Raging Sea and Trembling Earth: Disciples of the Horned One Volume Two (Soul Force Saga Book 2) (3 page)

D
amien closed another book
. They’d been at it for five days and only three books remained in the unread stack. He now knew more about demons, warlocks, and cults than he ever wanted to and he remained no closer to finding Connor’s hiding place. The only things the books had in common were demons and the haunted lands, and he doubted even a warlock would try hiding in that undead-filled wasteland.

He ran a hand through his hair. They were almost done. He just had to buckle down and finish up.

The library seemed even quieter than usual; the soft rustle of pages being turned or the tapping of students’ shoes on the hard floor no longer filled the silence. They had the whole place to themselves, aside from Mistress Lenore. The library had the hollow, lifeless feeling of a tomb. Damien shook his head. That was the books talking. Spending fourteen hours a day reading about the worst of humanity could put a man in a dark mood.

Ann slid closer to him on the bench, pressing her hip against his. Damien inched away and she slid over again until they were touching.

Damien smiled. She played this game every time he showed signs of flagging and he loved her for it. He slipped his hand under the table and squeezed her bare knee. She flinched and slid back to her side of the bench. He’d discovered that, despite her flirtatious nature, if he showed any interest she backed off at once. Apparently she only enjoyed the game if he didn’t want to play. Knowing that made it even more fun to tease her back.

“Find anything interesting?” he asked.

“Does the fact that some people are every bit as awful as the worst demon count?”

“No, I already knew that. I was thinking about something that might give us a hint where Connor is hiding.”

“I can’t help you with that. Is there any way to unread all this horror? I never dreamed such awful books existed much less waited for anyone interested to find in our library.”

Damien slid closer to her and put his arm around her.It seemed that, that despite her provocative dress and manner, Ann remained quite innocent about just how terrible the world could be. He felt a little bad about giving her a crash course.

“You’ve been a huge help, you know. What do you say we finish these last three books then head over to the Dancing Pony. I’ll buy you that chocolate cake you like and we can split a bottle of good red wine.”

She smiled, though her eyes still looked sad. “That sounds wonderful.”

“Then it’s a date.” He kissed her on the cheek.

Ann’s face turned red and he forced himself not to grin. Teasing was kind of fun. He understood why she enjoyed it so much.

D
amien woke
up in his old spartan room relieved not to have a headache. Ann had drunk more than her share of the wine the night before, saving him a hangover. He feared she wouldn’t be so fortunate. She’d fallen asleep halfway through the flight back to The Tower and he’d had to carry her up to her room and tuck her in. If she rolled out of bed before noon Damien would be surprised.

For his part Damien was eager to track down Connor’s yearmates and see what they had to say. In all honesty he’d welcome anything other than reading in the library. If he didn’t set foot in the place for a year it would suit him just fine.

Damien took his time with his workout, adding half an hour of meditation before heading downstairs to the dining hall. Jaden’s father had devised a new spice blend for his breakfast potatoes and Damien couldn’t get enough of them. He pushed through the swinging doors and found a line waiting. The scent of rosemary and sage filled the room and set his mouth to watering. It appeared Damien wasn’t the only one who liked the new spices. This was the first time he could remember getting to the hall and not being the first to arrive.

He spotted Eli on a bench at the far end of the hall. When he looked up from his food Damien waved. His friend motioned him over and after he finally collected his breakfast Damien went to join him.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with your research,” Eli said. “I’m retaking the final test next month and I really need to practice.”

Damien waved off his apology. “It’s fine. We finished yesterday and didn’t find anything remotely useful. What discipline did you decide to focus on?”

“I followed Jaden’s example and chose attack. My speed and accuracy are much better, but I don’t know if I can hit hard enough.”

“Make your blasts as narrow and focused as you can. That’ll increase their penetration.”

“That’s just what my teacher said.”

All around them the room fell silent.

