Chapter 37 #2
I felt the pull again. Stronger. My gaze was drawn to the black vase. I stared at it, too long, too hard. What stirred in me then? Curiosity, fear, desire. My feet began to move toward it of their own accord.
“Nerissa, no,” Aidenar tried to stop me.
He didn’t reach me in time. My hand came down upon the black bowl.
At once I saw a fortress of black stone in the midst of a dead, ashen desert. Torches and flames burned along the walls.
But the fire was wrong. Blue, perhaps, or violet. There was something unnatural about it. Was it Emberhold? No. It felt different.
I was flying above the stronghold. I saw towers and walls and courtyards. Within the walls men hammered at armor, helms and blades. Beyond the fortress, camp upon camp stretched out, tents and lines of men. Hundreds of them, thousands.
My gaze drew me inside the castle. To a large throne room. In the center of which stood a black vase.
I began to fall faster and faster, and all I saw were eyes. Black eyes. His eyes.
I tore my hand from the vase.
My gaze returned to the cave, my legs buckled beneath me. I almost fell if it weren’t for Aidenar. I had to gather my thoughts.
“Nerissa.” His voice was sharp with fear. “What happened?”
I tried to steady my breath.
“I saw…” I pressed my fingers to my temples, but the images clung there. “I saw a city. A fortress of black stone in the middle of a desert. And an army. Thousands of warriors. Armed, ready.”
“Emberhold,” he asked.
“No,” I answered, shaking my head. “It was them. The Lords of Plague. They are marching to war.”
Aidenar went still, his jaw tightening.
“Dricus... we have to warn him,” I said, my thoughts still spinning around the vision.
“We are going back to the castle,” he answered. “I will send men here to destroy the vase. Just to be sure.”
We rode back to Durminas. When we got to the main court we heard horns and a guard came running, breathless.
“My Lord... the Dorthals. They’ve arrived with an army.”
Aidenar stood for a moment, then said with all calmness, “Open the gate. Everyone leave the square.”
The courtyard emptied in a rush of fear. Doors slammed. People vanished into buildings and archways. An army. Was this war?
“Go upstairs,” Aidenar said.
I met his gaze with my stubborn resistance.
“Neri. Please.” His voice softened, just enough. “It’s my home. Let me take care of it.”
I sighed. Whatever he was planning I wanted to show him my trust. But I wasn’t sure he was ready for what was coming. I retreated to the lowest terrace, where a crowd of people had already gathered. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Minerva on her study balcony, watching.
Aidenar stayed on the front steps, alone.
The army entered the castle boroughs, most remained beyond the gate, a looming threat.
At the front, a smaller escort rode in with Magnus Dorthal at its head.
Their horses were magnificent creatures, all muscle and gleaming coats.
Their armor bore the Dorthal crest, polished to mirror-brightness.
Green banners snapped in the gentle breeze. Like a beautiful army from old ballads.
Magnus dismounted with his guards. His armor was pristine—lustrous, unmarred, clearly never tested in actual battle. Emeralds glittered obscenely in the sunlight. He was standing in contrast to Aidenar. Who waited alone, unarmed, only his pale hair stirring faintly in the breeze.
“Greetings, Lord Cavareth.”
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Aidenar’s tone was carefully neutral.
“Oh, I think you know.” Magnus smiled. “We’ve come to collect certain... lost items.”
“Lost? I don’t know what you mean,” Aidenar replied
“Let’s not play games,” Magnus replied smoothly. “You know exactly why I’m here. Better for everyone if we settle this now. Peacefully,” Magnus emphasized the last word.
“Anything taken from our land belongs to us.”
“Do not exaggerate.” Magnus lifted his hands in a mock gesture of reason. “Those mountains border our territory as well. If you failed to exploit those sources earlier, that’s hardly our problem. Since we did all the hard work, common courtesy would dictate you return what’s ours.”
“Courtesy? What’s yours?” He descended one step. “You rob my lands and have the audacity to ride here and demand anything?”
Another step down. The air seemed to thicken.
“You will take your men. Ride beyond that gate, and your feet will never touch my soil again.”
“Oh, I thought we were friends.” Magnus’s smile turned cruel while he started pacing around the courtyard. “So many feasts. So much wine. So many women. Together.” His gaze lifted, and found me on the balcony. “Well, well. What do we have here? Wild beast from the islands.”
My fingers gripped the balustrade until my knuckles went white.
“You could have had everything Cavareth. Regency. Velena. But I see you let your emotions get the better of you.” He tilted his head, eyes still on me. “Have you tasted yet what she guards so fiercely?”