Lights of agramont trilo.., p.49
Lights of Agramont Trilogy, page 49
*
“Serilom!” Ievas and Garonwon run to him as he steps inside the main hall.
“Where have you been?” Ievas asks.
Serilom smiles at them. He’s relieved to be back. “Agareth.”
“We figured you were in this reality after Tide-Storm showed up here.” Garonwon says.
Kriv. “Kriv was here? When?”
Ievas takes Serilom’s arm. “About three weeks ago. He … he’s changed.”
“What do you mean?” Serilom asks, but he thinks he already knows. No, it can’t be true.
Garonwon takes Serilom’s hand and leads him to the table where they sit. “Serilom … you haven’t heard?”
“Heard what? I’ve been on a boat for the past three weeks.”
“Kriv is corrupted.” Garonwon says as he pours Serilom a cup of tea and slides it across the table.
Corrupted? Not Kriv. Kriv would fight it. “You’re wrong. It wasn’t Kriv. It couldn’t have been Kriv.”
“He’s killed innocent people in Liora, Vernition, and Gorantha. The most heinous happened in Agareth where he set the market on fire.” Ievas says.
The blood drains from Serilom’s face. Hell … this isn’t good. “Kriv did that?”
Garonwon leans back in his chair. “Yes. He is killing children and defenseless men and women. We are afraid that Tide-Storm will attack Cierson next. We need your help. You know him better than all of us. Even Ievas is at a loss as to what to do about him.”
Serilom stares at the table and his mind begins to fall apart. He can’t kill him. It’s not Kriv. It can’t be Kriv.
Ievas puts his hand on Serilom’s shoulder. “Serilom … it’s over. You have to do it. The time has come to end the Tide-Storm bloodline for good.”
No. He won’t do it. He can’t kill his blood brother. “You can’t mean-”
“You have to kill him. He won’t let any of us near him.”
Serilom hides his face in his hands. “Don’t make me do this. I can’t. Can’t you just get his soul and destroy it or something? Please, just make it quick.”
“We can’t destroy souls. You have to kill him with this.” Ievas holds up the Lullaby Blade.
“But he’ll be gone forever.” Serilom says.
“That’s the point.” Ievas says. “Please don’t look at me like that. You know how much Tide-Storm means to me. If there was any other way, we would do it … but there isn’t. He’s too far gone and whether you choose to accept it or not, the demon parading around as our bard isn’t Kriv.”
Serilom takes Ievas’s hands and throws down the Lullaby Blade. “Listen, give me some time to talk to him. I’ve seen the life still in his eyes. Deep down, he’s still the man I love.”
“You’re in denial. The memory of what you two had is distorting the way you see him. It’s too dangerous for you to be alone with him. He will kill you.”
“I would rather he kill me and reclaim his soul from Argrin than me kill him and he be trapped in hell forever under the control of that monster.” Serilom says. “You may have given up on him, but I never will. I swore to him that I would stay at his side and believe in him no matter what kind of hell we have to fight through. On the other side of the darkness, my Kriv will be there. I know it.”
“Childish ignorance isn’t suitable for the Honored of Wisdom.” Ievas says. “You are blind to anything bad Tide-Storm does because you are so helplessly in love with him. He is making you weak. He is a threat to all of us. Eradicate the problem before you find yourself corrupted as well. Tide-Storm was a mistake. We all acknowledge that now and so should you.”
Serilom stands. “I will never think that way about him. Kriv is a good man. He may be struggling, but he is good at heart. You will see. He has too much good to give to the world to be a mistake. Nice to know that the person who saved my life many times was a mistake. If that’s true, then Kriv Tide-Storm is the best mistake that has ever been made.”
“Serilom, what he’s done can’t be overlooked.” Garonwon says. “You are bound to him and he could drag you down with him. We can’t afford to lose you. If Argrin is able to corrupt an Honored and harness that amount of magic, we might not be able to stop it. He could do whatever he wanted and no one could stand up to him. You’ve seen how powerful he is.”
