Raging Sea and Trembling Earth: Disciples of the Horned One Volume Two (Soul Force Saga Book 2) (27 page)

C
onnor massaged his temples
. The library was far too small for both him and the erstwhile merchant to share for long periods. He needed to find something for Mikhail to do before his clanking footsteps drove Connor to violence. It seemed he’d been listening to Mikhail pace for days. While Connor was content to wait for events to proceed, Mikhail had less patience.

Connor cocked his head and honed in on an approaching energy. One of his messenger birds was returning. A moment later the black crystal bird flew into the library and landed on the arm of his chair, a message clamped in its beak. Connor grabbed the scrap of paper and gestured the little bird away. Mikhail clanked back to read over his shoulder.

Apparently his agent had recovered the urn, but now required transportation to a safe location. It included directions to a remote location in the woods fifteen miles from the capital. Connor smiled and stood up. At last his patience had been rewarded.

“So the spy succeeded,” Mikhail said.

“I’m not so certain. I’ve read many messages from that particular bird and the handwriting on this note was totally different. Whoever has the urn, it isn’t my spy.”

Mikhail straightened up. “You suspect a trap?”

“Doubtful. Only the spy could have sent that bird. Morana linked it to his soul force. More likely he’s injured and had someone else write it for him. An ally of some sort.”

Connor gestured the bird back from its perch on one of his shelves. It landed on his finger and he willed it to return to the spy. The bird just sat there staring at him with its black crystal eyes.

“My spy is dead.” Connor returned the bird to its spot on the shelf. Until it was linked to a new person the little messenger was useless. “I believe I’ll go see who ended up with my property.”

“Let me go, Master. It might be dangerous.”

Connor laughed. He was by far the stronger of the two and he was curious about whoever wrote the message. If Mikhail went he’d kill whoever it was without learning anything. It wouldn’t do to cut down a potential ally. He’d just lost one spy, maybe he could pick up a new one.

“I’ll be fine. Stay here and protect the library. This shouldn’t take long.”

Mikhail bowed his head. “As you command.”

Connor flew south, swinging wide around the capital. It took him miles out of his way, but he didn’t want to risk any Crimson Legionnaires or worse, the archmage herself, sensing his passing. While he certainly didn’t fear the sorcerers in the capital, he also didn’t want to risk an unnecessary confrontation at this stage.

He landed in a clearing deep in the woods. A crude shed, its roof sunken in and its boards rotting, sat near the edge. This had to be the place described in the note. “Hello?”

A weathered old man with a satchel slung over his shoulder emerged from the shack. He took one look at Connor and flinched. “You must be the master the idiot mentioned.”

Connor raised an eyebrow at the old man’s insolence, but decided against killing him on the spot. “Indeed. I’m Connor Blackman. And you are?”

“Koran Dane. Your man led a sorcerer to my home then leveled it with this…whatever it is. I been watching the capital for better than thirty years for the cult and that bloody idiot ruined everything in a day. What am I supposed to do?”

Connor understood now. This man was a member of the original cult. Most of them were nihilists who hated everything, psychopaths that wanted to watch everything die. Connor smiled. It was so rare to meet one of the old guard.

“For someone that has served the cult so well for so long I’m certain we can find a task for you. You know Morana?”

He nodded. “The redhead. She’s been collecting my reports for the past two years. She’s a sight easier on the eyes than the last poxy son of a whore I reported to.”

“Splendid. She’s working with some other members in Valcane. I’m certain you’d be a great asset for her. Now, the urn.”

He shrugged off the satchel and handed it to Connor. “I forgot about it for a minute. Glad to be rid of the awful thing. You going to fly me to the coast?”

Connor laughed again. “Hardly. I’ll send Morana a message and she’ll come collect you in a day or two. Just wait here and stay out of sight.” He undid the ties on the satchel and looked inside. The inky black cylinder glinted in the late afternoon light.

Connor leapt into the air and powered back north with his prize. Now, once Eleck completed his task, Connor could begin the final phase of his plan.

