The Lords of Valdeon (47 page)

"I won't let you leave this island alive, half-breed!" Sandor swung up on top of the bundles, his cloak whipping wildly in the gusty air. "Your head and the Lion Ring were to be my prize. Now I just want you dead in a watery grave."

Seth climbed up the burlap and came to his feet across from Sandor. "You should have left well enough alone. I spared your life for my father's sake. Now it is forfeited."

"You may have a ring upon your finger now, boy, but you are not a ranger yet!"

Sandor came at him with a deadly strike. Seth sidestepped it. His foot caught in the burlap and he stumbled into Sandor's body. The Tslavian smashed a fist down hard against Seth's back. Ignoring the pain, he brought his elbow up to make contact at the center of the white dagger. Sandor staggered backward, stumbling on the bales. He gripped the guide rope to right his body. Diving with the speed of a viper, he thrust is blade toward Seth's torso. Seth knocked the blade away and brought his own down in a diagonal arc the way he'd seen Wolf do with the Dirge. Pavel Sandor's head and shoulders fell to the left. His other half fell to the right.

Seth wiped his blade upon the burlap. He would spare no remorse for Pavel Sandor. Justice had found him at last. He climbed down the guide rope and helped Riley up. They hurried behind the burlap back into their hiding place as the palette reached the ship's hull. The oily rigging of the cargo lift was their last image of home before they were lowered into the belly of the ship.

"We've got trouble down below. Leave the rest of the wool." The ship's captain pushed his first mate toward the railing. "Have those men get their tails onboard. We're leaving this cursed island right now."

He remained still as their palette was secured inside the cargo hold. The captain had been right. Marianna was a cursed place now. Evil had been drawn to its isolated shores as it hunted for the Lion Ring. He smoothed at the stone upon his finger. They were headed to a larger, more dangerous world. He hoped he could master the power of the ring before evil found them again.

Chapter Forty-Four

Black sails cast a sinister mantle against the Marianna sky. Julian's ambitions chilled under the shadow as they drew closer. The sleek airship's metal hull was reminiscent of a prison. It was an impressive vessel, fearsome and fully armed. Always battle ready. The same could not be said for San Leonora's armada.

"Bring his highness. We don't want him losing his way now, do we?" The changeling bared its teeth between grinning lips.

His foul-smelling guards lifted Julian off his seat and set him none too gently upon the deck. The changeling's black orbs glistened with humor as he struggled against his captors. They kept a tight hold upon his arms as they headed below deck.

Sour odors slapped at his senses. Fermented cabbage mixed with some kind of unappetizing sauce. He recognized the smell from his last disgusting meal with Gorman. Julian's stomach turned. He was being taken to the mess hall where more of repugnant Akkutarian delicacies were being served.

Lord Gorman sat at the head table, eating quietly through the hole in his steel mask. Fresh red linen rose to his metal face. His gloved hand patted delicately at the tiny drops of sauce escaping from his lips. He ate like an old duchess.

In contrast, his men ate like the barbaric dogs they were. Filthy hands grabbed bread and raw meat from bowls at the center of their long tables. They fed in a frenzy, all the while, keeping their eyes upon their deadly lord.

Julian's two foul-smelling guards threw him unceremoniously forward. He managed to right himself, before tumbling awkwardly to his knees at the Jackal lord's feet. Standing defiantly before the hideous mask, he lifted his chin in a failed attempt at dignity. Gorman's laugh was rich, melodious. His voice might even have been considered pleasant if not for the viciousness of his nature.

"I am a Prince of Valdeon." Julian put a threatening hand upon the hilt of his sword. "You are my ally, sent by your emperor to assist me. I will not answer to you or be summoned in such a disrespectful way."

Lord Gorman leaned forward; the skull mask he wore gave no hint of his sentiment. "You are a braying ass. If not for the wishes of my emperor, I would gut you and hang your hide upon the hull."

Laughter filled the hall as the men made merry at his expense. Julian sneered and let his hand drop from the hilt. Their emperor still needed Julian alive. He had a bit of power over the warrior before him. Julian grabbed one of their uncomfortable chairs and dragged it over to the general's side. Exactly equal to his chair. He sat down and leaned casually on the armrest. Angry growls of shock and contempt raced around the gathered warriors. Lord Gorman gripped at his armrest in fury and then let it release slowly. This time his laugh was low and dangerous.

"My forces are in place to strike at Valdeon's strongholds. We go in less than an hour."

