Lachlei (20 page)

CHAPTER Forty-Two

The hospitality of the
Laddel
army assuaged Cahal’s fears. Lachlei, Rhyn, and Cahal entered the
Laddel
main tent to find themselves treated as though they were
Laddel
royalty. Silver and agouti-haired warriors, many with silver or brass eyes bowed their heads in respect to her as she passed.

The
Laddel
were
Eleion
as were the
Lochvaur
, but their kindred showed the characteristics of the wolf-god, Ni’yah. They were shorter than the
Lochvaur
; indeed, next to them, Rhyn was a giant. He towered over most of them by nearly a foot. And yet, Lachlei sensed power within these warriors
—
a wildness she could not explain. Clad in mail, with long, wolf-colored manes and feral eyes, Lachlei knew their warrior abilities to be equal to her
Chi’lan
in many ways.

Two
Laddel
guards bowed as Lachlei entered the tent. All rose at her presence and she glanced at Cahal and Rhyn in puzzlement. Cahal looked perplexed, but Rhyn nodded.

Go in,
he said.
You are Laddel nobility here.

Lachlei stared at Rhyn. “What do you mean?” she whispered.

“You are the daughter of Ladara, the granddaughter of Laddel,” Rhyn replied. “You are in line for the throne, albeit distantly.”

Lachlei stared at the warriors. She had forgotten that the other kindreds weren’t as egalitarian as the
Lochvaur
or the
Chi’lan
. The
Lochvaur
line of succession was earned, not inherited. Although the sons of the king were often challengers for the
Lochvaur
throne, there was no guarantee that they would rule, although it was tradition that a first-blood ascended the throne. Lachlei had forgotten the other kindreds chose their kings by blood-ties.

I know nothing of the
Laddel
, Lachlei objected to Rhyn.
Ladara became Lochvaur when she married my father…
She saw Rhyn grinning.
You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?

Before he could respond, Laddel approached her and took her arms in the
Chi’lan
gesture of friendship. “I forgot that you might feel more comfortable being greeted as
Chi’lan
than a Queen, daughter of my granddaughter.”

Lachlei returned the greeting. “Forgive me, great-grandfather, but as
Chi’lan
we treat all warriors as our equals.”

“Indeed,
Chi’lan
Lachlei,” Laddel grinned. “No doubt Rhyn’athel’s influence.”

Lachlei laughed. “You knew Rhyn’athel?”

Laddel glanced at Rhyn. “Indeed, and there are no other gods the
Laddel
would serve, save Ni’yah.” He paused. “But, we are not here to discuss history, but to discuss the future. Areyn will destroy us if we do not unite against him.”

He led her to a long table and bade her to sit. Servants brought plates of roast meat and bread, but the flagons stayed empty. “I would normally offer mead, but there are too many first-bloods at this table,” Laddel said, glancing at Telek. “And we need our wits about us.”

“Agreed,” she said, drinking the water offered. “This is no time for celebration if Areyn is indeed here.”

“He is,” said Telek, meeting her gaze. “Make no mistake about it,
Chi’lan
, he has attacked the
Lochvaur
first because you are the greatest of the kindreds.”

“We aren’t the largest,” Lachlei said. “The
Redel
are larger than us
—
they have more troops. So do the
Elesil
.”

“But they are not
Chi’lan
,” Laddel said. “During the war between the gods of light and darkness, it was Lochvaur and his
Chi’lan
who led us. They were the shock troops for the rest of us and they took the brunt of Areyn’s assault. It isn’t any wonder why Areyn has chosen to attack the
Lochvaur
again. It is a grudge that has lasted over two millennia.”

“This is not a
Lochvaur
war
—
this is a
Chi’lan
battle only,” Lachlei corrected him.

Laddel frowned. “The
Lochvaur
council hasn’t given its approval?”

“Laewynd is blind to the threat.”

“Blind or intentionally ignoring it?” Telek remarked. He gave Rhyn a knowing look.

“What do you mean?” Lachlei asked, noting the nonverbal exchange.

“Laewynd may be a traitor,” Rhyn said.

Lachlei laughed but fell silent when the others did not join her mirth. “Laewynd may not be the most trustworthy of the council members, but he is no traitor,” she said.

“Can you be sure of that?” Laddel asked. “He served Fialan for many years, but Fialan was a strong king.”

