Island Shifters: Book 01 - An Oath of the Blood (25 page)

T
he elusive Mage strode swiftly through the newly dubbed War Council seated in Grace Hall directly to her father’s table and bowed. “And you, my dear King, always had a knack for rousing the masses,” he said softly, out of earshot of the others.

The King smirked and said, “It has been a very long time, Starr. I just regret that our reunion is due to unfortunate circumstances.”

“Why else would I be here except for unfortunate circumstances, Your Grace?” he quipped. “May I have the floor?”

The King nodded and then took Kiernan’s hand to lead her off the raised dais to the floor, gesturing to the Captains and officers at his table to follow.

Kiernan was surprised when Galen walked to the back of the room to stand in front of Titus, who was still being held securely by his arms. The Mage shook his head in regret. “My apologies to you, young man. It seems my former apprentice has much to answer for. With your permission, I would like to speak to you in private after this council as there are many questions that I need answered.”

Titus looked taken aback, but nodded his head.

Addressing the Sabers with authority, Galen said, “Return this man to his cell until I can speak to him, but do not harm him.” It was an order. “Then, see to it that we are not interrupted by anyone, including servants. Dinner will have to wait.”

The soldiers hesitated and then glanced at Captain Colbie Nash who nodded. “Do as he says.”

As soon as Titus and the Sabers left the Hall, Galen walked forward and addressed her father again. “Again, my apologies, Your Grace, but events on the island are spinning out of control and time is of very limited supply. If you will, please introduce your guests to me. I would like to know to whom I speak.”

The King glared at Galen. “Very well, Mage, but you are testing my patience with your grandiosity.”

Galen smiled and tilted his head in acknowledgment, but Kiernan again noticed an underlying sparkle in the man’s eyes.

Each guest came forward as he or she was called. The King introduced the two Captains of the military and several of their top officers. Next, he introduced the six Lords and Ladies of his Court, Lords Etin, Winslow, Hamilton and Paxton, and Ladies Conry and Knapp. Lastly, he presented the shifters.

Once the introductions were complete, Galen approached Bajan and bowed deeply at the waist. Bajan clicked his tongue, clearly satisfied at the display of respect. “I am honored to meet you, Draca. I have had many dealings with your Sovereign, Moombai, over the years and hold the Draca Cats in the very highest of esteem.”

Bajan’s eyes turned black.

Princess, thank the Mage and tell him I am pleased by his words

After Kiernan translated, Galen inquired, “May I ask his name?”

“Bajan.”

“Ah, a very noble moniker, indeed.” Galen bowed once more and turned to face the War Council with outstretched arms. “Let us all sit down. It is imperative that you understand the occurrences that have led to our current situation and what must be done to repel this invasion of evil.” He walked toward the tables and with a casual flick of his wrist, several chairs skidded across the floor to rearrange into a half circle.

Lord Etin’s face reddened in fury. “Your Grace! I am sure the Mage must have a purpose for all of his dramatic antics, but flaunting magic in the face of the law? In the palace of the King?”

Before the King could respond, Galen put his hands up again in concession. “You are right, Lord…Etin, is it not? Forgive me, Lord Etin, but my gift is such a natural part of
who
I am that I have forgotten
where
I am.” He held his hand out to the chairs. “Please. No disrespect was intended.”

The wary Council Members took their seats and Galen, throwing his cape back to billow over the back of his chair, sat down with them. “Let me start by telling you why Adrian Ravener has chosen this time to start a war with the Island of Massa.” He paused. “It is because of me. Because I am dying.”

Kiernan looked around the room at all of the stunned faces that must have mirrored her own. It was hard for her to believe that this imposing, vibrant man was dying.

“Not only am I dying, but Ravener knows this as well. He knows that safeguards I have created will be vulnerable once I die. As you all should know from our histories, there were four original
Savitars
who defeated Adrian Ravener in his original quest for dominion over the people of Massa. He has now returned three hundred years later for the very same purpose—domination. Adrian is a magician of immense power and will give no quarter. He must be utterly destroyed. The only way to do so is to unlock an ancient magical counter that….”

Captain Franck snorted an interruption. “An arrow through his black heart will kill him the same as any man.”

Galen nodded. “True, but he will be well guarded, and while he is well guarded, he will be conjuring dark arts.”

“What must be done?” asked Captain Nash.

“Despite your mistrust of magic, the naming of four new
Savitars
is compulsory to success. Only they will have the power to reach and summon the counter.”

The Mage stood up to walk behind the seated guests. “It will not be easy.” He put his hands on Rogan’s shoulders. “It will take a master fireshifter to light the way.” He moved to Airron. “It will take a bodyshifter of many forms to locate the trail.” He touched Beck. “It will take a mighty earthshifter with the strength to carry the day.” Galen stood behind Kiernan. “And it will take Princess Kiernan Everard, and only Princess Kiernan.”

Kiernan turned to look up at him. “Why me?”

“Because of your connection with Bajan. The power we seek is in Callyn-Rhe, home of the Draca Cats.”

She tilted her head in question. “But, how do we find the city? I had always been told that it is impossible for humans to find.”

Galen shook his head. “Not impossible. Each of you should be in possession of a pendant. These four pendants when joined create a map to the shrouded Callyn-Rhe. There is where you will find the weapon to counter Ravener’s plans.”

The King, who had been quiet throughout Galen’s dire assertions, walked over to him now with barely controlled fury. “How long have you been making these plans, Mage? How long have you known that you would be using my daughter to wage war?”

