Chapter 4

The Sandori forest – training fields - East of Bac’Ku

The sun beat down on Gavin’s blonde head, sweat dripped into his eyes. He and the other nine warriors stood in a circle on the training field, Brom in the center with Conal. With their heads together, they planned the day’s torturous training. For the past two days Brom and Conal had put the new warriors through a grueling pace and Gavin was sure today would be no exception.

Gavin, who had previously trained under Delsin, the horse master, was now regretting his decision to train under his evil cousin. He had followed Brom around the week after the graekull attack pestering him in hopes he would let Gavin join his ver’bellding, but Brom had continued to refuse, saying he was not ready. Frustrated, Gavin had gone to his mother and asked for her intervention knowing Brom would never refuse her. So now, Gavin found himself standing in a circle with the select few who would train under Brom’s insane schedule.

He was mistaken when he thought his cousin would go easy on him, in fact Brom gave him no quarter. He expected Gavin to perform as well if not better than the other recruits.

He regretted his decision now for never had he realized how evil Brom was until the obstacle course he’d forced upon them yesterday. He and Conal had devised a torturous challenge that forced each recruit to run from the training fields to the castle and back all the while not breaking a twig in the process and worst of all, they had to remain cloaked. Brom had explained to them that he would not ask them to do something that he himself could not do, so to prove it could be done with each recruit Brom ran alongside them. He never made a sound as he ran beside Gavin. The distance and terrain were difficult, but with his cousin watching his every move made it that much more difficult. Brom made no comments when they reached the training fields, so he knew not it he passed or failed the challenge.

The heat of the day was getting to Gavin, he thought of the plans that he and Elsa had made to meet later that night. He could picture her there in the moon light with her blonde hair flowing around her soft shoulders. She would be waiting for him with a blanket spread on the ground, impatient for him to arrive. Her eyelids half lowered hiding her crystal blue eyes, and her lush red lips parted in welcome. Gavin closed his eyes as he pictured it all in his mind, but when he opened them, it was Brom’s angry green eyes that filled his vision. It took a moment for Gavin to realize Brom was asking him a question, “What would you do Gavin?”

All eyes were on Gavin as Brom awaited his answer. He looked from his cousin to Conal, whose expression was one of pity.

His gaze returned to Brom’s, “C-can you repeat the q-q-question?”

“If you had been paying attention I wouldn’t have to.”Brom turned his back on Gavin and walked over to Omarek, another of the warriors in training and one of Gavin’s closest friends.

“Omarek, can you repeat the question for Gavin?”

“Brom, are these your new recruits?”Delsin, along with his horsemen rode onto the field, “Are you still teaching them your Sabolan magic? You should teach them to fight like real men.”

“You are interrupting Delsin, take your men and go do whatever it is you do.”Brom turned back to the group, “Omarek, please repeat the question for Gavin.”

Anger welled inside of Delsin at Brom’s dismissal. He would show Brom what he did, and he would be the one dismissing Brom.

Omarek’s face turned red, “If faced with a fanglur hound, would it be best to fight as a warrior or as your spirit beast?”
Gavin thought briefly and gave the answer he thought his Brom would like. His cousin was known as a fierce warrior that could defeat any demon Moraug threw at them, “I would fight as a warrior.”

“Good answer young Gavin.”Delsin interrupted, “Perhaps I should accept you back as a Horseman.”

Gavin looked to Brom for his reaction to Delsin’s comments.

Ignoring Delsin, Brom came to stand directly in front of Gavin. His hard stare was the first indication that he answered incorrectly.

“You chose wrong, cousin.”His voice, just above a whisper, was only loud enough to reach Gavin’s ears.

Returning to the center of the circle, Brom spoke to the entire group, “If you choose to fight a fanglur hound as a warrior, as Gavin answered, you will not live to fight another day,” Gavin could feel all eyes upon him, “A fanglur hound has a quickness that you do not have as a warrior, it is stronger than you, and it will rip your throat out before your sword is clear of its sheath. If you fight the fanglur in the form your spirit beast, a breinn’kayt for example, then you would be on even ground. This is the purpose of-”

“A breinn’kayt? Ha!”Delsin interrupted Brom again, “Perhaps your puny warriors could not handle a fanglur, but my Horsemen would defeat the evil beast.”

“Then that explains why you lost five men and eight horses when the graekulls attacked. It is that carelessness that will lose battles.”

