Rise of the Firebird (31 page)

“You know what I love about travelling with you, Anya?” Eldon said as he helped her from the barge, “You take me to all the exotic locations.”

“It isn’t like she had a choice,” Aramis muttered.

“Is he always this touchy or is it because we are in the Land of the Dead?”

“Are all Welshman as lippy as you?” she asked as they walked up the pier and onto a large deck. The fortress reminded Anya of an elaborate log cabin with the aspirations of turning into a Viking hall. Standards hung from tall spears, a white swan wings stretched up in a circle on a black background. The doors to the hall were carved in scenes of forest, ravens, a woman with a rake, a huge serpent, a giant…on and on in dizzying swirls until Anya had to stop looking and blink a few times to clear her head. The doors creaked open as they approached them, their guide’s step never faltering as she walked into the darkness.

“Why do I feel like this is a stupid idea,” Anya whispered.

“Why do you feel like we have a choice?” answered Mychal from behind her.

“My advice is to be polite,” Eldon said and nudged her in first.

As they stepped into the hall, torches lit with a pale white fire. Anya couldn’t see the walls on either side but the hall gave the feeling of being infinite in size. They walked on polished slate floors, following the back of the Death Maid, until Tuoni himself came into view. He was sitting on a large black throne, numerous pale bone antlers decorated the top and sides of it like a halo of white and sitting in a mound of soft black furs was Tuoni himself.

“Thank you, Daughter, you may leave now,” he commanded, his voice echoing around them. She bowed her head and obeyed immediately. His eyes fixed on Anya and she swallowed hard. When she had breakfast with him, so long ago now it felt like a dream, she had found him attractive. He still had the same curling black hair and goatee, the eyes like shining onyx, but in this place, he felt threatening and ominous.

“Anya, I see you’ve found your way to me at last,” he said, his mouth twisting.

“It was by accident let me assure you. Why have you brought me here?” Anya replied.

“Perhaps, I was in need of a friendly visit,” he said as he stood up, walking down the steps to approach them. He wore black leather pants and a flowing black shirt, and Anya noticed that he was at least two feet taller than the last time they met. Like Aramis when he was with the Álfr, Tuoni had dropped all pretence of being human. Power unseen finally rolled out of him, stronger and more potent than the
Groenn Skaer.
Anya’s knees were shaking by the time he stopped in front of her.

“Is the show of power really necessary?” asked Eldon in a bored manner.

“You,” Tuoni looked across at him, “you should’ve been dead many, many times over.”

“Don’t I know it.”

“And yet, here you stand.”

“I guess you could say I haven’t met a Lord of Death up to the challenge.”

“A life as long as yours has been and one with so much power…” Tuoni circled him. “I would love to be the one to take you. To have you in my lands.”

“I bet you say that to all the girls.”

“And I see you want to die, desperately. More desperately than even Anya did when I first met her.” Tuoni smiled fondly at her.

“You definitely seem powerful enough, one the most powerful I’ve ever met so you are welcome to try on one condition,” said Eldon as he straightened the sleeves on his coat.

Tuoni laughed coldly, “You act as if I won’t succeed.”

“Oh, I sincerely hope that you do, but if you don’t then I want three questions answered truthfully. And I mean truthfully, none of this half-truth bollocks you Gods like to come out with.”

“What do you think of this, Anya? Should I agree to your intriguing friend’s game?”

“Eldon loves to tempt death so it’s no surprise to me that he should provoke you, but he would definitely be an entertaining asset to Tuonela. He tells me that he’s a Bard and this place could use some music,” she answered. Anya had no idea what Eldon was up to, but she knew whatever he would ask would be worth knowing the answer to. Tuoni studied Eldon carefully as if he was searching for a trap.

“I agree to your terms,” Tuoni said finally.

“Splendid! In case I don’t make it, Anya, thanks for the trip and make sure you keep those gifts from your Stag buddy safe,” Eldon told her and held out his hand to Tuoni. “Come on then, my lord, take your best shot.”

Tuoni grinned, his face changing and distorting with malice as he gripped Eldon’s hand tightly. The beams of the hall shook, black ash falling onto them as power whipped through the air. The temperature fell as the energy was sucked out of everything around them. Tuoni’s grin slipped, the lights in the hall went out and the ground beneath them shifted. Eldon was shining again, the golden light illuminating Tuoni’s twisted features. He let go with a shout of frustration. The lights in the hall flashed back to life. Tuoni’s face was back to normal again. His look had changed to pensive, almost sad.