“I don’t care. I can’t give up.”
Ievas motions to the hallway. Four armed guards approach Serilom and draw their swords.
“What’s this?” Serilom asks as he steps back.
“To ensure you don’t go back to Tide-Storm. Shackle him.” Ievas says.
Is he joking? “Ievas, don’t do this. There’s no need for hostility.” He tries to pull away, but two more guards step up behind him and shackle his wrists. “Garonwon, talk some sense into Ievas, will you?”
“Ievas is right. Now if you want to be a free man, I suggest you follow our instructions. First off, you don’t have the power to question us. Second, Tide-Storm is on his way here. You are to fight him and take his life. You are the only one who can get close enough to him. Once he’s in this building, you are to engage him. Do not let him get away. Is that understood?”
Serilom stares at the floor. So much for peace. “I’ll do it.” Even as he agrees, Serilom knows that he can’t kill Kriv. His mind will shut down and prevent him from doing it. He loves him too much.
Ievas embraces Serilom and whispers in his ear. “You made the right choice. It would be a shame for you to end up like Tilidus.”
Serilom looks at Ievas. “Are you threatening me?”
“Am I? Are you willing to test me and find out? You’re the one in shackles.” He turns to the guards. “Take him to his room. Don’t let him leave this building. Serilom, you will do this and you will learn to obey.”
Serilom feels his face turning red with the rage that is flaring up in him. He screams at them. “I’m an Honored too. I have my own rights.”
“You have to earn that first, boy.” Garonwon says as the guards drag Serilom off.
12
Argrin leans back in his throne and claps his hands. “Very nice work in Vernition. It’s time for you to destroy Cierson.”
Kriv glares at him. This isn’t what he promised. “Now? I asked for two months. It’s only been a week and a half.”
“I don’t care. Make it work. You have to strike now while the focus is on Vernition.”
“But I haven’t had a chance to prepare.” Kriv says as his fists tighten.
Argrin waves his hand dismissively. “That’s not my problem. You’re sailing today so get down to the ship and get your crew together.”
“Do I at least get more ships to accompany me?” Kriv asks.
“No. You will use your ship and nothing else.”
This isn’t going to turn out well. “If I face any resistance, one frigate isn’t going to stand up to Cierson’s navy. If you have forgotten, I used to be their admiral. I know that they have at least one galleon and two frigates still seaworthy. They have at least twenty cannons on the cliffs that can be mobilized at any time for defense of the harbor. If you want me to come back alive, then I need a fleet of ships.”
Argrin stands. “You will go with your one ship, you will slaughter every person you see, then you will storm the Mage Council and assassinate the Honored. Your lover is there too. He just arrived from Agareth. Make sure you have a nice sweet reunion. Make it interesting for me. I will be watching.”
Serilom. Not now. What can Kriv do against the man he loves? “If you want me dead, why not do it yourself right now? Save your resources and energy sending me on a suicide mission.” Kriv says as the frustration swells in his chest.
“Not another word, Tide-Storm. Oh, one more thing. Don’t kill Serilom. I want him captured alive. He’s worth more that way.”
Captured? “How am I supposed to do that?”
“Doesn’t matter.” Argrin says. “Figure it out, Admiral. Use your irresistible charms on him. He’s like putty in your hands. You don’t realize the control you have over him. That’s a good thing. Maybe he’ll come around and see the truth.”
“Why are you making me do this?” Kriv asks.
“Because it’s always better to be betrayed by someone you love. What was that you said? The knife in your back is duller than the one placed lovingly in your chest?”
“You were watching me even back then?” Kriv asks.
“I’ve been watching you since the battle in Alamay.”
“Why? Why are you so fixated on controlling me? What do I have to offer you that you can’t get from someone else?”
Argrin smiles. “You want to know the truth? I want to break you. You are a challenge for me and it’s entertaining.”
“So I’m some sort of toy for you to manipulate?” Kriv asks, almost shouting.
“Precisely.”
“Bastard.” Kriv whispers.
Argrin stands and crosses his arms. “Say it again and see what happens to you.”
