"The Power Within (Chapter 4)" by Alicia Hansen

Corryn stared in the mirror at the stranger’s face that stared back. He couldn’t even recognize himself. He nodded silent thanks to Mistress Hareyna, pulled his dark brown coat back on and shook the light-colored hair on his head. He was amazed at how much younger he looked, besides. “May the Flame of Truth light your path,” he whispered as he left through the front door. The sun was down and the street was nearly empty. Corryn huddled inside his coat at the cool air and hurried down the street at a brisk walk. He knew he could get into the citadel without a problem as long as he could avoid being seen in the Royal Gardens. He slipped through a little-known gate obscured by a brick wall on the village side and thorny rose bushes on the other. He peered carefully into the moonlit gardens before he began to push himself through the rose bushes.

The plants held no blossoms but the thorns were as sharp as ever. He could feel them catching his skin and ripping furrows through clothes and flesh alike. He winced at the pain that seared to life but made no sound. The gardens were silent and he could make out a pair of soldiers marching towards him. They moved with a stiffness that spoke of boredom and weariness. Neither paid any attention to the space around him. Corryn ground his teeth at the thought as he easily spotted at least a dozen spots in which unwanted guests could hide. When Latyssa is disposed of, I will make certain the palace guards to their duty properly. He couldn’t think of it as an if, he had to believe it would happen.

The guards strode along the path that led them away from him and through the water gardens. Corryn slipped out from his hiding spot and sprinted across the space. He tried to stay near trees and shrubs when possible. He reached the citadel wall and moved southward along the exterior. The old doorway he remembered was nearly buried behind a marberry bush. The bush’s berries were just beginning to bloom and Corryn resisted the urge to snatch a few. He crouched in the shadow between the wall and the bush and listened for a sound that may have hinted at someone nearby but heard nothing. He slipped in with only a little rustling and forced the door open. Rusty hinges squealed and seemed to pierce the night calm like a dagger. He winced and slipped in. He waited for the guards to march past again before he worked the door closed with only a little less noise than the opening.

Corryn quickly picked his way down to the dungeons through the secret corridors. He knew Latyssa knew of a handful of them, but Corryn and his brother Connor had grown up the palace, the secret passageways often served as their playground. The way was dark, but Corryn had no difficulty remembering the path as clearly as if he had walked it yesterday. The narrow stairs wound down steeply in the dark, but Corryn kept his right hand on the wall. Following the wall, turns and all, without removing his hand would lead him straight to the exit into the dungeons.

The exit inside was in better shape than the exterior and made no noise as he forced the sliding panel open. The corridor he stepped into was lit faintly from the torchlight from the guards’ room. Corryn peaked into the guards’ room to find three soldiers around a wooden table, playing a game with notched sticks. The men seemed drowsy and less than intent on their game. Corryn looked about for where the keys might be and saw them hanging from a peg just an arm’s length from his head. He ducked back and tried to figure out how he could grab them without being seen. He took another scan of the room and spotted the unsteady pile of firewood. He trickled a little bit of magic to wiggle one log. As it shifted, the entire pile came down in a rumbling crass that jerked all three soldiers to their feet and spun them away from Corryn. He snatched the keys and darted back into the dark corridor.

Cells lined the corridor, barred with crosshatched metal slabs. He could make out the worn and ragged faces jammed behind the doors. The prisoners studied him in sullen silence, though he could make out the curiosity on the healthier faces. He scanned each face, intent on the search for the boy he knew. Towards the end of the corridor just before it led down in the lower areas, he spotted the boy. He lay on the floor of his cell, the lone resident. He looked a little rough for the wear.

Corryn whispered a word and a small sphere of light came to life to float just above the palm of his hand. He could see curiosity and interest blossom in many more faces from the meager light. Corryn stuck the key in the lock and knelt beside the boy. He could see his chest rise and fall as he breathed. Corryn rolled him onto his back and barely bit back a yelp as he saw the glossy eyes open and unfocused. He saw the bandage around the boy’s wrist and growled softly. “Burn you, Latyssa.” Corryn drew a small knife from his belt and plunged it into Joshua’s shoulder.

Joshua jerked upwards with a weak cry. His face was a bloody mess and his quick collapse stated he probably looked that way all over. “Who are you?” he growled in a raspy voice.

“Ask me that later,” Corryn whispered. “I’ve got to get you out of here first. Can you walk?”

Joshua studied him with a cold, hard gaze and Corryn realized with a start how different he was from the young man who had disappeared from his home a few weeks ago. “I don’t know,” he grit out after a few moments of silence.

“Bloody Flame,” Corryn muttered, “what has she done to you?” He shook his head as he belted the knife. “We’ve got to go now, Joshua.”

“Where’s my sister?”

“This isn’t the time for questions!” Corryn winced and forced his voice quieter. “Joshua, please, there will be time for questions later. Bloody Flame of Truth and Light, let’s go, boy! Unless you’d rather hang around here with her.”

Joshua awkwardly pushed himself into a sitting position. Corryn winced at how hard the boy’s elbows shook with the minimal effort. He helped Joshua to his feet and helped him from the cell. He retrieved the keys, locked the door and led Joshua down the hallway. He let the light die as the eyes from behind many of the bars shouted silent accusations at him for leaving them behind. He ushered Joshua into the secret passage with a quick warning to stay put while he replaced the keys. Corryn then led Joshua into a small secluded spot before Joshua’s knees gave out entirely. He helped the boy into as comfortable lying position as could managed and found a candle to light. As expected, a few blankets and pillows still remained, all covered with a heavy layer of dusty. Corryn beat a few as clean as he could to help make Joshua more comfortable.

“How are you feeling?”

“I want answers,” Joshua rasped.

“All right.” Corryn heaved a deep sigh and sat down beside the boy. “My name is Corryn. I was brother to the king. Seventeen years ago, the king was betrayed and killed in his sleep. The king’s daughter was in mortal danger. My brother had insisted that I was to protect her at all costs and I did that. But I very nearly failed. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have.”

“Tara,” he breathed, eyes wide.

“Yes. Known better as Tyara here. As to where she is, I don’t know. I only know Latyssa is still searching for her which means she hasn’t gotten her. Rumors spoke of the boy captured and I knew you would be in immediate danger. I will find Tara. I will.”

“If you were trying to save me, then why did you try to kill me?”

Corryn frowned at the boy. “Sometimes I forget how little others know of things here. Latyssa took some of your blood, didn’t she?” At Joshua’s nod, Corryn nodded. “You can tell. The eyes change. They look blank, like a doll’s eyes. Latyssa was trying to take control of your body. Of you, in essence. She would know what you know, she could have worked through you and made you do or say anything she commanded. Your consciousness would only be able to watch as though you were an outsider in another’s body. You would have no control. The only way to break a blood spell like that is to spill the victim’s blood again. I wasn’t trying to kill you, or I would have gone for the throat.” Corryn shrugged. “That’s a sure kill. A shoulder wound, that would be a lucky kill.”

“Not for the victim.”

“No, I would suppose not.” Corryn rested his back against the wall of the small room and felt true exhaustion settle over him. “I must say, Joshua, I fear Tara is coming for you. I fear she will walk into a trap and lose her own life.”

“Then stop her.”

Corryn cocked an eyebrow. “How? You grew up with her. You know just how headstrong she can be.”

“How would you know?”