“I’m sorry. It will not let you go, not even to my embrace,” he said to Eldon.

“Don’t feel bad about it,” Eldon replied and slapped him on the back. “The Good Lord can be stubborn like that. In the meantime, you can tell me who gave you Yvan’s egg and told you to give it to Anya?”

Tuoni folded his arms. “And this is one of your questions?”

“Don’t answer my question with another question! Answer the question I ask,” demanded Eldon. Anya moved back from them and she felt Yvan’s hands rest gently on her shoulders.

“Eldon, Eikki gave Tuoni the egg,” she said in a soft voice as she looked at the Lord of Death. He folded his arms as he stared Eldon down.

“I don’t think so, Anya, the whole story was far too convenient for me. You agreed to the terms of our deal now spit it out, Tuoni. Who gave you the egg?”

“Baba Yaga,” Tuoni growled.

“Why give it to Anya?”

“She knew Anya’s dormant magic would flare to life with the egg in her possession, and it in turn would cause the egg to hatch.”

“Final question, what do
you
get out of being Baba Yaga’s flunky?”

“She would give me Anya to be the new queen of Tuonela.”

“
WHAT?
” Anya went for him but Yvan held her back. “What the hell kind of deal is that? How
dare
you! You told me Eikki was trying to do a spell for the gates because he was dying of cancer. Was that a lie as well to get me to trust you?”

“I can see you are upset by this, Anya, but you were an excellent choice for my bride. I couldn’t tell you Baba Yaga killed Eikki,” Tuoni said coolly as he stepped towards her. “I wanted you. You had power that could benefit this realm and you
wanted
death. Not only wanted it, but also craved it, begged for it. It wasn’t a punishment to you, it was freedom. That is why you were so attracted to me when we met and why of all the creatures in the worlds, you fell in love with a Thanatos. They are servants of death and you couldn’t get enough of him. You thought that was a coincidence? You
wanted
death, Anya, and I would make you its Queen.” He reached out and touched her face with his long fingers. His touch was cool and comforting, but memories of forest and fire and life and anger were raging through her. Tuoni flinched and pulled his hand away.

“You have…changed,” he said, his eyes looking into hers, trying to find what was wrong. “You’ve been touched by something powerful and it has remade you. Something…No,
someone
has given you a burning desire to live, to protect…” He looked over her head at Yvan and Anya tried to keep her face calm. “Well, if I knew you were going to fall this madly in love with him, then I never would’ve agreed to give you the egg in the first place. And you,” Tuoni pointed at Aramis, “I feel you inside of her. She has Álfr light burning in her. You are
worthless
now, Anya.”

“I suppose this means Baba Yaga’s deal isn’t worth anything now either,” Eldon Blaise said cheerily. “So really you have nothing to lose by telling us what she is up to?”

“And why should I help any of you?” growled Tuoni as he sat down on his throne once more. “You have nothing I need or want.”

“I bet you want to get revenge on Baba Yaga for screwing you around. You can’t possibly have believed she would
give
you Anya. Anya, whose power she wants to harness in her endless game with Yanka. Even you can’t be that blind. She wasn’t going to give you a damn thing. She played you,” said Eldon firmly. “There’s no better revenge on Baba Yaga than telling us her plans. Anya’s going to kick them both into the Afterlife where you can have as much tormenting fun with Baba Yaga as you like.”

“If you promise to deliver her to me, Anya, I’ll tell you what I know,” Tuoni said as he looked down at her.

“I promise,” Anya forced the words out. She didn’t trust Tuoni but she trusted Baba Yaga even less.

“I don’t know of her plans as such, but I do know Baba Yaga killed Eikki because he wouldn’t give you up to her, even after she promised him that you’d be the one to kill Yanka once and for all.” Tuoni smiled at Anya, but it was spiteful. Anya gritted her teeth and refused to acknowledge that what he was telling her was hurting her beyond measure. It didn’t matter. He knew.

“Baba Yaga also watched Vasilli kill Ilya and Ilya curse him. Ilya told him as he lay dying that when the firebird hatched, it would make an alliance that would mean his death and Yanka’s ultimate end. Vasilli hunted the egg and the firebird not for its power, but to ensure it never hatched. He would’ve found a way to destroy it,” Tuoni explained, eyes bright.