Gavin along with all the other recruits looked to Delsin for his reaction to Brom’s statement. His face was red and his eyes narrowed to angry slits. It was no secret that Brom and Delsin did not see eye to eye on how to fight Moraug’s army. Delsin believed in brute force, while Brom taught his warriors how to harness their Ghai in the way the Sabola clan taught warriors in centuries past.

Delsin edged his gray warhorse between two of Gavin’s fellow recruits, coming to a stop next to Brom, “A challenge then; my horsemanship against your Ghai?”

Not one to back down from a challenge, Brom agreed with a nod to Conal.

“What do you give to this challenge?”Conal asked the two combatants.

“I give my horse. There is no finer horseflesh than Rivesk.”

It was true. Delsin’s horse was breed from the finest of all the horse houses in Kai’Vari.

Gavin was eager to see what his Brom would offer to this challenge. Because Delsin was challenging Brom, Brom had the fortune of offering something with less value than Rivesk.

“I give my swords, Tryg and Biko.”

A hush went over the clearing at Brom’s offering. Gavin had not realized Brom’s dislike of Delsin, the greater the two challengers feud the more valuable their gifts to the challenge. Brom’s swords were also his livelihood, without them he would be unable to fight the graekulls.

Gavin, along with the other nine trainees stood to one side of the field, while Delsin’s horsemen the other. In the center, Brom stood facing Delsin.

“First blood wins the challenge. Winner takes the offering, should there be a draw the offer returns to the giver. Should anyone back out before first blood forfeits their gift, is there an agreement?”Conal waited for Brom and Delsin to agree, “Take your places.”

Brom stepped back a few paces with his eyes closed he moved his lips in a silent dialogue. Gavin knew he was calling to Valhrick. Brom had mastered the Sabola clan’s practice of using a warrior’s Ghai to transform into the animal spirits that inhabited the forest. It was rumored that Brom’s own mother was from the Sabola clan, but she had died giving birth, and Brom’s father had never spoken of his wife after her death.

Brom trained the few warriors that had a close connection with their Ghai that allowed them to shift.

Gavin could not take his eyes from his cousin as he shifted into a breinn’kayt. His arms lengthened, claws replacing his fingernails, as steel blue fur sprouted from his pores. His ears elongated to take the form of a cat’s; his eyes turned yellow amber, their pupil’s now vertical slits. Brom’s spine bulged to take the shape of the breinn’kayt’s razor back. A tail appeared from the base of Brom’s spin, twitching as it reached its full length.

With the shift complete Gavin was amazed at the beast that stood in the center of the field. The breinn’kayt stood a good eight hands, its paws as large as a man’s face. Gavin hoped that one day he too could master his Ghai in such a way.

Brom, in the form of the breinn’kayt, flexed his shoulder muscles preparing for the fight, his hind legs bunched, ready to pounce on Delsin.

Delsin sat upon his warhorse with his sword drawn and ready for Brom’s attack.

Conal stood in the center between the two opponents. Delsin nodded his readiness while Brom let out a low growl to let Conal know he was ready.

Conal walked to the side of the field to stand with Gavin and the other warriors, pausing for affect, he raised his arm and gave the command for the challenge to begin, “Advance!”

Immediately Delsin went on the offensive, charging the breinn’kayt.

The cat jumped out of the way as he slashed at the horse’s flanks causing it to rear up. Delsin not expecting the quick attack was nearly thrown from his horse.

Delsin quickly got his horse under control. A sneer spread across his face, “Is that all you have?”

He turned Rivesk to face Brom. He slashed his sword in a crisscrossing arch. “Here, kitty kitty!”

Both combatants charged one another. Rivesk’s hooves beat a hard staccato into the dry earth. Brom’s four-inch claws extended and dug into the ground.

Gavin held his breath as he watched the battle play out before him. Delsin was truly a master of war atop a horse. He had full command of his horse as he swung his sword in preparation of striking down Brom.

But then, Brom was a master as well, a warrior who had full control of his Ghai. Not even his father could boast of such.

Brom and Delsin grew closer, now only ten or fifteen feet separated the two. Delsin let out a deep throated cry as he urged Rivesk in to the battle. Rivesk, a veteran in the wars was unafraid of Brom’s cat form.

Gavin held his breath in anticipation. He prayed that Delsin did not draw first blood, but he was afraid that Brom would be handing over his swords.

