Lights of agramont trilo.., p.35
Lights of Agramont Trilogy, page 35
“Do you not remember the night you escaped from Agareth? Well, it has been ten years but still, I thought I made myself perfectly clear.”
“What are you talking about?” Kriv asks as he replaces his revolver in the holster. “You are lying. I never made an agreement with you.”
Argrin lifts his hand in the air and the shadow of black magic swirls around his wrist. “I find that watching people die brings back memories that have been suppressed. Why don’t I remind you of your promise by killing off a few of your men? Maybe that ship right there?”
“You wouldn’t dare. You know what? Your threats mean nothing to me. The men under my command are well trained and nothing that you try to do will throw them off guard.”
“Your self-confidence has always been extreme. Do you know what they say about pride? It comes before a fall. Today is the fall of Admiral Tide-Storm.” With a flick of his wrist, Argrin’s magic forms a veil of darkness around the ship at the edge of the harbor. Even from this distance, the screams and shouting of the men can be heard above the cracking of wood.
Kriv grabs the railing as he watches in horror at the sinking ship. “No!”
Serilom tightens his fists and storms up to Argrin. “What did you do? You are a monster. Those men did nothing except follow orders. You didn’t even give them a chance to fight for their lives.”
Argrin pushes Serilom backwards and he falls to the deck. “What’s wrong, Admiral? You’re losing ships left and right.”
Kriv glares at him. “You bastard.”
“Technically, Serilom is the bastard.”
Kriv helps Serilom to his feet. His voice cracks as he pushes back tears. “Is this entertaining to you? Do you enjoy watching innocent people suffer and die by your hands?”
“If you had done what you promised and eliminated Serilom, then none of this would be happening. You brought this on yourself. You are the one destroying Cierson. I wouldn’t have had to merge the realities and bring Vernition into this. This reality would have remained untouched, but you went against your word, Tide-Storm.”
“Kriv already told you that he never made any kind of agreement with you.” Serilom can’t hold back his rage any longer.
“And you believe him? It’s not like he’s never hidden anything from you before.”
Serilom glares at him. “Name one.”
“Oh poor Serilom. Are you truly this stupid? No. No offspring of our dear father could be stupid. Love has blinded you to the truth. I don’t usually bring up my favorite little book that I have been keeping secret, but this seems like a beautiful time for a verse from it. Neither of you two will understand because it has been missing for centuries and I have the only one. But I just have to say it. Oh, how did it go? Silken words may hide an evil soul, just like a pretty glaze conceals a clay pot. People try to cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they are deceiving you. They pretend to be nice and kind, but you can’t believe them. Their hearts are filled with many evils.”
“Stop speaking in riddles, Argrin. I don’t know what book you are claiming to quote from, but it doesn’t make a difference.” Serilom says.
“I would love to regale you with more from my little book, but you want me to tell you what Tide-Storm has kept hidden from you? Fine. Let’s see, he lied about his past, lied about Raesa, lied about his success, lied about having spies in Vernition, lied about having men to help get the Archmage’s amulet, his story about stealing the Scepter of Amaldour was a lie, he lied about his sexuality, he hid his injury from you, he pretended he couldn’t fight, he hid his lineage from you, he put you in grave danger because he didn’t tell you about Briggan, he hid the undeniable fact that he has been in contact with the Damned Ones, and he hid behind a fake exterior to make you trust him. Have I forgotten anything? Oh yes … how could I forget the big one?”
Kriv walks up to face Argrin and places his hands on his hips. “What’s the big one, Argrin?”
“The reason your father left you at the bard school when you were little. You knew your parents. Your father knew you a little too well, didn’t he bard? Why did you lie about that?”
The color drains from Kriv’s face. “Hold your tongue, Argrin. You don’t know anything.”
“Oh, yes I do. You see, I know everything about you, Tide-Storm.”
“You’re bluffing. There’s no way you know why he abandoned me in Agareth. Go ahead. If you think you know, then say it.”
Argrin grins. “Your sister.”
Minutes pass as the fighting continues at the edge of the harbor and the cannons fire around them. Here, however, the world and time itself are frozen. Serilom watches Kriv and Argrin as they stand with merely centimeters separating them. Even though Kriv is taller, Argrin’s smug and intimidating attitude makes Kriv seem small and insignificant.