“I watched over her.” Corryn frowned. “Tara is my niece. I love her dearly. I had to find her a family who would raise her and care for her as one of their own, but I couldn’t abandon her. I couldn’t get too close to her; I was afraid I’d lead them to her. I watched over her, and you. I know how close you two are.”

Joshua grunted. His eyes stared at the ceiling. Dried blood caked his face and the areas not covered with blood were either swollen and red or blue and purple. He looked as though he had been thrown into a stall full of bucking horses.

Corryn sighed. “I have to find a way to get you to safety. We can’t stay in the palace too long. I fear Latyssa will find us. She would have my head cut off. She might decide to kill you then or wait, who knows. I just don’t know of anymore safe places to go anymore.” Corryn rested his head against the wall and felt his eyelids begin to droop. He had realized just how tired he really was. His mind grew fuzzy and he struggled to focus to formulate his plans. He glanced down and saw Joshua asleep. His eyes closed.

Corryn wasn’t certain what time it was when he awoke. His first thought was panic as his groggy mind struggled to place his surroundings. The long candle he had lit was well over half-burnt and Corryn groaned. Joshua was asleep, unmoved from where Corryn had helped him onto the floor. He knew now where to go. He touched Joshua’s shoulder. “Come on, son, it’s time we be leaving.” It’s long past time to be going. Corryn tried to keep his face neutral as Joshua stirred slowly.

“I don’t want to go to school . . .” He muttered as he tried to roll over. “I don’t feel good.”

“I know you don’t, Joshua. You’ve got to get up. We have to go. We have to help Tara.”

At mention of his sister’s name, Joshua blinked his eyes open and stared around the room as though he had also forgotten where he was. “Do you know where she is? I have to find her.” Joshua struggled to get his arms beneath him, then to try and push his weight up from the stone floor.

Corryn helped Joshua do his feet. “I don’t. Not yet. First, I have to take care of you. Tara is safe enough for now.”

Joshua started to say something but his knees gave out and he collapsed against Corryn. “I just want to lay down, sir.”

“I know, son.” Corryn ground his teeth. There was only one way he’d be getting Joshua out of here. It’s too easy to track. Can I risk it? I have to. There’s no way he could walk or even stay atop a horse. Corryn kept his arms around Joshua and twisted his surroundings. He pictured the small cavern he’d been in numerous times after his brother had been wed to Latyssa. He closed his eyes and bent reality around them. He could feel a soft breeze on his face and opened his eyes. The cavern had changed very little from what he remembered. Twelve burning torches surrounded the circular room though the ceiling above was dark. Paintings adorned the rock walls of countless events that had happened or had yet to unfold. One painting caught his eye, Julian, looking younger than he remembered, accepted a crown atop his head. A beautiful young woman stood at his side with copper-colored hair spilling in waves to her waist. He narrowed his eyes. That was definitely not Wynarra.

A soft scraping sound jerked his attention away from the painting. “I thought it was you,” a soft voice hissed from the entranceway. “It is good to see you again, Prince Corryn.”

“And you, Nharon,” Corryn said with a quick bow of his head.

Nharon slithered into the room, the scales of his serpentine body flashed blue and purple in the torchlight. His torso was held off of the ground, his arms hung at his sides. Nharon’s face had not changed in the least from what Corryn remembered, a beautiful man with dark hair cut short and violet eyes. He waved a hand towards the ceiling and light flared to life above Corryn. “Who is the boy, Prince Corryn? Why have you brought him to me?”

“He needs a healer.” Corryn crouched to lay Joshua on the ground. “Latyssa captured him and tried to bind him. I think I broke the spell. You are the only one I know who can help.”

Nharon slithered forward, his eyes intent on the boy. “Her spell yet lingers. Fetch me some wine, Prince Corryn. I will heal your boy.”

Corryn nodded and rose to his feet. He knew the naga would take good care of Joshua and walked towards the kitchen. Nharon had changed his receiving room from the last time Corryn had seen and Corryn noticed a lack of human comforts. Nharon had gotten rid of all the chairs he had used to keep and instead provided large, colorful cushions for visiting naga. Nharon had a small kitchen between the entrance and the resting room. He entered the shelved room and selected a bottle of red wine. He couldn’t read the fine scrollwork text of naga script. Corryn retrieved two fine crystal goblets and returned to the resting room.

Nharon’s hands rested on Joshua’s head and the boy gave a final convulsion before he lapsed into unconsciousness. “It is done, Prince Corryn,” Nharon said as he straightened with visible effort. Nharon slithered over to a red velvet cushion and coiled his body around it so he could recline on his elbows. “Traces of Latyssa’s spell lingered, but they are gone now. His injuries are mostly healed; he only needs rest now.”

Corryn crossed the room to hand Nharon a goblet and waited for the naga to take a sip before he did. He swished the liquid around in his mouth, enjoying the lingering sasberry flavor. The wine harbored a spicy kick that wasn’t noticed until swallowed, but Corryn ignored the burning sensation in the back of his throat. “Thank you, Nharon.”

Nharon waved Corryn to another cushion near him. “I regret now ridding myself of human furniture. I had believed that you, too, were dead, Prince Corryn. If you live, than surely the child must as well?”

“Yes.” Corryn kept his gaze away from Nharon’s and focused on Joshua. “She is alive. I only pray she is well.”

Nharon let silence settle for a few moments before he spoke up again. “I assume the boy was to serve as a tracker for Latyssa to find the child?” At Corryn’s nod, he continued. “I have heard nothing through my networks. Nothing concerning the child, anyway.”

“What have you heard?”

Nharon snorted a soft chuckle. “A great deal about Magistrate Arhynn. Most of what I’ve heard concerns him. Aside from that, the same stories about Latyssa’s Hunters and Vayreena’s badgering.” Nharon flicked the tip of his tail and took a long sip from his goblet.

Corryn shifted his gaze from Joshua to Nharon. “It seems that this Arhynn has gotten himself into the middle of a great deal many things.”

Nharon cocked his head and shrugged. “He always has, since he became Magistrate. No one knows where he came from, though, or even how he was found. Some rumors say Arhynn’s father was a Magistrate.”

“I’ve never heard of any Arhynn before.”

“He became Magistrate only three years ago. He’s turned every head in every Realm, though. Why they’re looking, that varies though. Latyssa hunts to kill him and she’s not the only one.” Nharon cast Corryn a wry glance. “Surely you did not come to speak of the Magistrate of the Winds, Prince Corryn.”

Corryn offered a slight smile. “How expansive is your network, Nharon?”

“To help you find the child?” Nharon set his goblet down and studied Corryn with his intense violet eyes. “Not near extensive enough. I’ve been trying to locate Arhynn. He has a key role yet to fill, though I do not understand it.” Nharon’s eyes drifted to something behind Corryn. “Arhynn was theorizing that the child returned well over two weeks ago. He disappeared over a week ago. No one reports him dead or captured, so I would think it safe to assume he travels in the company of the child.”

Corryn’s heart skipped a beat. “Why? To what end? Would he protect her? Why would he—?”

Nharon held up a hand and Corryn cut his questions short. “I have none of the answers. Nothing I know of ties Arhynn to this Realm, but yet nothing ties him to Latyssa either. I cannot believe he works for her, Prince Corryn, but yet I cannot know to where he goes. Or why.”