Brom was at full speed now. Gavin expected him to charge Delsin head on, but right at the last second he veered to the left and launched himself at a tree allowing Delsin to pass him by, his sword missing Brom by inches. Then in an unbelievable maneuver Brom reversed his direction pushing off the tree and coming at Delsin from behind.

He drew back his lips revealing deadly teeth.

The cat was in mid air when suddenly a great rumble filled the forest. The horses sidestepped and flocks of birds abandoned the treetops. Gavin put his hand on Omarek’s shoulder to steady himself. Everyone but the two fighters looked around in confusion.

Gavin looked back at the center of the circle to see the breinn’kayt in mid air.

Without warning, a great ring of light filled the clearing, passing through trees, horses, and man alike. It threw Gavin along with everyone in the clearing to the ground. Horse and rider were both thrown to the ground.

Brom was suddenly no longer in cat form, but a warrior as his body flew through the air. Brom’s human form connected with Delsin’s and both warriors toppled to the ground in a tangle of limbs, both dazed.

Brom sat up and shook the fog from his head. Remnants of his connection with Valhrick continued to rattle around as he pushed to his feet.

He looked around the clearing to find his men along with Delsin’s in disarray. Some were standing; others still sat where the unknown force had thrown them.

He pulled himself off the grown and offered a hand to the disheveled Delsin, “Your challenge will have to wait for another day.”

Brom tested his connection to Valhrick and was relieved to feel the connection was as strong as ever. But at the moment in which he’d lost his connection it was as if a door had been slammed, but as soon as the light had passed the connection had returned to normal.

“Conal!”

“Here!”

“What is the damage?”

“Everyone is fine, just muddled a bit.”Conal paused to examine the clearing, “What was that?”

“I’m not sure.”He had to think. He had never seen anything so powerful in all his life.

Brom was in his own thoughts as Gavin ran over to him with the other trainees trailing behind him, “Brom, what just happened, what was that light?”

“I tell you, it is Moraug.”Omarek was always a doomsayer and if anything out of the ordinary took place he proclaimed it to be Moraug.

“No,” Brom shook his head. “Even this was too great for him. Moraug has no power over the Ghai or the Vale. Besides it came from Duenin to the North and Moraug’s lair lay to the South, in D’Ugald.”

But something had affected their connection, Brom thought. His mind was racing through all his experiences, but nothing came to mind as to what could have caused the ring of light.

Perhaps Moraug had found away to attack the Vale and weaken their bond with the spirit world. One thing was for certain; he needed to return to the keep. Hopefully he could convince his uncle to receive counsel from the one person who had the most knowledge of such things as this. But he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

Brom turned to Omarek, “We must return to the Keep. You are in charge; lead the unit back to the barracks where you are to await my instructions.”

Gavin made to follow Brom from the clearing, but Brom stopped short, “Gavin, you are to stay with your unit.”

“But,” Gavin continued to follow Brom, “But I should go with you. I am of Dai’Geahn blood and prince to this realm.”It was one of the few times that Gavin had played his lineage against Brom, he knew his cousin cared not one whiff if he was the prince or the king. He was the commander of the army and demanded that all under him follow his orders without question.

“Blood has nothing to do with this,” Brom said from a top Tor, his warhorse, “You are new to the unit and will follow Omarek’s directions. Is that clear?”

“But…”Gavin protested his order.

“Is that clear?”

Gavin could feel his face heating with anger, he gritted his teeth as he answered, “Yes, sir.”

Brom gave Gavin a hard stare as he turned Tor towards the Keep, “Conal, Delsin!” he addressed his fellow commanders. “The King will want you as well.”

Conal gathered his bow and arrows and together they headed for the keep at a hard gallop. Delsin followed behind on Rivesk. Dust from the dried ground billowed behind the horses churning hooves.

They made this trek from the castle to the training grounds every day. But today the return trip seemed to last forever. The canopy of trees created an ever-lengthening tunnel that seemed to have no end.

Thoughts raced through Brom’s head at today’s events. In all his years and in all the battles he fought, he had never seen anything like what had happened today.

He told himself over and over that it could not have been Moraug, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to believe anything but. If Moraug found a way to sever their connection they would be at his mercy. Everyone knew that without Orla’s gift of the Ghai Moraug would have defeated the Kai long ago.

Orla had gifted the Kai so they could protect themselves and the world against Moraug. She would not take her gift back so suddenly without warning. No, something or someone else had to have caused the ring of light. He refused to believe that Moraug had gained such power.

