The bulk of the day passed in a blur for Kevlin. Everywhere he went, he was constantly accosted. Men shook his hand or clapped him on the back and congratulated him for his tremendous victory. Women threw their arms around him and kissed him, and many promised to name their next child after him.

Kevlin wasn't prepared for such enthusiasm. He'd lived in Diodor for several months and knew the solid, dependable folk as good natured but reserved. Today they showed none of their normal restraint. He was just happy Indira wasn't around. Some of the women were very enthusiastic.

He finally received a bit of respite that evening as he joined the rest of the company in a private antechamber near the great hall. He got to rest in quiet while they awaited the summons to join the feast honoring their victory and beginning the two-week mourning period for the fallen king.

Kevlin moved to stand beside the hearth where a crackling fire drove back the chill. Drystan stood nearby speaking with Gabral. Both were dressed in their military uniforms. Jerrik lounged in an overstuffed chair with a flagon of something in one huge hand. He waved Kevlin over.

"How are you doing?" the big man asked.

"I'm still alive."

"You don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"These people will give you anything you want. You don't have to let everyone assault you all day." Jerrik grinned. "Although, I wouldn't mind getting assaulted by a few of those ladies who threw themselves at you."

"I'll send them your way next time."

Prince Lievin entered the room with a stunning woman on his arm. The prince looked somber dressed all in black. His companion on the other hand, looked striking in her black silk gown. Tall, shapely, with thick, blond hair and brilliant blue eyes, she drew the attention of everyone in the room like a magnet.

Jerrik surged to his feet beside Kevlin and nearly spilled his drink on himself.

The prince's companion was trailed by a handmaid, a petite, pretty young woman with brown hair. Ceren and Indira trailed the royal party, followed closely by Harafin.

Indira drew Kevlin's eye. Her sable hair shone like silk and highlighted the creamy whiteness of her skin. Tonight she had set aside her customary healer's robe for a royal blue gown. The bodice hugged her torso while the skirt fell in pleated folds all the way to the floor.

Kevlin smiled, thinking back to the kiss they'd shared after the battle. Tonight he'd make sure to get some of her time.

Ceren looked every inch a noblewoman. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head in a complex arrangement. She wore an emerald green gown that perfectly matched the shade of her eyes, and left her shoulders bare. She looked both vulnerable and alluring at the same time.

She met Kevlin's gaze with a raised eyebrow as if challenging him to make a comment.

He knew better. This woman had proven her courage and cunning on the field of battle. Kevlin had learned to guard his words around her quick tongue and sharp wit.

Prince Lievin said, "My friends, may I present my fiancé, Lady Miren Tylius."

Lady Miren made a little curtsy and they all bowed or curtsied in reply. Then she laughed, a rich sound that seemed to warm the room.

"Enough of such formality." She threw out her arms to include them all. "You are our dear friends."

Then she swept across the room and took Kevlin's hands. He tried to look calm as she kissed him lightly on the cheek. "My dear Lord Kevlin, we cannot thank you enough for avenging Lievin's father."

She smelled like a summer day, and the scent perfectly fit her. Kevlin managed to stammer his thanks, and her smile widened. Then Jerrik nudged him in the ribs.

Kevlin welcomed the distraction. "My Lady, I can't take all the credit. Without my brothers' help, we wouldn't be celebrating a victory today."

If not for the mystical connection he shared with his two swordbrothers, Savas would have owned his soul.

Lady Miren looked from Kevlin to Jerrik with a frown. "How can you two be brothers?"

Jerrik took her hand and bowed over it. "By blood, if not by birth."

Drystan moved to stand beside them and Kevlin said, "My other brother, Drystan Aldacosia."

Lady Miren laughed. "Now I know you're joking." She took Drystan's hand. "I've wanted to meet you for years."

Drystan bowed over her hand, not tongue-tied like Kevlin had been. "Thank you, my lady. But Kevlin isn't jesting. We three are swordbrothers."

"That explains it. I can't wait to hear the story."

"Perhaps during the feast," Prince Lievin said.

While they waited to enter the great hall, Harafin and Prince Lievin discussed the current state of affairs. The Prince shared with them that the emperor himself, along with kings and nobles from the other five kingdoms, had already sent word of their intentions to attend Prince Lievin's coronation in one month's time.