Corryn felt his body go numb as he brain struggled to work up any answer or plan. He felt desperate. Tara could be anywhere by now. For all he knew, this Arhynn could have slit her throat simply to bypass war. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got to find her. Nharon, I have to leave now. Can you . . . ?” Corryn nodded his head towards Joshua.

“No, Prince Corryn, I cannot. I’d suggest you wait until morning and travel with him.” Nharon’s gaze flicked to Joshua, then back to Corryn. “Unless I’ve missed my guess, Prince Corryn, chances are the child will respond better to the boy than to you. I’d strongly recommend you keep him with you. Not even the dwarves will protect him from Latyssa’s wrath if she finds him here.”

Corryn nodded and stared into the red liquid in his cup. “If you will have me, Nharon, I will remain until Joshua awakes, and then we must be on our way.”

Josh awoke slowly and took careful notice that he did not hurt near as badly as he had before he had gone to sleep and he realized he hadn’t slept that well since before he was chased from his home. He almost expected his mind to have played a trick on him. He’d had strange dreams since Latyssa captured him. Vivid dreams that still left him shaking. He could still remember feeling her in his head, feeling her emotions, her presence, her bloodlust. He shuddered and blinked his eyes open.

The room he was in appeared bright as noonday compare to what he had left. His blurry vision could make out flickering flames against a red-hued wall. He also thought there were a great deal many portraits on the walls of the circular room. If it hadn’t been for his decreased pain, Joshua would have believed this was only another vivid dream. He pushed himself into a sitting position and winced at the burning pain in his shoulder. He could vaguely remember a young-looking man driving a dagger into his left shoulder. He winced.

“You’re awake,” a deep voice said from behind him.

Josh turned his gaze in the direction of the voice, but his eyes wouldn’t focus enough to let him see the face. “Where am I?”

“Oh . . . yeah.” The man approached Joshua slowly, arms behind him. “This is the home of a friend. He healed you. We must go. Can you walk now? We have to find Tara.”

I didn’t dream him up. Josh didn’t know whether he was relieved or not. “I don’t feel very healed.”

“Well, a lot of Nharon’s energy went into breaking Latyssa’s Binding. You should be alright getting around, just a little sore.”

Well, I can’t really complain, Joshua thought as he accepted the man’s hand to help him to his feet. I do feel a lot better. He could remember this man speaking of what Latyssa had tried to do to him, to completely take him over. Joshua repressed a shudder and drew in a deep breath. “I want to find my sister. I want to make certain she’s okay.”

“I know, son. I’m still trying to figure out where she would have been taken to.”

“She was captured?”

“No, no. She’s fine. She’s traveling with someone. I don’t know where he would have taken her.”

Joshua glowered at the man even though he still couldn’t out the face. “Tara shouldn’t be traveling with some guy. What he tries something? What if—”

The man cocked his head. “Josh, this is Tara.”

“How do you feel?” another voice asked from the doorway. The voice had a distinct hiss that made Joshua visualize a giant snake in the doorway. “You at least look as though you feel better.”

Joshua squinted at the shape in the doorway. Unless his eyes were mistaken him, it was definitely a snake of some sort. He saw a human figure there also. “I do feel better. Thank you.” He didn’t feel it would be polite to ask exact what his speaker was.

“Do not worry about your vision,” the man continued. He moved inward. The human form moved in front of the purple snake body, but didn’t seem to move. “It will return shortly. Prince Corryn, you and the boy must leave quickly. Something is happening outside.”

Joshua felt an arm encircle his shoulders and the world seemed to lurch out from beneath him. His stomach twisted and he was glad there was no food in it. He could see shades of red and brown, green and blue all around him. He could pick out a few obvious shapes like a large tree, the boulder just left of him and the blue sky above.

“Alright, son,” the man’s voice said softly, “just keep quiet here. No sudden movements and no loud sounds. That sort of stuff could land the both of us in serious danger.”

“Why?”

The ground beneath Joshua’s feet rumbled and Josh was uncomfortably reminded of the movie Jurassic Park. He felt the shudders through every bone in his body and gulped as he realized it could very well belong to a gargantuan creature. A soft rumbling slowly escalated until every sound except the leaves in the wind was silenced. It took Josh a few moments to realize the rumbling was a deep growl from a throat big enough to swallow him whole. He caught sight of a golden flash in the sunlight.

“I seek sanctuary,” the man’s voice called, loud and calm.

The rumbling silenced. “There is no sanctuary for you here, First Prince.” The deep voice seemed to resonate through the landscape and Josh felt his knees began to shake.

“There must be a safe place yet for the brother of the king to rest his head. I am weary, my path has been long and my journey far from over. I only ask for a short time of peace.”

“Rest, I can provide. Peace, is another matter entirely. You may rest here, First Prince Corryn.” The golden creature walked away. By its size, Joshua had no doubt it could swallow both him and Corryn whole in one gulp. Corryn showed no hesitation at following the creature and led Joshua after it.

Joshua’s vision returned very little before he was led into a dark cavern. Firelight danced all around him, it looked as though it resided on the floor. The ground didn’t feel hot below Joshua’s feet so he swallowed his apprehension and continued forward. The golden creature, glinting even more in the flickering firelight, led them into a cavern full of bright colors. Joshua could not make out one shape. He was led to a chair and gently pushed into it.

“Rest well, First Prince Corryn. I will return when I receive news of the heiress.” With a soft scraping of scales on stone, the creature disappeared from the cavern.

Corryn moved to stand behind Joshua. “Are you hungry? There’s little in the way of fruits and vegetables, but you like meat, right? A little milk, perhaps?” Without waiting for an answer, Corryn pushed a tray of food and drink onto Josh’s lap before he sat down in a chair near him. “How are you feeling?”

Joshua fixed his blurry eyes on Corryn’s shape. He could make out a little more now than he could when he awoke that morning. “Where are we and what exactly was that? For that matter, what exactly was Nharon? When do I see my sister?”

“Okay. Well, we’re in Dragon’s Mount, in a cavern belonging to Yymotarr, the golden dragoness who led us here. Nharon is a naga, and a very skilled healer. As for your sister, I wish I could tell you. Aren’t you hungry? Eat something, boy.”

Joshua narrowed his eyes and took a bite of the meat. He wasn’t worried about poison; Corryn had had ample opportunity to cause him harm. He kept a wary gaze on the man who shared the room with him. “Who is Yymotarr?”

“Who . . . ?” Corryn cleared his throat. “Yymotarr is a drake, the greatest of all dragonkind. She is one of the oldest drakes alive. She remembers the time before the Realms were divided, when all people were one under one king.” He paused, Josh thought he took a bite of something. “You’re probably wondering why she can even talk to us anyway. Legend says only the Dragon’s Heir can speak with the drakes, but that’s not true. The drakes can speak with any they wish to. They can touch the mind of anyone they wish, too. Dragons are telepathic, some of the strongest ever. You must eat something, son. I would leap out of my underclothes if Latyssa hasn’t starved you all this time. You’re skin and bones, boy.”

“So this heiress, this Dragon’s Heir, that’s Tara?”

“Yes.” Corryn was quiet for several moments before he sighed. “Sadly, yes. Well, perhaps not sadly. Tara is the only one who can bring peace and hope to her people again. Latyssa is certainly doing nothing of the sort.” Corryn snorted. “Latyssa cares nothing for the people, only for power.”