Before he knew it they were riding through the outer gates of the castle in Bac’Ku. Men, women and children filled the area. Some busy with their daily lives while others stood in groups gossiping. It seemed no one had escaped the light’s affect. The evidence of its presence was everywhere in the market. Wagons of hay lay tumbled over, their contents scattered across the stone. It was odd how they were all pointed in the same southerly direction as if they foretold of a doom that would soon follow. Could it have been the Dueninians that had created the light? Brom dismissed the thought as soon as it entered his mind.

They needed to gather the army in case Moraug attacked. He said the very same to Conal as they traversed the streets on their way to the stables.

The meandering streets with their high walls blocked the scorching mid day sun. They had to slow their pace, the streets were already narrow, but with the additional foot traffic of those that went door to door to discuss what had happed clogged the streets even more.

Brom could remember several occasions as a child where he had gotten lost in the city streets. His uncle had gotten tired of having to hunt him down so he sent him out with a guard to watch over him. Those days were long gone and now it was he that guarded the city and his uncle’s realm. When Norden passed to the Vale, Gavin would take over as King, and Brom would continue to his fight to protect the people of Kai’Vari from Moraug’s attacks.

Until Gavin was of an age to lead the country, it would be up to Brom to lead the council.

Brom groaned inwardly at the thought of the council.

Brom knew his uncle would have already sent word to the outlaying clan leaders to join in council. Those that lived nearby would be in the council chamber by now. Others would arrive tomorrow or the next day.

“Do you think he will wait for all to show?”Conal asked.

Brom had no doubt Norden would wait for all the clan leaders to arrive. “He’ll waste precious time if he does.”Brom answered.

Brom was not looking forward to council. It was nothing but a gaggle of old warriors who could now only do battle with words. The clan leaders could argue a subject until it was dead and buried.

“What do you think it was; the ring of light?”

“I’m not sure, but whatever it was it was powerful,” Brom glanced at Conal, “It felt as if my link to Valhrick had been severed. I can feel him now which is a small consolation if Moraug has found a way to the Vale.”

Brom looked away from Conal’s worried gaze as they rode into the stable yard. They dismounted handing the reins to the groom. “Commander.”The boy bowed his head as he took the reins.

“Rub them down well; they have had a hard ride.”

“Yes sir.”

Brom turned and nearly trampled a tiny woman that stood in the doorway of the stables. She was of the Sabola tribe, their smaller size making them distinguishable from other clans. “You must seek Finde’Lima.” She said without hesitation, “She will have the answers you seek.”Her dark eyes connected with Brom’s and before he could comment she turned and left the stables.

“What was that all about?”

Instead of answering Brom turned back to the stable boy, “Seth, I won’t be long so have Tor outfitted for a journey.”

“Where are you going?”

“To see Finde’Lima, the Sabola woman seems to think she would have the answers. I’ll not question Sabola mages’ wisdom; they tend to know more than the rest of us.”He answered without looking back, “Let’s get this over with” He heaved a sigh as he and Conal entered the castle.

The great hall was empty except for the servants preparing the evening meal. Long wooden tables were set in rows awaiting the mass of Kai warriors that dined with their king and queen. He and Conal crossed the room to the Council chamber, the jingle of their weapons echoing off the high walls.

The room was dark save for a beam of light that shone down on the center of the floor revealing the crest of the Dai’Geahn clan. A hole in the ceiling provided the light that a speaker would stand in while addressing the council. Peat torches lined the wall offering a small amount of illumination. Their smoke filtered out of the hole in the ceiling.

This room had been witness to thousands of councils held for hundreds of years. The crest on the floor had never changed. Brom’s father, Ladren, had been second in line to the throne, his family having led the Kai’Varians since before Orla had bestowed her gifts upon his people. The name of those that came before them was etched into the stones that surrounded the crest. There was a legend that if ever the clan Dai’Geahn should fall, castle Bac’Ku would crumble to the ground. He didn’t believe in such legends, but it put pressure on the royal family to produce heirs. With Karroll gone, it was up to Gavin to prolong the line. Brom groaned at the thought.

Clan leaders milled about, already arguing over what must be done about the mysterious wall of light.

“Brom!”

Brom turned to see his uncle and two clan leaders approaching.