“Are you implying that I am not?” Lachlei demanded, her eyes glittering in anger.

“No,” Rhyn said. “No one here arguing your right or power. But it is unusual to have a queen on the
Lochvaur
throne.”

“The
Haell
have a queen,” Lachlei said.

“The
Haell
are a matriarchy. The only other is the
Falarel
and they are a secretive kindred,” Laddel said. “They deal with no one, save perhaps the
Eltar
. I fear that your strength has surprised Laewynd, and he may try other means to control you.”

Cahal nodded. “You did surprise Laewynd with your
Chi’lan
allegiance.”

“I have always been
Chi’lan
,” Lachlei stated.

“But not outwardly since you became Fialan’s consort,” Laddel remarked. He smiled at her surprise. “The
Laddel
know more than you think, Lachlei. We may keep to ourselves, but we are very aware of the happenings within the other kindreds.” He paused. “Laewynd may have mistaken diffidence for weakness
—
something that I have learned long ago not to do. A sleeping dragon is still a dragon. And a twice first-blood is a very dangerous adversary.”

Lachlei shook her head. “I still can’t believe Laewynd would betray us. Laewynd is many things but he is not a traitor and he is not one to take power
—
he prefers to lurk in the shadow and deal. And Laewynd was a
Chi’lan
…”

“Perhaps, but not all those who take the oath to the warrior god serve him,” Rhyn said. “We need those soldiers, even if we can’t get the
Lochvaur
council’s approval. There’s too much at stake.”

 “If this is Areyn Sehduk,” she said. “So far, I have the word of the
Laddel
and naught else.”

Laddel glanced at Telek and Rhyn. “At one time, my word was good enough
—
what other proof do you need, Lachlei?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I know there is a demon
—
I have seen him in the form of a
Silren
. But for you to say it is Areyn Sehduk…” She shook her head.

“Demons haven’t been seen in this world for two millennia,” Telek said. “The Truce has kept them in Areyn’s worlds. Now, they appear again. Tell me that Areyn isn’t behind this.”

Lachlei met Telek’s gaze. “I can’t
—
but I need proof before I try to take control of the entire
Lochvaur
army. And if this were Areyn Sehduk, we’ll need a lot more than just
Lochvaur
and
Laddel
.”

“Then, the question remains
—
who will stand with us?” Laddel said. “The
Haell
will fight alongside the
Laddel
, but it will take time.”
“The
Redel
and
Lochel
may come to our aid,” Lachlei admitted. “But Laewynd thought the
Redel
were massing to attack us. The
Elesil
are our allies, but they traditionally ally themselves with the
Silren
. If the
Elesil
enter the war with the
Silren
, we can’t possibly hold our own without at least the
Redel
.” She shook her head. “But the
Silren
have never traditionally served Areyn Sehduk
—
why the change?”

“Perhaps Areyn thinks he found a weakness against Rhyn’athel he could exploit,” Laddel said, leaning back. “Look how indecisive we are already
—
we question the logic behind fighting this foe, when there should be no question.”

The room fell silent and Lachlei gazed at each face. “What do you think, Cahal?” she asked.

Cahal shook his head. “I am not an advisor.”

“Speak your mind,
Chi’lan
.”

“Despite the lack of proof, something tells me to believe them. What we fought was supernatural, and only the warrior god saw us through this.”

Rhyn saw us through this
, Lachlei thought.
Not Rhyn’athel.
She turned and met Rhyn’s gaze. “And your thoughts, Rhyn?”

“You know my thoughts, Lachlei,” he replied.

“Tell me them anyway.” Her gaze fell cold and hard on the North Marches
Chi’lan
.

“This is Areyn Sehduk,” he said. “The Truce has ended, and the battle for our very survival has begun. If you ignore the problem, it will not go away but will continue to plague us. If not now, then later.” He turned to Telek. “I was a fool for not seeing it sooner.”

The wolf-god smiled, but said naught.

“I too have come to a decision,” Lachlei said. “Instinct, as much as intellect and strength, must play a part in a commander’s decision. I don’t have much to go on, save what I have seen and your counsel. At this time, I must trust my instincts as a
Chi’lan
warrior.” She paused. “Something evil killed Fialan
—
a demon or maybe even the demon god, himself. If this isn’t the death god, then perhaps we will err on the side of caution. But if it is Areyn Sehduk, then it is my duty as Rhyn’athel’s champion to fight him. I am with you.”

