Dawn of Magic: Sea of Flames Page 18

  He froze for a moment, surprised by her words, then he remembered what she was. She could flit about unnoticed by anyone, even Iseult. She’d been spying when they came up with their plan.

  He resumed his struggles, dragging her through the snow. “I have to try!”

  He could see Finn’s back, and beyond her, Belenus, now on his knees. Someone crept up behind Finn, their identity obscured by gusts of snow. This someone had silver hair, so not Keiren or Niklas, who stood out of sight.

  Kai opened his mouth to shout a warning, but Branwen hopped to her feet, then kneed him in the groin, dropping him to the snow. The last thing he saw was a silver-haired man, raising the pommel of his short sword over Finn’s head.

  He took just a moment to relearn how to breathe, then swiped his feet around, kicking Branwen’s boots out from under her. She landed hard in the snow, and he managed to scurry away, his gut revolting against the pain.

  As he staggered out of the trees, he first noted Finn, lying on the ground, unconscious or dead. Óengus stood over her, his sword now sheathed. Beyond him stood Keiren and Niklas, facing each other as Belenus struggled to his feet.

  “Why!” Niklas wailed, his attention on Óengus. “Why have you ruined the scene I so perfectly created!”

  Silver flashed in Keiren’s hand, then she shoved a dagger into Niklas’ belly. She pushed it upward with a grunt, searching for his heart.

  Niklas’ mouth gaped open and closed like a dying fish out of water as his eyes rolled toward her. “Why?” he rasped, sputtering up blood. “I gave you so much power.”

  Keiren placed her free hand on the dagger with the other, shoving further, coating her pristine white hands in blood. She sneered. “One thing you’ve never understood about mortals, Niklas, is that we can grow and change. I no longer fear my death, not like I once did. Power means nothing to me anymore.”

  Bracing herself, she gave the dagger a final shove, then pulled it out in a spray of blood coating her black clothes and melting the snow at her feet. Niklas fell to the ground, dead.

  Someone grabbed Kai’s arm, gently, not tugging him away.

  He turned to see Branwen. She was smiling softly. She’d finally found her vengeance, if not by her own hand.

  Óengus walked away from Finn, and Kai tugged free of Branwen’s grip, rushing toward his fallen friend. He fell to his knees in the snow and checked her pulse, then slumped over her in relief. She was alive. Óengus had merely knocked her unconscious.

  Suddenly remembering there was a bigger problem, he hopped to his feet, then stood in front of Finn. Belenus, not quite recovered, but able to walk, approached.

  Kai drew his dagger, knowing it would do him little good. He could never have imagined that this would be the way he would die, at the hands of a god.

  “Not so fast, god,” Keiren growled. She wiped the blood from her hands onto her black cloak, then moved toward Belenus.

  Belenus flicked an irritated glance her way. “What is it now? Finnur’s actions have declared a personal duel between us. I am within my rights to finish her.”

  He began to turn back toward Kai, then stopped mid-motion.

  Keiren swayed toward him, leaving Niklas’ body forgotten in the snow. “The in-between magic will leave me soon, now that Niklas is dead,” she explained, “but I am not yet powerless. I can still hold you immobile. Make a deal with me here and now, or I will kill you.”

  Suddenly Kai’s world was encased in blackness. It had to be Keiren’s magic. She controlled air and darkness. Such thick, suffocating darkness. He knelt beside Finn, fumbling until he gripped her limp arm. He tried to fight against the magic, but stood little chance. Soon it consumed him, and all the world was roaring blackness.

  Finn

  Finn awoke to a cold beak nudging her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open. Her body was icy and numb, creating an indent in the snow. Someone else lay beside her.

  Naoki’s head came into view. She chittered down at her mother.

  With a painful breath, Finn sat up. Seeing Kai beside her, she shook him, fearing she’d drained his magic.

  Hot tears welled behind her eyes as he groaned, then sat up, rubbing his forehead, then swiping his hand back through his damp hair. A few paces away lay another form. Black dress and russet hair. Branwen.

