A Shadow Flame (Book 7) Read online

  "I am Kroma," Kroma answered. "And the young man you see before you is Brian of Ashford, one of your countrymen. I am within him."

  "Then it is like Cerric and Calexis and this Kenra, the god of secrets?" Berant asked.

  "No," Brian replied in his own voice. "They became one with Kenra. Kroma is separate from me."

  "After the things that I have seen, I suppose that is no longer something I would find particularly strange," Berant said, and he seemed very tired as he shook his head. "I hope we will find a way to release these people."

  "I am curious to know how you managed to break the spell," Kroma said. "I sense no magic within you."

  "No, I have never had such gifts, and I do not know exactly how it happened, but I think it might have to do with this sword that I carry," Berant told him, glancing down at the jeweled blade that hung at his waist, next to another sword that was ornate and well crafted, but far more plain by comparison.

  "The godswords take power and bestow it upon the wielder," Kroma mused.

  "I did not wield this sword," Berant said. "It was the only thing I was able to refuse, and even that was with the permission of this god."

  "Then how would the godsword break the spell?" Kaleb asked.

  "May I see the blade?" Kroma asked, and Berant untied the scabbard from his belt.

  "Take it," he said. "I want no part of the magic of the dark god."

  "The spell that bound you was fashioned with dark power," Kroma said as he looked closely at the sword and the jewels embedded in its hilt. "The godswords are not a part of that. From what I know of them, they are neither dark nor light, nor good nor evil. This is simply a weapon of power that bends to the will of the one who holds it. It seems that your will was to be free of the magic that held you, and perhaps the godsword took that magic from you. The secret of their magic has long been forgotten, even by the gods, though the knowledge is not entirely lost, it seems."

  Brian handed the sword back to Berant, but the general held up his hands.

  "I do not want it," he said. "You are a god, it is only fitting that you keep it."

  "I am not a god," Brian said.

  "The other one then," Berant replied. "The one who is within you."

  "Keep the blade for now," Kroma said. "It may prove useful against dark magic."

  "What of the rest of them?" Nathas asked. "If the others can be freed, no doubt they would want to fight against Calexis."

  "Perhaps there is a way we can use the blade to draw the dark spell from them," Kroma suggested. "Though we might be wise to be wary of handing such a weapon to those who might still be under the compulsion of the dark god. It is unclear to me whether these soldiers are simply bound to follow their commander, or if they might also answer to Calexis and the dark god. This magic seems different than what I know about the spell of the book that controls the mages."

  "I do not believe they answer to her," Berant said. "At least not directly. Whenever Cerric or Calexis would issue commands, it was always through the greys, the dead soldiers. Their eyes looked strange, as though shining with some sort of light, whenever Calexis would speak through them to me, and then I would give the orders. I am fairly sure that all of these soldiers, members of the Maramyrian army, most of them conscripts, are simply under a spell that compels them to obey their commander."

  "They do obey your orders," Nathas said. "We have seen that."

  "And we can march them into battle if need be," Kaleb said.

  "There might be a problem if Calexis were to alter her spell," Kroma said. "It is possible that she could do this if the soldiers were close enough for her to reach them with her power."

  "It would be better if there is a way for them to be made free," Berant said. "I would rather that they choose to fight of their own accord."

  "Of course," Kaleb said, then he turned to Brian. "If you and Kroma can find a way to break the magic, then I think Berant here and likely all of his soldiers would be grateful."

  "The people of Kandara were under a similar spell," Kroma rumbled. "They were saved by a magic that uses stones that are much like the gems in the hilt of this sword. Perhaps with the godswords we might be able to effect the same."

  "What about Ehlena?" Brian asked aloud. "Would the godswords help her as well?"

  "It is not the magic of a spell that affects her, Brian," Kroma told him. "It is the poison of the shadow, and that is far more dangerous once it takes hold, for it turns ones own flesh and essence to darkness. With luck, the elven healers will be able to draw the poison from her and she will recover her strength."

