Harafin glanced from Tia Khoa to Kevlin, the sentinel’s expression unreadable. “This is unexpected.”
“That’s all you have to say?” Gabral cried.
Leander smiled, as if he understood a joke none of the rest of them did.
Ceren gasped, “How did you get that?”
“He named me steward,” Kevlin added nervously under Harafin’s gaze.
Harafin nodded and scratched his beard, his eyes never leaving the rock in Kevlin’s hand. Kevlin looked down and realized it was upside down. He flipped it in his hand to reveal the emblem.
A sharp, blue light flashed from the emblem as the rock spun, surprisingly bright in the dim warehouse. The stone settled perfectly into his palm. His fingers curled around it, slipping between the protrusions on its rough upper edge, and it felt disturbingly right.
Harafin leaped to his feet, shouting something that sounded like a curse, but in a language Kevlin didn’t understand. Leander joined him.
“The Flaming Sword,” Harafin declared in an awed tone.
“Aye,” said Kevlin, wishing he’d left the rock facing the other way. “Tanathos seemed pretty upset about that too.”
“Tanathos?” Harafin asked.
“The shadeleech in charge. He was trying to break Antigonus’ mind so he could be named steward. Antigonus said that was the only way Tanathos could touch the rock.”
“We call it a stone, not a rock,” Harafin said.
“Aren’t they the same thing?”
“It is a matter of style. Calling it a rock makes it sound common.”
“I suppose.”
They were all crazy. Rock or stone, didn’t matter. All Kevlin cared about was Harafin assigning a bearer to it so they could get to the important business of killing Tanathos.
“When did the emblem change?” Harafin asked.
“When I snuck into Antigonus’ cell and he gave it to me.”
“I knew you were going to try something stupid,” Ceren said.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Tell us everything,” said Harafin. “Leave nothing out.”
The air felt suddenly heavy and charged, like just before a storm. Kevlin’s palms began to sweat. He stared down at the rock and marveled at the exquisite details of the flaming sword emblem. It was surprisingly warm to the touch. A deep calm settled over his mind and thoughts fled.
“Kevlin.” Harafin’s voice shook him from his reverie. “Put it away while you tell us your story.”
Kevlin obeyed, despite a surprisingly strong reluctance to do so. Beginning with the startling explosions of magic the night of the bloodset, he related his story.
Gabral tried to ask questions, but Harafin shushed him. As Kevlin recounted the fight with Dhanjal and Rhea, he left out everything to do with the song of Savas. He was nervous enough in the presence of the legendary Harafin without trying to describe something he didn’t really understand. Thankfully, Ceren did not point out the omission.
He also said nothing of the amulet, and skipped details of how he had defeated the shadeleech Haraz to avoid questions that might lead back to the amulet. Harafin didn’t challenge him on it.
When Kevlin finished, he held up the rune-covered bag. “So here I am.” He extended the pouch. “And here’s the stone, like I promised.”
“I cannot take it,” Harafin said.
“Antigonus said to get it to you.”
Harafin nodded. “That you made it so far is a great victory.”
“So, why won’t you take it?”
“I cannot. You are steward.”
“What does that mean?” Normally Kevlin wouldn’t dare push a sentinel, but he was in no mood for cryptic answers.
“It means time is short, and events are spiraling out of control.”
Leave it to a sentinel to complicate a simple question. He wondered how the old man ever ordered breakfast at the inns he stayed in.
“Then we’d better get back to the fort and rescue Antigonus before they escape,” Kevlin said. “If you don’t want it, I’ll give the rock back to him.”
Harafin shook his head. “No. The time for Antigonus to bear Tia Khoa is past.”
“He’s dead?” Ceren asked. “How do you know?”
“Antigonus may yet live, but another bearer must be chosen.”
“I don’t understand,” Kevlin said. “Tanathos’ forces are pretty strong, but we can’t just give up.”
“No one is going to give up,” Harafin said. “I must choose a new bearer of Tia Khoa and, as steward, you must accompany me.”
“Okay,” Kevlin said, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. We can do that. Let’s go save Antigonus, and then I’ll help you find someone else to carry the rock.”
“There is not enough time to do both.”
“Why not?”
Harafin frowned, his face a mask of frustration. “Timing could not be worse. We must race for Tamera with all speed.”
“I swore an oath to save Antigonus,” Kevlin said. Legendary sentinel or not, Harafin’s evasive answers stoked his frustrated impatience to anger. “There’s no way I’m running the other way.”
Gabral rose to his feet. “You will stand down or I’ll have you whipped for insubordination.”