The prince took Lady Miren's hand. "Tonight we'll announce that our wedding will take place that same day."

After everyone congratulated the couple, Colonel Gabral said, "If I may, Your Highness, do you think it wise for so many of the empire's leaders to leave their kingdoms now, at a time of impending war?"

"It's a risk," Prince Lievin admitted. "However, given the lateness of the season, it's unlikely any major assault will be launched before springtime. Still, the empire is already beginning to mobilize."

Harafin said, "I'm glad to hear it." He shook his head ruefully and added, "I would find myself stuck in the wilderness at a time like this."

"I'm glad you were," Prince Lievin replied. "From all accounts, we wouldn't have won without your help."

Harafin stroked his white beard. "The events that transpired in Il'Aicharen will play a pivotal role in the upcoming conflict."

He glanced at Kevlin but his expression was unreadable. Kevlin resisted the urge to look down at his right boot where Tia Khoa lay hidden, stitched into the fold of the turned-down upper.

He hadn't connected with the strange essence he had found inside stone since that terrible day. Even now conflicting emotions fought within him as he thought back to that incredible moment. He had never felt anything so wonderful, so right in his entire life.

And yet, in the moment he had touched the stone, he'd killed Antigonus, the man he had sworn to save at all costs.

The ShadeLeech Tanathos had turned Antigonus into a Halimaw, and by all accounts, Antigonus was beyond help. Tanathos had very nearly succeeded in his plan to murder the monster that had been Antigonus. His victory would have doomed them all to destruction.

Kevlin had done the right thing, the only thing he could have. He just wished he could feel better about it.

Thoughts of the battle and what he'd done to help win it led to thoughts of the awesome experience of wielding almost limitless power. Under Tia Khoa's direction, he'd unleashed a firestorm that broke Wayra's power and shattered the keep.

Suddenly Kevlin craved that experience again. His hands began to shake, and the quiver reverberated up his arms into his chest. The memory of wielding magic seemed to awaken a hunger so intense Kevlin had to bite his lip to keep from growling.

He needed to live that moment again. The need was like a living thing clawing at his innards. Kevlin glanced around. Everyone was focused on Lady Miren as she told a witty tale. No one had noticed his shaking hands.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Kevlin looked to Harafin, but the sight of the old Sentinel only drove the wild hunger to a fever pitch. Harafin had magic. Harafin could give him some, but he didn't. The selfish old fool wouldn't share.

Kevlin felt a crazed urge to launch himself at Harafin and throttle him for being so cruel. Instead, he forced himself to turn away. An open door beckoned and Kevlin staggered away from the group and through the door.

He found himself in a small garden. He made it several steps onto the soft grass before his legs buckled and he fell to his knees. His limbs trembled so badly he couldn't even sit up.

What's happening to me?

Fear sent icy tendrils down his spine, but the driving hunger consumed it.

Then Indira joined him and knelt by his side. "Kevlin, what's the matter?" She tried to help him sit up.

Normally the touch of her hands sent a shiver of warmth through him. Now all he could think of was that she had magic. Her gift of healing had saved hundreds of lives in the past weeks.

"Help me," he begged.

"Of course, Kevlin. Just take off the amulet so I can heal you."

Rage burned through him. How could she be so cruel? He needed magic. Only the amulet could capture her power and give it to him. He couldn't take it off.

Kevlin grabbed Indira's arm and shouted, "Give me magic! Now!"

Indira tried to pull away, her face frightened, but Kevlin tightened his grip. He felt shocked by his actions, but couldn't stop himself.

"Kevlin, stop. You're hurting me."

Kevlin shook her and screamed, "Give it to me!"

Indira cringed away from him, tears glinting in her eyes.

Then giant hands grabbed his wrists and squeezed. The pressure drove his hands open and Indira scrambled away. Kevlin lunged after her, desperate to regain contact, but Jerrik lifted him bodily off the ground and pulled him away.

"Kevlin, stop it," Jerrik growled. "You're acting insane."

Kevlin struggled against Jerrik's unrelenting grasp. Ceren helped Indira to her feet. The two ladies stared at Kevlin in shock.

Jerrik shook Kevlin. "Cut it out, brother."

Kevlin ignored him. He pleaded, "Indira, you're killing me. Just give me a little. Just a little, and I'll be fine."

