Light master light chase.., p.20
Light Master (Light Chaser Book 3), page 20
“Nekanas,” I repeated. “How do you know of him?”
“We saw him as we were forced out of our mountain. He took over our home that very day. But by the time we realized what had happened, it was too late. We were starving, and we were well on our way to Vassal. We had no recourse, as every step we took meant more exhaustion from our starvation. The only other choice we had was death. We had to choose Chad if we wanted to live.”
“That’s terrible,” I said. “What a terrible trick. But how do you know we’ll be able to defeat Chad?”
“It is not a certainty,” she said. “It is just that before I left the kingdom with Morven, I knew our people were beginning to fight their possession by others with magic. Undoubtedly, they are still prisoners, but I remember what it felt like to hide inside my body as another dictated my movements. Perhaps my people are even hiding now, waiting for the right time to come alight again and end Chad’s reign over them.”
Every moment that I spent with Cara made me feel as if I were learning more and more about the world. Before I’d left Eagleview, I’d had no idea that the Lucent race even existed. Even Malcolm, with his grand stature and dark skin, had been quite a surprise to my ignorant status.
Cara seemed to know many things, and maybe that was at the center of her powers. She certainly seemed to know me.
“We will do all we can to release your people,” I said.
She looked up ahead at Morven and then back at me. “I fear it is not the intention of this party to free my people, but instead to trade me back for the life of this Bramwell. It might be that our offensive ends there.”
“I’ll see to it that that doesn’t happen,” I said. “Morven carries magic, as well as everyone in my original group. Only his soldiers and followers are without. That means there are six of us with heightened abilities to attack Chad and his hold over your people.”
She smiled. “You are very kind. I hope that you are right.”
“Right about what?” I heard Connell say.
“We’re just talking about the battle ahead,” I said. “You know, mentally preparing for our clash with Chad.”
“Anything I should know?” he asked.
“Nothing new, but I am glad you came to me about your power waning,” I said. “It seemed last night you were able to make good progress. If you just keep practicing—”
“Keep your voice down,” he said. “I don’t want the others—”
I sighed, irritated.
“You’re just going to have to get used to the idea that you’re not perfect,” I said. “And you’re not weak.”
He regarded me and seemed to be trying to make up his mind about something. But I got the distinct impression that my words had angered him. Perhaps it was the remnants of a lifetime training with Zahn. I imagined that Zahn never tolerated even the simplest mistakes.
“You’ll see,” I said. “All of us will have a vital role to play in days to come. And that means that even today, you will have a chance to redeem yourself. Though I can tell you, you are the only one who cares so much about your abilities. We do all we can, and no one can expect more from us.”
We walked for a while in silence, and as the sun started to cross the sky, we began to see Lucents working in the fields. Cara became jubilant, and immediately she broke into a strange song, singing it backward as she’d explained, in a language none of us understood. Several Lucents looked up at her as we passed them by, and for a moment, they seemed ready to drop their tools and join us in our quest. But it wasn’t enough, and they simply watched after us as we walked ahead.
Soon, a small castle came into view. It was then that several Lucent workers began to congregate around and behind us. It seemed that they were our guard, tasked with keeping an eye on anyone who might approach the kingdom. But they were docile and very silent. I looked over at Cara, and though I knew she was happy to be there to free her people, seeing them was hard on her. Her hand found the bracelet on her left wrist, and she played with it absently as we got closer to the castle.
Finally, after twenty more minutes of walking, we arrived at a front gate made of steel, rusted from the rains of a thousand years. And, standing outside was not a Lucent, but a human. One man who could only be the one we were looking for.
Bramwell.
He put out one hand, indicating we needed to stop.
“Who are you, and why do you dare visit this place?” he asked. “You are most unwelcome.”
Morven approached, but Bramwell immediately unsheathed his sword.
Morven took a couple of steps back, putting his hands in the air.
“I am Morven,” he said. “I come to see your leader, Chad. We have come from very far away and request an audience with him.”
Bramwell didn’t smile, but his tone was mocking. “One does not simply come here and expect to have their wishes met. A great leader such as Chad will not tolerate you.”
“Bram. Do you not recognize me?”
Bramwell’s eyes squinted in irritation, and I noticed that they were lighter than most, almost hazy.
Enchanted.
“I see all who come to the steps of our kingdom as potential enemies,” he said. “And that means you… What did you say your name was? Morven?”
Morven glanced in my direction, but I was just as confused as he was. In the end, he decided to play along. “Yes, that is my name. And I will name all of my friends if you so desire. But we come here in peace and hope to do business with Chad.”
Bramwell raised his eyebrows. “What sort of business?”
“The magical kind,” Morven said.
It was then that I stepped forward and lit my hand with white flame.
Bramwell took several steps backward, but when he recovered, he was smiling.
“I will tell my master, Chad, of your desire to do, as you say, business. Wait here.”
He turned, and two Lucents approached the gate from within, its rusted hinges grinding against each other as it opened and closed.