“What does she want with Tara?” Joshua’s voice help a deep growl he hadn’t intended.

Corryn seemed to hesitate before answering. “Well . . . there’s no easy way to put this, Joshua. She intends to kill Tara. She has this complex spell that will supposedly drain Tara of her power and Latyssa will gain it. Hypothetically, Latyssa would be Dragon’s Heir once that was complete.” Corryn’s voice dropped lower. “Like I said, she really only cares about power.”

It didn’t take long for Joshua to register and accept the words. “We’ll just have to stop her, won’t we?”

“We?” Corryn sounded genuinely surprised.

“I would die before I let anything happen to Tara.”

Joshua could feel Corryn studying him closely before the older man replied. “You will make a fine Captain of the Guard, Joshua.”

Joshua furrowed his brow, then decided to ignore the comment. “What were you talking about, dividing the Realms? What are the Realms?”

“Oh, my dear boy. I didn’t realize you didn’t know.” Corryn leaned towards Joshua and stuffed something else in his mouth. “There are four Realms, and at the center, where all touch and are one, is where Fah-junneh resides. He rules all. This is the Realm of Fire, currently ruled by Latyssa. The Realm of Fire is home to the warriors. The Realm of Winds, ruled by King Egwen, is a land of powerful mages and sorcerers. The Realm of Water is home to intellects, philosophers, and all-around geniuses. They’re smart people. The Realm of Earth is known for the ability to care for things, plants, gardens, and animals. They didn’t used to be divided. They used to be all one Realm, the Realm of Order. That no longer exists though. Make sense?”

Joshua nodded. It didn’t make as much sense as he had hoped, but he tucked away the information for future reference. “Why can’t Fah-junneh help? Why can’t he get Latyssa off the throne and stop any possible war? It seems like that’s what he should do.”

Corryn drew in a sharp breath as though he were nervous. “Son, Fah-junneh does not allow the petty struggles of humans to interest him. He will only intervene if Latyssa threatens his reign.”

“Some great leader,” Joshua muttered as he took another bite of the strange meat. It had a distinct smoky flavor, but was moist and juicy. Josh wondered what type of an animal provided such fine meat. “When do we look for Tara? We have to find her.”

“We won’t find her. Not unless we get extremely lucky. Yymotarr will find her, Josh. She’ll find Tara faster than we ever could. All you have to do is wait around for a little bit longer. Can you see better? It won’t be much longer, Josh. We’ll find your sister.”

Zachai Tallavor remained on one knee, fist clapped to his chest, as he watched Latyssa pace the floor in front of him. He found himself thinking of a stalking wildcat from her hurried movements and soft growling. “I want to know how he escaped without one person even seeing!” she snapped at a prison guard.

The man on one knee next to Tallavor paled and swayed as his knees began to shake. “He was there when I did my last round, my queen. No one entered, and I saw not one soul leave. The other men . . .”

Zachai knew what the guard was going to say. He’d heard this conversation four times already and it amazed him that Latyssa continued to restart it. He took a deep breath and forced himself to wait patiently.

Latyssa didn’t round on the man this time and muttered an obscene curse. Zachai winced. She stopped in front of him. “Tell me everything you’ve seen. Everything.”

Zachai bowed his head. “I saw a man and a woman enter Hamath three days ago, my queen. I never saw them leave. A wagon train crossed from Firestorm to Ardor En. They were merchants, my queen. I did inspect their cargo and they carried basic supplies. My queen, would you like the list?”

“What man and woman? What did they look like?”

Zachai schooled his features to remain calm and neutral. He kept his eyes on the queen’s feet. “The man was tall, reddish hair. The girl was average height, black hair. She rode a chestnut stallion who looked like a pretty good racehorse.”

Latyssa whirled away and began to pace again. “Any sign of the boy?”

“No my queen. My Skyriders have seen nothing.” Zachai felt a trace of glee at having made it this far.

“Then have them keep searching. Search every corner, Tallavor. I don’t want even a rabbit to move undetected. And, Banterok, have your men turn out every corner of every building in Burant. If he is still in the city, I want him found. Terov, you will return to your station in the dungeon. Have your men search every cell, every nook and cranny. You will find out how he got away. Am I clear?”

The three of them bowed low with quick, “Yes, my queen,” replies overlapping each other. Zachai caught Banterok’s eye and offered a slight nod. Terov ignored them both as they rose to their feet and left the room. Terov bolted for the nearest staircase to take him back to his lair. Banterok slipped Zachai a piece of paper before he trotted away, shouting orders to his men. Tallavor trotted back to the upper-level stables to retrieve his wyvern and get more Skyriders into the skies. He let a sly smile cross his face and knew the pieces were falling squarely into place. Jace Trev was with Arhynn and Princess Tyara, and Gavin Syranna knew of the situation. He hoped things continued to work out as he had planned.

Arhynn drew a deep breath and frowned at the narrow walls on either side. The ceiling was just above his light and reflected some of the light back down. He could feel something tickling in the back of his mind and knew something was dangerously wrong. Jace stopped short and caused Tara’s horse to bump his paint. Both horses snorted. Arhynn reined Storm to a stop and peered behind him. The dwarves were closer than they had been since the first meeting. Something was very wrong here.

He started to ask Jace what was wrong when he saw the firelight from dwarves approaching Jace from the front. His heart thrummed against his chest and he suspected he knew exactly what they were after here. Arhynn tried his hardest to keep himself calm, but even Storm began to fidget beneath him.

Within ten paces, the dwarves drew their weapons and charged, bellowing as loudly as their lungs could handle. The horses spooked with the noise and Tyara’s horse reared back with a startled whinny. Jace’s mount reared back also. Arhynn drew in as much power as he could and sent it back at the dwarves with the force of water breaking from a dam. Most fell flat onto their backs though a few kept their balance. Khorag’s blue eyes locked onto Arhynn’s and he snarled wordlessly. His bulbous nose reddened with what Arhynn suspected was fury.

“Dhov shinar batohm,” Khorag spat as though it were a curse.

Arhynn wound invisible wrappings around Khorag to hold the dwarf in place. He drew in a second surge of energy to fling at the rising dwarves again. He could feel Jace using his power against the dwarves on the other end. Arhynn flung another wave of energy over the dwarves and cried out a warning as he saw more dwarves approach again. He brought flames to life in an effort to hold off the reinforcements. With so many spells weaved, Arhynn was quickly weakening. He could feel himself sway in the saddle. Something hit him over the head from behind and Arhynn felt himself strike the stone ground.

When Arhynn finally awoke, everything was dark. His head pounded so hard he felt like it might explode. He could hear the deep breathing of someone next to him. The stone beneath him was still cool and Arhynn realized his hands were bound behind him. Bound to another’s hands. Arhynn jerked his wrists against the bonds and heard Jace grunt hard.

“Where in the bloody Flame are we?” Jace growled in a raspy voice.

Arhynn suppressed a growl of his own. “I warned you this was a bad idea.”

“Yeah? And how bloody else would you have gotten in Burant without being seen? Gaw! I never expected Latyssa to have allies among the dwarves.” Jace grumbled something else. “How you doing, man?”

Arhynn ground his teeth. “Where’s Tyara?”

“I don’t know.”