  "I was touched by this poison," Nathas commented. "The elven healers are very effective, and I would imagine that the Lady goddess is far more powerful than a humble soldier like myself."

  "General Nathas is right, Brian," Kroma said. "Let us concern ourselves with the problems we might solve."

  "You are right," Brian said with a nod.

  Brian frowned, frustrated that he could not help the girl who was also a goddess, especially after having seen what she had done for the people of the forest, and the forest itself.

  "I know this might not be entirely appropriate," Kaleb said. "But it is somewhat strange to see you talk to yourself. Almost amusing, even."

  "There is nothing wrong with being amused by strange things," Kroma rumbled and Brian smiled, though he felt his cheeks turn a little red.

  "We should return to the palace," Nathas said. "There is much to discuss with the others."

  "Very well," Berant said with a nod.

  "Will you join us?" Nathas asked him.

  "Why should I be included in such a conversation?"

  "You are a capable general, Berant," Nathas told him. "And you command several thousand soldiers, who I do not doubt would wish to strike at Calexis and restore the kingdom of Maramyr. It is only appropriate that you be included. Come. We are glad to have your will restored and value your counsel."

  Though he was well known to have a dry personality, formal and serious in his demeanor, Berant wavered for a moment and it seemed almost as though his eyes began to glisten with tears.

  "Thank you, General," he said, with a nod, his voice cracking in his throat.

  "Of course, Lord General," Nathas replied, and he returned Berant's nod, then turned and led the way back through the forest toward the palace.

  *****

  "Is there anything more that can be done?" Laurana asked, her concerned expression that of a mother, worried over her own child. Though the girl who lay before her was ancient in essence, she was also very young, even though her appearance might now suggest otherwise due to the ravages of the poison upon her.

  "No," Ehlena said then she stifled a cough. "You have already done much for me, Laurana, and I am grateful for the help of your healers, but the rest I must do myself."

  Ehlena smiled tiredly then she pushed herself up from the bed and looked at herself in the tall mirror that leaned against the wooden wall of the room in the tree palace. Dark circles shadowed her eyes and her skin was dry and cracked with age far beyond her years. The poison of the shadow had taken its toll upon her, and though it no longer consumed her power faster than it returned, the life within her was diminished, as though she had suddenly become old. Though Ehlena was still exhausted and she could feel the poison within her, slowly sapping her energy, she had recovered enough to weave simple spell and she cast a glamour over herself, returning her appearance to what it had been only a few days ago, before the battle with the dark army of lizard creatures and the poison of the shadow that had nearly destroyed the elven forest.

  "I would prefer if you did not speak of this to anyone," Ehlena said as she turned away from the mirror, her face now youthful, though her eyes still remained aged, betraying the truth of her condition.

  "Yes, of course," Laurana replied, sensing that the girl goddess' request was not borne of some sort of vanity but concern that the others should not be worried for her.

  "May I accompan
y you among the trees?" Ehlena asked, knowing that Laurana intended to visit the forest. "Perhaps a walk will help my strength return."

  "There is still much of the dark poison in the forest," Laurana warned. "The healers say it would be best if you were to keep your distance from it, at least until you are stronger."

  "You forget," Ehlena said. "I am the air itself, and I can feel the shadow flowing through the world, out in the forest, and other places." Her eyes took on a faraway look as she stared to the east. "The shadow is in the world, and it has touched me. It is better to accept the truth of it and do what must be done, though I am grateful for all you have tried to do."

  "You saved so much of the forest and that is a debt we can never repay," Laurana told her. "I would that you could rest here for as long as you need, but I suppose you will do as you wish."

  "I will," Ehlena told her. "There is much to be done if we are to stop the shadow."

