Rise of the Red Harbinger (60 page)

“Why can’t you simply appear behind him and kill him?”

“He knows not to trust me by now. I realized too late that by accessing your mind, he could access your memories. You have seen me Travel numerous times. He would have made the connection. From now on, though, you must fight back when he tries to control you. I have been too careless. There is also the issue of him never being alone. He surrounds himself with guards at all times. Jahmash is smart. He doesn’t trust anyone, though he pretends that he does. I am an exceptional swordsman, but he is even better. I would never get the best of him. That is where you Descendants come in. If used properly, your abilities could be weapons that he can not match. I believe that is why the Orijin has blessed you with them. You are the new Harbingers. As for me, I am no longer worthy of the title ‘Harbinger.’ Nor do I want to be. I am no longer responsible for humanity’s salvation. I am no longer Abram. I am vengeance. I am the Master of Justice. I am Adl Maqdhuum.”

“I love the irony of it all,” Adria muttered next to him.

He turned to her. “What’s that?”

“Today is Abraday.”

***

Savaiyon was running out of energy. He would need to save his strength and use gateways just to help the Descendants escape. On the bright side, Marshall, Vasher, and Blastevahn were covering separate fronts of the battle to round up the wounded and keep them safe. Several Descendants still fought, though Savaiyon knew there would be more deaths. Those whom he could save he would send off for the time being, just as he’d done to Desmond and Maximilian. He hoped they’d find help soon. He was so tired he couldn’t even remember where he’d sent them.

He searched the main battlefront. Sindha was still managing to keep many soldiers held back with a force field, but even that only stopped a portion of them. Savaiyon ran by a burnt and bloody body, still smoking. He almost disregarded it, except that he noticed the face staring straight up to the sky and recognized it immediately.
Orijin, no. Not like this. Not like this. Burnt? Charred? Horatio, please tell me this was not your doing.

A few hours ago, Savaiyon wouldn’t have known the man, but Zin Marlowe had revealed his truth to the surviving Descendants, and his old, withered face was imprinted in Savaiyon’s mind. He formed a gateway next to the body. It led to another island where the graves of Lionel, Abram, and Darian were. His body would be safe there. Savaiyon pushed the frail body through and released the gateway. As he arose to move on, an arrow struck him through the forearm and brought him back to his knees. Savaiyon quickly broke the shaft and pulled out the rest.
No time for pain
.

He ducked down behind a low wooden fence and ran along it to search for more wounded.
Cursed height! Without Marlowe, we cannot stop them. We do not have the weapons to win a battle. We must retreat!

As Savaiyon passed an opening in the fence, he saw another body lying on the ground, rocking ever so slightly.
Reverron. At least he is moving
. A few enemy soldiers were running toward Reverron. From where he stood, Savaiyon opened a gateway on the ground next to Reverron. He kept it small enough that Reverron could roll through, just as he’d done to Marlowe’s body.
If I shout, I expose my location. You owe me, Rev.
“Reverron! Gateway! Roll to your right! Rev! Roll to your right!” The boy rolled more slowly than Savaiyon would have liked, but finally he made it through and Savaiyon sealed the gateway.

The oncoming soldiers altered their course and charged at Savaiyon. Their armor resembled that which he’d seen in the ruins of the Taurani village.
Not enough time
. Savaiyon formed a gateway right in front of them. He was sure it led into the ocean. It was too close for them to avoid. Once they were through, he sealed it and moved forward.
This is taking too much energy. I have to hurry. Where are the others?
He ran out from behind the fence to inspect the landscape. Horatio lay far to his left, where Savaiyon had seen him standing before.