Damien spun around and found the headmaster standing in the doorway. The old man looked as serious as Damien had ever seen him. The deep wrinkles in his forehead looked like canyons and the normally smiling face was turned down in a fierce scowl.

“Got to go. Good luck on your test.”

Damien left his half-finished breakfast and trotted over to the headmaster. “Sir?”

“Come with me.”

Damien followed the headmaster back to his office, neither of them speaking. That the old man could go over a minute without laughing or joking surprised Damien. It appeared he had a serious side after all. From the way he was acting Damien suspected he wouldn’t be staying long so he didn’t bother to sit once the door closed behind them. Damien accepted a scroll from him and started reading. The message wasn’t long. Ships had been spotted coming from the west. The archmage wanted him to return to the capital at once.

He looked up from the scroll. “Is it true?”

The headmaster nodded. “This isn’t something Lidia would joke about. We’ve long feared the Old Empire would try to make contact. It appears that day has arrived.”

“What about the search for Connor?” It bothered Damien to leave his task half finished, but he knew his master wouldn’t have recalled him unless the situation were serious.

“Don’t worry, I’ll send Lon to speak with his yearmates.”

Damien dug the many-times-folded piece of parchment with the names and assignments of Connor’s yearmates out of his pocket and handed it back to the headmaster. “Tell him to be sure and ask about the haunted lands. Connor seemed to have an obsession with the place.”

“I will. Anything else?”

“No, sir. I’ll collect my gear and head out.”

“Be careful, my boy. The Old Empire wasn’t feared throughout the world for nothing.”

J
ohn Kord stood
in front of his mentor’s desk surrounded by the acrid, minty smell of alcohol and brewing potions. He’d gotten used to the odd combination over the past year and a half. Four tables covered with bubbling beakers and flasks sat in front of the back wall. His master, dressed today as was his habit in a blue-and-silver commander’s uniform, had gotten reassigned after the battle with the Ice Queen’s army. The two of them now worked out of the barracks built just outside the city of Jorgen, the capital city of the northlands. They did their best to reconstruct the damaged limbs of soldiers injured during the war. The slow, tedious work wore on John, but when he restored a man’s hand so he could tie his boots again, or hold a sword, the satisfaction defied description.

Now it seemed he had to leave his task in the middle. John read the message Master Kane handed him for the second time. He’d been selected to serve as Princess Karrie’s personal healer. He was to report to the capital as soon as possible.

It made no sense. John was an inexperienced sorcerer still in training. If Karrie really needed a healer there were dozens of sorcerers more qualified than him.

John finally looked at his master. “Is this a joke?”

Master Kane frowned. “No, though that was my first reaction as well. We have hundreds of injured men that need healing and as far as I know the princess is in excellent health. Whatever we may think, an order from the capital isn’t something you can ignore.”

“What about my training? I still have five more months.”

Master Kane’s expression lost some of its edge. “The truth is, John, I have little more to teach you. You have a natural gift for healing which time and experience will hone. I’m totally confident releasing you from your training early. Now you’d best pack your gear and get a move on. When the capital says jump, you jump.”

“Yes, Master.” John bowed then held out his hand. “It has been a pleasure working with you.”

Master Kane stood up from behind his desk and shook John’s hand. “Likewise. And don’t worry about things here. I’ll hold down the fort. You just focus on your new patient.”

John left his master’s combination apothecary and office, closing the door behind him. Out in the gray stone hall the occasional groan of an injured soldier in the healers’ ward reached him. His instincts shouted at him to go help whoever was hurting, but he forced his steps the opposite way, toward the little room where he slept.

Halfway there Mary Ann, a cute blond nurse that looked a little like Jen, rounded a corner, her arms loaded with clean towels. She smiled at him over the mound of linen and John winked. He’d miss their banter only a little less than his work helping the injured. Not that there was anything serious between them. A quick kiss and cuddle now and then, to break the tension of working long hours with men in horrible pain. She wouldn’t have any trouble finding a replacement for him.

