Into the Fray: Volume 1 of The Sorcerers of Jhanvia Series (41 page)

Natilya said, “Satreka, I should show some of your men the basics of healing. This is badly done and could cause more harm than the wound itself.”

“Absolutely, my love. Do what you think best.”

Natilya explained to the big man, “I am going to need to remove these gruto leaves and properly tend to this wound. Taking these things off may hurt worse than what caused it.”

“I understand. I sincerely appreciate what you are doing for me.”

“Natilya,” Satreka stepped into the conversation, “This is Dubhni. She and Zakrell have chosen each other. Dubhni, this is my love, Natilya.”

Dubhni said, “I am honored to meet you, my lady.”

“Call me Natilya, please. It is an honor to meet you. I am so glad you are here. Having another feminine influence around here will be most refreshing. You see what I have to deal with.”

Dubhni laughed a little, recognizing that the two of them were completely surrounded by men.

Satreka wanted to watch, but more pressing duties were calling. He came over and kissed Natilya on the cheek. “I am going to see to our newest guest. Zakrell, when you are finished here, join me in Dulica’s chamber.”

The Valtyr put down what she was doing, reached out and grabbed his hand. “Do you think you’re going to get away with such a listless effort.” With that, she kissed him on the lips with the fire and desire that filled her being.

She backed away, smiled and said in her sultry voice, “Now you can go.”

Satreka laughed a little and commented, “I
so
love the Valtyr passion.”

As he walked through the doorway and along the main hallway, he laughed to himself as his friend’s screams of pain echoed off the castle’s walls from behind him. He strode confidently with excited anticipation, finally bouncing down the small stone stairway that led to Dulica’s chamber. As he came off the last step, through the dim light provided by scarcely a handful of torches, he could see Dulica and Klur to his right staring at the woman hanging from the chains attached above her head to the wall, while Rantil secured the last of the shackles to her ankles. In front of him and through the small opening in the wall, he could see the three Sorcerers of Jhanvia chanting words he did not understand, while processing around the fire that burned a strange color of orange that gave off no discernible smoke.

Rantil felt the presence behind him and turned, “Ah, my lord. She has been secured as you ordered.”

“Thank you, Rantil. Has she showed signs of waking?”

“No, my lord.”

Satreka looked over at Dulica and commanded, “Wake her.”

The sorcerer went over and placed two of his fingers on her forehead, closed his eyes and bowed his head. Within a few moments, the spell had taken effect and reversed the potion that caused her to remain unconscious. She groaned as she started to wake and feel the pain on the side of her face from where the soldier’s fist had found her. Her eyes opened slightly from the grogginess and then suddenly opened fully as she realized where she was. She pulled down on the chains to no avail.

“Your struggle is futile, my dear,” Satreka said. “You are with us now.”

Kaitra looked over and saw Rantil, “You! You killed my love. Now let me rip your heart out.”

She directed her magics through her fingers as the soldier took a few steps back in fear, but it bounced back to her, stinging her fingertips. She looked across the room to see Juun, his hand raised.

Satreka smiled at her, “Dear girl, my sorcerer has blocked your powers.” He walked up to her and continued, “You needn’t be so feisty. We would be most honored if you would choose to join us in our efforts to build a better life for the people of this region.”

She asked sarcastically, “Does this ‘better life’ you speak of include the wanton killing of innocents?”

“That is not what we believe, nor what we strive for. Those who live in the areas to the south and west have no centralized authority, unlike the Dhoyans in the east and the Valtyr to the north. They are regularly subjected to roving gangs and marauders who ‘wantonly kill’, as you describe it, anyone they see with a few coins in their purse. We wish to bring a sense of order to this land by providing the people with security and the prosperity that will come with it.”

Her sarcasm was piercing, “Does that include the breeding of Vydarrun as your elite fighting force?”

Satreka was taken completely by surprise. He paused for a moment, looked deeply into her eyes and asked, “How do you know about that?”

“Does it matter?”

“No…I suppose not. They are just another tool we intend to utilize in our efforts. The people in this region have been crying out for someone to create the environment where they can live and raise their families in peace. We have taken it upon ourselves to fill this need for the mutual benefit of all. Tell me your name.”

“I am Kaitra of Dhoya.”

“Well then, Kaitra of Dhoya, will you join us and help us bring security and stability to those who so desperately seek it?”

She forcefully declared, “I will tell you of the things I’ve seen done in your name, shall I? Acts such as forced recruitment of children to your cause, the murder of children and families who choose not to live under your fist, whole villages fleeing their homes in fear of your
influence and the bigotry and mistreatment of the Valtyr at the hands of your followers.”

He laughed, “That’s rich coming from a Dhoyan. Your people have loathed the Valtyr since the dawn of your civilization. With regards to the rest, sometimes difficult things must be done in the short run for the greater good that will follow. Surely you must see the great possibilities that lie before us?”

“What I see is the forced subjugation of the people to whatever twisted plans you intend to unleash on this region.”

Satreka rubbed his beard in silent contemplation for a moment, and then he asked, “So I gather you choose not to join us?”

Kaitra just looked at him with a glaring anger in her eyes.

“I must tell you that I am very disappointed. I had truly hoped that you would have joined us voluntarily.”

Satreka motioned for Juun, who walked over carrying a cup in his hand.

The sorcerer handed the cup to him and explained, “Have her drink this.”

The Scecian looked into the cup, “Just this small amount will make her pliant?”

“Yes.”

Unexpectedly, a wave of pain emanated from Kaitra’s chest again. She screamed in agony as she tensed up in the chains that bound her. The pain was overwhelming and went on for several moments before it eventually subsided. Her muscles released and she collapsed in the chains while still remaining conscious. She uttered quietly under her breath with her eyes closed, “Kidreyli, my Kidreyli…my love.”

