The Shadow Games: The Chronicles of Arianthem VI Read online

  The woman laughed and brushed her hair out of her eyes. “You don’t have to thank me, you silly thing. You are my lover. And my—, our bed has missed you.”

  The thought warmed the girl as the woman settled down beside her, her arm draped over her stomach. They were quiet for a moment, peaceful in the sunbeam that fell upon the couch from the window. The room was full of fine furnishings, a kind, beautiful woman embraced her, and colorful flowers were visible through the window pain. She felt lucky beyond belief.

  “How is your strength, my love? I don’t want to exhaust you. Your injury was severe and as much as I’ve missed you, I don’t want to delay your recovery.”

  “I think,” the girl said uncertainly, then with growing surety, “I think I feel fine.”

  “Good,” the woman said, outwardly pleased.

  Inwardly, the sorceress made a note to herself. She would have to double the strength of the “elixir” she was giving to the girl. She said it would heal the young woman while in reality it was mildly poisoning her to keep her in a constant state of weakness.

  Chapter 4

  Dallan and Rika were comfortably settled in front of the fireplace with some mead when Raine walked in, accompanied by Feyden and Lorifal. Both Ha’kan jumped to their feet, greeting Raine with no formality and near-worship, and she returned their warm greeting. The elf and dwarf also greeted the two Ha’kan, having grown to respect them during the recent time they had spent in the Ha’kan capital. Lorifal had taken a particular liking to the future First General because she shared his passion for drinking and very near his tolerance, which was rare for any non-dwarf.

  The three removed the small armory they were carrying, populating all the decorative weapon racks against the wall, then also settled in front of the fireplace. A servant brought in some wine for Feyden, and an anise liqueur for Lorifal and Raine.

  Dallan could not contain herself any longer. “Have you heard anything?”

  Raine was touched by the plaintive note in the voice of the Princess and was saddened to disappoint her. “No.” Both Ha’kan looked crestfallen, so Raine was fast to continue. “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

  Dallan was asking about Skye, the young leader of the Tavinter who was friend, lover, and comrade of the Ha’kan. She was greatly cherished by the Royal Staff, and both Dallan and Rika were quite in love with her, a simultaneity that would provoke conflict in any other culture, but was completely normal for the Ha’kan. Skye had been abducted by a powerful sorceress who held a great grudge against Skye’s great-grandfather, an equally powerful wizard. And Skye had only recently become aware of her relationship to this wizard, Isleif, whom she had revered all her life.

  Skye was also dear to Raine, but her abduction cut Raine to the quick for other reasons. Raine suspected that Skye had been kidnapped in order to lay a trap for her. Raine had created a connection between herself and Skye to save Skye from certain death when she had been poisoned by the sorceress’ magic. The filament was not magic, it was a physical bond between them, which might reveal Raine’s presence if she approached. It frustrated her that she, the most capable of retrieving Skye safely, could not even look for her. But the filament also allowed Raine to get a sense of Skye’s condition, a condition which relieved and puzzled her.

  “You are sure that she is with that sorceress and was not taken by Hel?” Dallan asked.

  The mention of the goddess caused Raine to pale slightly and clench her jaw. This was the one she feared, the one who had provided a distraction when Skye was taken, the one who undoubtedly was laying a trap for her.

  “Here is what I know: Skye is alive, because I would sense her death instantly. She has not been taken from the mortal realm, and Hel cannot stay here for any length of time. Skye is not in pain or in distress, or I would feel it. And although we cannot be certain who took her, both Isleif and Talan believe that the hand of the sorceress is in this.”

  “But how can that be? How could that witch hold her?” Rika asked. “Skye is strong, she’s smart, she’s tricky. She would fight, she would escape!”

  “I agree,” Raine said, “it doesn’t make sense.”

  “Perhaps the sorceress has her under some sort of spell,” Feyden suggested.

  “Skye’s magic has become very strong ,” Dallan argued. “A short time ago she thought she had no magical ability at all, and yet I have seen her do extraordinary things. She would fight off any spell.”

