Cursed Bones: Sovereign of the Seven Isles: Book Five (13 page)

“It’s in the care of the Guild Mage,” Alexander said, “He’s studying it to see if we could make use of it. But getting back to Mindbender. Do you really think I have the sword’s powers?”

“Probably not exactly,”
Constantine
said. “While our understanding of the adept wizard is limited, we do know that you developed specific capabilities after surviving the mana fast. You may manifest the same talents the sword gave you or you may develop completely new capabilities, provided our speculation is accurate.”

“The only way to know for certain is to experiment,” Balthazar said. “I recommend you proceed with caution and deliberate care. This is uncharted territory.”

“That certainly gives me something to think about,” Alexander said.

“Be aware of anything different about your magic,” Balthazar said. “Pay careful attention to the details of anything you experience differently than before.”

Alexander cocked his head to the side and frowned, suddenly realizing that things had been slightly different with his magic.

“I used my clairvoyance before coming to consult you,” he said. “The firmament felt somehow more familiar. I can’t really explain it, but I felt more at home, more at ease. Also, my all around sight is sharper.”

“Given your wound, you will have plenty of time to experiment,” Balthazar said. “I recommend you spend some time every day using your clairvoyance. Attempt to use it in ways you haven’t before. Look at the very small and the very large, explore the inner workings of the substance around you at the smallest level you can, see the entire
Seven Isles
as a whole, look within yourself and attempt to penetrate the realm of light. Stretch out with your mind and see what you find.”

“I will,” Alexander said. “I already have a lot to do on that score. There are a number of conflicts brewing that will flare as soon as spring comes. I want to provide my people with all the information I can before the fighting starts.”

He stopped, staring at the table for a moment.

“This may be nothing, but twice now I’ve felt a knowing sensation prior to Bragador’s arrival. It’s not like the precognitive experiences I’ve had in the past, but more like a subtle awareness of the moments to come.”

“Take note of any more such experiences you have,” Balthazar said. “Study each one in detail, look for commonalities. Above all, determine how accurate your predictive abilities are. Such a power is formidable beyond words, provided it’s reliable and accurate. Otherwise, it could very easily lead to your doom.”

“I hadn’t considered that,” Alexander said.

“Perhaps we should spend some time discussing the dragons,” Demetrius said.

“I concur,” Balthazar said. “You said that a dragon was born near you, that you were the first person she saw when she emerged from her egg.”

“Yes,” Alexander said.

“Dragon mothers are very careful with their eggs,” Balthazar said. “The first being a dragon sees will be imprinted on the beast for its whole life. This young dragon will have loyalty to you above all others. Her mother is aware of this, and no doubt, unhappy about it. Take great care, Alexander. Dragons are fiercely protective of their own, especially their young.”

“I had no idea,” Alexander said. “Anja spends all of her time nearby, but I just thought she was young and curious. What should I do?”

“Encourage her to follow her mother’s guidance,” Balthazar said. “Bragador knows better than any what Anja needs. Tread lightly, offer friendship but encourage her to assimilate into her own community. As for Bragador, take her counsel seriously and don’t make any promises that you aren’t willing to keep. Dragons have long memories and will always collect on debts owed.”

“That leaves Siduri and the blood of the earth,”
Constantine
said.

“Indeed,” Balthazar said. He fixed Alexander with a very direct look before proceeding. “I am inclined to recommend that you refrain from using the blood of the earth.”

The other sovereigns nodded in agreement, save Malachi, who started laughing.

Alexander ignored him. “How will I save Isabel without the potion?”

“I don’t know,” Balthazar said, “but the warning given by Siduri and the manner in which he appeared and disappeared cannot be taken lightly. Had I been aware of his existence, I would have reached out to him. That he never chose to contact me or any of the other sovereigns, yet chose to warn you in this matter, is of great significance.”

“He’s clearly a being of transcendent power,”
Constantine
said. “The very idea of residing within the firmament for millennia is difficult to grasp, but the ability to manifest physically at the location of his choice and then melt back into the firmament is profound in the extreme. He may be the single most powerful creature alive in the world today. His guidance should be given serious consideration.”

“His experience with the darkness is of vital importance as well,” Dominic said. “Firsthand dealings with the Taker are unheard of. No wizard would be foolish enough to attempt such a thing … unless they were driven by abject desperation. The result of his bargain is instructive.”

“I have no intention of making a bargain with the Taker,” Alexander said.

“I didn’t mean to suggest that you did,” Dominic said. “I’m referring to the origin of the shades. That they were made by the Taker suggests that they could be unmade by him.”

“But why would he do that?” Alexander asked, intrigued by the possibility.

“The darkness and the light operate according to their own rules,” Balthazar said. “It may be that the fulfillment of Siduri’s bargain could bring the shades to an end.”

“You’re saying that if Siduri died and surrendered to the Taker, the shades would be unmade?”

“I’m speculating,” Balthazar said.

“How can I confirm your speculation?” Alexander asked, sitting forward.

The table fell silent until Malachi started laughing again.

“What do you know that could help me end the shades forever?” Alexander demanded.

Malachi shrugged. “Only speculations.”

“Where can I confirm these speculations?”

“You could go ask the Taker, he might tell you the truth,” Malachi said, laughing softly.

“Or you could ask the light,” Demetrius said. “A creature such as Selaphiel might know.”

“But how?” Alexander said. “I suppose I could ask Chloe, but I doubt she would know. And even if I could confirm your theory, how would I convince Siduri to subject himself to that?”