  Laurana followed the young goddess as she walked from the room and out into the busy corridors of the wooden palace amid the trees of the red forest. As they left the palace, they encountered the young man named Brian, who was also the god, Kroma, arriving with the two Maramyrian commanders, Nathas and Kaleb, and the one named Berant, who had led several thousand ensorcelled soldiers that were now being held captive in the forest nearby. Brian caught sight of Ehlena and Laurana and he motioned those he was with onward and ran over to greet the two women. When heard of their intention to visit the forest, Brian offered to accompany them and Ehlena thanked him but declined, preferring that she might spend some quiet time away from the planning of war, which was something she thought he should most likely take part. Kroma briefly gave his regards, and Brian nodded respectfully as the women continued on, then he headed toward the makeshift council room, to join the others who were assembling. With her power, Ehlena overheard him muttering in discussion with the god, and she could tell that they had seen through the magic she had cast to hide her condition, and she hoped that Brian would have the tact not to say anything to the others.

  Brian glanced back at Ehlena and Laurana as they disappeared from the palace. Both he and Kroma were concerned for the goddess, but it was clear that she did not want anyone to know how ill she truly was. Hopefully she would not exert herself too much in the coming battle, for she had already done so much and now it was up to others to carry on the fight. Resolved with determination, Brian walked through a wooden archway and found Borrican and Ariana, the two women Keira and Margo, who served as their guards, the commanders, Nathas, Kaleb and Berant, along with Vale, her four vassals, and the intriguing half-Darga girl named Lexi, whose face remained hidden under the hood of her cloak. The group stood around a large table looking at a large map that spanned the Kandaran lands to the north, the Aghlar sea to the south, the western coast and the Xallan lands to the east.

  "What is the status of our forces?" Borrican asked.

  "The army is moving eastward and will soon reach the edge of the forest," Nathas said, glancing over at Brian as he approached the table.

  "What of the soldiers under the command of Lord Berant?" Ariana asked, her thoughts still foggy from the warmth and steam, as well as the strange sensations in her thoughts she had been experiencing since birthing the three dragon eggs. She blinked and tried to focus on the matters at hand, turning to Berant and giving him a nod and acknowledging his presence.

  "I still have reservations about the wisdom of allowing those forces to fight alongside the main army," Nathas said, glancing over at the general.

  "It appears Berant has cleansed himself of the magic by using a godsword to draw it away from him," Kroma rumbled. "It is similar to the power of these Watchers of Kandara."

  "Yes, Dala and her people were able to free Kandara using stones similar to the ones in the godswords," Borrican said, and both Keira and Margo nodded. "Perhaps we can ask for their assistance. It would be better if our soldiers were freed of any possible compulsion by Calexis or this dark god."

  "The soldiers follow my commands, Prince Borrican, Princess Ariana" Berant said, his voice dry and quiet as he gave them both a respectful bow of his head. "They can fight, and no doubt many would like a chance to redeem themselves."

  "We do not hold them responsible, nor you, general," Borrican told him. "My people of Kandara were made victim of the same foul magic, so there is no need to explain, apologize or redeem yourself, now that you are free of it. We understand that it was not your choice."

  "Thank you, Prince Borrican," Berant said. "Your understanding is much appreciated."

  "If we could free them, I think that would be best," Ariana said. "While I welcome their numbers, I do not want anyone to march to war against their will, nor do I wish to see our loyal soldiers of Maramyr remain in the grip of magic. I am not my uncle nor am I anything like Calexis, and though it is tempting to consider these soldiers as useful, for we will need every sword, I must insist that they be set free before they are marched into battle."

  "We brought a supply of the stones from Kandara, in case there were any others who had fallen prey to such magic," Keira said, then she turned to the Kandaran ranger, who stood next to her. "Margo has been instructed in their use."

  "Then we should use the stones," Borrican said. "It is truly fortuitous that you have come."

  "It is hardly fortuitous, highness," Margo said, giving him a sharp look, for she had not been pleased at having been left behind in Kandara. "And we do not have thousands of the stones, and I know that Dala has only a few left in Kandara, so if we want more of them, we will need to return to the northern lands."