“Highness, Leader Kesho, Leader Quemby.”He bowed his head. The two leaders that accompanied his uncle were never far from his side. Brom didn’t know if it was to ensure their position on the council or if his uncle truly needed their counsel.

Either way he never really cared for either man. Kesho was a pompous fool and Quemby was a conniving idiot. Brom wasn’t sure why his uncle did not see the two men for what they were:Leeches, hoping to better their position.

“Brom, what can you tell us?”

Norden knew his connection with the spirit world was stronger than most. He often consulted Brom on matters dealing with the Ghai.

“I’m afraid this is beyond my knowledge.”Brom saw the worry in his uncle’s eyes.

“As far as I know it was not Moraug’s doing, even he is not powerful enough to cause such a rift with the spirit world.”He added as his uncle lead him to his council chair that sat to right of his much larger chair. Before he sat he leveled his eyes on his Norden’s worried face, “Have you called for the Sabola?”

Irritation replaced the worried expression.

Everyone knew of Norden’s tenuous relationship with the Kai Mages. They were revered for their ability to communicate with Vale, but his uncle had never trusted the women of the Sabola clan. His mistrust of the women was only exacerbated by the fact that Khort never return to Bac'Kuafterhe and Vash’Te had gone to Finde’Lima for the birth of their child. He still blamed the Sabola for the fact thatKhort Rin’Ovana desserted his people. His uncle was not one to forgive a wrong so easily.

“No, I have not, nor will I.”

Brom expected as much from Norden.

“This is not something that can be discussed by a group of old men.”Brom was irritated with his uncle’s dislike of the Sabola women. His hatred was blinding his judgment.

Norden studied his nephew. He could see the agitation behind his green eyes. He did not trust the Sabola, but Brom did, “We shall see once all the clan leaders are here.”

“Then you are wasting your time.”

“We will wait for the others to arrive.”Norden insisted.

Brom knew how stubborn his uncle could be, so he sat in his uncomfortable chair and said, “We should not wait for out-lying clan leaders to arrive. A full council will take days to get started. We need a plan for today not next week.”

“There should be no decisions made without the full counsel.”Kesho rebuked Brom’s words.

Norden looked down into Brom’s impatient eyes. He was on the council for a reason, so Norden relented and agreed to Brom’s suggestion, “No, Brom is right, we will wait only until the inner clans arrive.”

Brom nodded his thanks at his uncle’s concession. The inner clans were within the castle walls and in the close by villages that dotted the forest. It would only take a couple of hours for them to gather.

He sat back in his chair and observed Norden as he meandered through the clan leaders, Kesho and Quemby close on his heels, afraid to be far from their leader’s side.

Conal sat to Brom’s right and Delsin to his right. They both sat forward to watch the leaders politic. At counsel they were all equals and Brom held his dislike for Delsin until they were out of council chambers.

Brom sat back and looked at the two men, “My uncle waste precious time waiting. If he will not call Finde’Lima then I will go to her.”

“I’ll come with you.”Conal said.

“No, I want you here. Both you and Delsin are in charge of the men. Keep them close to the castle and be ready for anything.”He looked past Conal to Delsin “I trust you will be fair to all the men.”

Delsin knew the difference between an order from a Kai-Master and the order from a member of the Dai’Geahn family. He nodded his head at Brom’s order. If he disobeyed Brom could have him easily put to death, “Yes, Commander.”

Brom sat back in his chair and put his chin on this crossed fingers. His thoughts returned to the clearing. What had caused the wall of light? He prayed to Oral that Moraug was ignorant to its power and hoped that the Dueninians were not scheming.

When Norden returned to his chair Brom was surprised to find that all the inner clans had finally gathered and counsel was ready to begin.

As usual Norden led off and introduced the topic, the ring of light that had come from the north. He offered the floor to suggestions and one by one the clan members filed to the center of the room to offer their suggestions as what should be done. Brom rolled his eyes at most of their suggestions, ranging from attacking Duenin to burning down the forest. Thankfully Norden also thought the recommendation as absurd as he did.

Brom watched the light from the ceiling as it moved across the room, evidence that the day was quickly moving to night. He could waist no more time. He stood and addressed the counsel, “There is only one person who can possibly know the meaning of the light. Finde’Lima will know what needs to be done.”

He looked down to gauge his Norden’s reaction to his defiance at mentioning the Sabola woman once again. Rumblings from the counsel told him that they too thought his suggestion had merit.

But his uncle’s quick temper flared up and he knew that he had crossed a line that he should not have crossed.