“You said he was distraught over what had been done to his children,” Balthazar said. “Perhaps he would view it as saving them from a fate worse than death.”

“If he believed me,” Alexander said, “but how could the light ever accept the shades’ souls after what they’ve done?”

“The light
is
forgiveness,” Demetrius said, looking at Malachi sadly, “provided that your repentance is real. If Siduri’s account is correct, the shades were children when the Taker touched them. As such, they are innocent and worthy of redemption.”

“That’s a lot of ifs,” Alexander said. “I’m not even sure how I would tell Siduri, if I could confirm everything you’ve suggested.”

“I would start in the firmament,”
Constantine
said. “If he truly resides there, he will be aware of your presence. Perhaps you can communicate with him.”

“Or maybe he’s just a projection sent by Phane to toy with you,” Malachi said.

“Silence,” Alexander shot back, even as doubt crept into his thoughts. He needed the potion to save Isabel. What if Siduri was an illusion, a deception wielded by Phane to prevent him from saving her?

The Sixth Sovereign sat back, looking smug.

Alexander stood, glaring at Malachi.

“Thank you, gentlemen,” he said. “I’ll pursue confirmation of your speculations and seek out Siduri.”

Chapter 12

Alexander soared on the wind high over the ocean, shadowing Aedan as the big, dark green dragon coasted gracefully over his target. Alexander had been waiting for this. He’d been intent on watching this encounter from the moment Bragador sent her agent to retrieve the little black box and Princess Lacy.

They were up high … so high Alexander could just barely make out the ship below. A ship that seemed to be sailing in a giant circle out of the way of normal shipping channels as if it was waiting for something.

The dragon banked and rolled into a dive, accelerating with terrifying quickness. Alexander stayed with him as he let gravity pull him toward his objective. With the sun at his back, the ship’s crew was completely unaware of his sudden approach.

At the last possible moment, Aedan flared his wings, breaking his free-fall and sending a gust of wind into the sails sufficient to cause the entire ship to pitch to one side, causing many of the crew to lose their footing and go down.

He fluidly transformed into a human as he landed on the deck of the ship, striding to the first crewman still standing. “Where’s the princess?” he demanded.

“I don’t know,” the crewman said.

Aedan grabbed him by the lapel and threw him overboard, locking eyes with the next nearest crewman.

“You there,” he said, pointing at the man, “where’s the princess?”

The man turned and ran.

Then Alexander saw him. He was poking his head up through a hatch from below decks. The possessed crewman smiled with gleeful malice as he came up to the main deck. In a crouch, he started toward Aedan.

Alexander could see the wrongness of his colors, he could see the darkness, but he couldn’t warn Aedan.

Rankosi approached the shapeshifted dragon, smiling.

“I’ll tell you where she is,” he said. “All I ask is that you spare my life.”

Alexander felt a sense of chilling helplessness penetrate his entire being. Rankosi took a step. Then another. One final step and he was close enough. He reached out and touched Aedan, clutching at his arm.

The dragon frowned with sudden anger, reaching for him, but it was too late. Rankosi flowed from the crewman into Aedan.

Alexander watched an epic struggle transpire in the colors of the two beings, but the shade won out, finally subjugating Aedan’s free will and possessing the dragon completely.

He looked up at Alexander and smiled wickedly. “Oh, this is much better,” he said, grabbing the frightened crewman by the throat, lifting him off the deck and leaping onto the railing before launching into the air over the ocean, transforming into a dragon in moments. Still holding the crewman by the throat, he flipped the man’s legs into his mouth and bit them off at the waist before casting his screaming torso into the ocean.

Aedan, possessed by Rankosi, gained altitude and distance from the ship where Lacy Fellenden was being held captive.

Alexander slipped back into the firmament, then returned to the Wizard’s Den.

“Little One, will you tell Bragador that I have grave news.”

“Yes, My Love,” Chloe said, floating up and kissing him on the cheek before spinning into a ball of light and vanishing.

Bragador arrived several minutes later.

“Thank you for coming,” Alexander said.

“What news?”

“Aedan has been possessed by the shade Rankosi,” he said.

“Impossible!” Bragador said.

“I just watched it happen,” Alexander said.

“You are mistaken,” Bragador said, “and I intend to prove it.” She turned on her heel and left.

***

“I’m not sure if I can do this,” Alexander said, more to himself than anyone.

“I believe in you, My Love,” Chloe said.

“You said the sovereigns were only speculating about Mindbender’s power transferring to you,” Jack said, “and even then, they didn’t know if you’d develop the same abilities the sword gave you. Maybe you’re trying to do the wrong thing.”

“Or maybe I just can’t make it work because I’m stuck in this bed,” Alexander said. “I just can’t seem to make myself believe I’m in a fight enough to project an illusion.”

“You’ve been trying for days, My Love,” Chloe said. “Maybe you should just rest for a while.”

“Maybe you’re right. I’m not getting anywhere, anyway,” he said, closing his eyes and relaxing into the bed that had become his home since his injury.

He relaxed his body and cleared his mind like he had so many times in the past prior to slipping into the firmament, but this time he simply let his mind wander, allowing the images to play across his mind’s eye. He thought of Isabel, trying to remember exactly what she looked like, her chestnut-brown hair, her piercing green eyes and her perfect smile. He missed her terribly, but after seeing her nightmares, he’d come to terms with her decision. She was trying to protect him even though it hurt her as much as it hurt him.

He was looking at her in his mind’s eye, seeing her in perfect detail, dressed in her riding armor, wearing her sword, the medallion of Glen Morillian around her neck, when he heard Jack gasp.