  Finn cast a final glance around. Belenus and Keiren were gone, but Niklas’ body remained. She looked up to Naoki. The snowy land seemed to be dissipating around them. Everything blurred and shifted, as if not entirely real.

  Suddenly Branwen was at her shoulder, though she hadn’t seen her rise. “We need your dragon to take us out of here, now. Niklas was the ruler of the Ceàrdaman, he held much of their power, and he created this place. With his death, his magic is unraveling.”

  Kai helped Finn to her feet, and they all gathered around Naoki.

  Finn shivered, clinging to her dragon’s neck, with Kai clinging to both of them. “I’m not sure if she can transport you,” she chattered. “You have no dragon blood to travel between the realms.”

  “This realm will soon be no more!” Branwen called from the other side of Naoki. “She need only carry us back as it breaks!”

  “What of my family!” Kai rasped. “Are they in this realm? What will happen when it breaks?”

  Finn didn’t have time to answer him. She managed a single sob, mourning the lives of his mother and sisters, then they were moving, too fast to see. She clung to Naoki against the wind trying to tear her away. Naoki only had to flap her wings a few beats, then they ended up in another field of snow, but this time, they were in their own realm.

  Before them stood Oighear the White in all her glory, with an army of faie at her back.

  Finn

  Finn scurried to her feet, brushing snow from her tunic and breeches. Her head ached horribly, but otherwise, she felt full of life and energy. Much of Belenus’ magic coursed through her, but she had a feeling it would not remain forever. This must be why dragons constantly hunted. The magic sustained them, but it was just like food, it would wear off eventually, and they would need more.

  Gusts of snow swirled around Oighear, rippling her silken white cloak and gown. Anger seemed to emanate from her tall form. The faie—trow, pixies, all faie Finn had brought with her—were utterly still behind the Snow Queen. Far beyond she could see smoke billowing up from Sormyr, but the city was little more than a speck in her sight, and the sound of the ocean was near. They must have been transported directly south—far south—from the cliffside where she initially faced Belenus. The city was to the northeast, and the border of the forest not far from the shore.

  She could feel Kai and Branwen standing close behind her, while Naoki crouched a few paces to her left.

  The drawn out silence was enough to drive Finn mad.

  As if on cue, Oighear cleared her throat. “What happened with the god?”

  Finn eyed her cautiously. “Shouldn’t you know? You were working with him, after all.”

  “I work with no one, my only concern is for the faie, my people. I saw an opportunity to aid them, and I took it.”

  If Oighear was so concerned, Finn thought, perhaps she shouldn’t have treated the faie with such retched disregard in the past. Although, she supposed now she was no better.

  Finn steeled her gaze. “I was unable to trap Belenus or kill him. Arawn is dead, and with him my only chance of defeating any god. The magic I’ve gathered is slowly fading, even now. I have failed.” Her gut clenched at her own words. She had failed in her bargain with Ashclaw, but he’d been here, not attacking Garenoch, and with him was Iseult. But where were they now?

  Oighear watched her for several long moments. “The faie have done as you’ve asked, the soldiers of Sormyr were defeated. It will take long for those within the city walls to recover.”

  The sick feeling increased. Part of her abhorred what she had done, deep within, but on the surface she was still dancing on waves of power. “Yes, they have fulfilled their oath to me.”r />
  Oighear lifted her nose. “Then you shall release them, and you shall keep your oath to harm none of those who joined you this day.”

  Finn’s eyes darted across the waiting faie, so many standing out in the open that it was almost jarring to see. Her gathered power would fade eventually, and Belenus still lived. She would need the faie again.

  “No, they agreed to follow me, and my task is not yet done. But I will keep my promise. I will harm none of them, and I will protect them to the best of my ability.”

  Fresh snow picked up around Oighear, seeming to manifest from thin air. Her icy eyes were sharp like cracked ice. “They. Are. Mine.”

  Finn shook her head. Oighear was frightening, but at least for now, she was stronger than the Snow Queen. “They belong to no one. They are bound to me simply by oath. Not possessions, but allies.” She lifted her voice to address the faie. “Do you all understand!”

  The rows of faie shifted at her words, but none replied.