Savaiyon hesitated a split second about going to him.
No, he can answer for his actions another time. It could have been a mistake
. Savaiyon ran to him after ensuring no enemies remained nearby. Just as with the others, he formed a gateway and pushed Horatio through. Exhaustion clouded his mind. Moments after closing the gateway, he forgot where he’d sent the boy. He’d actually forgotten where he’d sent most of them. Not far off, Badalao and Sindha fought nearly a dozen soldiers. Their backs were to each other and they were fending off attacks rather than fighting. Savaiyon knelt down to focus better. He started a gateway and wrapped it around Badalao and Sindha, creating a circle around them. Thankfully, his gateways were transparent, and he could see the two walk through. He closed it immediately and the stunned soldiers collapsed upon one another.

Another arrow grazed the side of his neck, taking a chunk of flesh with it. The glancing blow sent him to the ground. He heard another arrow land not far from his head. Multiple shouts ensued until he heard a voice coming near. “Come on Maven, we have to go!”

Savaiyon clasped his neck and stood gingerly, only to see Marshall and Kadoog’han standing by a lifeless soldier. Marshall had already taken the dead woman’s bow and arrow. “Inside! We have to go back in and bring the rest to safety!”

Marshall took a step in the opposite direction. “Nonsense. We have to stop these attackers! We can finish this now!”

“Too many of us are dead and wounded already! We must save whom we can! Marshall, this is not a discussion, it is a command! Marlowe is dead! We must preserve those Descendants who are left! There is a bigger battle than this to fight!”

“I’ve already watched the Taurani die and let Adria get taken away. I will not sit back this time!” Marshall glared at him and continued toward the remaining enemy soldiers. Savaiyon created another gateway, not far in front of Marshall, and watched the boy run right through it. He was surprised at how astute the boy was, as Marshall turned around almost immediately. Savaiyon close the gateway right away.

Savaiyon turned quickly to Kadoog’han, “Let’s go! We are running out of people to save!” They ran back toward the House, searching every remaining hallway and room for survivors. Sweat poured from Savaiyon. His clothes were drenched and only helped the exhaustion weigh him down. He had to resort to gateways a few times throughout the House in order to avoid enemy soldiers. They’d almost been seen by Drahkunov himself. Savaiyon would have relished a fight with the man, but it was not one he would win at the moment.

Over the next hour they covered almost every inch of what was left of the House and Savaiyon had created several gateways to help others escape. Many of his fellow Mavens had perished in the initial attack, but he managed to save a few. They would be necessary if the Descendants were to regroup. He and Kadoog’han even managed to save Delilah and Lincan before the infirmary collapsed. The two were stubborn enough to refuse to come upstairs. Savaiyon eventually created tight circular gateways around them so they’d had no choice.

“There is one more place we must go, my friend. There is one last Descendant we will need, if we hope to stand a chance against Drahkunov, cannons, and Jahmash.” He clasped Kadoog’han’s shoulder more in need for support than because he felt amiable. “If I have anything left in me to create another bridge.”

Kadoog’han shot him a knowing, but reluctant smile. “Dungeon.” He nodded. “The Prince.”

“We get him, then we leave.”

They wasted no time in moving on to the dungeon, but Kadoog’han carried Savaiyon practically the whole way. He wasn’t positive, but he might have blacked out once or twice along the way.

Savaiyon barely realized they’d arrived at Garrison’s cell. Once he recognized Garrison, he shook his head and stroked his hair. He briefly pressed his neck and saw that he was still bleeding, though not quite as much as before. Savaiyon took a step toward the cell and looked down at Garrison. The Prince crouched against the wall at the back of the cell and stared down.

Savaiyon blinked several times. His vision was becoming hazy. He was about to say something when he and Kadoog’han heard a man sprinting loudly down the hall. The man was as tall, if not taller, than he was. His face bore a thick brownish beard.

“Baltaszar! Where is Baltaszar Kontez? I have searched this whole damn island for the boy! Where is he? And Zin Marlowe? I have no time to explain! I need to find them before it’s too late!”

Savaiyon did not recognize the man’s accent, but it surely was not from anywhere in Ashur he’d ever been. Regardless, the man would have already killed them if he was an enemy. “Who are you?”