Gorman's hideous mask turned to Julian again, gauging any emotional reaction he may have. He wouldn't get the satisfaction.

"Are you prepared to do what you must, Andarian?" Gorman spat through the mesh opening of his helmet. "Are you prepared to see through to the end the betrayal you bring upon your own?"

"I wouldn't have guessed you to be a sentimental man, Gorman." Julian, by force of will, met and kept eye contact with the Jackal's fiercest warrior. "I am prepared to do what I must. Now, I have some unfinished business upon the docks. You will arrange transportation for me."

"Why must you be a fool? I have your vessel and your crew in my power. They are waiting for you a few leagues from here." Gorman gestured to Julian's changeling nanny. "Take the Andarian to his schooner and have it followed until it reaches San Leonora."

"Wait a moment! I must go back to the docks. The Lion Ring rests upon the finger of a boy. It can easily be won. Without the ring, Valdeon's invasion will be pointless."

"You journey to San Leonora, Prince of Valdeon. You must be there when the city falls. They will come to their prince and beg to bestow the title of Regent upon you."

The hunger came to Julian again. He could almost feel the golden medallion of the Regent resting upon his chest. It was very close to being his, but if he wasn't there to accept it…

Taking his silence for brooding, Gorman went on. "It may interest you to know the Jalora's favorite plaything, Xavier the Wolf, has landed on Marianna. I understand he despises you as much as I. We could arrange a play date between the two of you if you'd like."

Julian pushed away from the table in a rage. Wolf! He was always in the way, always there to be the fly in Julian's ointment. Now he'd come to find the Lion. No doubt, Wolf would hover over the boy like a nursemaid.

"The Dirge have disabled Wolf's ship," Gorman told him. "He will not be able to return to Valdeon for a few days at least."

Gorman took another bite of food, chewing it with infuriating ease. Amusement hung heavy behind his words. He nibbled while Valdeon's fate was drifting away with the young Lion. Julian didn't know who he hated more, this barbarian or the Wolf.

"Why not order the Dirge to kill him now? Why take the risk?"

"Those were their orders." Gorman's eyes lifted to examine Julian's face. "This ranger has killed thirteen of my Dirge tonight. I will not risk others until more can be made."

Julian shivered and tried not to think about how the Sarcion created its Dirge. He focused his thoughts back upon the Wolf. He'd known the ranger was gifted, but killing thirteen Dirge on his own? Perhaps the Jalora knew about the upcoming betrayal and had armed its servants?

"Can you beat him?" Julian asked.

His host wiped delicately at his mouth and stood away from his table. He didn't answer. Instead Gorman walked up the stairs and onto the deck. Julian followed. He was not willing to give up the Lion Ring despite what these barbarians thought.

"What of the boy? If he is allowed to cultivate his full power, he will be a threat to us. I can still find him and take the ring."

"I grow weary of your constant whining about a useless bobble. Look." He pointed toward a small schooner sailing away from Marianna toward the other isles. "Your Lion has escaped you in a small cargo ship. Captain, ready the cannons."

"Wait! What are you about? We need the ring!"

"If the boy is dead and his Lion Ring is lost at the bottom of the ocean, the Jalora will have no means to protect the Altar of Providence. It will have no recourse but to surrender this time."

"This time? You are speaking in riddles."

Julian moved to the ship's railing, watching as the tiny vessel sailed through the darkness. He didn't like this new turn of events. This ally was turning quickly into an invader. He'd taken a few lives — his brothers’, in fact — to see Valdeon restored, but was he so daring as to challenge the Jalora itself by destroying the Lion Ring?

Then something began to form from the mists of the ocean. It was sickly and wrong. A massive wall of green fog rose up, blocking their view of the little vessel. Julian covered his nose to block out the rank stench of the fog. He recognized the Jalora's lust for death. It had come for him once before at the ruins of Sea Point.

Gorman came to stand beside him. His hands gripped the railing until his pale fingers drained of all color. He pushed away from the railing with a bitter laugh.

"Captain, set sail immediately away from the fog bank. Any who touch it will perish." Gorman turned to Julian. "The Jalora protects its pet. It would seem you will have your chance to hunt the young Lion again another day."

"Where are we going, then?"

"We journey to your home, Andarian. My forces are in place. They only need hear my command."

"And where will you be, Lord Gorman?"

"I will remain on the command ship."

"Not with your men? Well, it doesn't seem very warrior-like, now, does it?"