  “Perhaps,” Raine said. “Skye’s raw talent is undeniable, and Idonea has already begun shaping that talent to great effect. But as you said, a short time ago she knew nothing of her magical abilities. And the sorceress is powerful.”

  “But you’ve heard nothing?” Dallan asked.

  “No, Idonea has meditated with both Y’arren and Isleif to see if they can sense her or the sorceress, and they have felt nothing. Which means that the sorceress is also lying very low. What of the Tavinter?”

  Skye’s people were the best trackers and scouts in all of Arianthem, and although few in number, they had fanned out and were combing the known world for their beloved leader.

  Dallan’s disappointment was again evident. “They have found nothing thus far. And if the Tavinter can’t find her, I fear no one can.”

  “Don’t lose heart,” Raine said, “she will be returned to us.”

  Just then, Nerthus was ushered into the room and another round of greetings ensued. Nerthus was wearing an attractive ensemble that caught Rika’s eye, for Nerthus was rarely seen without her armor. Previously, Rika had found Idonea’s attraction to the Knight Commander a bit puzzling. Although all sex was pleasurable, their dalliance possessed a passion that seemed disproportionate given the Knight Commander’s gruff and somewhat cold demeanor. Now Rika started to see things in a new light: the Knight Commander’s breasts were a wonder to behold.

  Nerthus’ flushed a little beneath the Ha’kan’s pronounced inspection, although the attention did not displease her. Dallan elbowed Rika anyway. The Ha’kan worshipped the female figure and did not hide their admiration, but they were not at home right now.

  “We were just discussing the abduction of the Tavinter ruler. Have your sources found anything?” Raine asked.

  Nerthus settled with a tankard of mead. “No, and I’ve put the best spies of the Empire to work. No one has reported anything.”

  Raine sighed. “The Lady Jorden has put her—,” she hesitated ever-so-briefly, “her people to work as well. They have heard nothing.”

  The Lady Jorden possessed a network of spies that rivaled that of the Alfar and probably exceeded that of the Empire. And although several in the room knew of Jorden’s secret identity, it was unlikely that the Empire was aware that “Lagmann,” the allegedly male head of the notorious Guild of Thieves, was actually an imperial noblewoman. It was not Raine’s place to reveal that secret.

  “I will meet with the elven ambassador tomorrow, to see if the Alfar know anything,” Raine said. “Which reminds me. How are talks between the Alfar and Empire going?”

  “Much better this time around,” Nerthus said. “Most have been low-level, although the Ambassador and the Emperor meet tomorrow. It should be interesting because the Emperor is unused to dealing with someone more arrogant than he is.”

  Raine hid a smile. It was an unsubtle jab at Maeva, who was indeed coldly arrogant and a terror to deal with, but it was also a tacit admission that the Emperor himself could be something of an ass. It indicated Nerthus was warming to their company for she never would have made such a revealing comment before.

  “Good. Has he met Kiren and been assured of her safety?”

  “He meets her tomorrow.”

  “Excellent.” Raine’s countenance darkened a shade. “Have you briefed your troops on the threat of assassination?”

  “Yes,” Nerthus said, “we are all on high alert protecting
the Emperor, and the elven Ambassador as well. Although the security around her is so tight they hardly need our assistance.”

  “That is good to hear,” Feyden said quietly. He had felt torn as to whether to accompany Raine or stay by Maeva’s side.

  Nerthus flushed a little at her earlier comment about the arrogance of the elven Ambassador. She had forgotten that the Ambassador was Feyden’s sister. She turned to the two Ha’kan. “And that is the reason you were treated so poorly in the courtyard, so my apologies. But my men have been instructed to question everyone.”

  This seemed to trigger a thought in Raine. She turned to Dallan and Rika. “And how is that your mother let you two wander off by yourselves?”

