Son of Corse (The Raven Chronicles Book 2) (9 page)

Chapter Twelve

T
he first thing Y’Dürkie noticed when she awoke was that she wasn’t wet. That there was ground underneath her didn’t surprise her as much as the fact that it was dry as well. Raising her head slightly, she opened her eyes.  It was a ruin of some kind, probably a temple. There was a large stone not far from her. Two bodies lay near a single stone pillar, the corpses still showing the gaping wound across their throats.  The stone underneath them was stained with congealed blood. The place reeked of death, and she wanted no part of it.

              A small iron cage was near another pillar.  Y’Dürkie’s jaw tightened at the sight of the tiny winged creature inside.  She may not see eye to eye with Lexi on many things, but she wouldn’t wish that kind of violence visited on any fairy. The likelihood that it had met the same fate as the other two desiccated bodies was high.

              Slowly, carefully, Y’Dürkie started to sit up.  The clink of iron broke the silence. A set of shackles encircled her ankles. The chains ran to an iron ring set into the wall about five feet away. A continuous line of links ran from one ankle, through the ring, and back to her other ankle.  She was able to stand, but could not go far.

              The silence was unsettling. Her hand reached instinctively for the pommel of her sword.  Even if it hadn’t been separated from her during the deluge, no captor would’ve chained her to a wall and left her with a weapon.

              “And I’m anything but stupid, Y’Dürkie.”  A familiar voice shattered the quiet.

              Y’Dürkie stood on her feet in a fluid motion, eyes searching for Senyan. “Show yourself, Senyan.  Or do you fear me?”  Determination filled her.

              Senyan’s mocking laughter echoed across the ruins. “Fear you? I’d be more afraid of a splinter in my finger!”  Y’Dürkie’s eyes narrowed into slits as she watched him emerge from behind a wall. A warrior’s calm enveloped her, overriding any other feelings. There was a battle before her, and she knew her foe.

              “I killed you once.  I vill kill you again.  I do not care how many times I have to do so.”  She threw the promise out between clenched teeth.  She rippled her fingers in a fluid motion, muscles getting ready for the fight to come.

              “You killed me?  Ha!”  Senyan laughed at her.  He sidled to the stone altar.  Placing his hands flat on the surface, he gave her a malice filled grin.  “You didn’t do anything Corse didn’t want you to do.  He’s the one who told me to wait, not destroy you.  I let you kill me. Because I knew I’d come back even more powerful.  You, on the other hand, have spent too much time around a table playing at being a leader.” 

              Y’Dürkie growled, the rage inside her threatening to overcome her training.  “I am not as soft as you think.  Come, let us dance again and I vill prove it to you.”

              “You think wrestling in bed with that thing you married makes you any kind of match for me?  Your grandmother wasn’t any challenge, why should you be any different?”  He leaned forward, “Would you like to hear the story of how she begged for mercy as I had her lashed to that crucifix?  How she screamed in pain as I stuck my blade in her, just deep enough for the curse to take hold?  Perhaps I’ll describe the tears that ran like rivers down her face as Corse sat on her shoulder for hours repeating his orders over and over until she hovered at the brink of madness.”

              Bellowing in rage, Y’Dürkie lunged at Senyan.  The chains held fast, pulling her feet out from under her. She fell in a heap on the ground near the altar stone.  Wrapping her hands around the chain, she yanked violently at them in hopes that the ring would give way.  The stone refused to let go, no matter how hard she strained.

              “I’ll be back later, Y’Dürkie. I have some things that need my attention.  Be a good little girl and sit tight.  Corse would love to have a long talk with you, but he’s got other people who are more annoying than some little Weasel whelp.”

              Y’Dürkie barely heard him leave over the rattling of the chains as she kept trying to pull herself free.  Ten minutes later, she took a break.  Sweat soaked her hands, burning where blisters had formed and popped during the struggle.

              Using the hem and sleeves of her tunic, she mopped as much of her face and hands dry as she could.  Rising, she walked over and knelt in front of the ring.  She felt the stone around the ring, hoping to find some kind of weakness.

              Something metallic clinked against the floor.  A skeleton key sat near her foot.  Glancing up, Y’Dürkie caught sight of Mialee peeking around the wall at her.

              “Don’t just sit there, Y’Dürkie! Use the key! We don’t have a lot of time!”  Mialee whispered.

              Y’Dürkie grinned tightly as she reached for the key. She didn’t like to run, but it was better than the alternative. It took what seemed like an age to get the key to open the locks. Caked with dried blood, small flakes flew from the shackles as the lock snapped open and released her ankles.  Throwing the bindings aside, Y’Dürkie leapt to her feet and followed after Mialee.

              She did her best to move as silently as Mialee. About fifty yards away from the ruins, Y’Dürkie scraped her back against the rock as she followed Mialee into a small cave opening.