Arhynn jerked hard again and pounded his bound feet against the floor. He stretched out his senses in an effort to learn if there was anyone nearby to watch over them. He couldn’t feel anything, but didn’t dare feel relaxed yet. He wished he had practiced that spell more. “So Latyssa’s got Tyara.” Arhynn bit back a curse and chewed on his lower lip. He felt as though everything were suddenly crashing down atop him and he had no way to protect himself.

Jace heaved a deep sigh and went lax.

“This is your fault.”

“Hardly, man,” Jace snapped. “Sure, I may have intended to lead you guys into Burant, and into Latyssa’s arms, but she didn’t know you were coming. She didn’t know where I was.” He gulped hard and Arhynn felt the man stiffen behind him. “I was ordered to bring her in, you know. And to do something about you, but she was the priority. I never told Latyssa or any of her guys a thing, man, I swear it. I like to keep all my backdoors open. She shouldn’t have known we were coming.”

“Well, Ambassador, I think you’re in this as deep as me.”

“Yeah, man, I know. And if I’m not careful, I’ll get pinned with first-class treason against Fah-junneh and all of Order.” Jace grunted. “Man, I think we’re dead.”

Arhynn weaved a small spell to loosen his bindings. His head throbbed with the faint effort, but he slipped his wrists out and fumbled in the darkness at the knots around his ankles. Rope-tying was another little-known talent of the dwarves. He longed to transport himself from here but doubted he could do that yet. Pain stabbed into his temples and he winced as colored stars danced in the darkness before him. He yanked Jace’s arm. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“You . . . How’d you do that?”

“I’m going after Tyara. I guess I can afford to leave you—”

“Look, man, I’ll help you. I’ll help you save her. Bloody Flame of Truth and Light, man, I’ll even help you dethrone Latyssa and put her there instead. Don’t, man, don’t leave me here. Man, please.”

Arhynn narrowed his eyes, but untied Jace’s bonds and helped the man to his unsteady feet. “You break your word, Ambassador, and I’ll break your neck.”

“It’s cool, man. I keep my word. I never promised anyone I’d deliver you or Tyara. We’re all good.”

Arhynn nodded and looked around him. He could see nothing in the blackness and didn’t dare light his way. “Any idea how to get out of here?”

A soft scraping sound caught Arhynn’s attention and he froze. He could feel the creature as it neared them. A small light appeared, balanced in a long-fingered slender hand to light a narrow but beautiful male face. Violet eyes shone as they studied Arhynn and Jace. “I can give you directions, Magistrate. I cannot guide you from here, it is too dangerous.”

Arhynn nodded. He recognized the musical tones of the deep voice. He was speaking to a naga, a very powerful naga unless he missed his guess. “I would accept anything you can give.”

The head nodded and the torso shifted as he coiled his serpentine body beneath him. “You no longer have horses, they will serve as this evening’s banquet for the dwarves. The Dragon’s Heir has been taken to the base of Dragon Mount to meet up with soldiers from Burant. You must find the heir. You must stop Latyssa’s ritual.”

“I plan to,” Arhynn replied with a quick bow of his head.

“How could they?” Jace demanded from behind Arhynn. “How could they sell their loyalty to her?”

“They didn’t,” the naga replied, his eyes focused over Arhynn’s shoulder on Jace Trev. “They only hope to avoid such a war that would envelope their entire race. All the dwarves want is peace, Ambassador Jace Trev, and they will pay any price to keep that peace.”

“Greedy little . . .” Jace’s mumble faded before Arhynn caught all of it.

The naga motioned Arhynn forward and rested his hands upon Arhynn’s head. Arhynn felt the pain disappear and images filled his mind. He could see the path they were to follow that would lead them to the exit. He knew they would encounter no other creatures along this path and only had to hurry. The naga withdrew his hands and slithered backwards. “Good luck to you, Magistrate Arhynn. Let the Flame guide your path.” He touched Arhynn’s chest and bowed his head to Arhynn.

Arhynn could feel the heat from the touch and rested his hand on the naga’s arm. The naga let his light die and slithered away. Arhynn could feel everything around him though he could not see a thing. He could feel Jace less that a step behind him and the cavernous walls around them. He could even feel the little pebble between Jace’s feet. He grabbed Jace’s arm. “This way. Move quickly.”

“I can’t see anything,” Jace muttered as he followed at Arhynn’s quick trot. “You sure you know where you’re going? I didn’t hear him tell you anything. I don’t think you know how to get us out of here.”

Arhynn tuned out Jace’s ramblings and followed the path in his mind. He never saw a thing, but could map things out in his mind to recreate the image of his path. He kept them at a brisk walk until his legs burned with pain and Jace limped along behind him. He called for a short rest with a quick nap, then ushered Jace up to continue onward. Jace never ceased to grumble under his breath despite his short-windedness. Arhynn felt the little stream rush out from beneath a rock and paused for a long drink.

“I can’t believe you actually found water,” Jace muttered between long gulps from the stream. Rather than bringing water up in cupped hands, Jace simply stuck his face in the water and swallowed. “It’s incredible. It’s impossible, is what it is. Are you sure you know where you’re going?”

“You want to lead?”

“Well, no. I can’t see a bloody thing! How in the bloody Phoenix’s Feather have you . . .”

Arhynn tuned Jace out again and pressed harder despite his weary muscles. He was grateful the naga had healed his headache and half-wished he were here to removed Arhynn’s aching muscles. His legs burned and his back was growing stiff. He could feel a new headache building slowly with the exertion. When Arhynn finally felt the tunnel that led out, he could hardly believe his eyes could see the pinprick of light. Jace seemed to be ignoring it as he continued ranting about Arhynn’s leadership. Arhynn let go of the man’s arm and jogged forward.

“Arhynn? Hey, man, that ain’t funny! Where are you at, Magistrate?”

“Just follow the light,” Arhynn called over his shoulder. He felt almost giddy at the feel of sunshine and warmth beyond the deep mountainous pass of Fenra. It seemed to take hours before he finally burst out into the sunshine. Arhynn stopped and hunched over, breathing deeply of the fresh, desert air. It was as hot as he had remembered it but he was grateful for the heat now. He waited for Jace to emerge before he thought about where he would go from here. “What now?” he asked Jace, who was doubled over in attempt to catch his breath. “You know, you would have more breath if you quit wasting it on complaints.”

Jace shot him a sour glare. “Now? Now we pass through the Corbic Valley and pray to any god listening that Vayreena doesn’t catch us there.”

Arhynn arched his eyebrows but after another survey of the jagged landscape around him, he decided it was at least worth a try. He drew in a deep breath and drew power into himself. With a smile, he released it and led Jace forward, confident he could make it into Burant now.

Joshua blinked at the sight of the dragon. His vision was still a little fuzzy, but he could see much better after a night’s true rest. He couldn’t decide if the creature was beautiful or just bizarre. Yymotarr was covered in scales that glittered gold in the firelight. She had intelligent hazel eyes that said beyond a doubt she knew what lay in the depths of one’s mind. She reminded Joshua of a cat in her body shape, complete with a long tail, but had massive leathery wings folded over her back right now. Her head swung atop a long, thick neck and tall spikes marched down her spine, tallest in the middle of her broad back. She parted her lips in an eerie smile at him as Corryn paced the floor, wringing his hands.

“I’m not going to sit around all day waiting for you to decide on a plan,” Joshua snapped into the silence as he jumped to his feet. “I’m going after her.”

