Gods Of Blood And Fire (Book 1) (83 page)

Raygan’s expression was hard and steadfast. “I’m committed to taking the city now. I would never leave Turill in the hands of my brother. I would die first.”

“We will try to see that it doesn’t come to that, Majesty. Now I must go see our new allies. I didn’t get a chance to talk with them earlier.”

“Yes, the … witch Scarlett was very kind to me, but if they help us, it will only cause more trouble with the Church. I think we should only ask for their help if we can find no other way to win ourselves. I have also spoken with Sir Ivan, as you know he commands the Asconans, he said he wants to talk with you so a plan of action can be decided on. I told him Ansellus should join you as well. He knows the city as well as anyone.”

K’xarr fought hard not to grin. The little woman would be a hardened monarch before she was seventeen if this war went on much longer. “Fine, I will see them after I speak with the witches. Kian and Endra will see to your safety until I can assign a personal guard to you. We can’t have anything happening to the Phoenix of Bandara, now can we.” K’xarr turned to go then stopped and faced the Queen again. “By the way, Highness, we still have your husband held prisoner, do you want him released?”

“No, leave him where he is. I could not bear to listen any of his self-righteous sermons right now.”

K’xarr did grin then. “As you wish, Majesty.”

“Oh, and General would you send Rhys in with Kian and Endra?”

“Of course, Highness.”

K’xarr walked into the mouth of an alley where the two witches hid in the shadows. “Scarlett, I’m surprised to see you after last we spoke.”

“I couldn’t stand by and let this happen.”

K’xarr looked at her confused. “What do you mean, let what happen?”

“I can’t explain, can’t you just be grateful for our help?”

“That I am. Who is you friend? She wasn’t with you last time you were here.”

Scarlett put her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “This is Gabrielle, she too is a witch.”

K’xarr gave a very slight bow.

The woman wore a black lacy grown similar to Scarlett’s. She had very dark hair and dark eyes, maybe thirty years old, K’xarr guessed. She looked a great deal like that bitch Raven K’xarr thought, but Gabrielle’s features were softer, giving her a kinder appearance. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, milady.”

“The pleasure is mine, General K’xarr.” Her voice was velvety and made K’xarr think of what the woman would be like in his bed. Perhaps it was his imagination, but she seemed to look at him with a longing in her eyes. Scarlett broke the mood. “We must go, K’xarr. I’m sorry but if Raven finds out, she will cause more trouble for all of us than Prince Cain ever could.

“I know how Raven is, if you must go, go with my thanks. We can handle things here.”

Both women kissed him on the cheeks at the same time. “May the Gods be with you, K’xarr Strom,” Scarlett said.

“A pleasure meeting you, Gabrielle. Perhaps we will see each other again?”

She looked at him as if she knew him forever and put her hand on his cheek. “ I assure you we will see each other again, General.” She stepped back beside Scarlett, and then they were gone.

***

Zachariah had lain on the rooftop all night under several dirty potato sacks. It was too dark during the night to take a shot at the Queen. There had been no moon and he had to be sure of his aim. Now that the sun was rising, he wouldn’t miss, he never did. It was Tavantis he was worried about. He had decided he would kill the Queen first, then go after the assassin before that devil could come for him.

He rested the special crossbow on the edge of the roof. He had it made in the city beyond the Black Gate. It was one of a kind. It had three bows stacked one on top of the other and three triggers. It could fire three individual bolts or three simultaneously. Zachariah only used it on special occasions. He thought killing a Queen was special enough.

The sly assassin had dipped all three of the bolts in poison. The first in poison from the Sidian swamp, Viper; the second in a thick syrup made from the red seeds of the finch bane plant; and the third, a concoction made from spider moss.

All three were very deadly and usually killed quickly. Zachariah was confident the poison would not be needed, his marksmanship was uncanny, but it was always smart to be sure.

Raygan walked out of the gatehouse with Kian and Endra. She stretched her arms over her head, her sleep had been fitful. The sun rise was beautiful though. She wondered what it would be like to wake up feeling happy and safe again. The Queen stood in the rays of the morning sun, enjoying a few moments alone before her son woke up.

She felt a hard shove and found herself on the ground with Endra on top of her. “Are you alright, Majesty?” Endra asked, looking around still shielding the Queen’s small frame with her body.

“Yes, at least I was until you pushed me down.”

Both women looked at Kian, he held a crossbow bolt in each hand, a third was buried in his body just below his sternum. He winced in pain and toppled to the ground.

“Rhys.” Both women screamed at once.

Chapter 32

W
e found nothing, K’xarr, the assassins must have gotten back behind Cain’s lines.”