  Oighear sneered. “You know faie are more loyal to their oaths than any others. But I have no oath to you, Dragon Queen, and so on this day, you have become my enemy.”

  The beating of wings signaled Ashclaw’s arrival. Finn glanced northward as he landed far from the waiting faie. Cautious, or simply wanting a clear place to touch down? Finn dared to watch him for a moment, searching for a figure atop his back, then swayed in relief. Iseult was with him, now on his feet, walking her way.

  She wanted things settled with Oighear before he reached her. It was clear by the snow coating the land that Oighear had fought with the faie, pitting herself against Belenus and the mortals. Had she hoped to regain their loyalty?

  Finn shook her head as she looked at Oighear. “I think we’re done here.”

  Oighear watched her for a silent moment, her eyes seeming to search every part of her, both inside and out. Her shoulders straightened as she lifted her nose. She seemed to find Finn lacking. “The desolate winter is the balance to fertile summer,” she said lightly. “You’ll see that in time. The faie are meant to be mine. If they are not, all will be destroyed.”

  Finn shook her head. “The imbalance was a lie. Belenus just wanted to rule over this land and was trying to use me to eliminate all threats.”

  Oighear sucked her teeth. “How many deaths will it take for you to see the truth? Great power must be controlled.”

  She turned to Iseult as he reached them, Oighear’s words lingering in her mind. Great power must be controlled. But by whom? For any who could control forces like the faie would be controlled by none. She and Oighear were leaders, not pawns.

  She turned back to Oighear, who was now watching Ashclaw as he stalked near. “Your allies may be mighty, Dragon Queen,” she muttered, “but your heart is weak.”

  She turned with a flourish of her white cloak and walked away, trailing snowflakes behind her. She didn’t so much as glance at any of the faie, her people no longer.

  Finn looked to the faie, then called out. “Our fight is finished this day! But be ready, the war is far from over!”

  She could feel Kai’s eyes on her back. Supporting her, or judging her? Her mind felt filled with rich, lustrous honey, tasting of Belenus’ power. Wonderful, yet dangerous, for it clouded her perceptions.

  The faie dispersed, and she was left to face Iseult. Yet he looked past her to Kai. “What happened?”

  Kai stepped forward. “Belenus lives. Finn is still herself . . . sort of.”

  Finn glowered at Iseult. “I’m right here, and I should be furious at you for bringing Ashclaw to attack Arawn.” She glanced at Ashclaw, who kept his distance, watching them all, and waiting . . . but waiting for what? She huffed, turning back to Iseult. “And just how did you manage that?”

  Iseult was so still, he seemed a statue in the slowly melting snow. “I suspected that the dragon could understand the mortal tongue, even if his maw cannot form the words. I told him of your plan, and proposed that first eliminating Arawn would be the only way he could consume both gods. For if Belenus was defeated first, Arawn would become your ally, and allowed to live.”

  She glanced warily past him toward Ashclaw. “But what of the bargain to protect Garenoch? The ten days are up, and Belenus yet lives.”

  “You have bought yourself extra time, dragonkin,” Ashclaw’s voice sliced through her mind. “The God of Curses’ power will sustain me for some time now. I can afford to wait. I am interested to see what you will do next.”

  Iseult, Kai, and Branwen all watched her, unable to hear Ashclaw’s words.

  She shook herself, like a bird settling its feathers. Her mind grew a little clearer. “You couldn’t have known he would grant us more time,” she said to Iseult.

  “I did not know it until this moment.”

  Anger washed up, but she pushed it back down. “You risked Garenoch to save me?”

  “Garenoch was risked the moment you made your deal, but the burgh is strong. Ashclaw had not yet attacked for a reason. It was not worth the risk.”

  Ashclaw’s tail thrashed, then slammed into the ground, sending the sodden, icy soil trembling. Kai and Branwen stepped back further from the dragon, though he was not yet near enough to strike.

  “Your mate should watch his tongue,” Ashclaw growled in her mind. “Attacking so many mages is a risk, yes, but I would bet all odds on myself.”

  Finn opened her mouth, then closed it, unsure of what else to say. There was still much to do, but for today, they were safe. “We should return to Garenoch. Ealasaid will be waiting to hear the news.”