E
leck paced
in the small chamber that served as his quarters. Dirt trickled from the walls as roots came and went, slithering along like serpents. The wise one still lived. If it were otherwise the roots would be still.

Damn the strangers! If they had simply died in the initial attack as they were supposed to Eleck could have announced the murder of the wise one at their hands and assumed command of the Green Path. If he made the announcement now everyone would know he was lying. The very existence of the still-squirming roots would denounce him.

He clenched his fists, trying to ignore the pain in his hands. He used the black rings Master Connor had given him as little as possible, but even a single blast left his hands aching for days. He raised his sore hands and studied the black veins running along the palms and between his knuckles. The long gloves he favored hid them well enough along with blocking anyone from sensing their corruption. They were potent tools, but like anything, not without cost.

Eleck concentrated on the silver ring studded with black gems. He felt nothing, no stirring, no hint that any of his soul force eaters survived their encounter with the outsiders. The red ring still pulsed with life. Four of the fire breathers still lived, though Eleck doubted their ability to slow his enemies. The demon-tainted beasts lurking in the newly corrupted portions of the Great Green might give them pause, but Eleck held out little hope of ultimate victory there. The only real chance he had was the powerful guardians securing the cave. As long as he kept the outsiders from interfering with the circle nothing else mattered.

“Master?” Delia said from beyond the curtain that separated his room from the tunnel.

“Yes?”

“The people are gathered as you requested. They’re waiting and eager to hear you speak.”

“I’ll be along in a moment.” As soon as I figure out just what I’m going to say.

“Yes, Master.”

Eleck sighed. His acolytes were obedient, but lacking in motivation. He shouldn’t complain. It was that very lack that made them so easy to persuade to his cause. Whispered vague promises combined with a show of force from his monsters convinced them that remaining loyal to the current wise one would be bad for their health.

Fear did wonders to keep them obedient. Eleck should know, he was terrified of Connor and his black knight, and would do anything they said if it meant avoiding a face-to-face meeting. He didn’t know how much longer he could postpone that meeting. To assure his success Eleck feared he’d need reinforcements. Better to ask for more help than to fail, that was certain.

Eleck pulled on his gloves and straightened his green robes. He couldn’t claim the wise one was dead, but he could still blame the outsiders for kidnapping him. The would give him temporary control of the group and turn them away from helping his enemies. He’d have to find some way to make the wise one’s disappearance permanent before anyone found him.

He brushed the curtain aside and stepped out into the tunnel. Delia flinched away from him before remembering he was supposed to be a beloved leader not a figure of terror. That was the sort of slip that could give people the wrong idea if she made it around those outside their little circle. Chastising her would only make her more jumpy. Eleck put a gentle hand on her back.

“Stay calm, Delia. This matter will be resolved soon. Always remember, outside the cave there’s no reason to fear me.”

“Yes, Master Eleck.” The mousy blond couldn’t even look him in the eye when she spoke.

He needed to order one of the others to take her place. She was the weakest member of the circle, but if she couldn’t even manage the simple tasks he set her, she’d be less of a liability tending the ritual.

Eleck strode through the familiar tunnels with their boring dirt walls and floor, dangling roots brushing his hair. When he assumed full control he’d have the damned things trimmed back and maybe put some stones on the floor. What sort of leader had to walk in the dirt?

He sighed. One who was connected with the earth force at all times, as a proper Wise One should be. Eleck could still see and manipulate the power, but he’d long since lost the easy connection he used to have with the Green Path. He sometimes missed the gentle energy flowing through his feet and up into his body.

Eleck held up his hands. That weak energy was nothing compared to the strength he’d gained from the black rings. His rings gave him real power, real control. As long as he had them Eleck was master of his fate. At least as long as he obeyed Connor.

Out in the clearing all the people of the Green Path had gathered around the entrance to the temple. Everyone wore nervous expressions, the gazes darting from one friend to another in hope of some reassurance.

Perfect.

Eleck would give them false reassurances and they would be all the more eager to believe him.