              Inside was dark for a brief moment
.
Then the space erupted in a bright emerald green light.  “You aren’t supposed to lose me, Y’Dürkie.  I think very good things of your companions, but they aren’t my Wielder.”  Tiren chided Y’Dürkie.

              Grinning, Y’Dürkie picked up her sword from the small rock ledge where it lay.  Her thumb caressed the large gemstone that held the soul of Tiren. “It vas not my idea, Tiren.  I hope you did not hurt them much.”

              “Hugh is fine, and I needed to know some of Mialee and Anthones as well, as I hadn’t met them before. Things are not as bad as you might fear.”  Tiren spoke in Y’Dürkie’s mind.  “Do not let what the mage said about your grandmother distract you from your task.  As with most things he says, they were lies.”

              Y’Dürkie let out a heavy sigh.  She sheathed her sword. “Vhere are the others, Mialee?”  Anthones stood in the shadows.  Seeing him there gave her the seeds of trust. 

              “Arwenna told me where to find them.  It’s not far.” Her dimples flared to life briefly, “If we hurry, we might even beat them there.” She grinned impishly.

              “I think I like that idea, Mialee.”  Y’Dürkie stepped aside from the narrow opening, letting Mialee slip back outside before she followed.

              The sparse brush made it difficult to move quickly, but Y’Dürkie did her best to keep low.  They skirted around where Serenity had been.  The setting sun danced across the lake, so calm that Y’Dürkie could hardly believe the devastation it had caused earlier.

              Mialee shifted direction, leading her towards a small grouping of hills.  As they crept forward, Y’Dürkie noticed the glow of a small fire from one of the darker indentations in the hillside.  Reaching out, she stopped Mialee with a tap on the shoulder.  “Over there” she whispered.

              Peering into the distance, a lone figure stood near the entrance to a cave. It was the size of a human, but they’d have to get closer to know if it was one of their friends. At least the ground here was mostly sand and dirt, with no twigs for her to step on and snap. They were still too close to the temple to not be cautious. Using the shadows cast from the huge boulders dotting the landscape, the trio crept closer. 

              Y’Dürkie recognized Hugh first, her face breaking into a grin. Very casually, she walked towards his back. She was only about five feet away from him when he turned.

              Relief flooded his handsome features as he looked her up and down. Embracing her, he whispered “I don’t mind if you need some time to yourself, Barbar.  But I would like some sort of warning next time.” 

              “Eh, but this vay keeps you on your toes” she whispered back.  They both chuckled.  Walking arm in arm, they headed towards the cave where the others sat.

Chapter Thirteen

A
rwenna adjusted her cloak across her shoulders, keeping her hood up. The mine shaft was considerably cooler than above ground.  Barek led the way, a single torch providing meager illumination down the uneven corridor.

              The light bounced across the damp walls, casting deep shadows everywhere she looked.  Arwenna couldn’t remember if the shaft had dripped this much when she’d first come this way.  It was too long ago. So much had happened since then. When she’d left this mine, she had no intention of returning.

              “Arwenna, there’s a junction up here.  Which way do we go?”  Barek kept his voice low.

              She walked past Mialee, coming up alongside Barek’s massive form.  Taking the torch from his hand, she stepped to the left to examine the terrain. Her sharp eyesight allowed her to pick up on a few markers they’d left so many years ago. She then turned and did the same to the right.  “Left leads down.  Right stops in a dead end about five hundred feet from here.”

              Barek stared at her, his face unreadable.  “Is the area defensible?”

              The hood of her cloak fell from her head as she nodded.  “Very much so.  There’s only one way in or out, unless you’re a Delver.”  Her voice sounded tired, even to her own ears.

              “Y’Dürkie, you’re up here with me.  Mialee, head back and cover the rear with Anthones.  Hugh, give Arwenna a hand setting up camp.  We’ve been marching long enough for today. We’ll take advantage of the spot while we can.”  Barek’s voice carried the edge of command that Arwenna knew very well. 

              No one spoke as they set up their makeshift camp
. 
A bit of food had survived the flood, but most of their gear had been lost with their horses. The likelihood of finding anything edible before returning to the surface was low, so rationing the little bit they had was paramount.

              Arwenna sat on a boulder, near the little fire Y’Dürkie had built.  She paid little attention to what her companions were doing.  Instead, she stared back up the dark corridor they had just come through.  They’d reached the last junction today.  By mid-afternoon, they’d be at the cavern. 

              For a brief moment, Arwenna allowed herself to give into her despair. What if Corse had moved her? What if she was already dead? What if…the list was endless. Drawing in a deep breath to calm herself, Arwenna forced her fears back to that part of her mind where she’d been keeping them. Sera would be there. She couldn’t let herself think otherwise.

              “Vat is the plan for tomorrow, Sister?”  Y’Dürkie’s voice cut through the dark thoughts in Arwenna’s head.