Galen’s blue eyes were filled with regret. “I have known for many years that this day would come, Max.”

Her father’s fists clenched at his sides. “You did not find it necessary to share this information with me? With the other lands?” he asked in disbelief. “Maybe your way is not the only answer, Mage. If you will recall, it did not turn out very well the last time the people of this island entrusted their welfare to you!” Galen did not flinch, but Kiernan could see the sorrow in his face. The King went on mercilessly. “Hundreds of thousands of people perished, Galen! I would not like to see a repeat of the Mage War. There has to be another way!”

Galen reached out to put his hand on her father’s shoulder. “There is no other way, Max. I wish there was.” He looked directly into his old friend’s eyes. “She is pureblood.”

The tension stretched between them as everyone in the room watched the silent battle that waged between the Mage and the King as they glared at each other for several long moments. At last, Maximus shrugged Galen’s hand brusquely off his shoulder and turned toward Kiernan, taking her hands in his. “What say you, daughter?”

She did not hesitate. “I must do as Galen requests, father. I am the only one who can communicate with the Draca Cats through Bajan.” She did not bother to remind him of her blood oath. He would not understand. Still, she knew her father was hoping to hear her rail against this unconscionable task being requested of her. To denounce Galen Starr and his enigmatic and turgid claims. But, she did none of those things and thus unwittingly handed the victory of this evening to Galen Starr.

The King was silent as he contemplated and paced in front of the War Council. Then, he stopped in front of Beck, Rogan, and Airron, silently measuring their competency. “Will you also travel to Callyn-Rhe with my daughter?”

The three shifters stood as one. “We will.”

He turned to Bajan, sitting passively on his haunches at her side. “Will you travel to your homeland with the Princess and protect her? Lie down your life for her if you must?”

Bajan nodded.

“And so it is! As the shifters have agreed to do their part in defeating the bastard Mage, so do I pledge to rout the Cyman Army. We march in one week for Starfell!”

Kiernan scraped back her chair. “Father, you must wait for the armies of the Dwarves and Elves,” she implored. “There must be over fifty thousand soldiers in the Cyman Army!”

The King scoffed. “We have already discussed this. The Iserlohn Army and the Scarlet Sabers can handle these interlopers, daughter. We may be outnumbered, but we have advantages that the Cyman Army does not such as maneuverability, knowledge of the terrain, and the best battle strategists in the land.”

Airron stepped forward. “But, Your Grace, with assistance from the Elven Gladewatchers….”

“Do not forget the Dwarven Iron Fists!” interrupted Rogan.

The King nodded. “Yes, yes, both units would be very formidable allies and if they arrive at Starfell, I will be grateful for their aid. But, we cannot wait. Ravener has demanded a response by Earthshine, which is six weeks away. It will take at least a week to outfit the army with the provisions and weaponry needed, and another five weeks to march to Starfell.”

Lady Knapp spoke up. “House Knapp supports King Maximus! The Shadow Panthers march to Starfell!”

Lord Etin nodded his head. “I care not one whit for where the shifters go, but you have my support as well, Your Grace. The Eagles of House Etin fly for Starfell!”

One by one, the Royal Court voiced their backing by committing their forces to the engagement.

“House Winslow’s Couching Wolves with the King!”

“The Red Dragons of House Hamilton to Starfell!”

“The Thundering Bulls of House Paxton charge to the Valley of Flame!”

“House Conry’s Savage Badgers will not be denied!”

The King unsheathed the sword from his scabbard and lifted it high into the air. “It is decided! But, if it is surrender that Ravener is looking for, he will be sorely disappointed! There will be no surrender! He will only find the sharp points of Iserlohn’s swords!”

Iserlohn was at war.

While King Maximus was making his declaration of war, Rory Greeley slipped out and past the nervous servants milling around the closed doors of Grace Hall and made his way in search of the holding cells. Fortunately, most people seemed to forget he was around which left him ample opportunity for covert exploits.

He had to ask several servants for directions along the way, but finally found the correct location. Two brawny guardsmen in the black uniform of the Iserlohn Army stood in front of a set of iron doors that Rory was told led down to the underground cells. He walked purposely toward them, and the guards watched him come with suspicious eyes.

These were soldiers who knew their duty and took no chances, thought Rory. He was certain that they would not let him through to the cells if he simply made the request, so he tried another tactic. He smiled at them disarmingly and said, “Pardon. I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of the guest chambers. I have only just arrived with the Princess and the palace is so large that I must confess with some embarrassment that I cannot remember the way to my room.”

One of the guards pointed down a carpeted corridor that led, Rory knew, to the guest chambers.

He fixed a confused look on his face and scratched his head. “Are you sure? I have already been down that way, sir, and could not find them.”

The guards exchanged glances and then one nodded, probably the senior of the two. “Stay at your post, Vance. I will show him the way.”

Rory thanked them both and followed behind the guard, risking a glance back over his shoulder before they turned the first corner to confirm that Vance was still in position and looking forward again. When the burly guard leading him turned to provide further directions, he struck. Small as he was, Rory was skilled in combat and knew how to immobilize a larger opponent. The unsuspecting soldier did not have a chance. A well-placed blow to the side of his temple dropped him like a stone. Eyes darting quickly up and down the corridor, Rory quickly lifted the man under the arms and dragged him to the first door he saw.