“I refuse to rely on the ravings of a mad woman!”Norden yelled at his nephew.

Brom stared down at his uncle, “Your hatred and unwillingness to forgive will lead to the downfall of this land.”Brom walked away from the angry stare of Norden’s eyes. Both Conal and Delsin followed behind.

Before he stepped out the door he turned back to the room and looked up at his uncle once again, “Need I remind you that Orla gifted the Sabola so they could communicate with the Vale, yet you choose to ignore that fact?”

“Brom Tarro!”He turned at his name to find Maeve Dai’Geahn standing in the doorway. The chamber feel quite as their Queen made a rare appearance at council. A look of anger and disappoint shone from her blue eyes.

Brom made one last remark to his uncle, “There is only person who could possibly know what the events of today mean, and you know it.”With that Brom turned and left.

He paused beside his aunt to kiss her check. “My apologies.”He said to her.

“You should say that to him.”She whispered back.

Brom glanced over his shoulder; he’d not apologize for stating the truth.

“You are more like him that you realize.”

Brom grunted as he left the room.

He felt his uncle’s angry eyes boring into his back. He knew there would be ramifications for his words, but Norden’s stubbornness would cost everyone a great deal.

Conal followed Brom from the room, “Will he call her?”

“Eventually,” Brom stopped to face his friend, “After they have wasted precious time arguing over what they know nothing about and Maeve convinces him it is the right thing to do.”

Standing on the steps of the Keep, Brom looked out over the courtyard. He racked his brains trying to decide what could have caused the light that had passed through the forest.

“I must go to her and find out what has happened.”

“Commander!” Lars came running through the courtyard. “Commander!”

“What is it Lars?”

“There was an altercation between the recruits and some of the Dueninians.”

“There are always altercations between the recruits and the army.”Conal said.

“Your cousin, Commander, he was injured.”

Brom’s impatience with Gavin was about to run out. “What did he do this time?”He asked as he started down the stairs towards the barracks where the recruits were housed.

“What happened?”Conal asked as he walked beside Brom as they followed Lars towards the stables.

“I’m not sure; Omarek was with him when it happened he sent me to find you.”

“Why are we in the stables?”Brom asked. “I sent them to the barracks to await my orders.

Lars stepped aside as they entered the darkened interior of the stables. Omarek was there, stooping over the still form of his cousin.

The blood was his first indication that something was not right. The closer he came to Gavin the more blood that was smeared across the floor. His heart stopped in his chest and he held his breathe as he stooped down next to his cousin. “Goddess of Mercy.”Brom whispered under his breath as he looked at the face that once resembled his cousin, now it was nothing more than a mashed mess of blood. His breath gurgled through his broken nose, bubbles of blood popped to spatter the liquid across Brom’s cheek.

“Tell me what happened.”He addressed the question to Omarek.

“Gavin killed a Dueninian solider.”

“What!”Brom stood to tower over Omarek, “You had better be joking.”

“I’m not Commander. He heard a scream come from the stables,” Omarek paused to swallow, “They were raping a kaia. Gavin was trying to protect her when he stabbed the soldier and killed him.”

Brom turned to Lars, “Get the queen, she is in council.”And to Omarek, “Go to the baiole and clear a place, make sure it is clean.”

“Yes, Commander,” Both Lars and Omarek left him alone in the stables with Gavin.

To Conal he said, “Have Tor ready for a journey I’ve a long ride ahead.”

“But, what of Gavin?”

“Maeve will have to tend him until I return.”

As Conal left, Brom bent to Gavin and lifted him off the dusty floor. Gavin groaned at the movement and Brom knew his ribs were most likely broken. “You are lucky to be alive.”Brom said as he emerged from the stables. A group of recruits had gathered around the entrance and each took a step back at the sight of Gavin. Brom’s eyes scanned the area until he found a group of Dueninian soldiers, they had their eyes averted, and Brom knew they were guilty.

“Sorry.”Gavin’s apology gurgled past the blood that filled his mouth.

“You should be. Now do not talk.”

“Brom!”His aunt came running around the courtyard. When she saw Gavin in his arms her face turned white. “Oh, no. No. Not my ima.”

Brom carried him into the baiole that Omarek had cleaned. He placed him as gently as possible onto the wood plank that served as a bed. Maeve immediately went to work cleaning the blood from Gavin’s face. The more she cleaned the more he could see how severe the Dueninians had beaten the prince of Kai’Vari. His temper flared at the abuse.