              “We’ll reach the cavern.  I’m not certain there’s a plan, because I have no idea what to expect.  I just know I have to get Sera out of there, no matter what else.”

              Joss’ arms encircled her, and she leaned back. This simple act had always made her feel safe, even when the world seemed to be falling down around her.  He gently kissed her on the head, whispering “Please, try to keep yourself safe at the same time.”

              Arwenna stared into the fire, and didn’t answer. 

* * * * *

The tunnel was wider now, and the walls were dull.  No water seeped down from above to reflect the light of the torch.  The downward slope of the path they followed was steep, making them proceed cautiously.
Far better to be sure of your footing over losing it,
Arwenna thought
.
 
One wrong step could prove disastrous.

              A sound crept into Arwenna’s ears over the guttering pop of the torch.  She stopped, trying to pinpoint the noise. “Shh!” she commanded, her voice low. She could feel them looking at her as she focused on the sound.

              She snapped her head up, looking at Joss with a small smile on her face.  “Can you hear it?” she asked him.

              His brow furrowed for a moment, and then his face lit up.  “I can.”  Reaching out, he pulled her into an embrace.  “She’s singing, Arwenna.”

              “Vho is singink?” 

              “It’s Sera. We can hear her singing.”  Arwenna pulled away from Joss, wiping at the tears spilling from her eyes with one hand.

              Y’Dürkie smiled at them. “Vell then, let us go help her sing her song.”  Arwenna could only nod her head.  Secretly, she’d feared for some time that Sera wouldn’t be here after all.  Sera only sang when she was in a good mood, which added to the hope already building within Arwenna.

              The darkness surrounding them began to dissipate as the tunnel widened.  Light from a source brighter than their torches stretched towards them, the glow emanating from the opening ahead.  Barek stopped, turning towards Arwenna.  She met his gaze, nodding once.  Whatever was in there, she was ready to face it.

              The tunnel opened up into a massive cavern.  Terraces and walkways dominated the far wall.  Carved from the rock, they lead to passages and rooms even deeper inside the earth. Lit braziers burned at regular intervals around the room, the copper bowls both adding light and deepening the shadows. The floor of the cavern was split in two by a river, spanned by a single stone bridge.  On the far side of the bridge, a small child sat on the ground.  A cloaked woman played with her.  Senyan sat in a chair not far from her, but his eyes weren’t on the child.  He raised his head, focusing an icy stare directly at her. 

              Arwenna resisted the urge to run towards Sera.  She knew, in her heart, it wouldn’t be that easy.  She forced herself to walk at a steady pace, keeping her eyes not on her daughter but on Senyan.  Joss was right next to her.  Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her companions spreading out and readying themselves for a fight.

              “Where are your manners, Senyan?  You should at least let me know when guests arrive.”  Arwenna’s head snapped towards the source of the voice.  A figure, clad in black, walked down a short flight of steps.  His black hair, darker than her own, was cut short and hugged his head almost like feathers. The dull red of his eyes, however, was instantly recognizable.

              Arwenna halted at the foot of the bridge, watching Corse closely.  A calmness overcame her. She couldn’t afford to give into any emotions now. He paid little attention to Senyan as he walked past his chair.  The demon stopped near Sera, waving a hand dismissively at the woman next to her.  Reaching out, he tousled Sera’s head. Arwenna’s stomach dropped at Sera’s reaction. The girl looked up at Corse and smiled, a small giggle escaping her lips. Sera may be alive, but Arwenna knew the type of damage Corse had already inflicted on her daughter. The girl trusted him! Seething, Arwenna flexed her hands. She would not let that go unpunished.

              “Keep your hands off my daughter, demon.”  Arwenna growled.

              Corse looked at her, a smile on his face.  “I haven’t hurt her, Arwenna.  On the contrary, I want her to be very happy here.”  He crossed the short distance left before the foot of the bridge.  Leaning carelessly against a rail, he shrugged. “I’m not certain why you brought everyone, Arwenna.  Though I’m certain Bohrs will enjoy getting to know his son. Why don’t we let them get acquainted while we settle things between us.” Corse snapped his fingers. 

              Arwenna resisted the temptation to look behind her, keeping her focus on her foe. She’d warned Anthones of what might happen here. He knew the risks. She kept a tight rein on the dread threatening to rise within her. “No one can help you, Arwenna,” Corse said. “Not here.  Not even Hauk.”  With those words, his face lost its smile.  “You’re in my home. Your petty magics won’t work here.”

              “Let her go, Corse.”  She fought to keep her voice steady.

              Corse picked at one of his fingernails.  “I’m more than willing to do that, Arwenna. I’m not totally unreasonable.  You just have to agree to one small condition.”

              Arwenna swallowed, trying to keep the fear at bay. “And just what might that be?”