  Dallan tried to appear indignant. She, Rika, and Skye had first met Raine and her lover Talan when they were still at the Academy, hardly more than children. Raine had rescued them from a mass of Horde Shards, killing the Hyr’rok’kin with abandon. The three had worshipped her on sight. And although time had passed, Dallan had become a respected warrior and assumed her royal role, Rika was in charge of an entire regiment and training for her future role, Raine could still make them feel like children.

  Dallan’s effort at indignation failed. “We didn’t come alone,” she confessed.

  “Senta would never allow that,” Rika added.

  “Well, the First General is very wise, as is the Queen. Since I haven’t seen anyone, I assume you came with the Tavinter?”

  “Yes,” Dallan said. “They accompanied us the entire way and wait outside the city walls. There are probably some within the city as well.”

  Raine nodded. That made sense. The Tavinter possessed stealth as none other and the two Ha’kan were probably never even seen on their long journey from Haldis to the imperial capital.

  “You must be careful,” Raine cautioned Dallan. “You were a target at the assassination attempt.”

  “We all were,” Dallan said, nodding to Nerthus, who had also been the target of one of the arrows Raine had swatted from the sky. “But you saved us.”

  Raine sighed heavily. The assassination attempt in the Ha’kan capital had nearly ruined everything. But there had been no single target, a detail Raine realized only after the fact. It was a crime of opportunity with multiple targets, the objective being to sow suspicion and destroy the nascent alliances that were forming.

  “And how goes your battle against the undead?” Rika asked, a little envious. Although she was fully committed to her role in finding Skye, killing a bunch of vampyres sounded like fun.

  “It’s interesting, to say the least,” Raine said, clearing her throat as she remembered the bouncing breasts coming at her from across the room.

  “Hmmph,” Feyden said, also recalling the well-endowed, half-naked vampyr.

  Although all present were aware that the assassins in Haldis were vampyres, none but Feyden and Lorifal were aware of the significance. All knew that Raine had slain four professional killers, mercenaries who were vampyre. What some did not know is that these killers were members of the Shadow Guild, the elite of the elite within the Assassin’s Guild. Raine did not share this knowledge because the knowledge was deadly: those who knew about the Shadow Guild were invariably their next victim. She told Lorifal and Feyden because they were helping her hunt, and because it seemed natural to do so with comrades who had accompanied her to the Gates of the Underworld itself.

  “But, unfortunately, we haven’t learned anything about the assassins that were in Haldis. I’m just hoping to attract enough attention that whoever is responsible will come looking for me.”

  Lorifal gazed at her from beneath shaggy eyebrows. He was certain the Shadow Guild would come looking for Raine very soon. She had killed four of their members in the failed assassination attempt, which was unheard of. She was purposely leaving a most reckless trail. And although Raine had carefully guarded her identity for over three centuries, the last few decades, indeed the last few years had raised her profile dramatically. Many had heard of the mythic creature, the last survivor of two extinct races, and although she was skilled at passing unseen, more and more she was being recognized.

  Which was evident by the next topic of conversation.

  “Although your presence has been successfully hidden from the Emperor,” Nerthus said, addressing Dallan, “yours has not.”

  “Mine?” Raine said in surprise. “Since when does the Emperor care of my coming and going?”

  “He does not know specifically of you,” Nerthus responded. “He only knows that the mysterious owner of Fireside has returned. And he greatly desires to meet this wealthy imperial citizen. My visit here has probably not gone unnoticed.”

  “Well, you’re going to have to do your best to distract him. I’m not one for ceremony or socializing. Although,” Raine said thoughtfully, “the owner of Fireside might have some influence with him?”

  “Yes, but no more than the Dragon’s Lover.”

  Nerthus referred to the poem that had immortalized the epic quest to close the Gates of the Underworld two decades before. Raine had been the central character in the verse, although Dagna had written it skillfully enough that Raine was able to maintain a degree of anonymity.

  “But that’s just it,” Raine said, “I don’t wish to reveal my full identity unless I have to. Although many have heard of me, I’m still able to pass most places unnoticed.”

  Feyden snorted. Raine attracted attention everywhere she went.