“Tell Serilom about your sister, Tide-Storm.”
“I … can’t.”
Argrin crosses his arms and his amusement reflects in his voice. “Then I’ll do it. Valen Tide-Storm was Kriv’s younger sister. She was barely a year old when Kriv-”
“Shut up, Argrin.” Kriv’s normally confident and secure exterior begins to crumble. “Please, I beg you to stop. I was seven. Water and air were my best friends and I had no way of knowing the damage that water could do. Please don’t do this. Please.”
“Begging doesn’t suit you, Tide-Storm. What happened to your pride? You’re not proud of what you did to Valen, are you?”
“Of course not. Who would be?”
Argrin’s dark grin spreads across his lips again. “At least you were a good listener and took orders back then. You’re welcome.”
Kriv is visibly shaking as he speaks. “What are you saying?”
“Remember that voice? The one who told you to do it? Listen very closely to what I’m about to say. Kriv Tide-Storm, pick up the baby and toss her in the ocean so she can play with the water. Then she will have magic like you.”
Kriv falls to his knees and he lets out a pained cry. After a few seconds, his shaking voice returns. “I never meant to hurt Valen. I loved her. The day she was born, I was so happy. I would sing to her and tell her stories. She … she would hold my finger and smile at me. Valen always smiled. She smiled at me when I dropped over the side of my father’s boat.” Kriv slams his fists into the deck and he chokes back tears. “I told Valen that I would never let anything hurt her, that her big brother Kriv would always protect her. I am the monster who ripped her precious life from the world. The little boy who vowed to protect her was too naive to realize the danger and he followed orders blindly, orders given by you! Why? Why would you do that, Argrin? She was a baby and never hurt anyone. Her life wouldn’t have gotten in your way. She was no threat to you, but you had me kill her anyway.”
“This kind of thing happens when people get desperate.” Argrin says. “There was a reason for her death and that was to send a message to you. You need me. You need to follow orders and rely on the being who can either give life or take it away. Now, does there really need to be more death today?”
Kriv takes out his revolver and tosses it at Argrin’s feet. His resolve has been shattered. “What do you want from me? What can I do to end this bloodshed? I never made a deal with you, but I will make one now if we can end this.”
Serilom doesn’t know what to do. Should he attack Argrin and pull Kriv away? And what about Kriv’s sister? He hasn’t had the chance to completely come to terms with that news. Kriv has hidden that this entire time. This explains so much about the way Kriv reacts to things. This also explains Kriv’s connection to Lynn. Why hadn’t he told him? Serilom could have helped him cope with it and move on instead of trying to suppress it and forget.
Argrin pats Kriv’s head and runs his fingers through the bard’s hair. “See? You are my little bard after all. I’m not heartless. I only want you to accept the control I have over you and that I have had since you were seven. You have completely ignored me since we fought after you left Agareth, but I am still here and there’s nothing you can do to change that. Allow me to stop all of this senseless fighting. There has been enough death.”
“Forgive me, Master Argrin. Allow me to make things right. What do you require of your servant?”
“Kriv, what are you doing? Don’t let him mess with your mind. That’s what he’s doing. Fight it.” Serilom’s magic dances in his palms.
Argrin ignores him. “Unconditional surrender. Let Vernition take Alamay then have the Honored step down. They have outlived their usefulness. That includes Serilom.”
Kriv’s voice is barely audible against the sounds of the battle raging in both the harbor and in Serilom’s mind. “Is there anything else, Master?”
“Kriv, don’t do this. We can fix it.” Serilom calls to him.
Argrin’s mouth twists into a dark grin. “Serilom dies and you will be the one to take his life.”
Kriv stands and turns to face Serilom. When their eyes meet, Serilom shudders at the pain flowing in Kriv’s blue eyes. The normally youthful appearance has faded from his face and he has aged ten years in the past fifteen minutes. The years of endless moral struggles have finally taken their toll on Kriv.
Serilom lets his magic stop. The man he once admired is now broken, pathetic, and a slave to his past. Serilom knows he can’t fight him.
“Master, how do you want me to do it?”
Serilom runs to Kriv and takes his hands. “Kriv, let me help you. What about our oath?”
Kriv pushes him away. “Shut up, Orrentius. Accept your fate.”
