The Sorcerer's Scourge (6 page)

“You boxed and moved all my clothes?” Miranda asked in feigned outrage.

“Well, not all of them. I gave most of them away to the poor. Honestly, you have enough clothes to outfit an army.”

Miranda laughed loudly. “Perhaps if someone lays siege to us again we should do precisely that! Can you imagine the effect it would have on an invading army to see their foes charge them in my ball gowns and finery?”

“If it makes you feel any better, I have a wedding present for you. Hold out your hand.”

Miranda smiled brightly and held out a cupped hand. Azerick dropped a small object into her delicate hand. Miranda’s smile shifted to a look of puzzlement.

“It’s a ring. A man’s ring. Why are you giving me a man’s ring? Is it yours?” Miranda asked. “It looks too big to fit you.”

“No, it is not mine. It was Jarvin’s.”

Miranda gasped loudly and looked at Azerick incredulously. “You stole the King’s ring? How could you?”

Azerick shrugged. “Apparently with quite a bit of skill. Kiss his ring indeed. He is lucky I did not tell him to kiss my...”

“Azerick Giles, how dare you steal from the King?” Miranda demanded indignantly. “I am beyond shocked at your behavior and audacity. He is supposed to be a friend! You cannot steal the King’s ring!”

“I have rather empirical evidence to the contrary. I do not understand why you are so upset. It is not as though I stole his signet ring. That would be treason. Besides, I thought you would be happy to know that I maintain a skill set I can use if this whole ‘wealthy lord’ thing does not work out. Now you know that no matter what happens, I will always be able to take care of you.”

Miranda laughed and punched Azerick in the shoulder. Peck expertly guided the coach up the long road to the Orphans’ Academy. Despite its name, not all of the students were orphans or homeless. Over the past year, the school had grown into something resembling a small town. Like The Academy in Southport, the Orphans’ Academy now hosted a general education section for any child not able to pay for private tutoring as well as magic studies and martial training. Azerick had tried to change the name to the People’s Academy, but the name simply would not stick.

Most students were housed on the grounds, as the five-mile walk was too far to go every day. Several children did pile into a few wagons that made the daily trek, but most stayed in the dorms and went home on the weekends. Those that had homes. There were now over seven hundred students, but only about three hundred were permanent residents who counted the school as their only home.

The forest to the south was now nearly a mile away. The trees had been cleared and the ground plowed to help sustain the population of the school. It still was not enough by itself, but Wolf had absolutely forbid any further clearing, particularly to the east. How he had assumed ownership of what was included in the deed to Azerick was unclear, but fact was undeniable.

The most notable addition was the second tower, just recently completed. It stood two stories higher than the original five-story tower and was half again as wide. A hall stretched fifty feet and connected the two towers at the base and fourth floors. Azerick thought most of the work around the school would be long over with by now, but workers still poured over several areas as the need for more dorms, expanded walls, and classrooms continued to grow with the increasing population.

Peck was still the head groom but now had five assistants to help him tend the one hundred horses housed in the greatly expanded stables. The fact that he was in charge of people up thrice his age might appear odd to most people at first look, but Peck quickly showed that he deserved the position with his tireless work and natural ability working with the animals.

Peck pulled the coach up to the front of the new tower and Azerick helped Miranda descend the steps. She looked up at the new tower and marveled at its stucco-covered stone exterior and large, glass windows.

“Oh, you finished the new tower!” Miranda exclaimed in joyous surprise.

“I thought transitioning from the grand palace of North Haven to a drafty old tower might be hard on someone of your
sensitivity
, so I thought I would make it as comfortable as I could,” Azerick replied facetiously.

Miranda showed how sensitive she was by punching Azerick in the shoulder hard enough to make him step back. “You better watch your tone, mister. You are still in trouble for stealing the King’s ring. Now show me to my new home.”

Azerick led Miranda up the steps then scooped her into his arms. She squealed in surprise and delight as Azerick whisked her across the threshold, making the doors open before him with a tiny streamer of magic.

Miranda wriggled out of Azerick’s grasp as she looked in wonder at the ground floor. The main hall of the old tower was lovely with its chandeliers, beautiful furniture, tapestries, and carpets. The new tower was palatial.  Marble sheathed every surface. Five chandeliers glittering with strings of polished crystals brilliantly illuminated the huge room with what Miranda assumed were magical orbs of light.

Everything in the room, from the furniture to the tapestries and paintings, reminded her of the most beautiful rooms in the castle only everything here was brand new. Not a speck of dust marred a single object or surface.

“Azerick, it is amazing. It’s like you took the best of the palace and put it in the tower!”

“I thought about that, but it was easier to just build a new one on a smaller scale. Moving something as large as the castle inside an area this small involves a great deal of specialized magic,” Azerick replied.

“Could you do that, move the entire castle inside of the tower?”

Azerick thought a moment then answered. “I suppose it is possible. Aggie would be the best person to ask about that. I am sure she could move Captain Brague’s quarters into one of the privies. I will ask her tomorrow.”

“Don’t you dare!
General
Brague is a hero in his own right. You should respect him more.”

“I do respect him. I just do not like him. Now enough talk, my wife. Allow me to show you to our room. We have the entire third floor to ourselves in a suite of rooms that includes a study, solar, dining nook, and of course—the bedroom.”