Corryn whirled on him and grabbed him by the shoulder. “Are you insane? Or do you just want to die, Joshua? Do you really think we could do this? If we marched in there, I’d be pitted against Latyssa. One mage against another. You’d be left to handle every soldier and Hunter and loyalist in all of Burant! Do you really—”

Yymotarr lowered her head to look at them both. “If you can handle Latyssa, First Prince Corryn, Joshua can handle the others.”

Corryn’s eyes bulged and Josh feared they might actually pop out. “What?”

Yymotarr nodded and her leathery lips parted in that creepy smile again. Yellowed dagger-shaped teeth glinted in the light and a long serpentine tongue flicked in her mouth. “Corryn, go ready yourself. Go. Quickly. There is not much time.”

Corryn nodded, stared hard into Joshua’s eyes and turned away. Yymotarr lifted her head back up and shifted her reclining position to watch Corryn leave the cavern. She turned her gaze back to Joshua and the smile faded. “I have something to give to you.”

Joshua studied her face and waited for something more, but she remained quiet for some time.

Her eyes closed and Joshua saw an image in his mind clear as he could see the room. Clearer than the room. A pile of gold and gems and things filled the room, but at the top of the largest pile a dark blue stone gleamed. It hung from a stout silver chain. The image shifted to show Joshua with the amulet around his neck and a sword held high in the air. Joshua’s knees buckled and he landed hard on his tailbone. He turned his wide-eyed gaze back to the golden dragon and she offered a faint smile that did not reveal so many teeth.

It has waited over a thousand years for you, young Joshua. It will give you the power, strength and ability you need to protect your sister and our queen. The voice pierced into Joshua’s mind, though without pain. Each word reverberated around his skull and Josh doubted he would ever forget Yymotarr’s words. Aloud, the dragon said, “It belonged to the first king of the Realm of Fire. He was the greatest warrior humankind has ever seen. As he grew old, he asked me to take his power and ability and encase them in that gem for when his people may have need of him again.” She dipped her head to touch her chin to her chest. It is your time to fulfill your destiny, Brother of the Drakes.

Joshua rose upon one knee and touched his left fist to his right chest, as he’d seen the soldiers do. He kept his eyes upon the golden dragon. “I am honored.”

“Honored by what?” Corryn’s voice asked from the doorway. “Come on, Joshua. We need to get you a weapon.”

“He will carry the sword of Asmeroth.”

Corryn’s eyes widened at this, though they did not look ready to pop out again. His gaze fell upon Joshua as he rose to his feet again. “That is quite an honor, son. Asmeroth was the greatest warrior to ever live.” His eyes locked with Yymotarr and after a few moments he bowed his head. He motioned to Joshua. “Come along, we must hurry. I will show you where the sword is at.”

Joshua followed Corryn at a slow jog and found himself led to the room he had seen in his mind. The amount of treasure within here was stunning, but Joshua had eyes only for the largest pile and his treasure at its peak. Corryn headed to the far wall of the room where a marble statue of a man stood, his sword held out on two hands. Joshua made sure Corryn’s gaze was away as he retrieved the small stone necklace and pulled it over his head and tucked the stone beneath the white cotton shirt Corryn had given him. He hurried over behind the older man and took the sword Corryn proffered him. It was as heavy as it looked, the blade almost four feet long. The steel blade was polished and the sharp edges glinted dangerously. The hilt depicted a pair of dragons twining around a second blue stone, twin to the one around his neck. Their wings formed the top of the hilt. He could see symbolic flames swirled onto the blade itself. Corryn handed him a thick leather sheath with a belt.

“Wear it on your hip or shoulder. Whichever is more comfortable. And remember, that blade is sharp.”

Joshua cast Corryn an annoyed look and fastened the belt around his waist. He knew that was where Asmeroth had carried his blade. Joshua only hoped he could walk without tripping over the blade. “Let’s go,” he said with a quick nod.

Corryn put on a hesitant grin. He had suggested Joshua remain behind once they found out Tara was in imminent danger, and grew agitated at Joshua’s refusal. He laid a hand on Josh’s shoulder and the folds of reality bend around them to leave them in a narrow alley.

Joshua could hear the sounds of people all around him and he thought of a ballpark. People bustled past, dressed in clothes similar to his but far shabbier. Most men’s white shirts had darkened considerably. Joshua lifted his chin high. Corryn’s hair had lost it’s blond look and his years represented themselves in the leathery skin of his fatherly face.

“Last chance to turn back,” Corryn whispered as his hand tightened on Joshua’s arm.

Josh fixed the man with his hardest stare and Corryn nodded. Corryn led him forward without word and into the busy street. Joshua fell back a few paces as though he weren’t with Corryn, just as the man had asked of him. As his hand rested on the blue-stoned pommel of Asmeroth’s blade he felt confidence rise. The pommel of the sword felt familiar beneath his hand, though Joshua didn’t fully understand. He had never touched a sword before today.

Many merchants trailed around Joshua, nearly tripping over each other in an effort to get the attention of one they deemed as wealthy. Joshua ignored them but did not have to push his way through the crowd. Ahead of him, he could see Corryn doing his best to blend. Both men would be instantly recognized if seen by the wrong person, but Joshua welcomed the challenge. He longed to fight back against Latyssa and show her just who held real power. Corryn was tall enough that Joshua had little trouble following him despite the growing crowds. As the merchants tried to press in closer, Joshua fixed the nearest one with a hard glare and bared two inches of steel. They back away as though he had threatened every last one of them.

Yymotarr had told them that Tara had not been brought into Burant yet and they had all decided it would be best to intercept the guards at the entrance into Burant. Corryn had hoped to inspire hope in the people, but as Joshua looked around, he feared they might instead start a riot. One that might not hurt Latyssa in the least.

Joshua forced the thought from his mind and leaned against the stone wall opposite where Corryn had hunched down. Joshua made no effort to hide himself and a few of the mounted soldiers entering eyed him carefully, but passed without comment.

Joshua smiled. Apparently they don’t expect their escaped victim to walk back into Burant. He could almost feel that the wait would soon be over and within the hour, the soldiers would return with Tara in their custody. Josh tightened his hand over the hilt of the sword. They would learn what it meant to try anything to her, because they’d just have to deal with him first.

Shadroch Mandor jerked the reins of his black stallion and eyed the dwarves warily. They stared back just as distrustfully, then retreated back into their dank caves. Shadroch snorted and dismounted to pick up the girl they’d left lying in the dirt. According to the message he’d been sent, the dwarves swore they would turn the Dragon’s Heir into the hands of the queen. Their message had made it clear they held no love for Latyssa, only for peace. Shadroch snorted and set Tyara upon his saddle then swung up behind her. She stirred faintly, but the blood down the side of her said she’d be groggy for a time to come. Shadroch nodded to Temnys. “Let’s hurry home, shall we?”

Pale-eyed Temnys Kantil offered Shadroch a cold smile of his own. “Time to end one war and begin another,” he said. Temnys heeled his white stallion forward and the air around them shimmered. Shadroch slammed his heels into his stallion’s flanks and the horse leapt forward with a loud snort, Temnys a step behind.