              “You see, Arwenna, there are certain things I want in my life.  Senyan can wield some power, yes, but he’s a bit, shall we say, unstable.  He’s not quite the son I expected.”  With a fluid motion, Corse pushed himself away from the railing.  He walked towards the center of the bridge, pacing his words with his steps and staring at Arwenna.  “He’s not the child I need.  I need one of divine blood.  Only then will it be able to wield the type of power I need to bring me fully into this world.  I’m very patient, Arwenna.  I’ve been waiting a long time.  I can wait for your daughter to age; raise her to believe it is the most wonderful thing in the world to bear my child.  But there is another, whose blood is even more divine.” 

              Arwenna’s feet felt like lead. Corse had stopped just a few feet from her.  Her mind reeled from the implications of his words.

              A choice was before her, one that no one should be asked to make.
How does one chose between their own safety and that of a loved one? 
The hesitation faded. It took all of the strength she had to not run screaming from the room.  “I will do as you ask.” Her voice echoed across the vast cavern.

              Swallowing her fear, Arwenna forced herself to meet Corse’s’ gaze. She tried with little success to shut out the cries of protest from her friends, from Joss. Corse’s red eyes shone with satisfaction.  “Mama!”  Sera called out.  Arwenna stretched out her arms.

              Catching her small daughter in a tight embrace, Arwenna let the tears flow freely.  Drawing away slightly, she took in Sera’s perfect face.  It had been months since she last saw her.  Hauk only knew how long it would be before she’d hold her again.

              Ever so slowly, she walked towards Joss.  A tender kiss on the forehead, followed by a whispered, “Be good for Papa while I’m gone,” was the closest she could get to goodbye.  She placed the girl into Joss’ arms.  A fierce embrace from the two of them was her only solace. Then, they were gone.

              “Where did you send them?” Arwenna’s tear laden voice was barely a whisper.

              “Oh, don’t worry.  They’re safe at home.  As are the rest of your companions.”  The complacency in Corse’s’ voice did little to reassure her.

              Wiping defiantly at the last of her tears, she turned to face him.  “And me? Exactly where is my home now?” She stood rigid, waiting to hear her fate. Her entire body felt dead. She’d traded her soul to save her daughter, no sense in fighting the inevitable now.

              A smile played across his features as he walked toward her. Senyan kept pace behind him, his face a mask.  A third figure approached her from behind.  She hadn’t seen Bohrs yet, but feared it was him.

              “I’ve taken the liberty of having a room prepared for you. You should not be concerned.  I wish to make your stay as pleasant as possible.”  The irony of his statement almost made her laugh.

              A movement caught Arwenna’s eye, small but swift. A blade flashed across Corse’s neck, shining with a kind of magic she’d never encountered before. The demon crumpled to the ground at Senyan’s feet, sparks flying from the gaping wound. “I’m sorry, but I prefer to be an only child.”  Senyan declared in an even voice.

              The sparks began to coalesce, forming a glittering ball suspended above the body.  Arwenna tried to discern the spell Senyan was casting.  Blackness enveloped the ball, smothering the small lights, as it rose into the air. 

              Senyan brought forth his other hand.  In his palm rested a large onyx.  . 

              Arwenna blinked.  He was creating another Gem. One that contained the power of Corse, one that would be able to counter Tiren’s magic. Guiding the ball infused with Corse’s essence towards the gem, Senyan began pushing the ball into the gem. 

              “Come forth, my Champion, and receive what is yours.”  Senyan’s voice carried across the cavern.

              A figure walked past her. The man from her nightmares, the one who’d been reborn despite her efforts to stop the ritual. Drawing out his sword, he knelt in front of Senyan.  The mage grimaced, then began to marry the black stone with the pommel of the blade.  A dark shadow passed down the blade as the stone and sword merged.

              Arwenna started to shift away from the bridge.  With Corse dead, any promises she’d made were over.  She gathered up her skirt and cloak in her hands, intent on running as fast as she could. 

“Do not allow her to leave.”  The cold voice sent a shiver down Arwenna’s spine.

Hands grabbed her firmly. Panic rose as dozens of fingers pawed at her, intent on grabbing anything of her they could. Pale digits encircled her arms, legs, hair. She was yanked off her feet and turned around as Delvers surrounded her.  Despite her best efforts, Arwenna found herself being dragged. Dust rose about her, clouding her vision and coating her throat. When they stopped, a pair of black leather boots filled her vision. Hands jerked at her hair, pulling her backwards and forcing to look at the being in front of her.

              The face was new, younger. But, she still recognized the soul behind the eyes.  The smile that Bohrs wore chilled her very soul. With a malicious laugh, he grabbed her. She winced as his fingers dug into her arm. He pulled her to her feet. Her soul screamed as she looked at the one person who she knew could truly break her. Panic overtook her as she redoubled her efforts to escape.