“We do not have time for this!” The man glowered at him but Savaiyon stared at him blankly. “Fine. My name is Slade. Rhadames Slade. I was a friend of Baltaszar’s father. And Asarei. I need Baltaszar now! If the wrong people get to him, he will be controlled by Jahmash! Do you not understand the urgency?”

In truth, Savaiyon sympathized with Slade’s predicament, but he had no energy for urgency. Every movement was labor. He dropped to a knee and rested his jaw in his palm. “Baltaszar is no longer here.”

“What? Then where is he?”

“Marlowe banished him yesterday. The boy is mad. He attempted to burn down his own village. He likely would have if we had not arrived when we did.”

Slade sighed, “Light of Orijin. No. Where is he now? Where did Marlowe send him?”

Savaiyon glanced at Kadoog’han and then back at Slade. “Into the Never. He instructed me to drop the boy into the Never. From high enough that the fall would hurt him, but not kill him.”

To Savaiyon’s surprise, Slade flashed a brief smile. “Good. That’s good.”

Savaiyon had no idea what the man was talking about. He was about to ask Slade to clarify when he heard someone talking from Garrison’s cell. It was a familiar voice, but not Garrison’s. He turned and was startled by a second man in the cell. “You.”

***

Maqdhuum grinned more widely and genuinely than he had in a long time. The look of shock on Savaiyon’s face was worth being struck by lightning. Before any of them could move, he flung daggers through the cell bars at the two men beside Savaiyon, knocking them down. “I’m going to take this one.” He nodded at Garrison “I like his past. Appreciate his work. I think I can use him better than you can.”

Savaiyon labored to respond. “I know who you are, Abram. I am not afraid of you. I am disappointed to see what you have become.”

“Boy, you cannot begin to fathom who I am, who I was, or who I’ve become. Abram is no more. All that is left is Maqdhuum.” The other two men were starting to recover. “While we’re on the subject, do your Descendant friends know who you are? Only a soldier of the Ancient Clan would be able to maintain such focus after being struck by a dozen daggers.” Maqdhuum laughed at the shocked look on Savaiyon’s face. “You didn’t think I’d know? Idiot.” The other two were standing once more. Maqdhuum fired another dagger at Savaiyon, striking him in the shin.
No sense killing him. He’ll be needed soon
. He looked down at the prisoner, who’d crept to the corner. The scrawny boy cowered and hid his face from Maqdhuum. “See what you’ve done to him? He’s broken. This is how you treat your own? Good. I need him. I’ll take him off your hands. Doubt he’ll trust you anyway.” Maqdhuum knelt down and grabbed Garrison’s arm. He smiled once again at the men outside the cell and disappeared.

***

Savaiyon forced himself to sit up and pulled the blade from his leg. “How many daggers does he
have
?” He shook his head, amazed and disappointed. Garrison would have been an incredible asset. Maqdhuum had been right, though. They had ruined him.

Kadoog’han bent down and helped him up. “What was he talking about? Did you say ‘Abram?’ And what Ancient Clan?”

“Never mind that now. We need to leave before anyone else finds us down here. We’ll go to Gansishoor for now. Our wounds can be healed by regular doctors. I’ve forgotten where I sent Lincan and Delilah.”

Slade nodded. “Very well. Then what? We need to recover quickly. Jahmash will strike fast now that the House of Darian has been destroyed. And we will eventually need to find Baltaszar again.”

“Asarei. We find Asarei, if that’s possible.” Savaiyon was draped on the arms of Kadoog’han and Slade as they walked through the gateway. “He is the only one who can help us now.” The yellow-fringed doorway disappeared behind them.

Chapter 24

Rise of the Red Harbinger

From
The Book of Orijin
,
Verse Four Hundred Ninety-Four

Have faith in Us, even when you are alone and in the darkness. For We are the Darkness, surrounding you as a guardian. Protecting you from what you do not comprehend. Hiding you from evil.