T
he wise one’s
grumbling woke Damien from a light doze. The old druid was grinding his teeth and muttering obscenities. Who’d have thought the leader of the druids could swear like a sailor? Jen still slept on the couch he conjured for her and Leah floated in the pond, every bit as out of it as his sister.

“What’s wrong?” Damien asked.

“Eleck. He’s giving a speech, warning my people about you. He says you kidnapped me and that they need to be vigilant lest more outsiders sneak in and harm them. Lying fraud! If only I had the strength to get up there.”

“He’s certainly clever. Give the people an external enemy to focus on and they’re less likely to notice the corruption within. That’s a tactic that’s worked many times, at least according to the history books. So what’s the plan once everybody’s finished with their naps?”

“You’ll have to confront Eleck at his hidden cave. Leah can show you the way. I can’t leave the temple, but I can keep an eye on things here. I know you can’t do what needs to be done without violence, I only ask that you refrain from harming any of the innocent people Eleck has deceived.”

“I don’t know what you think you know about people from outside your little group, but we’re not in the habit of slaughtering innocents. We’ll do what’s necessary to protect the kingdom and no more. Once the threat is eliminated cleaning up the mess your protégé made is your job.”

“I’m sorry,” the wise one said. “I didn’t mean to imply you and your sister were particularly violent, I simply worry for what my people might do under Eleck’s influence. If they attack you I know you’ll have to defend yourself.”

Damien grunted, not especially mollified. A splash from the pond ended the conversation before it became an argument. Leah pulled her feet under her and walked through the shallow water back to shore. If she felt at all awkward standing completely naked in front of two men she gave no sign of it. She used her cloak to dry off and then dressed.

When she finished she stretched and joined Damien beside the wise one. “What happened?”

The wise one gave her a quick summary. When he finished Leah was gaping like a fish on the deck. “Eleck betrayed us? I can’t believe it.”

“Believe it,” Damien said. “He has two black rings and the corruption has already begun blackening his hands. Depending on how much he uses them he has at most a year or so to live.”

“What if he stopped using them and threw the rings away, could he be saved?” Leah looked at him with sad, pleading eyes.

“I don’t know. Healing isn’t my area of expertise and frankly I saw no sign that he’s in any way interested in tossing them aside. In my experience once people get a taste of power it’s very hard to convince them to give it up. I suspect Connor gave him the rings as a test. If he completes whatever task the warlock set for him a more permanent form of power will likely be his reward.”

Leah turned her sad gaze on the wise one. “How could he do this? He would have eventually taken your place. Was that not power enough for him?”

“I don’t know, my dear.”

“Maybe he got sick of waiting and decided to move things along on his own. It doesn’t matter now anyway. He made his choice and now we need to deal with him. How do we get out of here once Jen wakes up?”

“I can open a path for you out the rear of the grotto. We’re well away from the village so no one should see you leave. Once you’re out I’ll seal it up behind you.”

Damien nodded. “How far to this cave once we’re out of here?”

Leah tapped her chin for a second. “Perhaps a day. I was just wandering when I found it.”

“Follow the disturbances in the Green Path,” the wise one said. “After that massive shift the power streams will be roiled and they’ll grow worse the closer you come to the source of the shift.”

Leah slapped her forehead. “I never even considered that route. I can lead the way straight to it.”

Damien grinned. “Guess that’s why he’s the wise one.”

Leah returned the smile. “Yes it is.”

Half an hour later Jen sat up and scrubbed her hand across her face. “Where are we?”

“Safe for the moment,” Damien said. “How are you?”

Jen waved off his concern. “Fine. I just needed to rest. Is that water safe to drink?”

Damien checked it and found nothing toxic. “There’s nothing poisonous in it as long as you don’t mind the fact that Leah’s been floating in it for the last five hours.”

Leah slapped his shoulder. “What are you implying?”

“That none of us has had a bath since we left the castle.”

Jen shrugged, cupped her hands and bent down to drink. There’d have to be something pretty nasty in there to bother a warlord anyway. When she’d drunk her fill Jen stood up and stretched. “So what’s the plan?”