Kevlin ignored the colonel, refusing to break eye contact with Harafin. The old sentinel seemed surprised at first, then irritated. Kevlin had been pushed too far and stubbornly refused to look away, despite the terror shaking his hands.
After a dozen heartbeats of silent scrutiny, Harafin said, “I like your spirit, young man.”
“You still haven’t told me why you want to abandon Antigonus and run away.”
Gabral growled and stepped toward Kevlin, but Harafin held up a hand to forestall him. “Know this,” Harafin said. “Antigonus has been my friend for more than a century.”
“So let’s go save him.”
“There’s more at stake than the life of one friend.”
“If we throw away the lives of our friends, what do we have left?”
“I throw away no life,” Harafin snapped, his voice shaking the room, eyes flashing like lightning. Kevlin retreated a step despite his resolve to hold firm. Maybe he’d goaded the old man a little too much.
“I believe Kevlin has a right to know,” declared Leander.
“Very well,” Harafin conceded after a moment, still frowning.
Leander explained, “The problem we face is one of timing and location. We don’t have enough time to reach the fort where Antigonus is held. A new bearer of Tia Khoa must be chosen before sunset six days hence.”
“Why?” Kevlin and Ceren asked together.
“The autumn equinox, when night and day are equal in length, occurs in six days,” Harafin said. “It is the last day before darkness commands more of each day than light, until the vernal equinox next spring.”
“Why’s that important?” Ceren asked.
“Because Tia Khoa is the key to an aegis, or shield, of magic blocking the Sigrun from unleashing their full might against us. If we pass the autumn equinox with no bearer of Tia Khoa, the aegis will weaken and eventually fail. The power woven into the aegis is enormous and it would rebound against Tia Khoa, destroy the stone, and lay waste to everything for miles around,” Harafin said.
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Kevlin stared at the rune-covered bag, wondering what other details Antigonus had left out when he assigned Kevlin’s mission. It didn’t matter. He now knew more than enough. He held the pouch out to Harafin. “Take it. I don’t want it.”
“Antigonus named you steward. You alone can touch it until the next bearer takes possession of it,” Harafin said.
“I don’t want it.”
“That is irrelevant,” Harafin said. “Now you understand. Time is too short to both save Antigonus and find a new bearer.”
This stupid rock was going to be the death of him.
“So we race for Tamera,” Kevlin said slowly, hating every word, “and then who do I give the rock to?”
“Stone.”
“Fine, stone. Who gets it?”
“I do not know.”
Kevlin blinked. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t.” Harafin shrugged. “I won’t until the moment of choosing, when Tia Khoa itself reveals the next bearer.”
“So how do you know it’ll choose someone in Tamera?” Ceren asked.
Harafin frowned. “I do not, but that’s where the greatest concentration of sentinels is to be found.”
Kevlin groaned. “So even if we leave Antigonus to die and let Tanathos escape, we could still fail?”
“And destroy the imperial seat too,” Leander added.
“That’s not helping,” Harafin said.
“None of this is helping.” Kevlin sank onto a crate. “I can’t believe it. You’re supposed to help me save Antigonus.”
“Us,” Ceren said. “Help us save him. We both swore to get him back.”
Harafin said, “We will do what we can, but you and I must leave for Tamera. Colonel Gabral, accompanied by Leander, will cut off Tanathos’ escape until reinforcements can be marshaled.”
Gabral swallowed, looking a little pale, but said nothing.
“That is not a good plan,” Leander remarked. “Gabral is well protected as bearer of the Mace and I have nothing to fear from shadeleech magic, but the rest of the company will be exposed.”
“I know, but it is the only plan we have.” Harafin stood. “The flaming sword, Leander. It’s the flaming sword, and we’re stuck in the wilderness.”
Kevlin rose too. “There is another option.”
“Oh?” Harafin asked.
“We have five days. It’ll only take two to get to Antigonus and free him. I’ll give the rock back to him, and he’ll be bearer again. Catastrophe averted. Tanathos dead.”
And Kevlin would settle the score with Dhanjal with a hundred imperial lancers at his back.
Harafin shook his head. “Antigonus cannot take up the stone.”
“Why not?”
“It is complicated.”
“Not as complicated as you’re making it,” Kevlin shot back.
Leander rose and held up his hands to calm them. “Let us think on this further. In the meantime, we can interrogate the shadeleech to see what he knows.”
Gabral sent Jerrik off to prepare the company to ride out, then approached Merab's floating form. “Master Harafin, can you alter that shield so we can communicate with him?"