His room was little more than a monk’s cell. A narrow bed, footlocker, and nightstand with a wash bowl were his only furniture. He emptied his footlocker into a canvas rucksack and was ready to leave. Since beginning his training with Master Kane he’d gotten in the habit of traveling light. He had plenty of fancy clothes at home, but since everything he wore ended up with blood on it why bother dragging silk doublets and shiny boots around with him. That may have to change if he was to serve in the capital. He grimaced, not certain if he liked the idea of getting back into a role he hadn’t played in almost five years.

Perhaps he could focus more on being a healer rather than the son of one of the four generals. Fat chance of that. The moment he arrived there’d be someone hoping to use him to get a favor from his father. Much as he’d prefer to avoid it, politics were unavoidable for him.

J
ohn landed
his conjured horse well away from the castle. A few curious people glanced his way, but for the most part sorcerers arriving in the capital weren’t so uncommon that his landing drew much reaction. If he’d tried to land in the castle courtyard, on the other hand, he would have drawn the attention of the Crimson Legion. All in all he preferred to approach the front gates and deal with the regular guards.

He guided his construct along the road up to the closed gates. Behind him a trunk loaded with a selection of his better clothes picked up from home on his way south floated on a disk of soul force. He had considered not bothering with the expensive outfits, but figured word would get back to his mother if he didn’t dress properly. In her own way his mother was every bit as fierce as the general. That probably explained why his parents had stayed married for so long.

Four warlords stood guard outside instead of the usual two ordinary soldiers. The warlords looked tense, their hands never straying far from the hilts of their swords. John eased closer, not wanting to do anything that might startle the nervous guards.

When he was ten yards from the gate one of the warlords stepped forward. “Halt! State your name and business.”

“John Kord. I’ve been assigned as Princess Karrie’s new personal healer.”

The guard looked back. One of the other warlords had unrolled a scroll. What in the world was happening? John had never seen security so tight. A few seconds later the man with the scroll nodded.

“You’re expected. I’ll have to search your luggage.”

John made the trunk move up closer and the top pop open. “Please be careful not to wrinkle my clothes.”

The guard poked around for a minute then nodded. “Okay, go ahead.”

The massive gate swung open and John guided his construct through. He dismounted and let the horse vanish. Groups of warlords, each accompanied by a sorcerer in red robes, patrolled the courtyard. Heaven’s mercy. Were they expecting an invasion?

John shook his head and headed for the door to the keep. Two more warlords stood by the closed doors. They eyed John as though expecting him to start blasting everyone any moment. Despite their suspicious looks they opened the door as he drew closer.

It had been a while, but the familiar entry hall hadn’t changed. Suits of armor still lined the path to the throne room. The message said to report to the castle, but not exactly to whom. His first thought was the archmage, but he had no idea where to find her. By the same token he didn’t know where Karrie might be either. He’d try the throne room. The king and his father had known each other for years, he’d help.

He walked down the short hall and sighed in relief to find the usual guards on duty instead of more warlords. They probably figured if an enemy made it this far two more warlords wouldn’t make much difference. He frowned when the guards made no move to open the doors for him.

“Is the king in court?” John asked.

“He’s having a private meeting with the archmage,” the left-hand guard said. “He’s not to be disturbed.”

John sighed and sat on his trunk. “Mind if I wait here?”

The guards looked at each other and the one that hadn’t spoken shrugged. “I don’t see why not,” the spokesman said.

W
ind whistled
in his ears as Damien blasted through the leaden sky at top speed. If the headmaster had read the situation correctly he had little time to spare. How was it possible that they had a warlock getting up to who knew what and at the same time ships from the Old Empire were approaching the kingdom? Had the universe decided to see how much trouble they could handle at one time? If just one more thing happened he feared it might break them.