Baltaszar had wandered for the better part of a day. The forest seemed endless and he couldn’t even be sure that he was still in Ashur. He’d landed on his arm after falling through several webs of branches, and he’d turned his ankle as well. In retrospect, the fall would likely have been much worse if not for the branches. A soft snow covered the ground. His left arm dangled as he limped on and the pain only grew more intense with time. The shackles on his wrists and ankles would be the death of him.

All he wanted was to find a safe and comfortable place to spend the night. Baltaszar was wary of creating a fire. The land was unfamiliar. Who knew what lurked here. Who knew what might be watching him.

The sun had begun its descent. As it got lower, he could hear more and more sounds around him. Along with some familiar buzzing, likely from insects, Baltaszar definitely heard low growls, though they didn’t sound close. He also heard swishes, as if something else was brushing against the shrubs and leaves. And then there were the strange raspy sounds, as if something was scraping against the trees. Baltaszar continued on, walking gingerly and cautiously, and staying close to the trees. Strangely though, the falling snow melted before hitting the ground.

Even though he was tired, Baltaszar had no idea how he would sleep with the intense pain. His arm throbbed and burned. At times he was sure he saw stars if his arm swung too quickly.

He gritted his teeth and walked on for nearly an hour. The sunlight had almost completely disappeared.
Is there no safe place around?
He looked ahead. In the distance, in the darkness, Baltaszar saw tiny, bright red dots piercing the blackness. They hovered in front of him, several yards away. He leaned in and squinted his eyes. One pair grew nearer, though never leaving the darkness. As he got closer, the air around him grew warmer and warmer. Intrigued, Baltaszar walked into the darkness toward the two bright red dots. They fascinated him and terrified him at the same time. After several moments, they hovered just before his face.

Suddenly, Baltaszar reluctantly smiled and a sense of shame came over him.

I don’t know why I doubted you for so long. I’m sorry.

He felt dangerous, in a different way than ever before.

Because your faith wavered. In Orijin. In yourself. But once you saw me, you did not turn away. For that, your faith shall be rewarded. Your father instructed us to only appear to you once we were sure you were ready. You have much to learn. Your manifestation is one and the same with our very essence. And now, we are your army.

***

“What is your mission?”

Bo’az knew the answer before the question was even asked. “I am to visit every nation beyond Ashur, my Lord.” He knelt before the man and, though the stone dug into his knee, enjoyed the pain of it.

“And?”

Over twenty soldiers surrounded Jahmash as he sat in his plain wooden chair, each man armed with a sword on his back, daggers at his belt, and a spear in his hand. Bo’az felt a certain admiration for them. “I am to tell them that you demand an army. A bigger army than before. More soldiers. More generals. More weapons. And even beasts that can be controlled.”

“And how will you convince them?” Jahmash smiled at him. Bo’az felt happy once more. That smile made him know he was worthwhile.

“I will have Linas recount the story of how he became blind. I will ensure that they understand your warning not to defy them. Linas will then display your power and control on himself.”

“Good. You are becoming a fine pet. And what if Linas cannot convince them?”

“Then Farrah shall display her manifestation. I will also present Aric to them as a token of your appreciation. They will then understand that you are merciful and reasonable.”

“If that is not enough? What will happen if you expend your resources before meeting with every nation?”

“You will use my eyes to find a specimen of theirs. To show them how easily you could destroy them.”

“And if you fail?”

“Then I shall die. Either by their hand or by my own.”

“Very good, Bo’az.” It lifted Bo’az’s spirits when Jahmash spoke his name. “And lastly, what is your message? What will you say to them?”

Bo’az was most excited about this part. “If you obey, you will be spared. You will be allowed vengeance on those devoted to Darian. You will also be allowed to claim a piece of The Drowned Realm for your own. A new era begins. The House of Darian has been destroyed. The Red Harbinger has risen.”