"Yes, but I must caution you to choose your words carefully,” Harafin said. “Shadeleeches are masters of lies, half-truths, and manipulation. Although he is within my power, he is not helpless."
"I’m not afraid of this man,” Gabral said. “He will answer my questions, willing or no."
Harafin joined Gabral beside the floating prisoner and gestured with one raised hand. Merab blinked and looked around. When he noticed Harafin, he snarled with hatred burning in his eyes.
"You are a prisoner of the empire," said Gabral. "Your days of treachery and darkness are ended.”
Merab addressed Harafin. "You were lucky today, sentinel. But for the distraction of the old man’s hammer, you would be burning in the dark lord’s chains."
"An optimist,” Harafin said with a little smile. “Unusual in one of Angrama’s slaves."
"You will answer me, prisoner,” said Gabral. “I’m in charge and will ask the questions."
"Sentinel, why do you allow this pup to speak? Is that how the torture begins?"
Gabral’s face reddened. "I am bearer of the Mace and champion of the emperor. I have power over your life."
Merab sneered down at him. "You don’t understand power. You think that toy you carry makes you a man?"
Gabral raised a hand to strike.
“Beware,” Harafin cautioned. “I warned you he is adept at turning you from your questions. Do not fall into that trap."
Harafin turned his back on the prisoner and returned to his seat. Merab’s angry gaze never left him.
With an obvious effort, Gabral calmed himself. "Your games will not save you today, Shadeleech Merab. We know a great deal about you and your plot to steal Tia Khoa."
Merab glowered at him, but made no reply.
"I want to know how you came to be here. What are your numbers, and what was your plan?"
Merab laughed. "You want to know many things, but you will learn nothing, little man. You are a child and cannot understand the workings of men."
The shadeleech glanced around the room and caught sight of Kevlin for the first time. "You will not escape. You are marked. Ophisurus will own your soul, and you will suffer endless torment."
Kevlin shuddered. The god of darkness was not true-named often. Most people referred to him as EnKur for fear of cursing themselves. The sentinels called him Angrama, but only the dark god’s followers named him true. Hearing a shadeleech invoke the name Ophisurus raised the hair on Kevlin’s arms and sent a shiver of fear through his soul.
"You seem to forget that you are the prisoner," remarked Harafin from where he sat. "You are in no position to make threats. Concern yourself with your own life and how much pain you are willing to bear before it ends."
"Such idle threats,” Merab mocked. “You sentinels deny real power when you could take it."
"The power of darkness has never been real," interjected Leander. "Its illusion serves only to enslave you. In the end, it abandons all who follow it."
"Stalwart of the hammer," spat Merab in Leander's direction. "You stand among the paramount hypocrites. You preach mercy, but are the first to strike down those who oppose you. Have you considered how well you truly serve darkness?"
Leander chuckled, unperturbed. "You have a way with words, but I don’t have the time to explain truth to you, nor do I believe you would accept it."
Gabral stepped directly in front of Merab to draw the prisoner’s gaze. "You cannot avoid our questions. You will give me the information I seek."
"You have no power over me."
"You want to see power? I'll show you real power!"
Enraged, Gabral grasped the handle of the Mace. The curious leather sheath that held it on his back melted away, allowing him to pull the weapon up over his shoulder.
Merab scoffed. "You think I fear--“
With a snarl, Gabral drove the long spike at the top of the Mace into the center of the shadeleech’s chest. Merab's eyes widened in surprise and he opened his mouth in a silent scream.
Kevlin jumped to his feet. Leander gasped.
"What are you doing?” Harafin shouted. “I warned you to be careful. We can’t get anything useful from him if he’s dead."
Gabral held the Mace steady with its long spike piercing Merab's heart. The weapon glowed with a dark blue light which seeped into Merab's chest and began to pulsate in time with his heartbeat.
Heartbeat? How could he still have a heartbeat?
Gabral spoke over his shoulder. "He is in my power. His life will remain for a time and he will be forced to speak the truth. I know what I'm doing."
To Merab, he asked, "What is Tanathos’ plan?"
“He has not shared it with me.”
"Who in the empire is helping you," demanded Gabral.
As the shadeleech hesitated, the pulsating energy surrounding his chest slowed. They were running out of time.
"Bajaran,” Merab whispered.
"We know that one" Gabral’s voice was tight with the strain of holding the Mace’s power in place. "Who else?"
Merab howled like an animal. As he screamed, his features twisted and stretched beyond their natural boundaries. His eyes filled with malevolent darkness.