“Both the Illumination and the Darkness have watched Yanka’s bloodline to ensure it produced nothing like her. They thought Anya completely normal, the magic held within the line diminished. That’s why you were not taken beforehand. Only Baba Yaga and Eikki knew otherwise. He had put spells on you from your birth to hide your talent and then he never taught you anything. He kept you far from that world and you had an Angel of Death to watch over you to kill anyone who was a threat. Believe me, Anyanka, your sweet Trajan killed
many
through the centuries of watching over your family. Baba Yaga killed your parents as a message to Eikki when he refused to give you up. Trajan was too slow that night. In his anger, Eikki forbade him from ever making contact with you. Then when Eikki refused Baba Yaga again, she killed him too. So you see, all the death in your life has really been your fault, Anya. You’re the reason that you are all alone.”

“She isn’t alone,” Yvan growled behind her.

“Nor is she responsible for the death of her family,” Aramis stood tall beside her, his light glowing brighter.

“Do not flash your Álfr tricks in this place,” Tuoni commanded.

“We have all we need to know, Anya. Shall we go?” Eldon asked as he turned his back on the Lord of the Dead.

“You are in my kingdom. You will leave when I say that you can.” Tuoni’s power whipped out of him and Anya stumbled. Aleksandra yelped behind them and Mychal caught her before she fell to the ground, blood pouring from her nose. Katya’s knives were out and she was standing in front of her sister to shield her.

“Stop this, Tuoni! Please,” Anya begged. “She hasn’t done anything. Just let us go. “

“But I enjoy your company so much,” Tuoni said sarcastically. “It’s not my fault your friends are weak.”

“Do it again and I’ll show you how weak I am,” Mychal threatened. He was brimming with anger and if it wasn’t for Aleksandra staying his hand, Anya was sure that he would be making Tuoni work to keep his head on.

“Anya, I think it’s time to show Tuoni the kids,” said Eldon happily.

Anya pulled the small velvet bag from the pocket of her jacket. “Let us go, Tuoni. Please, while we’re still friends.”

“And what trinkets do you have that you think are powerful enough to persuade me?”

Anya tipped the seeds in her hand. Their red light was glowing, pulsing with iridescent life.

“How
dare
you bring such a thing into my realm?” Tuoni shouted.

“Well, your forests are so dead,” Anya shrugged, “I thought maybe you’d like me to bring it back to life for you. No? I guess you had better let us go.”

Tuoni’s power was snapping at her but she didn’t flinch. He roared and the doors of the hall blew in and Tuonen Pilka was there. “Get them out of my presence and out of my realm.” She bowed and the others hurried after her, but Anya stayed where she was standing.

“I wouldn’t have us as enemies, Tuoni. You are disappointed, I understand that, but I still thank you for what you told me.”

The anger in his face eased a little. “What else do you want, Anya? I can see the question dancing behind your eyes.”

“We are going to into Karelia to find Kullervo’s sword. Do you have any idea where would be a good place to start?”

“Kullervo’s sword?” Tuoni laughed loudly, “No, Anya, many people have searched for it and none has succeeded. If you want to learn all about how fruitless your search will be, go, go see my daughter in the north. She will tell you. But don’t expect her to be as hospitable as I have been.”

“Thank you, my Lord,” Anya said as she tucked the seeds back into her pocket. “I hope we can meet under more pleasant circumstances one day.”

“You’re a passionate girl and you are polite. Two qualities I admire, but I’m too angry to admire them now, so go,” he waved his hand and she was picked up and flew through the doors of the hall. She landed heavily on her feet as the doors slammed behind her.

“Time to leave,” Izrayl hustled them as they followed the Death Maid. She was hurrying to get back to her barge and wasn’t concerned if they were following her or not. Yvan waited for Anya to catch up with a look that said that at some point she would be forced to have a difficult conversation
.

We need to talk
, the firebird touched her mind, a fleeting whisper.

No, we don’t
, she replied and lifted her guards up so that it wouldn’t get through to her even if it tried.

They all climbed into the barge and their guide quickly pushed away from the jetty and the shoreline. A cry of wounded rage echoed across the water and they watched as the great black hall buckled and splintered in on itself. When the smog cleared, the island was covered in forest with no sign the hall ever existed. The sky started to fall with ash and they lifted their hoods to keep it from being stuck in their clothes and hair.