He exited the jail and closed the door. To Omarek he said, “No one, and I mean no one, but the queen is to be in there with my cousin. Keep this door locked at all times. I want two guards on this door night and day. Is that understood?”

“Yes, commander.”

Brom saw red as he walked across the courtyard. His anger was so hot he was ready to kill; he reined in his anger as he stopped in front of the soldiers. “Who is responsible for this?”

“He killed our sergeant.”They responded.

“That is not what I asked. Who is responsible for the beating of the prince?”

When the five soldiers stared at him defiantly he knew it was going to be a long day. Finde’Lima would have to wait.

* * *

Caverns of Mallesul Beneath Western D’Ugald

Moraug’s boot heels echoed off the dank walls of the dungeon as the screams of the prisoner followed him as he climbed the stairs to his throne room. Yet again he failed to get the information he so wanted from the pitiful creature that now resided in his dungeon, but one day he would have what he wanted. He only needed the right leverage.

As he neared the top of the long staircase that lead to the dungeons, Moraug sensed the rumble before it shook loose pebbles from the rock walls. He braced his hand on the wet stone so as not to slip down the stairs. Just as suddenly, as the shaking started it stopped, all was calm once again. He continued up the stairs, but as he cleared the door an even more violent rumble shook the room, slaves and graekull alike fell to the ground, the dust in the air snuffed candles. A small crack appeared in the black floor and as the rumble increased so did the fissure. Fire spurted from the crevice heating the room to unbearable temperatures. The slaves ran screaming from the room while Moraug watched the scene play out, more curious than frightened.

The rumbling finally stopped, the throne room was a wreck. Portions of rocks that made up the cavernous room now lay broken on the floor, the fissure spread across the entire length of the room.

“Clean this mess up!”He yelled stepping over the fallen debris he made his way to the throne.

A steady stream of mortals appeared from hidden crevices and began cleaning the debris from the floor. They were a sorry lot; these few that were left over from the graekulls last raid into the mortal world. If he, Moraug god of the Underworld, had to live as a prisoner then he would have his comforts.

Moraug observed as they scurried around like ants. A group of the older women congregated, placing debris in their skirts to be carried away. He could just make out a figure in the middle of the group. A pair of delicate ankles stood out among the sagging limbs of the others.

As the group moved about a pretty maiden caught his eye as she bent to lift a heavy rock. So, this is what they try to hide from me? Their attempts to hide her had the opposite effect, for it drew his attention directly to her.

He could feel a tightening in his loins as he watched her, “You!”Her head, along with the other women, came up at his words, “Yes you come here.”He fancied her and wanted her in his bed now. He could see the terror in her eyes, which heightened his desire that much more.

Railina’s heart stopped as she slowly made her way to stand before Moraug. She was afraid to look up, but gained the courage and stared him in the eyes. She regretted her boldness for he grabbed hold of her arm and dragged her across the room to a darkened corridor.

The corridor was long and dark, lit only in places by torches. They were immersed in total darkness as the light from one torch ended and the other began. He made turn after turn, first to the right and then the left. He made so many turns she became turned around and felt as if she would never be able to find her way out of this maze.

He was practically dragging her when he at last stopped at a wooden door. The door had a cross beam that was locked in place so that no one on the inside would be able to escape. He pulled a key from a chain around his neck and unlocked beam, removed it from its place and pushed the door open.

He pulled her in and pushed her to the center of the room. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the contents of the room. A bed, the largest bed she had ever seen filled the far wall. She thought five of her father’s strongest soldiers could fit comfortably within its folds. The bed was covered in a black material that shimmered in the dim firelight. Adjacent to the bed sat a chest that held an oil lamp. A seating arrangement took up the area in front of the fireplace. On the opposite wall from the fire was a sight that took Railina’s breath. All along the wall were whips of varying sizes. Next to them, a pair of shackles lay open and waiting.

Her instincts told her to run, but before she could move, he was standing behind her, his body pressed to her back. He placed his hands on her shoulders and held her to him, his arousal pressing into her buttocks. “Do not fear my pretty; I never use my whips the first time. That comes later and you will learn to enjoy them.”

“Never!”She yelled and pulled away from him.

Railina saw the anger in his eyes at her outburst. She expected his retribution, but instead he said, “Get undressed.”With that, he brushed passed her to disappear behind a silk screen.