  “You know what I mean,” Raine said, punching him in the arm. “Wait, I have a most excellent idea.”

  Raine’s tone made Nerthus a little nervous.

  “The owner of Fireside will accompany the elven Ambassador tomorrow.”

  “But you just said you wished to remain unseen.”

  “Don’t worry about the details. Just follow my lead.”

  Nerthus did not like any of this; she disliked uncertainty. But she trusted Raine and would do as she asked.

  “I don’t suppose there is any chance that your lover will be there?” Nerthus asked. “If there is anyone in Arianthem he would like to meet more than the owner of Fireside, it is her.”

  Raine grinned. “I doubt that my love would deign to meet with the Emperor. Dragons are particular about their company and she more than any. You should feel fortunate she paid you any attention at all.”

  Nerthus’ pale features reddened once more. The dragon had terrified her and given her a less-than-subtle warning about her intentions toward Idonea. As ravishing as that dark-haired mage was, Nerthus was not certain she would have pursued Idonea had she known her mother was a dragon.

  “I will accompany you tomorrow,” Feyden said. “It will give me a chance to greet my sister.”

  “And I will stay here and drink with the future First General,” Lorifal said, a plan of which Rika very much approved.

  “So where is Talan?” Dallan asked.

  “My love is far, far away. As far away as she can be and still be in this world,” Raine said.

  Chapter 5

  Talan settled into the plush cushions of the circular settee, and Kylan flowed into a seated position across from her. A filmy veil surrounded the seating area and separated them from the rest of the room, giving the suggestion of privacy but not its actuality. Various men and women, all beautiful and perfect in form, sprawled about the room in various stages of undress. Indeed, the room looked to be more of a harem than a throne room, and the fact that many of the occupants were engaged in near-sexual acts only added to this atmosphere of a boudoir. And this stunning array of occupants, all dragons in their alternate form, were very intrigued by the two Ancients seated in the veiled enclosure. Their mistress was mesmerizing on her own, but these two together were utterly spellbinding.

  “I like what you’ve done with the place,” Talan said drily.

  “You know I am driven by p
assion,” Kylan said. “And I accomplish far more when my needs are met on a regular basis. Our lust often gets us into trouble.”

  “Yes,” Talan said, “it does.”

  The lust of the dragons was renowned and that of the Ancients, the stuff of legend. Talan had long thought it was the dark magic that permeated their being, for it seemed that magic was at times merely a form of sexual energy. And although the dragons controlled that energy by continually sating themselves, that release often had repercussions.

  “And despite my many assignations,” Kylan continued, “I think you have me beat, both in number, and shall we say, the distinction of your list.”

  “You refer to the goddess.”

  Kylan leaned forward, unable to resist. “Did you really have a fling with Hel? By the gods, what were you thinking?”

  “I wasn’t thinking, obviously. And what little thought I put into it told me it would be a short affair.”

  “But it was not.”

  “No,” Talan said, “it was quite prolonged, and although sexually satisfying, very dangerous.”

  “More dangerous than ending it?” Kylan said.

  “That remains to be seen,” Talan said. She was quiet for a moment, then continued. “My love is in great peril because of me.”

  Kylan was effervescent in personality and would not allow Talan to be somber. “Hel could have taken her vengeance upon you at any time. On you, on your children, on your many, many, many lovers,” she said with emphasis, “and yet now, a millennium later she has chosen Raine. And from what I’ve heard of your love, Hel would have come after her, anyway, so at least she does so with Raine under your protection.”

  The reasoning was unconvincing yet soothed Talan nonetheless. “I am not certain my love needs my protection. She is a force of nature.”

  Kylan leaned forward again. “So I have heard. Tell me of her! Is she really half Scinterian and half Arlanian?”

  “She is,” Talan said, “a most perfect mixture of both races.”

  “And how can that be?” Kylan asked. “The Arlanians, poor creatures, could not reproduce outside of their race. The Divine knows I had more than my fair share of them, fragile little things, and they thought it a blessing to pass into extinction.”