“Oh, lead the way, Lord Giles, Savior of North Haven, Defender of the Crown, and stealer of the King’s jewelry,” Miranda commanded seductively.

CHAPTER 2

Landrin sat at his desk engrossed in the book set before him. Since his turning nearly a dozen years ago, he had reestablished his pursuit of magic. No longer needing to sleep, he learned a great deal in that relatively short time. He knew that if there were a cure, or at least a way out to break the dominion Eldon held over him, it would be through magic.

He sensed Jacinth enter the room but refused to acknowledge her presence. Eldon liked to surround himself with beautiful things and Jacinth was no exception. Her fair skin and brilliant copper hair would spark desire in any man, but her grey eyes held nothing but power-hungry malevolence.

“What are you doing, Landrin? Studying your little book of spells again?” Jacinth asked derisively.  “Maybe you are learning a new song to sing for us? I do love it when Eldon makes you sing.”

The vampiress walked slowly around Landrin, pressed herself against his back, and traced his jaw with her index finger. “Maybe you are not studying at all. Are you praying again? Why do you pray to a god who has ignored you every day for the past decade? Do you think he will reward your vigilance? Do you think he will ever show mercy to our kind? He despises you, my pretty bard. He laughs at your devotion just as Eldon does.”

Without warning, Landrin lashed out with a snarl. Jacinth leapt away with astounding speed and agility, clinging to the wall near the high ceiling, hissing in outrage. Landrin shaped the Source with a thought, ready to incinerate her, but was unable to release the spell.

Jacinth laughed at his impudent gesture. “You cannot use your magic against us, fool. Eldon has forbidden it, as you well know.”

“What do you want, Jacinth?” Landrin asked as he let the gathered magic ebb away.

“Eldon commands your presence in the parlor.”

Landrin left the sound of Jacinth’s mocking laughter behind him as he walked dutifully down the richly appointed hall towards the parlor. As usual, Filip seemed to be waiting for him before he was halfway there. Filip had been a play actor and was destined for fame until he caught Eldon’s eye. The elder vampire thought he would be a good addition to his family and would help break the daily tedium by performing with Jacinth, Celina, and Karla for his amusement.

It had seemed a good idea, but Eldon quickly became bored of him and the three women ensured that he would never be favored above them. Then Eldon had brought Landrin in and now he found himself lower in station than someone that, by rights of age, should be beneath him. It could be argued that Landrin had become Eldon’s favorite amongst them all, and that made the entire atmosphere of the mansion rife with jealously.

Filip leaned against the wall, all black silk and white lace. He pushed himself off the wall and fell into step next to Landrin. “I see the favorite has been summoned once again. Mind if I tag along?”

“I don’t care half a wit what you do, Filip,” Landrin replied, not even trying to hide the contempt he held for his fellow vampires.

“So what do you think he wants this time? Shall he have you sing him a song? Maybe you can dazzle him with your little magic tricks?”

Landrin knew Filip was trying to provoke a fight, but he refused to rise to the bait. “I do not know nor do I care. Whatever I do, I do against my will.”

“Why must you be so dour? Why not embrace this gift? It is not as though you gave up wealth, fame, and women with your little tavern trilling. I should be the angry one. I was set to be the greatest actor in the kingdom. I was to play for the King in the spring before Eldon made me. Women walked for miles just to see me perform. Many of them even came after the show was over. Now I am tossed aside every time Eldon finds a new pet,” Filip complained.

“I am sure your victims rest easier in their graves knowing how you suffer so.”

“You mock me now, but soon you will be tossed aside for something new as well.”

 “A pity that would be,” Landrin replied sardonically.

The pair entered the parlor where Celina and Karla doted upon Eldon, buffing his nails and brushing his hair. Karla was beautiful, as were they all, with hair like spun gold. Celina was equally beautiful, but with hair as black as a moonless night. All three looked at the two men as they entered. The women cast hateful glares, but only Eldon spoke.

“Filip, why are you here? I did not summon you,” Eldon said crossly.

Filip bowed obsequiously and replied, “I assumed it was a mere oversight that you forgot me, Eldon.”

“You presume too often and always too much. However, I suppose this concerns you as well, so you may as well stay. There is a grand ball being held at the castle, and through my connections I have gotten us all invitations to attend.”

With ever perfect timing, Jacinth strode through the doors and exclaimed, “A ball! How delightful! What is the occasion for such a rare treat?”

“It seems the King will be stopping by on his way home to Brelland after having toured the other three duchies. Likely in some feeble attempt to reinforce his rather shaky rule. We are going to ensure such bolstering does not happen.”

“It sounds like we are going to get to be bad,” Celina crooned.

Eldon softly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “We are going to be more than bad. We are going to be horrific. Our master’s plans are nearly coming to a head. This is the perfect opportunity to destabilize the warm-bloods even further just before he makes his decisive strike.”

Landrin listened to Eldon’s plans in horror. The bard maintained his existence, largely by Eldon’s command, by drinking the blood of humans but without participating in the kill. He thought that perhaps Eldon found his squeamishness amusing. However, tonight would be a slaughter and one Eldon would not allow him to miss.