“It matter’s little now, Cromwell, Kian saved her, as long as she is alive we have reason to fight.” K’xarr paced back and forth near the southern gatehouse. It was a small building, but well fortified. It was still the best place to keep Raygan. If things went bad, she could quickly be ushered out the southern gate. Even though the assassins knew where she was now, it would be more risky to try moving her through the city to another location.

K’xarr believed Cain would not wait long to move against them. He just wished he knew where the Prince’s men would attack first. “They will come at us soon, Cromwell. Are the men ready?”

“As ready as they can be, the Asconans are good fighting men, but without their horses they lose a great deal of their strength. Their true power is in the charge of their heavy cavalry.”

“They will just have to make do,” K’xarr said. The Camiran could tell Cromwell’s mood was sour, but there were things that had to be done. He didn’t have time to worry about the Toran’s melancholy temperament. “Where are the men positioned now?” the general asked.

“We have made a rough line across the city just south of the palace, but the fighting will be house to house, building to building, it’s going to be a bloody affair, General.”

K’xarr slapped Cromwell on the back. “Find Rufio and Sir Ivan, tell them to be ready for anything. I’m going to check on Kian, then I will join you.”

Cromwell shook his head. “He still lives?”

K’xarr nodded his head.

“He is a true warrior, and now he will die for his beliefs and it shames me.”

“Why the hell would his overblown sense of honor shame you?”

Cromwell’s eyes were downcast. He looked like a child who had failed at his studies. “It grieves me to say it, but I fight to heap glory on my name so bards will sing songs about me. When I’m dead I want the Gods to know that Cromwell Blood was a great warrior. I have always believed this was what a warrior should be.

“We Torans speak of honor, but now I think few of us really know the meaning of it. Kian lives it, K’xarr. He cares little for glory or fame. Sometime I think he does not even care if anyone knows about the heroic things he has done. He protects the weak, when my instinct is to prey upon them. When he kills a man, his reasons are pure. Kian is a true warrior, K’xarr, he will see Vinteytium. This I know.”

“If there is such a place, I’m sure Kian will go there, now stop brooding on it. Rhys might save him yet. He has saved people close to death before, we both have seen that and that half-breed is no normal man. I say he still might have a chance.”

Cromwell swung his ax up on his shoulder. “I will pray to Fane to aid Rhys,” Cromwell said as he trotted off to find Rufio.

K’xarr watched him go. Cromwell was right, he mused. Kian fought without thought of glory or personal gain, but without either of the two K’xarr saw little point in fighting at all. He would not have stepped in front of those arrows. Not on instinct anyway.

Kian and Cromwell’s lofty ideas of honor and morality were for dreamers. In war there were only those who lived and those who died, and the dead cared nothing about honor. If there was a silver city for fallen warriors like Cromwell said, victory is what would get a man through its gates, not honor. The grim Camiran tightened his sword belt and started for the gatehouse to see what Rhys had accomplished with Kian.

K’xarr brushed passed the Queen who was silently weeping in the doorway of the small stone gatehouse. He patted her on the back as he passed. She said nothing, but her red swollen eyes spoke of what her heart felt.

Endra sat by the cot where Kian lay. She squeezed his hand as the Half Elf convulsed and shook. The cot he was laying on quivered violently when he thrashed about. He was covered in sweat and his teeth chattered between each convulsion. K’xarr watched as Kian’s muscles twisted beneath the skin when he seized. It was an unpleasant sight to witness.

The half-breed cried out, his back arching and arms flailing. Endra tried to hold him down, but it was a daunting task. Even in this condition the swordsman possessed inhuman strength. K’xarr had seen few men in this kind of pain and the ones he had were not his friends. Endra looked at him as she tried to hold Kian still. K’xarr could see in her eyes that she craved his help. “He is dying,” she said, as if the actuality of it was inconceivable to her. The general said nothing; there was no comfort he could offer her.

Rhys motioned for K’xarr to step outside with him. The day had grown overcast and cool, but Rhys was sweating. He wiped the back of his hand across his forehead. It was easy to see he was irritated and gravely concerned. “I don’t know what else I can do, K’xarr. If I knew what poison it was, maybe then I could do something. The truth is he should already be dead. Whatever is keeping him alive must have something to do with what his brother did to him.”

“Can’t you use you power? I have seen you heal wounds that should not be healed.”

Rhys hung his head. “I would if I could. Kian is not like other people, and poison is much different than a sickness or injury. Besides his body seems to try and resist my power. The truth is I don’t know how to use my skills to help him.”

“What you are saying? Is he’s going to die?”

Rhys took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. “Yes, K’xarr. I’m afraid he is and he is suffering. It would be better if it was quick.” Rhys looked at K’xarr as if he were shocked by what he had just said. “I want to help him, but I just…” The surgeon slammed his fist into the palm of his hand.