warrior, but I do have one concern,” she said and Majherri tensed, knowing her amusing diversion was ending.

“Pray tell what has you worried?”

“While I am certain you can keep me safe from whatever surrounds us, but I wonder what will keep you safe from me?”

In a single fluid motion, she drew and struck the perplexed man down. Her other hand sent a dagger into the stomach of the second scout. She kicked Majherri into motion, wasting only enough effort to shove the injured man out of his saddle and to the ground while riding by.

The third rider had barely realized what had happened when she and Majherri were at a full gallop and heading in his direction. He turned his mount and began to speed away. Scouts used the swiftest horses. Most would not be able to catch him.

Unfortunately for the human, Majherri was easily as fast as one of his kin being ridden by an air maiden. The sheer speed of their approach amazed the unicorn and he would have relished the feeling if he didn’t know what was coming next. The man ahead of them had the slight advantage of knowing the ground over which they rode during the brief chase, but Majherri’s speed was too much for him to outmaneuver.

As they closed, Majherri watched as the man tried to hurl knives at them. The unicorn dodged each one, only losing a tiny amount of his momentum. Without any other weapons, the man drew his sword and spun his horse around to meet them.

Danella laughed and pushed her bloodlust into Majherri. His rider wanted him to finish the man. Anger surged through him and, try as he might, the need to end this scout’s life consumed his entire being. Majherri snorted and positioned his head. Seconds later, man, woman, horse, and unicorn collided.

With his rider parrying the man’s sword thrust, Majherri pushed his neck in the scout’s direction and drove his horn through the leather armor the enemy wore. The soldier’s eyes stared in confusion while the horse neighed loudly. The man’s sword fell as his hands moved to the hole in his chest.

Blood flowed down the wound, making Majherri’s cracked horn partially visible. Time stood still, the horn lodged in the scout’s chest looking more like an unfinished painting. The man’s mouth moved in disbelief even as his eyes glazed over and death took him. The horse sensed something amiss and backed away. Majherri twisted his head once more to dislodge his horn. For a brief second, the man slouched in his saddle before tumbling lifeless to the ground.

Danella leapt from the saddle and walked up to the body. Snatching his riding cloak, she pulled it from the corpse and turned to Majherri. She used the material as a rag to wipe away the gore remaining on his horn and supplemented her efforts with the crude wooden canteen on the man’s belt.

“As much as you detest this masquerade Majherri, even you can see how being able to hide your horn could be of use. I will have to compliment Amir the next time I see him, unless of course I decide he’s outlived his usefulness.”