"What are you talking about?" Ceren asked.

Indira hesitated. "Maybe, maybe I should."

Kevlin nodded. "Yes. Yes. Please."

"I don't think it's a good idea," Ceren said.

"Nay," Jerrik said. He still struggled to hold Kevlin back. "He's not himself."

Drystan arrived. "Is it Savas again?"

Jerrik shrugged. "How am I supposed to know?"

Indira took a single step closer. Kevlin could almost touch her. The need to feel magic made him want to howl.

She said, "I think I can heal him."

"Don't touch him," Harafin commanded, joining them in the small garden.

He stopped beside Indira. "That's the worst thing you could do right now, my dear. It would destroy him."

Indira gasped and retreated. Kevlin howled with frustration as the promised magic moved out of reach. The terrible hunger clawed at him, driving him to redouble his efforts to break free of Jerrik's grasp.

Harafin took a step closer and Kevlin quieted down. Harafin had magic. He could share. Kevlin extended his fingers toward Harafin and whispered, "Please, give me some."

"What's wrong with him?" Ceren asked.

Harafin shushed her with a wave of his hand, not breaking eye contact with Kevlin. "I will share some magic with you if you do one thing for me."

"Anything."

"Take off your boots."

The others looked surprised, but Kevlin didn't care. He'd strip naked if Harafin asked him to. In that moment, he'd murder his own brothers to ease the craving that drove him.

Jerrik eased his hold and Kevlin ripped off his boots and tossed them aside. Harafin pointed a finger at them and a shimmering silver globe appeared around them all.

"What are you doing?" Ceren asked.

"A precaution."

"You're being cryptic again," Drystan said. Harafin shot him a hard look and Drystan raised his hands in surrender. "I know, I know. Trust you."

Gabral, who had been hidden from view behind Ceren, stepped up beside Harafin. "He looks like a rabid animal. We should put him out of his misery."

Harafin pointed at Jerrik and Drystan. "You two stay here. The rest of you, leave us."

Ceren snorted and whispered something to Indira as she led the taller healer from the garden. Gabral frowned and looked like he wanted to protest. A hard look from Harafin convinced him leaving was a better course.

Kevlin crept closer to Harafin and licked his lips. He extended one hand toward the old Sentinel. It shook so badly he could barely hold it up. "You promised."

Harafin held out a hand. A small globe of amber light appeared above his palm and floated across to Kevlin.

Kevlin pounced on it. As soon as it touched him, the amulet resting against his chest grew a shade warmer as it captured the magic and poured it into him.

Kevlin fell back onto the ground and shouted with pure joy as he took the magic and changed it the way Tia Khoa had taught him, making it his. The power filtered through him, and for a second it washed away the terrible hunger.

Kevlin blew out a happy breath, and only then did his mind come awake, as if out of a terrible dream. What had he done? He'd attacked Indira. The memory seared him to the core.

He rolled to his feet, intent on rushing to her and apologizing, but the hunger returned, stronger than ever.

He glared at Harafin. The Sentinel had more power than he could use, and yet he only shared such a tiny bit. Was Kevlin a dog to receive only scraps?

He held out his hand and demanded, "Give me more."

"No."

Kevlin snarled and launched himself at Harafin, hands outstretched like claws to force the old fool to share.

Jerrik caught him by the shirt and lifted him off the ground. He spun in Jerrik's grasp, but before he could rake the bigger man with his nails, Drystan pinned his arms behind his back.

Harafin said, "Subdue him. I am afraid you will have to be rather firm."

Jerrik grunted as Kevlin kicked him in the ribs. "Sorry brother."

Then he slammed Kevlin onto the ground. Kevlin struck so hard he sank into the soft earth. The impact drove the breath from his lungs and rattled his head. While he lay stunned, Drystan dropped onto his chest and arms, pinning him.

The blow cleared Kevlin's head. The craving for magic still prowled through him, but for the moment it didn't control him.

"I'm all right. Let me up."

Drystan hesitated, but then stood. He and Jerrik remained close by Kevlin's side when he arose.

Kevlin faced Harafin and shame clung like vomit to the back of his throat. "What just happened to me?"

"Have you been feeling shaky lately?"

"Yes."