Gorman bounded at Julian with the speed rivaling any ranger. His fingers gripped Julian's throat, lifting him up until his boots dangled off the deck.

"You dare question my courage, betrayer? I do not sully my blade with the blood of the inadequate. Get him out of my sight."

Julian's body rolled roughly across the deck until he stopped at the changeling's feet. Shaken, he struggled to sit up. Gorman's power was more than he'd anticipated.

"You are foolish, prince of nothing." The changeling laughed, exposing more sharp teeth in a leer. "But for our emperor's word, our lord would have ripped you to pieces. You do not want Lord Gorman setting foot upon the battlefield in your country, Julian. None can stand against his blade. Once he draws his weapon, he will not sheath it again until every last enemy is dead at his feet. Remember that before you goad him again."

"Yes, I'll remember well."

Julian kept his eyes on the hideous metal helmet sitting atop a massive body. A killer more powerful than any ranger in the legion had come to Andara. He brought death with him. Would his sword be the end of the Jalora Legion? Only time would tell.

The End

People, Places, Things

People

Grey Cliff Isles

De Vincente, Dante - Leo's Squire

Emma - The McCloud's Housekeeper

Gunn, Sergeant - Head of the Marianna Militia

Leo - Valdeonian Warrior and Seth's Mentor (see D'Antoiné, Edmund)

Logan, Andrew - Woolie Farmer, Riley's Brother

Logan, George - Woolie Farmer, Riley's Brother

Logan, Laura - Farmer's Wife

Logan, Michael - Woolie Farmer, Riley's Brother

Logan, Patrick - Woolie Farmer, Riley's Brother

Logan, Riley - Seth's Best Friend

Logan, Stephen - Woolie Farmer, Riley's Brother

Logan, Thomas - Woolie Farmer

Logan, Tom - Woolie Farmer, Riley's Brother

McBride, Stan - Haven Bay Youth

McCloud, Anne - Seth's Mother

McCloud, Fergus - Headmaster and Seth's Uncle

McCloud, Seth - Heir to the Lion Ring

McDermott, Charlie - Haven Bay Youth

McFadden, Beatrice - Haven Bay Youth, Doctor's Daughter

McFadden, Doctor - The Isle of Marianna's Only Doctor

McKenzie, Alice - Haven Bay Youth

McKenzie, Danny - Woolie Farmer

McKenzie, Mike - Woolie Farmer

McKinney, Teb - Barkeep at Paddy's

McTavish, Angus - Owner of Haven Bay's Mercantile

McTavish, Constable - Haven Bay's Police Chief

Newcastle, Elder - Haven Bay's Elder

Newcastle, Jamie - Haven Bay Youth and Elder's Son

Paddy - Owner and Innkeeper of Paddy's Inn

Sandor, Pavel - Andara's Deadliest Assassin

Valdeon

Armando - Changeling Disguised as Julian D'Antoiné's Valet

Basilio - Squire to the Wolf

Benito - Chancellor of Valdeon

Cristiano, Felix - Usurper of San Angelica

Cristiano, Rafael the Fox - Member of the Sacred Guard, A Lord of Valdeon

Cristobal, Tulio the Rabbit - Member of the Sacred Guard, A Lord of Valdeon

D'Antoiné, Edmund the Leo - King and a Lord of Valdeon

D'Antoiné, Esteban the Hawk - Former Member of the Sacred Guard, A Lord of Valdeon

D'Antoiné, Julian - Prince of Valdeon

De Costa, Marcellus - Minion of Julian D'Antoiné

De Vincente, Danel - Son of Xavier

De Vincente, Dulcina - Wife of Xavier

De Vincente, Gaspar - Son of Xavier

De Vincente, Xavier the Wolf - Leader of the Sacred Guard, A Lord of Valdeon

De Quintaro, Ernesto the Raven - Member of the Sacred Guard, A Lord of Valdeon

De Quintaro, Fausto - Steward of Varianne, Former Lord of Valdeon

Jalora - Embodiment of Good Upon the Erthe

Mendoza, Alberto - Steward of San Marimosa and Father to the Jaguar

Mendoza, Berto the Jaguar - Member of the Sacred Guard, A Lord of Valdeon

Mendoza, Yuli the Otter - Member of the Sacred Guard, A Lord of Valdeon

No Name, Zoya - Sister of Julian D'Antoiné

Orryo - Minion of Julian D'Antoiné

Pacarro, Jorge - Former Squire to Cesar Santiago

Santiago, Cesar - Steward of San Lucida, Former Lord of Valdeon