I looked around and was surprised to find that the Lucents who’d been following us had dispersed. Maybe they were told to simply accompany us and then leave us in the hands of Bramwell. But when I looked up, I realized there were several Lucents up high, tiny bows and arrows pointed at us.
We were anything but safe.
“Do you think he’ll let us in?” I asked Morven quietly. “You’ve been here before, right?”
“He’ll let us in,” he said. “He’s hungry for magic, and that means he’ll most likely welcome us as soon as they decide whether or not we will become a danger to him.”
I didn’t speak again, keeping my thoughts to myself. If the Lucent men and women who had us in their sights were also listening, the last thing I wanted was for them to hear any poorly chosen words from my mouth.
I was anxious to get inside, and I could tell that Cara was as well. As pleased as she’d been to see her people as we passed them in the fields, seeing them now with their weapons aimed at our hearts seemed to have made her good humor evaporate.
Cuinn was off of Duna’s shoulders now, and he held her hand as she moved forward in the crowd to speak with me.
“What do you make of this?” she asked quietly. She looked down at Cuinn, and a sudden concern flitted across her face. “I’m not sure we should go.”
“We can’t split up,” I whispered. “Not now. I don’t think they intend to allow us to leave. If you were to try, they would probably arrest you.”
Duna threw her head back in laughter, and I grabbed her arm, shaking it to get her to stop.
“Shh!” I hissed.
She quieted down slightly, then bent over and whispered in my ear. “As if they could capture me.”
I didn’t respond. The truth was, I needed her to be confident, but reckless was a different story. I bent over and looked Cuinn in the eye.
“How are you feeling, little man?” I asked quietly.
His face looked worried, and he glanced nervously up at Duna. I took his free hand, then picked him up and held him to me. Perhaps it was dangerous, my showing him affection, any indication that he was an important member of our group. But I couldn’t help it. I’d told him I would look out for him, and that meant all the time, not just every once in a while.
After a few moments in my embrace, he squirmed, and I let him down and walked with him over to the wall next to the gate, sitting him down against it. The Lucents above looked nervous, and Morven glared at me. But, unbeknownst to them, I created a barrier of safety around Cuinn and myself. No one short of a powerful sorcerer would be able to breach it. As I thought about that, I realized that it wasn’t so different than Morven’s Cloakstone. Only his magic would make others invisible, and mine would protect from attack. When used together, we would be a force to be reckoned with.
Time passed, and eventually, the rest of the crew took seats in the dirt as well. The afternoon was hot, and I pulled water from the dirty earth. I noticed some of the Lucents who were guarding us look at me curiously.
“Come over here,” I said encouragingly to a woman standing nearby. “I’ll show you.”
For a moment, she looked eager, and she even took a couple of steps in my direction. But then, the look on her face disappeared as if she’d realized the truth, that she was completely unable to do something so frivolous as witness magic.
I backed away and went to reclaim my seat beside Duna and Cuinn. The two had grown close, that was for sure. It warmed my heart to see Duna love. She’d been so alone for so long; it had probably never even occurred to her that she even had the ability to love. But now, as her hand brushed through Cuinn’s hair, she looked happy, not at all scared. Not like me.
Finally, as the sun was beginning to set, the gate opened, and Bramwell stepped out.
“Chad has agreed to see you,” he said. “But you must leave your weapons here.”
“But that’s—” Morven began to argue.
“That’ll be fine,” I said.
I knew we had weapons of a different sort, so when I walked through the gate, I felt fine handing over my staff to a waiting Lucent. I turned back and found the others were following my example. It might’ve been reckless, but it was also a fearless act.
Courage will be needed in a place like this.
And I entered.
Chapter 17
Bramwell escorted us through a tunnel that led to the interior square of the castle. We were flanked on all sides by Lucents as well as full-grown men, Chad’s guard. Morven’s men had all left their weapons at the front gate, and several Lucents were now struggling to carry the heavy armor and swords in a different direction.
When we made our way into the square, I found those same small arrows from the Lucents above pointed at us as we walked. I wondered if the men and women up above got tired of doing it all day long.
They’re slaves. They do as they’re told. It doesn’t matter whether they’re tired or not.
In the center of the square was a magnificent fountain of cascading Light. Above it stood not a Keeper but a great basin of honey-scented flowers atop a giant stone throne. Lucents were filtering into the square, each of them adding to the existing Light, just a few drops from each person after a long day’s work.
Immediately, Cuinn ran for it and dunked his head into the pool, drinking deeply before anyone realized what he was doing.
“Cuinn!” I hissed.
Duna ran after him and swooped him up into her arms.
“Child, you mustn’t do that. Light is…”
But we didn’t hear what else it was she had to say because right at that moment, Bramwell raced up behind her and put his sword to her throat.
“We do not allow any to drink from the fountain,” he snarled. “You have stolen from us a great treasure just now.”
Cuinn’s eyes were round with fear.
“It was an accident,” Duna said. “He’s just a kid.”
Bramwell’s sword inched up a little until it was just barely cutting her skin.
She glanced in my direction, but short of a full-blown attack, I was unsure of how to proceed.