  "May I see one of these stones?" Kroma asked, and Margo reached into the pouch at her belt, then handed one of them to him.

  "Ariana," Keira said, as Kroma inspected the stone. "I would like to continue to be your guard, if you will allow it."

  "Of course, Keira," Ariana replied, aware that both she and Margo preferred to remain close to her and Borrican. "Though I hope you do not mind taking another ride on a dragon, at least until we reach the army."

  "If I must," Keira said, and her determined look made it obvious that she intended that Ariana should not leave her sight.

  "I would come as well," Margo said to Borrican.

  "Yes, of course," Borrican replied. "I am glad that you and Keira were able to oversee the freeing of the Kandaran people, but we are glad that you have returned to us."

  "Dala and her people have things well in hand," Margo told him. "But the people will need to hear from the dragon throne at some point."

  "Once we have defeated Calexis, we will return to Kandara," Borrican said, still uncomfortable at the thought that he should ascend the throne and declare himself king, for it was not something he had ever considered, since his brother Elric had always been groomed for the crown. "For now, let us deal with the problems at hand."

  "I can use the stones I brought with me to release as many of the soldiers as possible from the spell," Margo offered.

  "Good," Borrican said, then he frowned. "But do not use all of them. If the magic of the dark god can corrupt a person so easily, there is a danger that one of us might fall prey to it, so we should keep a few in reserve."

  "While I do not wish for any of my people to suffer any longer than they must, perhaps it would be best to wait until we can release all of them at once," Berant said. "I would not want to pick and choose, nor would I wish upon them the guilt and horror of having been picked and chosen. For now, they remain bound by the magic, but they are no longer being used against their will, so no further harm will come to them if they must wait a little longer."

  "Wise and careful thoughts, General Berant," Margo commented with a nod, then she turned and looked at the young warrior, who spoke with the voice of a god. "What say you of the stones?"

  Brian felt the god use his power to sense the composition of the clear stone, and he was amazed at the knowledge that Kroma possessed about the world, and the many substances that existed within i
t. It was a strange sensation seeing his thoughts, yet not really understanding much about them, but he was fascinated and wondered if the god would be willing to teach him about such things. He heard Kroma chuckle in his mind, then he told Brian that he would be more than pleased to instruct him in the ways of metal, crystal and stone.

  "With my power, I could make stones like this, but it would take some time, much more time than we have," Kroma said, finally.

  "Then perhaps one of the vassal dragons can fly to the north and collect more of the stones from the watcher people who stayed behind in their village," Ariana suggested, and Vale nodded in agreement.

  "I can send Kiva," she suggested. "He is known to the watcher people, is a faster flyer than Crag, and speaks better than Raz or Kaz."

  "What do you mean by that?" Raz growled.

  "Quiet Raz," Kaz said, giving him a hard elbow in the ribs.

  "Good," Borrican said, ignoring the drakes, though he noted that the others had remained quiet, demonstrating at least a little decorum. "What of Rivergate?"

  "We expect there to be some resistance at the keep itself, but there have been no encounters with the enemy," Nathas said, then he turned to Storm. "Storm, you have flown over the lands between here and Rivergate. Is there any sign of the Darga?"

  "Most of the creatures went east," the dragon warrior growled. "I can smell their stink on the wind."

  "Then it appears they have retreated," Borrican said with a nod. "Still, considering the nature of our foe, once our forces are free of the forest, we must be ready for an attack, at any time and without warning."

  "We will watch from the skies," Storm offered. "These Darga are no match for dragons."

  "Do not be overconfident, Storm," Borrican said. "Many of those creatures have become more powerful, and their numbers are still far greater than our own."

  "It is the swords they use," Kroma rumbled. "The godswords give them power."

  "And they give us power as well," Storm commented.

  "That is true," Kroma replied. "But be wary of taking too much power from your foe with the godswords. There is a reason the weapons were hidden away. They are dangerous."