Kriv grits his teeth then takes a deep breath. He has to stay calm or things will only get worse for him. He turns to the door. “I’ll be going now, Master.”
“That’s what I thought.”
*
For the first time in his life, Kriv doesn’t want to be sailing. He doesn’t want to be on this bloody ship with the incompetent crew that is too ignorant to even realize that they are unwittingly serving a demon. Not only that, but it’s a horrifyingly terrible day to be on the water. He can barely see the entire bow of the ship let alone anything around them. Everything is a dull shifting grey fog that is consuming the sun, the sky, and the water. A cold breeze whips around him and it begins to rain, gently at first, then harder until the pelting of the rain on the deck is almost deafening. If he really wanted to, he could probably stop it, but he doesn’t care enough to try. It just might be enough of a veil to keep the crew from seeing his uncertainty and apprehension.
He gives control of the wheel to the helmsman and wipes the water from his face. “Half sails, men. Keep a look out for any ships in this fog.”
One of the men calls out above the noise. “A galleon, sir. Looks like it’s Cierson’s.”
At least someone can see something in this weather. A galleon, huh? This should prove entertaining. “Prepare to engage.” Kriv says.
“Admiral! We can’t take it one on one. They’re bigger, stronger, and more heavily armed then we are.”
“We’re faster. Besides, we have the wind on our side.” Kriv concentrates on the wind and wills it to change direction. “Lower the sails, men. Get us up next to the galleon. I want to see who the captain is.”
“Admiral, are we to ready the cannons?”
Kriv looks through his spyglass as the rain tapers off. Then he sees it, the thing that lets him know that Cierson learned nothing he taught them. “First off, I give the orders. Second, from the looks of it, we might not need cannons after all. These Cierson idiots are dumb and don’t understand that gunpowder is dangerous. Does anyone have a bow and arrow? I saw one earlier.”
Someone runs off and returns with a short bow and a quiver of arrows.
“Thank you.” Kriv readies an arrow and calls out. “Are any of you mages of Ravier? I need some fire.”
“I have flint and steel, sir.”
“That will work. Light this for me, will you?”
“Yes, sir.” He does and steps back.
Kriv grins. “Wanna see what happens when fire meets gunpowder?” Please be dry. Please catch fire. This might be their only chance of actually sinking the galleon. They have twice as many cannons and even though it’s Cierson, Kriv did train them, after all. He draws the bow and lets the arrow fly. For a second, Kriv holds his breath as the crew on the other ship scurries about and shouts. Then the explosion rings out and he grins. “Get on that ship and take no prisoners. We aren’t pirates and their goods have no value to us. I want every soul dead. Leave the captain for me.”
Kriv jumps up on the railing and grabs a rope. He swings across and lands on the deck. The ship is already taking on water and without the rain, it’s burning. Good. He had worried it would be too wet. Drawing his revolver, he makes his way to the captain’s quarters.
The captain runs out of his cabin with cutlass drawn. Kriv grins. He knows exactly who this man is. “Nice ship, Captain Myar.”
Myar’s mouth falls open. “Admiral Tide-Storm?”
“The same.” Kriv aims his gun at him.
“You’re dead.”
“Obviously I’m not. But you’re about to be. What goods are you transporting?” Kriv asks as his crew storms the ship and sets about slaughtering the crew.
Myar glances around and takes a step back, holding up his cutlass in front of him. “Um … some cloth … and gunpowder.”
Kriv shakes his head. “You shouldn’t have told me that. Men, set it all on fire. I want to sink it.” He holds his dagger in his left hand and locks eyes with Myar. “You and I have a score to settle, Myar. Where were you in Alamay?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was on my frigate fighting against Vernition. I saw your signals and did what you ordered.”
“Did you?” Kriv asks. “And what did you do when the signals stopped?”
Myar is visibly shaking. “I thought we had won. I had no idea that you were …”
“You never thought to check, did you?”
“Tide-Storm! I was the one who found you and Serilom. I tried to save you. I had medics and healers. I tried. Then we took Serilom to the Mage Council.”