At that moment, a scream ripped through the encampment. Warriors and gods were to their feet, swords drawn.

“Demon!” Telek said.

CHAPTER Forty-Three

Fialan’s eyesight returned quickly. He was indeed in the world of the living once more, but time had changed dramatically in this world since he left it. Fialan had only been gone a few days in
Tarentor
time, but the season here was now approaching winter rapidly.

And yet, it was still
Elren
, the land of the living. The forest stretched for miles in all directions until it met the base of Lochvaren Mountains, the conifers frocked with glistening snow. The snow-capped peaks gleamed pure white in the contrasting sapphire-blue sky. Sowelu shone overhead, providing warmth where there had been none before. Fialan breathed deeply the cold, clean air and reveled in the feeling. It was as if he were alive again.

Eshe had wept on seeing the world of the living once more. The beauty of
Elren
had left her speechless, but the travel had drained her as it had many of the other
Braesan
—
the Undead. While she rested, Fialan walked through the army, past the tents and warriors
—
and the demons that were constant reminders of the dead
Chi’lan’s
slavery to Areyn.

One hundred thousand
Chi’lan
warriors had been brought back from the dead. They were
Braesan
, undead
Eleion
. Neither alive nor dead, their bodies were pale and their eyes held a reddish cast. The best and the greatest of the warriors to feed Areyn’s war machine. Lochvaur had chosen exclusively
Chi’lan
, but whether this was by chance or intention, Fialan didn’t know. Fialan found Lochvaur’s tent and strode in, his eyes hardening as he met the godling’s.

“So, you’ve betrayed us,” Fialan said.

Lochvaur looked up. “You of all should not talk, Fialan. You left us.”

“And so I’m dragged here?”

“The demons would’ve come for you, regardless. You’re part of this war, Fialan
—
I can see your fate in the Wyrd.”

“Spare me your platitudes,” Fialan snarled. “I won’t be party to any of this…”

“I see how you instill loyalty, Lochvaur,” came Areyn’s mocking voice from behind them. “Perhaps I could learn something…”

Fialan wheeled on the demon god. “You…you! If you touch Lachlei, I’ll…”

Areyn smiled sardonically. “You’ll what? Kill me? Rather unlikely, don’t you think, Fialan? After all, if Rhyn’athel or his son can’t kill me, certainly you can’t.”

“Be careful how you sling insults, Areyn,” Lochvaur said. “Especially to the man who bested you in a swordfight.”

The death god’s eyes narrowed. “A small accomplishment
—
he is still dead.”

“Small, perhaps, but notable,” Lochvaur said. “Why are you here? You have what you want.”

“My
Silren
and
Eltar
will be here soon,” Areyn said. “You are to take orders from my captains.”

Lochvaur said nothing, but anger smoldered in his steel eyes.

Fialan stared. “You’re going to obey?”

“Of course,” Areyn Sehduk said. “He’s going to be the good soldier who follows orders, aren’t you, Lochvaur?”

A muscle twitched in Lochvaur’s jaw, but the godling merely gazed at Areyn.

With a yell, Fialan leapt at Areyn, swinging his sword. Flame surrounded the former
Lochvaur
king, and Fialan dropped to the floor, writhing. “Enough, Areyn!” Lochvaur snapped. “Leave him
—
your quarrel is with me.”

“Indeed,” Areyn said. The flames disappeared, and Areyn met the godling’s gaze. “Remember, Lochvaur, who is your master,” he said as he strode out.

Lochvaur glared after Areyn and then knelt beside Fialan’s motionless body. He touched Fialan’s forehead. “Fialan,” he said. “Fialan, awake!”

Fialan started awake and stared at Lochvaur. Anger shone in his eyes, but Lochvaur shook his head. “Let us not quarrel, Fialan. For I am not your enemy, but your ally.”

“My ally? You, who have doomed me to fight for Areyn?”

“Areyn would have you fight regardless.” Lochvaur helped Fialan up. “Patience, Fialan. I know it is hard to trust me, but trust me, you must. No one
—
not even Rhyn’athel
—
holds my vengeance against the death god. Two thousand years or ten thousand years — I am a patient man, and I will have my revenge.”