A deep, guttural voice issued from his throat. "You dare force truth from the mouth of a servant of darkness?"
Dread shivered through Kevlin. That voice did not belong to Merab. Something new spoke through his lips.
"Gabral, get back," shouted Harafin.
The sentinel leapt to his feet in unison with Leander as Merab began a terrifying wail that sounded like it was ripping out his vocal chords.
"You will obey me," shouted Gabral, increasing his pressure on the Mace, as if by brute force he could regain control of the shadeleech, who was obviously under some other power.
The energy binding the shadeleech exploded, shattering the spell. Harafin stumbled back, as if struck an invisible blow. Merab settled to the floor and grabbed Gabral by the throat. He pulled the colonel close, trapping the soldier’s arms between them and ignoring the Mace still piercing his heart.
Gabral struggled to free the Mace, but he was pressed too close against the shadeleech. He beat futilely against Merab’s arm as his face began to turn purple from lack of air.
Not relaxing his grip around Gabral's neck, Merab glanced up at Harafin, who was running toward him.
"You have defied us for the last time,” a different voice snarled through Merabl’s lips.
A wave of pure blackness swept from his eyes toward the sentinel. Just before the evil tide engulfed Harafin, piercing white light exploded out of him. Shadow and light swirled around Harafin, becoming a blur of magic, a terrible struggle beyond physical comprehension.
Kevlin felt an icy blast of fear as he looked into the empty depths that had once been Merab's eyes. Had Enkur risen to possess his servant?
A third voice, more sinister than the others, spoke through Merab’s lips. "You are marked. Your death is certain. The prophecy will fail."
A bolt of magic so dark it drew the light from the air erupted from those inhuman eyes. It struck Kevlin directly in the chest.
It disappeared, sucked in by the amulet’s protective spell.
Kevlin’s knees shook with terror. The amulet had stopped the bolt, but the air around him felt cold. A stomach-wrenching odor, like a long-dead corpse exhumed from the earth hung around him.
The amulet poured the captured magic into him. It strengthened him and eased the pain of his feet, but he wanted to scream. If he could have expelled it by driving hands into his own flesh, he would have done so in a heartbeat.
Leander stepped in front of Kevlin. "Begone, creature of hell!"
As the old stalwart advanced on the shadeleech, another wave of darkness swept out from Merab, but it dissipated when it reached Leander. He snapped his fingers and his war hammer appeared in his fist.
“Begone," Leander commanded again in a thunderous voice, then slammed the hammer into Merab's forehead.
Merab collapsed to the ground and his body began to smolder and burn, emitting greasy black smoke. Gabral stumbled away from the shadeleech, struggling to breathe through his bruised neck. Kevlin grabbed the man's arm and pulled him from the smoky room, followed by the others.
Harafin turned to Leander. "Thank you, my old friend. I was barely holding on."
They stopped on the street, coughing the vile smoke out of their lungs. Kevlin trembled from what he had witnessed. Gabral's vicious interrogation had resonated too powerfully with memories of torture. The helplessness of being compelled to speak Truth despite ensuing pain made him shiver with remembered terror.
He managed to bury those memories only because of the panic bubbling just under the surface as he thought of the evil magic trapped inside him.
How did I get rid of it last time?
Beside him, Ceren dabbed at her face and tried to catch his eye, but he ignored her.
The dagger. I threw the dagger.
Harafin turned angrily to Gabral. "Colonel, what did you think you were doing?"
"We needed answers, and I thought that was the best way to get them."
"No," countered Leander. "You ignored Harafin's advice and played straight into the shadeleech’s hand."
"I suspect he knew much,” said Harafin.
"Now we shall never know. We have wasted a rare opportunity," said Leander.
Gabral stood mutely for a moment, struggling to come to grips with the fact that his prisoner had manipulated him. Finally, he said, "I cannot take back what was done, but I will pay better heed to your counsel in the future."
"I hope that proves sufficient," said Harafin. He glanced toward Kevlin, and cried out in surprise.
Kevlin glanced behind him, but saw nothing that would cause the sentinel’s alarm. He turned back to Harafin, intending to ask what was wrong, but paused to stare. Light poured into Harafin from all around, building inside of him until the old man shone like a beacon.
He’s drawing upon the power of magic, and I can see it.
Kevlin had never imagined it could be so beautiful. He smiled at the wonder of it.
Harafin pointed one hand at Kevlin, and a bolt of blue-white magic leaped from it and lanced toward Kevlin’s heart.