The gates of Burant loomed up before them. The smaller homes outside the walls looked ready to fall over at the slightest gust of wind and the few people still here ignored Shadroch and Temnys as they sat and stared at nothing. The stone walls of Burant herself rose forty feet into the air and had a guard tower in each corner and bend of the wall. The guards waved Shadroch and Temnys through the main gate, wide open in the middle of the day. The common people scattered from the gateway without seeming to. A few darted glances to Shadroch and Temnys before they bolted like a frightened deer. Four mounted Flamesmen waited in the cleared space.

Shadroch nudged his stallion forward to meet them. He barely caught sight of a blur from his left before he toppled from his saddle. He shouted and grabbed for his assailant but the man was quicker and had his foot on Shadroch’s throat and an incredible blade ready to drive through his heart. Shadroch nearly swallowed his tongue as he saw the face of the boy he had dragged before Queen Latyssa. He could see a dangerous glint in the boy’s amber eyes. He forced a tight smile to his face and tried to squeeze out something but couldn’t get anything beyond a pathetic croak. He caught sight of Temnys still on his horse, surprise evident on the man’s lean face. Tyara lay on the ground near Shadroch.

The mounted soldiers charged the boy as one. He kept his foot against Shadroch’s throat and raised the blade to battle the Flamesmen. As Joshua’s weight shifted but increased, Shadroch’s vision began to darken and he gasped for breath. His lung felt as though they were on fire as he struggled to suck in enough air to satisfy them. Within a few moments, Shadroch felt the tip of the sword press against his chest again and the pressure lessen. As his eyes began to clear, Joshua wore a cold smile.

“Couldn’t have you decide to get up and help them, now could I?” he asked in a voice Shadroch barely recognized. “I would have run you through already, you see, but I am not like you, Shadroch Mandor. Let this be a lesson to you, Hunter. You mess with her, you mess with me.” Joshua lifted his foot and brought a swift kick to Shadroch’s head.

Joshua straightened and sheathed the sword. Corryn pulled the man from his white horse and sent a hard punch into the man’s skull. Joshua exchanged a quick glance with Corryn and leaned over Tara. She lay on the ground and stirred when he touched her. A small trickle of blood had dried down the right side of her face, but she appeared okay. Joshua picked her up and swung atop Shadroch Mandor’s large black stallion. The horse frisked, tossed his head and danced around. Corryn swung atop a mount of one of the slain guards and gathered the reins for the other three. Joshua heeled the black stallion forward and the horse half-reared before it landed in a thundering gallop. Corryn stayed close behind him as they raced away. Somehow, Joshua knew the way back to Yymotarr’s caverns. His arm tightened around Tara and she started.

Tara struggled against his grip and shouted to be released. The black stallion pulled hard to the side in an effort to unseat Joshua in the sudden struggle. Joshua kept a tight grip on Tara and his fist clenched over the reins. He pulled the stallion’s head back to the trail he wanted followed.

“Tara,” he said softly into her ear and she stilled.

Tara turned slowly to look at him and Josh could see the tear streaks through the dirt on her face. A smile blossomed on her face and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Joshua, I was so afraid I’d never see you again. Josh.”

Josh hugged her back with his one arm. “How are you feeling, Tara? Your head, is it all right?”

“I’m fine. Where’s Arhynn? Is he . . . ?” Tara swallowed hard.

Josh glanced back at Corryn and received a slight shake of the head. Tara’s face dropped. Joshua shrugged. “I don’t know who Arhynn is. I’m sorry, Tara.”

“He died,” she whispered. “He died to save me. He and Jace both.”

Joshua studied the rocky landscape around them. Jagged peaks thrust their triangular tips upward like a scattering of sandstone crystals. The path they followed narrowed and Josh glanced back several times to make sure Corryn was alright with the three horses behind him. As the trail narrowed further into what reminded Joshua of a slot canyon, Tara asked him to stop and mounted one of the other horses. She and Corryn each lead one, Corryn in the very back. Joshua frowned as he wondered why Corryn had left him to lead. As they followed the rock path, Josh had the strangest feeling that a river was supposed to be here, not them. He could feel the amulet pulsing against his chest, in time with his own heart. He also knew the gaps in the rock enclosure above them didn’t used to be there. The horses’ hooves rang loud against the stone beneath them and Josh could feel many spots crumble beneath the black stallion’s hooves. They traveled in silence and Joshua studied the memories that had slipped into his mind, the memories he knew were not his own.

“Someone’s there,” Corryn’s voice called after a time and they came to a stop.

Joshua snapped from his reverie and Asmeroth’s instincts kicked in. Joshua could hear a soft footstep and placed the distance at still out of earshot. He didn’t know how he had heard. “Five minutes,” he whispered behind him, “and they’ll be here.”

Tara’s brow furrowed as she studied Joshua and the sword at his waist. Corryn merely nodded.

True to Joshua’s word, five minutes later two haggard men stumbled to a stop before them. One was tall, his blue eyes clear and alert. The second man, though still tall, was shorter and had red hair. Blood stained his face and wrists and he walked with a slight limp. The red-haired man drew his lips back in a wordless snarl as the first man just watched them.

“Release her!” the red-head snapped as he stepped forward and drew himself to full height. The first man laid an arm across his chest and he shot the first man a nasty glare.

“Arhynn!” Tara called from behind Joshua. “You’re all right!”

The first man bowed his head in a simple but polite gesture. He offered her a smile and turned his gaze to Joshua. “Surely this isn’t your brother, my lady?” His eyes fell upon Asmeroth’s sword.

“We shouldn’t stand around here all day,” Corryn grumbled from the back. “Latyssa will be coming after us, you know.” He caught the eyes of the two men. “If she okays it,” he said with a quick nod to Tara, “get on a horse and let’s go. We don’t have all day.”

Both men slipped past Joshua with snaps from the black stallion before he led them forward again. He heeled the black stallion to a trot. He heard quiet conversation pass between the men behind him, occasionally from Tara, but Joshua ignored it. He kept his senses on alert for anything that might betray pursuers from Burant. Or rather, he thought with a slight grimace, Asmeroth’s senses.

Joshua gave an uncomfortable shift of his shoulders and the black stallion tossed his head with a loud snort. With each pulse of the amulet, there were more knowledge and memories inside of his head that he knew were not his own. He could have made a list of the weapons he could handle effortlessly, but he wouldn’t have known what half of them were without Asmeroth’s memories.

Corryn brought his bay mount alongside Joshua. The black stallion nipped at the bay and Joshua snapped the reins. Corryn offered Josh a faint smile. “I didn’t think you’d actually be able to handle that thing, you know. That was pretty good.”

Josh gave a quick nod. “Thank you.” He had no desire to explain the amulet to Corryn.

Corryn cast a quick glance back and turned a weary smile forward again. “She looks happy. I’m very glad she’s happy. She seems to know the other two fairly well. I kind of expected she’d want to know everything you’ve been through.”

Joshua grunted. “She will ask. Probably after we’ve stopped.”

“What do you plan to tell her?”

Josh cocked an eyebrow at Corryn, then shook his head. A tawny hawk squawked as it shot upward through a gap in the arched canyon above them. “I really don’t know. I mean . . . it was horrible. I love Tara dearly, and I’d do it again if it meant saving her life, but . . .” Josh drew in a sharp breath and his hands tightened over the reins. The stallion tossed his head, as if he knew he hadn’t done anything wrong that time. “That’s the sort of thing that changes a guy, you know?”