The capital grew larger and soon filled Damien’s vision. He went straight to the castle, landing in the courtyard. Three groups of warlords, each paired with a sorcerer, ran towards him. What were they doing patrolling the courtyard? The empire ships must have everyone on edge.

He recognized one of the Crimson Legion sorcerers. “Alden, what’s going on?”

The red-robed sorcerer waved the others off. “It’s okay, he’s one of ours. The archmage ordered triple patrols as soon as we found out about the imperial ships. After the assassin slipped through, she’s not taking any chances and the captain of the guard agreed whole heartedly.”

“She sent a message calling me back. Do you know where I can find her?”

“I believe the archmage is in the throne room trying to convince the king she’s not overreacting.”

Alden went back to his patrol and Damien headed for the keep. The warlords guarding the door must have seen him talking with the Crimson Legionnaire as they opened the door for him without a fuss. Damien offered them a nod, but didn’t break stride. He stopped at the entrance to the hall leading to the throne room. Seated on a trunk fifteen feet from the doors was the last person he expected to find here.

“John?”

His old friend turned toward Damien and offered a relieved smile. Behind John the guards reached for the doors. Damien gave a subtle shake of his head and the men resumed their positions. “Damien, thank heaven. I’ve been sitting out here for an hour waiting for the king to finish his meeting so I can find out where I’m supposed to go.”

Damien frowned. “Why are you here, exactly? I thought you were assigned to the northern army.”

“I was. I got a message reassigning me to serve as Princess Karrie’s personal healer. I rushed south and when I arrived I found more guards on duty than I’ve ever seen. Do you know what’s going on?”

“Yes, but I’m not certain how much I can tell you. Come on, I’ll take you up to the royal quarters. If Karrie’s not there, someone will know where to find her.”

“Thanks. Sitting in this hall is getting old.”

They left the hall and took a side route to a flight of stairs. Damien had made the trip enough times he hardly thought about it. At least they didn’t have warlords all over the living quarters. Uncle Andy guarded his scant private time zealously.

“So talk,” John said. “Why’s everyone so worked up?”

“I’ll tell you, but you have to keep it to yourself. Ships were spotted coming from the west.”

“From the Old Empire?”

Damien smiled at the disbelief in his friend’s voice. Not that there was anything funny about the situation. “That’s the assumption. The archmage called me back from The Tower and my guess is we’re going to fly out and see what’s going on.”

“Do you think that’s why they called me in? In case something happened to the princess, poison or an assassin or something?”

“Possible, I guess. I had no idea you’d be here, but it’s good to see you.”

They stopped in front of the door to the royal quarters. Damien knocked and a minute or so later Queen Audra opened the door. “Damien, what a nice surprise. Won’t you come in?”

“I really shouldn’t. I was just playing guide for John.”

“Good morning, Your Majesty.” John moved up beside Damien.

“Hello, John. Damien, I insist you come in for a few minutes. Karrie would be so disappointed if she didn’t get to see you.”

She stepped out of the doorway and Damien had no choice but to enter. He couldn’t exactly tell the queen he was too busy. A few minutes wouldn’t make that much difference, hopefully. “Is Karrie feeling okay?” Damien asked.

“Oh yes, it’s just Lidia has been so busy lately we thought having a dedicated healer around would be a good idea. Better safe than sorry and all that.”

“John! Damien!” Karrie stood in the doorway of her room wearing a frilly pink dress, a big smile on her face. She ran over and hugged them with one arm each. She kissed John on the cheek and stepped back. “If only Jen were here we’d have the gang back together. Come and sit down. I can ring for tea.”

“I really can’t stay. The archmage is waiting for me.” Damien and John bumped fists. “Look after everyone for me. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I feel better knowing you’re here.”

“Will do. Be careful.”

Karrie had her bottom lip stuck out. “You’re leaving again?”

“For a little while. Don’t worry, Princess, John is much better company than I.” Damien offered Audra a little bow and slipped out the door.