“Shoot him in the head like you did to Briggan.” Argrin picks up Kriv’s revolver and places it in his hand. “Here you go. Tie him to the mast and then do it. We can’t take the chance of him getting away.”
“Serilom, stand right here for me and don’t move. I’m going to get the ropes. I have to concentrate so I get them right.” Kriv pushes Serilom against the mast and stares at him for a second. “I have to concentrate so don’t try anything or you will mess everything up.”
Even if Serilom had the will to fight his friend, the terror sweeping over him leaves him paralyzed so he obeys Kriv’s somewhat cryptic orders. He tries not to look at Argrin.
Kriv returns with the ropes a minute later and slowly secures them around Serilom. He stops in front of Serilom. “Calm down. I promise that this won’t hurt. After my gun goes off, you will be free. Do you understand me?” He wraps the ropes tighter. He holds up his revolver and places the barrel against Serilom’s forehead. “Look into my eyes, Serilom. Don’t struggle. Do you understand what I’m telling you? Promise me you won’t pull against the ropes. Say it.”
Serilom’s mind is overrun with emotions, memories, and fear. Nothing makes sense anymore. The man he loves is now holding a gun to his head. Kriv winks and grins at him. There it is. Niv was right. Mage-born’s eyes reflect their true emotions. Either Kriv is maniacally joyful or Serilom is hallucinating. Kriv’s face shows remorse and depression while those sapphire eyes sparkle with determination and playful trickery.
Argrin calls out to Kriv. “Tide-Storm, get on with it. I have a city to ransack. You know, plundering, raping, and all that fun stuff.”
Kriv grabs Serilom’s shoulder with his free hand and takes a step back. “Forgive me, blood brother. I’ll see you in eternity.”
The barrel leaves Serilom’s head as he flinches and the gun goes off. When he opens his eyes, Argrin is clutching his shoulder and Kriv’s passion and fire have returned to him.
“Serilom, now!”
Serilom pulls on the ropes and they fall, coming apart with the slightest force. He rushes towards Argrin, sliding across the deck to pick up the Lullaby Blade as he goes. He calls back to Kriv. “You used magic on those ropes like you did back in Vernition.” Serilom says as he swings at Argrin.
“Good. I was afraid you thought I was actually going to kill you. You’re a good actor after all.” Kriv picks up his staff as he shoots at Argrin but misses. He fires again. Miss.
“I wasn’t acting. I truly was terrified. Now, command your ships. I’ll handle Argrin. You’re too shaken up to shoot straight.”
Kriv holds out his hands. “I can’t. My mirror broke.”
Serilom drops to his knees and slashes at Argrin’s legs. “Use your magic. Water reflects light. Form a flat surface and angle it like you would your mirror.”
Kriv looks astonished. “Who are you, intelligent man?”
“I am Serilom Orrentius, Master of Water. Now command your ships before the entire harbor is lost.” Serilom dodges Argrin’s shadows, each of which is an amorphous mass of black fog. They appear and disappear at random.
Serilom calls up the water which flows over the side and sweeps Argrin off his feet. He is just about to lunge in when a cannonball strikes the side of the boat.
Kriv falls backwards and drops his revolver. It slides across the deck past Serilom. Serilom clips Argrin’s side with the Lullaby Blade.
Argrin cries out and collapses in a heap of twisted shadows and dark magic energy. The magic disappears and Argrin is on his knees holding his side. “What is that thing?”
“The Lullaby Blade. It was made to defeat you. Since you knew everything else, I’m surprised you didn’t know about this. Now I get to kill you.” Serilom lifts the sword. “Goodbye, Brother.” He begins to swing, but Argrin lunges forward. Kriv cries out as he pushes Serilom out of the way as the gun goes off. Argrin laughs and vanishes in a pulse of cold air. Kriv’s revolver lands on the deck where Argrin had been.
Serilom grabs onto the railing and looks out over the harbor as Argrin’s shadows lift and the sun shines through. Vernition’s ships begin to leave the harbor and from on top of the cliffs, Commander Cailen’s men raise their swords and cheer.
“Kriv, you did it. You saved Alamay.” Serilom braces himself against the railing to catch his breath as the cannons continue to fire and the citizens emerge behind them to watch. “You’re that hero you wanted to be.” Serilom breathes a sigh of relief and stands up. He turns back to his friend and his face goes white.