She did not realize she had been holding her breath until her lungs began to burn for new oxygen.

She could hear the rustle of fabric as he removed his clothes, “Are you just going to stand there? Do as I say.”He said as he threw the discarded clothes over the top of the screen to join what looked to be a black robe.

Railina did not want to take her clothes off, but she feared him more if she did not. Her fingers shook as she reached up and untied the bows that kept her gown closed. She was still trying to untie the second knot when he emerged from behind the screen and started towards her, his eyes showed his anger at her clothed form.

Unlike her, he wore nothing to hide his nakedness. She had never seen a naked man before and what she saw now brought a new wave of fear. His chest was covered in black hair that tapered down to a narrow waist. Railina tried not to look at what lie below his naval, her eyes held on his chest. She was unaware that she was backing up until her back came in contact with rough stone of the wall. He stood only inches in front of her. He reached up and very gently pulled the strings to the second bow. Then, without warning, he grabbed a fist full of the fabric and ripped the gown from neck to hem.

Railina screamed and tried to run from his anger, but he was too quick for her. He had her off her feet was throwing her on the bed before she had taken two steps. The force of the impact knocked her breath out momentarily and it wasn’t until she felt the bed dip as he put his knee on the soft mattress that panic truly set in. Railina shot up from her lying position and across the bed in an attempt to escape.

“Oh, no you don’t.”Moraug’s arm shot out and clamped down on Railina’s ankle halting her flight.

Railina desperately clutched the bedclothes to keep from being pulled back to him, but his strength was greater than her own was and she quickly lost her hold. He flipped her over to her back as he pulled her the rest of the way across the bed. In a last ditch effort to escape she started kicking, but he quickly captured her other ankle pinning her to the bed.

Breath puffing from her lips Railina collapsed against the bed as she looked up to find a feral smile on Moraug’s face, “I do enjoy it when they fight.”

Anger welled up in Railina at the futility of her situation, without thinking, she spit in his face, “I hate you!”

The smile was quickly replaced by an angry frown as he wiped the spittle from his cheek. He drew back his hand and slapped Railina hard across the face. Railina could feel the blood well up in her mouth as her vision blackened and she lost consciousness.

When she came to it was to find Moraug looming over her, lying between her legs, he held her hands captive on either side of her head. She was confused until she felt the pressure between her legs. Realization he would take her virginity renewed her fight. She bucked her legs in an attempt to throw him off, but he was too heavy.

He laughed at her feeble attempts to stop him.

Tears ran down her checks to dampen her hair. In all that had happened to her, this was truly the first time she had let herself cry. She knew he would take her virginity and the shame of it mortified her. She had hoped her first time would be with someone she loved, but this evil man would take away her dream.

Railina squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the pain she knew would come when suddenly a rumble filled the room and the furniture started shaking. Both she and Moraug could feel the vibrations. He lifted his head as the rumbling increased to the point rocks from the ceiling began to fall and shatter to the floor. This quake was much more violent that the last two that had caused the fissure in the throne room.

Moraug threw himself off her as more rocks and debris showered the bed, Railina barely escaped the impact, rolling off the mattress.

The dust from the shattered rocks snuffed out the torches that lined the walls thrusting the room into pitch-blackness. Railina had fallen on the opposite side of the bed as Moraug. She huddled there now with her back pressed to the wall hoping he would forget her and then she could make her escape.

She held her head on her bent knees staring into the darkness. Her toes were curled into the cold floor. She realized then that she could see her toes. She looked up to find a pinpoint of light shining through a crack along the far wall. Moraug too saw the light. He started towards it, but came up short as the light increased, the crack lengthened along the wall in a vertical line. It appeared as if it were fighting its way through the solid rock walls. Moraug could do nothing but stare at the light his face frozen in fear.

What could cause fear in a god? She asked herself.

The light increased until it filled the room, Railina had to cover her eyes from the blinding whiteness. Finally, the crack gave way and the room was inundated with the light. She peeked over the bed to see Moraug holding his head as if his skull would explode, his teeth clenched in pain.

Moraug felt as if his head would shatter, the pain from the light pierced his skull like a hot needle. Suddenly the light flared to a blinding whiteness and with it the pain in his head. Moraug fell to his knees his vision darkening he could feel himself losing consciousness, the last thing he saw before the darkness took him completely was the back of Railina as she ran from his room.