“Are you scared?”
“Yes. You can’t be real. You’re a ghost.” Captain Myar says.
“I’m done talking in circles with you, Myar.” Kriv calls up a wave that washes over the deck, sweeping Myar off of his feet and over the side of the boat.
Kriv goes to see that he is gone and is surprised when he finds Myar holding desperately onto the deck. His fingers are slipping and Kriv knows he can’t stay that way for long. He puts away his weapons and sits down on the side of the boat. “You know, I could save you. Can you swim? I have all manner of fun ways to make you scream. But which one to use? There’s impaling, electrocution, oh and one of my personal favorites … keelhauling. The last one lets me imagine your screams as you drown. It’s almost poetic.”
Desperation and panic rises in Myar’s voice. “Tide-Storm, I don’t want to fight you. What is going on? Something’s controlling you. Please just help me up.”
“What kind of ship captain can’t swim? I like this. You’re a good man at heart so we’re going to play a little game.”
“Tide-Storm, please! I can’t hold on much longer.”
“I know, I know.” Kriv grins. “How many fingers do you really need to hold on?”
“Don’t. You wouldn’t.”
Kriv pulls out his knife and presses it against Myar’s fingers. “I would. Tell you what … if you can manage to hold on with two fingers gone on each hand, then I will help you up. How’s that?”
“Damn it, Tide-Storm. You’re a spineless bastard.”
“Fine. We don’t have to play the game. I’ll just laugh as you drown.” He slams the hilt of the dagger into Myar’s hands and he falls into the water. Kriv sighs and when he smells smoke, he remembers what the ship is carrying. His crew is already leaving the ship. “Get away from here. The entire thing is going up. The hull is packed with gunpowder.” Kriv shouts as he runs across to the bow of the ship and dives into the water. He swims as fast as he can to get away before it explodes.
*
When the galleon sinks, Kriv watches safely from the shore a short distance from Alamay. He’s soaked and the water still has ice floating in it. Again, he never claimed to be the smartest man alive. As he’s shaking and rubbing his arms in a feeble attempt to warm up, he heads up the beach. On his way, he concentrates on his magic and draws the water out of his revolver. If he’s going up against Serilom, he will need it working and ready to do its job. He has to injure Serilom, not kill him. He has to control his bloodlust that is already beginning to claw at his mind.
When he reaches the beach, he runs up onto the streets and looks around at all the people. They don’t know it yet, but soon they will all be dead. Kriv holds up his gun and fires six shots into the crowds. As the people scream, he ducks behind a building and reloads. This is invigorating. He doesn’t even feel the cold from his wet clothes anymore. His heart is racing and he can barely control his laughter. Taking aim, he peers around the corner and fires again. A crying woman tries to hide behind the same building. This simply won’t do. He goes to her and puts his hand around her throat.
Kriv holds the woman close as he whispers to her. “Shh … it’s all right. Kriv Tide-Storm is here. You have nothing to fear now except me.” He stabs the blade into her back and she crumples to the ground. Sliding his knife from the woman, he steps over her and makes his way down the street.
He slides one of the torches off the side of the building and begins setting everything in sight on fire. The screams only make him move faster until anything that can burn is burning. The thick smoke mixes with the fog creating a noxious soup-like atmosphere. Kriv wraps a bandana around his mouth and nose. His eyes are stinging, but the hatred is fueling him and he has to see all of Alamay burn. Something explodes and he feels the heat on his back as he runs past the courtyard.
He stops in an alley to catch his breath where the air is fresher. A woman runs past the alley and Kriv dashes to her. He puts his arm around the woman’s throat and grabs her from behind. He presses the blade against her neck.
She grabs at his arms and her voice is small and timid. “Kriv?”
The woman’s voice shocks him back to his senses. He lets her go and stares at her. Nathisa. He can’t kill her. He can’t kill Serilom’s mother.
“Tide-Storm, what are you doing?” She asks as she rubs her neck and backs away from him.