Corryn nodded and Josh noticed the old haunted look in the green eyes. “I know it too well, Joshua. My tale is very different from yours, but . . .” He shook his head and chuckled softly. “She’s lucky to have you. I hope she knows that. I hope you know that, too.”

Josh snorted. “You planned that out, though, didn’t you?”

“You would have been only a boy. You remember that?”

Josh gritted his teeth and swallowed hard. “I thought I remembered it. I asked my mom several times when I was younger, but she brushed it off. Over time . . . over time, I forgot.” Josh squinted his eyes against the tears that threatened to slide down his cheeks. He shook his head again. “I saw her, Latyssa, I mean. I saw her face and I panicked. It freaked me out.”

Corryn cast a quick glance back. “She is a spitting image of her mother. She inherited all of her mother’s beauty, but I hope she inherited none of her ambition and lust.”

Josh leaped on the change of subject gratefully. “She’s very ambitious, Tara is. She’s always pushing herself. She’s real talented in a lot of areas.”

“That I don’t doubt.” Corryn fell silent for a time and almost an hour passed before he spoke up again. “Joshua, do you know where you are going?”

“Dragon Mount,” Josh replied without thought.

“How do you know your way there?” Corryn’s voice held a strange edge to his voice.

Joshua turned his gaze onto the older man. He could even see a bit of Tara in the man’s features. Joshua shrugged. “I don’t know. I just do. Can Yymotarr protect us? Protect Tara?”

Corryn eyed him carefully until Joshua called for them to dismount and set up camp in a sandy cove. There was water running down the rock overhead and after the other men had gotten a fire going, Joshua left to fill water bottles. Corryn followed him without a word.

The sun sank below the serrated horizon with little color and dark fell quickly. Though it cooled, the heat struggled to hang into every stone, every grain of sand. Joshua led Corryn further up the canyon until he found a ledge he could climb to. Josh’s first thought was that it was impossible, but another voice in his mind told him it was easy. Joshua crouched and leapt upward. His hands closed over the hard rock edge and he pulled himself up with a soft grunt. Corryn used his magic to lift himself up after Joshua. The water was a small trickle that had carved a niche through the stone. The four soldiers Josh had slain had been prepared to be on the trail for a few days with a scanty food supply and water bags. Josh dipped the water bags into the water to let them fill.

“What’s up?” Josh asked with a quick glance over his shoulder at Corryn.

Corryn stood less than a pace behind him, arms folded over his chest. “You know, Joshua, I’ve known you since you were four years old. Four.” He arched his eyebrows and nodded his head, his gaze dropped to the red stone beneath his feet as he dragged a toe over it. “There’s something way off about you.”

Josh scoffed and turned his back to Corryn. “Yeah? Like what? Like, oh, I don’t know . . . being driven away from home and captured by a band of madmen? Being beaten in an effort to get me to bend to some crazy lady? Having to rush in and kill four people in order to save my sister? My sister who really isn’t my sister, because she’s actually the daughter of the crazy lady who . . .” Josh’s jaw clenched and he drew in a sharp breath. He threw the filled water bag to the stone harder than he’d intended. The amulet continued to pulse against his chest, a sharp reminder of what had changed.

“Joshua, you’re a college kid. College kids don’t play with swords. They don’t leap three meters into the air, Joshua. They don’t . . .” Corryn drew in a sharp breath and changed his line of thought. “How can you possibly know where you’re headed, Joshua? When you left Burant, you were barely coherent. And we used magic to leave and come back. And from every rumor I heard in the city, that’s how you entered Burant in the first place. How in the bloody Phoenix’s Flame can you possibly know where you’re going?”

“Am I wrong? Am I leading everyone in the wrong direction?” Josh asked in a quiet voice.

“Well . . . no. That’s what concerns me.”

Josh put the stopper on the fifth water bag, gathered the others and rose to his feet. “Quit worrying, Corryn. Harder times lie ahead, not behind. I’m on your side as long as you’re on Tara’s.”

Pavinar leaned against the stone wall and watched a group of soldiers saunter past. Gavin had revealed little to him that he didn’t already know. He compressed his lips and folded his arms over his chest. His long, slender blade was easily visible where it hung from his right hip. The hilt had been worked in gold around a single flamestone. Latyssa’s soldiers seemed to make no effort to hurry in their searches and Pavinar rolled his eyes. He cast a simple spell to whisk him away from Latyssa’s immense palace to a large camp, quiet at the late hour of night.

The Corbic Valley was a green expanse. As green as could be expected in a desert. Hundreds of tents littered the land between the massive stone expanses that surrounded them. Even after the years, the beautiful swirls and dips of the stone left Pavinar in awe. Only a few campfires were still lit and the camp was almost silent, aside from snores from men and snorts from animals.

A woman approached him, dark cloak wrapped around her slender body. The raised hood hid the waves of coppery hair that fell to her waist and shadowed her beautiful face from the moonlight.

Pavinar offered a slight bow to her as she glided closer. “Any signs of them?”

“No sign, Magistrate,” she said in a quiet voice, just above a whisper. “My scouts found signs of horses that have passed through, but they figured it was a group of five or six. Possibly more.”

Pavinar shrugged his narrow shoulders and clasped his hands behind his back. He cocked his head and watched her very closely. “Latyssa wants no mistakes now, mind you.”

The woman laughed, a musical sound. “Latyssa orders me about now, does she? I know my role, Magistrate. Tell her I will get my job. See to it my path is paved. I will only wait for so long.”

“I don’t think you’re in much position to—” Something seized Pavinar’s throat and cut off his air. He stared hard at her and refused to show any sign of weakness. He could draw no power in himself to fight back. His lungs burned and stars danced before his eyes before the spell was released.

She pushed the hood back to reveal the most beautiful woman Pavinar had ever laid eyes on. She rested a hand on his chest and lifted her chin to look into his eyes. “Do not tell me what I am and am not to do, Magistrate. You will lose your tongue quickly for trying such a thing. Do you understand?” Despite the threat, her voice was soft and sultry, as though she were trying to seduce him.

Pavinar refused to grant her the luxury of stepping away from her. “Oh, I understand. But I also understand what kind of position you are in, Vayreena.” She cringed at the name and Pavinar pushed onward. “Latyssa means to have Arhynn and Tyara in her hands by tomorrow night. The boy, she also wants alive and well.”

With a toss of her coppery hair, she turned away from him and moved to stare over her camp. “She will have them when they are found and not a moment sooner. Do not come here to threaten me and tell me what I already know.”

“I do have new news, though,” he said. With her back turned, Pavinar gently rubbed his throat and winced at the burst of pain. He suspected he’d have a visible bruise there in a few days. “Tyara’s not the only one who’s returned. Prince Corryn is with her. At least, Prince Corryn wishes to be with her. He’s searching for her, also.”

She offered a soft chuckle and looked at him once more. “He will be no trouble, Magistrate. Just you worry about Arhynn. I can take care of the rest.”

Pavinar winked. “As you wish, my lady.” He bent himself over at the waist and whisked himself back before he straightened. A pity he couldn’t coerce Gavin into assisting them at this time; Pavinar could have used the man’s power. He shook his head, gave the unmoving body one last glance and whisked himself back into his quarters in Atlantis. With any luck, no one would even know he’d been gone. Pavinar let a huge grin flare to life as he threw himself onto his bed in the hopes of a good night’s rest.