Harafin nodded. "I should have been watching more closely for the symptoms. I am sorry. I had a lot on my mind."

"What symptoms?" He made it sound like a disease.

"You are suffering from Trembling Madness."

Jerrik moved away from Kevlin. "Is it contagious?"

"No. In fact, Kevlin is the first non-Actinopathic that I know of to experience it."

"What is it?" Kevlin asked, trying to mask a growing fear. Hadn't he just embraced magic? It figured that now it would try to kill him.

"It is the consequence of your experience at the keep of Il'Aicharen."

"You mean, when I . . ."

Harafin held up a hand to forestall him. They hadn't spoken with anyone else about how Kevlin had connected with Tia Khoa or his being chosen as its new bearer. Kevlin still could scarcely believe it had happened.

Only the most powerful Sentinels were ever chosen to wield Tia Khoa. Harafin had said they would speak more on the matter soon, and had sworn him to secrecy. Only he and Harafin and Sentinel Ah'Shan knew the truth.

Harafin said. "Yes, you handled a considerable amount of magic without the necessary safeguards in place, nor the natural capacity to control it. In such an event, the magic leaves an impression on your mind, a craving, or addiction if you will. The result is the driving hunger that just took control of you tonight. It drives you to acquire magic, and in similar quantities as before."

"That sounds bad," Drystan muttered.

"This has happened occasionally with Sentinels, particularly Accepted, although rarely is the effect as powerful as we witnessed tonight. Only at its most extreme is the phenomenon referred to as Trembling Madness."

"You mean I'm going insane?" Kevlin asked? He'd given so much, tried so hard. Better to have fallen in battle than become a raving lunatic.

"Not exactly. You are sane, but this addiction can be extremely dangerous. It is not dissimilar to the symptoms experienced by users of Aravinda, the Nedikan 'pleasure flower' popular in Freyarr, when they lose access to the drug for any length of time. Should you succumb to this craving and gain access to magic while a slave to it, you would be unable to control it, and could easily unleash terrible destruction."

"That's why you wouldn't give me more magic."

Harafin nodded. "You needed a taste of it to regain control, but now you must drive it away. If you do not, it will only trigger the madness within you."

"How long does it last?" Kevlin asked. Harafin's words terrified him, but he felt a deep reluctance to release the magic. The craving still gnawed at him, but he could still control it.

"With discipline and constant vigilance, you can control it. As your mastery with magic grows, your capacity will increase and the craving will subside and eventually disappear. Now, release the power I gave you."

Kevlin focused the magic into a single drop of power in the center of his chest. He steeled his mind and willed it away. For a second it bucked against his will. The unexpected reaction scared him and he redoubled his efforts to get rid of it.

A column of bright white light shot out of his upraised palm and streaked into the open sky above the garden. It left a burning after-image that remained for several seconds.

Harafin nodded. "Very good." Then he fixed them all with a solemn stare. "Tell no one about this."

Kevlin struggled to focus during the feast. He remembered little of the food beyond the fact that there was a lot of it. The tables groaned under the weight of the feast. Harvest had recently ended and the kingdom was eager to share Serigala's great bounty.

Kevlin wasn't given much time to ponder Harafin's dire pronouncement. As a primary guest of honor, his feast was constantly interrupted by well-wishers.

An entire table was set aside for gifts, and soon it was overflowing. At first, most of them were for Kevlin. In a flash of inspiration, he deflected the request to recount the battle to Jerrik.

The huge Donarri was eager to do so. His heavily embellished account communicated most of the major facts, while leaving out Kevlin's struggle for possession of his soul against Savas.

Thankfully, Jerrik made sure to highlight his and Drystan's contributions. They were both saluted as heroes and for a time, attention shifted from Kevlin to them. Drystan accepted the praise with grace and good humor. Jerrik basked in it, and caught the eyes of several eligible young ladies.

The worst part was that the prince canceled the normal dancing out of respect for the dead king. Kevlin didn't even get to dance with Indira in that gorgeous dress. Worse, he never got a chance to apologize.

He retired late that night to the spacious room appointed to him. As he lay in the darkness, he thought back over everything that had happened in recent weeks.

The battle was over, but he'd have to be a fool to assume his life might return to any semblance of normal. He'd settle for getting some quiet time to spend with Indira.

Surely he could get that much.