Satreka looked concerned. “What’s wrong with her,” he said to no one specific. He looked at Juun and repeated, “What’s wrong with her?”

Juun could not believe his eyes. “That is astounding,” he said softly to himself. He looked at Satreka and announced, “It is bhascry. You killed her Valtyr lover. That loss is more than her spirit can endure, so
it
is trying to kill her body by destroying her heart. You need to give her the potion immediately, or she will certainly die.”

“Very well,” Satreka said as he motioned toward Dulica with a sense of urgency. He commanded, “Hold her head back.” He walked toward her and she tried to kick out at him, but the chains on her ankles held her back.

“So you still choose to defy us?” he remarked. He nodded his head to his assistant, who pulled her hair forcing her head back. Satreka closed off her nose and commanded, “Drink,” as he forced the liquid down her throat.

She really had no choice but to comply. He stood back and smiled.

Kaitra coughed a few times, choking a bit on the liquid, but more from the acrid taste that hit her tongue. Straight away she started to feel cold. She looked at him with her bright gray eyes, “You better kill me now.”

Satreka tipped his head slightly to one side and leaned in, putting his face directly in hers, “Why would I do that? You will now become the one that empowers me to destroy all you hold dear.” He smiled at her as he backed away.

Juun interjected, “If I may…?” He pulled back his hood, stepped up and grabbed her head with his hands. Immediately he felt a sharp pain in his belly which forced him to release her and take a step back. It was then that he noticed the small pouch affixed to her belt. He commanded, “Soldier, give me your knife.”

Rantil looked to Satreka, who nodded his approval. He removed his knife from its sheath and handed it to him.

The sorcerer slipped the blade under her belt and pulled, cutting the leather with some ease. He handed the knife back to Rantil and tossed the belt into the fire Dulica used for his workings. A brief flash of light came from her pouch as the spell within was detected, and as it burned, its protective energies quickly dissipated.

He stepped up and took her head in his hands as before. He smiled and whispered, “Very clever, girl. But you had to know it would not be enough.” Then he placed his thumbs firmly against her temples. With his face directly in hers, he looked deeply into her eyes and could see her spirit fading. He said softly to her, “You chose to be with us. You were never mated to a Valtyr. The overriding imperative that drives
all your thoughts and actions is your unshakable commitment to serve your lord Satreka. You will serve him to the best of your ability, eagerly and without question, even if that requires sacrificing your own life in his service. You have an unwavering belief in our cause and you will do whatever is necessary to see our goals come to fruition.”

She, in turn, looked through his eyes. Fear skated across her face when she saw something hidden deep within his mind, something darker and more evil than anything she had ever seen or could have imagined…a secret she was not supposed to see.

Juun, realizing that he was being compromised, abruptly let go of his hold on her. He stood for a moment, surprised and impressed with the strength she exhibited. She shook and shuddered and collapsed in the chains, unconscious.

But just before her spirit faded, and with all the strength her being could muster, she focused all of her talents and flooded her mind solely with the image of her love, the image of her Kidreyli.

It took but a few minutes to reach the river crossing. Tyral took care on the slippery rocks, but when she reached the far bank, she turned north and sailed through the trees as fast as she could. Culain’s eyes were wide with fear as he had never traveled this fast on horseback, especially in a forest so primitive and overgrown. He ducked a branch here and a branch there, but after a while he realized that none of them were actually close enough to hit him. Tyral was careful to keep her rider safe.

Over three hours traveling as fast as possible through the rugged forest, the dark of night had settled long ago. The Moons of Tria and Talera were half-way up from the horizon in the east and their combined gold and silver light shimmered off the waters below.

Tyral pulled up to a stop on a hill overlooking the calm waters of Lynbuañan and called out telepathically, “Talenyan, Dulyon, are you here?”

The frogs in the distance were the only response she heard.

Both Culain and Tyral noticed a faint streamer of smoke, floating up ever so slowly in the bright light of the moons at the northern end of the lake. Tyral started down the hill and within a few minutes, she reached the water’s edge. She stopped and called out with her mind again.

“Tyral? Is that you?” Talenyan responded in her thoughts.

The great black Katrion trotted over to the camp where Suliya and Talenyan stood by the fire. Talenyan was thin and seemed very frail, her long gray hair floated about on her shoulders. She was wearing a deep blue cloak, black pants and boots and a deep green shirt. Suliya was more imposing, taller and bigger in stature, and her long gray hair still had streaks of blond. Her deep green cloak wrapped around a shirt and pants in slightly different shades of brown, her black boots standing in contrast.

Culain stated, “I am looking for Kidreyli’s mother.”

“I am,” Talenyan answered.

“She has sent me t’ bring ya t’ our village. She’s been hurt badly and I’m afraid she may not survive.”

Talenyan asked Tyral in her mind, “Is this true?”

“I’m afraid it is,” Tyral solemnly answered.

Talenyan asked, “What is your name, sir.”

“I am Culain.”

“Well, Culain, if my daughter places such trust in you, then we will as well. We will come with you. My name is Talenyan and this is my love, Suliya.”

Suliya motioned for their Katrion to come. She helped Talenyan up on Dulyon, and then mounted her Jhaytri.

Talenyan saw that Culain took notice of her difficulties. She said to him, “I’m getting old, I fear, and time is catching me up.”

He smiled and said, “I understand
that
, dear lady. I’m gettin’ old m’self. Just mountin’ this horse was quite a task, I tell ya.”

Suliya said, “We need to take it at Talenyan’s pace. We’ll probably need to stop a few times and rest.”

He replied, “Of course. Kidreyli mentioned that you were ill. I’ll lead on, but just yell at me when ya need t’ stop.”