  Kai, standing behind her now with Branwen, touched her shoulder, drawing her gaze. “If that snowy realm is gone, unraveled by Niklas’ death, do you think my family—” he seemed unable to form the final words.

  She shook her head. “We will visit the area of their farm on our way back.” She selfishly hoped they were well, that they had been returned safe and sound. Selfish, because her deepest hope was that Loinnir had been returned to this realm too.

  “I will carry you to the burgh, dragonkin,” Ashclaw’s voice cut in. “I am far faster than your small dragon, and you are heavy upon her back. She is weary from her journey. She needs rest.”

  “Why?” she asked out loud, drawing the gazes of her companions.

  Only she received the answer. “We are allies, for now. You nearly defeated Belenus. I have faith you will do so again.”

  She looked to Iseult, then to Kai. “Ashclaw has offered to return me to Garenoch. The journey would take us many days on foot, and Naoki is too tired to carry me. I should let Eala know that no attack will come today by tonight, and I can return to you with horses.”

  Kai nodded. “Go. We’ll head toward my family’s farm.” He shook his head, then raked his hand back through his hair. “To the place their farm once was. We can await you there. We’ll be fine.”

  “We?” Branwen said from behind him.

  “We,” Iseult agreed.

  Finn looked to him. “You aren’t coming with me?”

  “I will await your return with the others.”

  If there were unexpressed meanings behind his words, she could not decipher them. And so, she simply nodded. They were both alive for now—and both obviously angry. They could discuss things further later.

  She looked to Kai. “My thoughts will be with you. I hope you find those you seek, unharmed. Naoki will protect you until I can return.”

  “I never agreed to go with anyone!” Branwen whined as she turned away.

  Finn barely heard Branwen’s words. She didn’t just feel like she was turning away from Iseult and Kai for a short time—for just the time it would take to reach Garenoch and return with horses—she felt like she was turning away from yet another lifetime. She had left her life with the Cavari behind, and now, she might be forced to leave yet another.

  She wasn’t sure how many lifetimes she would have to live before she finally found peace.

  Branwen

  Of all the companions
Branwen could have found herself traveling with, Kai and Iseult were two of the last she would have ever imagined. They walked on either side of her, silent and brooding, their thoughts on their own troubles, which had nothing to do with hers. The presence of Finn’s dragon was even more comical, slinking through the desolate fields, clearly weary. They had walked through most of the day.

  Branwen’s boots swished through the grass, far enough from the battlefield that no snow had touched this earth. Her primary problem now, was that she had no idea what to do with herself. Niklas was dead. Her vengeance had been carried out. So what in Tirn Ail was she supposed to do now?

  Kai stopped walking and pointed. “My family’s farm should be just around that bend. Just a few more paces, and we’ll know if it has been returned, or—”

  Branwen exhaled in relief. The long walk had actually tired her. She couldn’t remember the last time her bones felt so weary. Was Niklas’ magic leaving her already?

  One glance at Kai tore her away from her own thoughts. He had slowed, seeming fearful to move on, and she could guess why. What if they neared, and his family’s farm was not there? Or perhaps even worse, what if it was, but the people missing?

  A long-forgotten empathy cracked her heart, she understood his trepidation all too well. She found herself reaching out to him, then quickly recoiled, scolding herself for caring. Caring led to pain. She glanced at Iseult, hoping he hadn’t seen. His eyes were focused on the fields.

  She let out a silent sigh. “Let’s get this over with. Better to know now than—” but Kai had already started walking, braver than she, and it was his family on the line, “to draw it out,” she finished, mostly to herself.

  She hurried after him, her heart thundering in her chest. Late afternoon sunlight cut across the golden fields ahead. She had no idea what Kai’s family’s farm looked like, but found her eyes searching the field for any sign of inhabitance.

  When Kai started running, she hurried along just behind him, with Iseult and Naoki close behind. He ran toward a humble abode with a small pigpen build against one wall. Beyond that were more fences, likely for sheep, but there were no sheep to be seen. The home seemed utterly still.