The admiral drops his staff and it clanks on the deck at his feet. Kriv stares at Serilom without making a sound and his blue eyes grow darker as they brim with tears. He pulls his hand away from his stomach and the crimson spreads across the orange sash and the gold buttons. “Serilom …”
Serilom stares at him and at the blood. The air around him grows thin and Serilom can’t breathe. A cold shiver runs up his spine.
Kriv holds up his bloody hand and his voice is weak and shaking. “I’m … scared …”
“Tide-Storm!” Serilom runs to him and Kriv collapses in his arms. He lays him down on the deck. “Kriv, what happened? I, I don’t know what to do. Tell me what to do.”
Kriv is shaking and turning pale as he grasps onto Serilom’s robe. “Argrin fired my gun. It-it was going to hit you. Help me.” He coughs and blood trickles from the corner of his mouth.
“No, please. We don’t have to do this. We aren’t Alonel and Pariel. We can change the legend. What do I do? I don’t know what to do.”
“I don’t want to die.”
Serilom spreads his hands out over his friend. “You’re not going to die. Hold still. I will try something. Come on, Tilidus, please.” He closes his eyes and concentrates on the wound. Still he calls out to Tilidus, knowing that he can’t help him anymore. “Come on, don’t fail me now.” Minutes pass and Serilom feels the magic draining from him. “Damn it, why is this not working? I’m an Honored. I should be able to do this.” He looks down and Kriv has stopped shaking. “No. Kriv, stay with me. Open your eyes.”
Kriv is motionless.
“No no no no no.” He places his ear against Kriv’s chest. “Tide-Storm? Don’t do this to me. I need you.” There is a faint heartbeat. “Come on, stop bleeding. It’s not that bad.”
“Serilom …”
“Kriv, thank the Honored.” Serilom grabs his hand. “You have to stay awake for me, okay? I will get you out of this, I promise. You saved me and now it’s my turn.” He pushes back the growing pressure behind his eyes.
“I … don’t feel good.” Kriv gasps for air.
“I know, I know. But you’re going to be okay.”
Kriv lets out a deep moan.
“Ievas, save your mage! Creator!” Serilom slams his fists into the wooden deck. “Why? Help me.” The magic springs up in him again and he presses his palms into Kriv’s wound. “Yes, it’s working. It’s working, just hold on. Hold on.” He slips into the fog of concentration as he pours every bit of magic he can into his dying friend. Just as he reaches the brink of collapsing from exhaustion, Serilom looks down at Kriv.
His breathing is slow and light. The blood has soaked the entire front of his uniform.
“Help me! Someone help us. Ievas!” Serilom cries out, but the sounds of a few last cannons and people cheering drown out his screams. “They can’t hear me. Tide-Storm, I tried. I tried. I can’t do anymore.” He wipes the sweat from Kriv’s face. “Hold on, Brother. We can do this. Let me find a way to get you to shore. I already lost Ali and I can’t lose you too.”
Kriv shakes his head slightly and rests his face in Serilom’s hand.
“Don’t you dare leave me. Come back, you crazy bard.” Serilom grabs Kriv’s coat and shakes him. “Tide-Storm, look at me. Wake up, damn it. I know you can hear me.” He clasps the bard’s face in his hands. “Look up here in my eyes. What about your boat? I will get you the best boat ever, one with giant gold sails and it will be filled with more caramel cakes than you can ever eat. Don’t you want that? Lynn will be there waiting for you and you can sing that stupid song you love so much. I won’t even mind.”
The bard doesn’t answer back.
Serilom’s face is streaked with tears as he holds Kriv to his chest. “Kriv, please. Kriv!” He screams his name and it echoes against the cliffs surrounding the harbor. “You can’t go. You can’t. This isn’t supposed to end this way. Wake up. Wake up.”
Serilom holds tightly to the cold hand of his friend as his world falls to pieces around him. Every shattered emotion lacerates his soul and he struggles to breathe when the consuming darkness closes in and chokes out any hope that he had managed to build up as a defense against the world around him. Exposed and vulnerable, Serilom resigns to the knowledge that he must carry on alone without the man who has been the voice of reason in his chaotic ocean of a life.