Fialan gazed into Lochvaur’s eyes and shuddered. He could see the anger and hatred for the death god within Lochvaur’s gaze. “You would’ve taken Areyn’s anger though it was directed at me.”

Lochvaur shrugged. “I have felt the death god’s punishments before.”

Fialan looked down. “There must be a way out of this
—
now that we are back in the world of the living.”

“But our bodies are not part of this world,” Lochvaur said. “We are tied to
Tarentor
as surely as if there were a chain around us.”

“What if we tried to escape?” he asked.

“Don’t,” Lochvaur said. “If you did try, you are likely to feel terrible pain
—
worse than the jolt Areyn gave you.”

“Then what do we do?”

“We obey orders and we wait
—
for the moment,” Lochvaur said.

“That is not my nature,” Fialan said. “I won’t fight my own people.”

“That remains to be seen, my young friend,” the godling replied as Fialan left the tent.

*****

The demon was huge
—
a massive, dark creature that loomed over them. In the light of the third moon, it looked more imposing yet. It hovered above the encampment, dark and ominous. To Lachlei it looked like an amalgam of different creatures fused together haphazardly. Its head was that of a wolf; its body of a fireworm. Its bat-like wings beat furiously as it displayed its fierce, saber teeth.

Rhyn had been the first outside, his Sword of Power drawn. Lachlei stood beside him with
Fyren
, followed by Telek and Laddel. The
Laddel
warriors gathered around with spears and swords, torches lit. Some drew their longbows and nocked their arrows, awaiting Laddel’s orders. Lachlei could see the hatred burn in their feral eyes as they looked upon one of the ancient enemies of the
Eleion
.

The demon screamed again, prickling Lachlei’s skin and hair. Everything within her nature told her to hate it. She had never had such a visceral experience, except in the heat of the battle against Areyn. Perhaps it was the blood of the
Athel’cen
that coursed through her veins. She looked at Rhyn, whose expression was darker yet.

“Heath-stalker,” Rhyn said. “Stay here.” He glanced at Telek, who nodded and drew his sword. Lachlei stared. The
Laddel
warrior’s sword glowed in the darkness; he carried a Sword of Power as well. They walked forward, Rhyn circling left and Telek circling right.

Lachlei started forward after them, only to feel Laddel’s firm grip on her shoulder. “Don’t
—
they’ve killed many demons before,” he said.

Many?
Lachlei turned back to Rhyn and Telek in wonder.
How could Rhyn have killed many? And what of Telek?

The demon screeched, seeing both gods circling it. Rhyn’s eyes burned with a bloodlust that Lachlei had only seen palely reflected in the
Chi’lan
. It was as though she had been transported back over two thousand years before. Was this how the battles between the
Eleion
and Areyn’s creatures were before the Truce? Rhyn and Telek seemed to have stepped out of those times.

The demon struck at Rhyn. Rhyn parried and Telek charged, his brass eyes flashing in the cold moonlight. The demon twisted to meet the attack, only to have its talons severed as it sought to rake Telek. Rhyn swung his Sword, and the blade bit through the demon’s armored scales. The Sword of Power cut through its neck, and the demon collapsed in a vile-smelling heap.

Rhyn’athel grinned as he met his brother’s gaze. “It has been a long time,” he said to Ni’yah. “I forgot how much I hate these things.”

 “Stupid heath-stalkers,” Ni’yah remarked. “Areyn may not realize you’re here yet. Or he may not admit it.”

“Heath-stalkers?” Lachlei asked, looking at the body as it disintegrated into foul-smelling smoke. “There are types of demons?”

“Of course,” Rhyn’athel said. “The heath-stalkers are fairly weak
—
a good adamantine sword can dispatch them.”

“Then, Fialan wasn’t killed by one of those.”

“No,” Rhyn’athel replied. He turned to Ni’yah. “Why would Areyn send a lesser demon?”

“A test, perhaps?” Ni’yah remarked. “They take little to create.”

Lachlei stared at him. “What can we expect?”

“Arch-demons, certainly,” Laddel said.

“And maybe worse,” Rhyn’athel replied. “It depends on how far Areyn will go with this.”

“One thing is certain…
Rhyn
,” Ni’yah remarked, pausing and emphasizing Rhyn’athel’s mortal name. “We’ll be seeing more of these before the war is over.