Finally, Cara intervened.
“Master Bramwell,” she said, approaching him. “We will be happy to replace the Light with a few days of working in the fields. Will that suit you?”
He gradually lowered the sword, and I was just glad Duna hadn’t thought to insult him.
Bramwell eyed us distrustingly, but he sheathed his sword.
“We will allow Chad to determine your fate.”
He looked at Cuinn menacingly, but Cuinn turned his head away, unable to look him in the eye. Bramwell turned to the rest of us.
“Stealing Light is punishable by death. You will be lucky to make it out with your lives.”
He turned and walked away, and there was nothing for it but to continue to follow.
“What was that all about?” Connell whispered in my ear. “Cuinn. What’s going on with him?”
I shook my head. I didn’t know, but whatever it was, it was starting to scare me. It seemed that when Cuinn was around Light, he was unable to control his thirst. First on the ship, and now at the fountain. It was a worrisome development.
We followed behind Duna, and we could just see his eyes looking over her shoulder. He was frightened, but he didn’t look sorry. Instead, he kept his eyes on that fountain as we walked away from it, and there was no mistaking the look on his face.
Hunger.
He licked his lips as if anticipating another shot at the fountain sometime soon.
Bramwell directed us down another hallway, this one lit with torches. The stone walls were cracked from centuries of disrepair, casting shadows that reminded me of a dungeon. Occasionally, a crawling bug or spider would scurry between the torches, making my skin crawl.
Some warrior I was.
We entered a small room, leaving the Lucents who were guarding us in the hall.
“Here, you must change,” Bramwell said.
He gestured to the wall upon which several cloaks were hung. I recognized them as the clothing Lucents wore, only several of them were large enough for a human. I looked up at Duna, realizing there was nothing that would fit her. She grimaced, then turned to Bramwell.
“Got anything a little bigger?” she asked.
Bramwell had no humor whatsoever, and when he spoke, it was acidly. “If you will not wear the robe, you will not journey with the others inside.”
Duna sighed. “What’s the meaning of this anyway? Why the robes?”
“The robe is required for all visitors,” he said. “I, myself, wear one beneath my armor.” He lifted up his leather tunic and showed the fabric beneath it.
“Sir,” Cara said. “Must I also change? I already wear the robe of my people.”
I looked over at her curiously, but she ignored me.
“No,” he said sharply. “You are not worthy to wear any cloak of Vassal, especially the one you now don.”
For the briefest moment, I thought I saw her smile, but I couldn’t be sure.
“As you wish,” she said.
I tried to fit one of the robes over my cloak, knowing the book was still hidden in one of the interior pockets. But the robes were small, and they required us to remove our cloaks and, in the case of the troops, their armor.
When Bramwell wasn’t looking, I snatched the tiny map and slid it into my underclothes over my hip. Then, I stuffed my cloak deep into my traveling pack, saying a little prayer that the book would still be there when I returned.
If I returned.
That’s stupid.
I did, in fact, have the best chance of any of us at getting out of this situation alive. Still, Vassal was clearly not a friendly place. I slipped on the robe, tied the sash, and turned to Bramwell.
Immediately, I felt strange. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Was it fear?
“I guess I’ll wait outside with the boy, then,” Duna said.
Under different circumstances, I might’ve said yes to this, but there was a warning within me telling me to keep Cuinn close.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Bramwell said. “You can wait here. The boy must enter with the rest.”
“What?” she argued. “Why?”
“It is Chad’s wish to meet everyone in the party. Only you must stay. You are too large for one of our sacred robes. You must wait alone.”
I wouldn’t have liked to be on the receiving end of the glare Duna was giving to Bramwell, but his hand was on the hilt of his sword again, and she sat down heavily on one of the tiny benches, nearly cracking it under her weight.
“I guess I’ll stay, then,” she said angrily, crossing her arms.
As the others pulled on their robes, I went to stand beside her.
“Keep an eye on our things,” I whispered. “The book.”
She huffed but then nodded. Bramwell looked back at us curiously, but I didn’t dare breathe another word.
When we were all changed, he led us out of the room. I noticed that Cara stayed behind for just a few moments of whispered words to Duna.
She knows something.
Suddenly, I found I didn’t care. I followed, first in line behind Bramwell. As he led us back out into the courtyard, I found that twilight was upon us with nothing more than the moon to light our way. There was a moment, a very strange moment, when I realized I’d forgotten why I was there at all. I looked back at Morven, but his eyes were straight ahead, just as mine had been.
I shook my head vigorously as a dog might shake water out of his coat. For a moment, my mind cleared, and I realized then what we were dealing with. Whatever that mist was that was coating Bramwell’s eyes was now coating mine as well.
But what to do? To succumb to it was like succumbing to a warm, satisfying nap in the sun. It was so… easy.
Just go to sleep, and everything will be fine.
I shook my head again, and this time when I looked around, it was Cara’s gaze I found upon me. Even in the darkness, I could tell her eyes were clear. She smiled and winked, and a great relief flooded me.
