Staring at the family crest set into the window glass, Jinaari shook his hand. Nothing was broken from the fight, except Alesso’s nose, but there would be bruises soon.
Damn it! Who would’ve done that to Ashynn, but made it look like me? His eyes grew wide when the answer hit him. Stijyn’s not that stupid!
They had close to the same height, same hair and eyes. Jinaari was more muscular, though. It wouldn’t matter. If he’s thrown in with Samil, then there’s spells to make him look more like me. I’ve seen Adam cast illusions that did that. What did he promise you, Stijyn? A crown? It was yours ever since I renounced my position. What could you want that Samil would promise?
It wouldn’t have been Thia. Samil needs her to bring back Lolc Aon. The crown was going to be yours. Are you that impatient that you’d drive Mother crazy, discredit me and my honor, instead of waiting?
He closed his eyes, knowing the answer. The myriad of lessons, schools, and tutors that came in and out of the palace had nothing to do with a broad education and everything to do with his brother’s impatience. If he couldn’t do what he wanted within a month, it was a problem with the teacher. Never Stijyn.
Pushing away from the door, he didn’t bother to lock it. I’m not even sure this is the lodge now. I could still be under the mountain, a few feet from where Adam left with the others. But they won’t see me unless Samil makes a mistake, or Adam can find a problem with the spell.
He walked across the room and sat in one of the chairs. The meal in front of him smelled amazing. His stomach growled. How long had it been since he ate? With a sigh, he leaned forward and picked it up. They want me alive, he reasoned. I’m the guarantee that Thia will do what Samil demands. Garret, I know she’s strong enough to tell them no. My life is not worth the horror she’d go through if she agreed.
He ate in silence, trying to put the thoughts out of his head. What had Adam told him about illusions, back when they first saw the rooms at The Green Frog? Something about there always being a single thread of what was real woven into the fabric. That it had to be there, or the subject wouldn’t believe what they saw. Placing the empty plate down, he rose and began to scan the wall above the fireplace. If I can find the thread, pull it out of place somehow . . . Jinaari knew he didn’t have the stores to do it with magic, but he had the strength. One well-placed strike with his fist should do it . . .
It was tedious, but he began a minute examination of every inch of the walls. An hour later, he finished back at the first section and stepped back, swearing.
“You’ll need help, brother.”
Jinaari turned at the sound of Alesso’s voice. He stood in the room, closing the door behind him. Under his arm was something wrapped in what could be a cloak. A sword? “Not from you,” he growled, turning his back on the other man.
He heard Alesso cross the room and place two items onto the tile floor. “My life will be spent by the dawn. Should I live to see that, it will be gone before the sun sets. This I know, as I have chosen my brother over my life. I need to unburden my soul before death. Will you hear my confession, and grant me absolution in Garret’s stead?”
The ritual words hit Jinaari’s soul like a hammer strike. It’d been drilled into them since they were initiates: if a brother paladin knew death was coming, and asked to confess their sins, you heard them. To do otherwise was to go against Garret’s laws.
Turning around, he nodded once. There was only one answer he could give. “I shall do as you request. May Garret find your words complete and without guile and allow his grace to lighten your soul.” He gestured toward the two chairs before moving to sit down.
Alesso sat, drawing a breath. “I never wanted to be a paladin. My father sent me to train, after hearing you had entered as an initiate, with orders to befriend you. Our family’s fortunes were long spent. The lands sold off to settle debts, and the house itself would be closed down in another year or two because we no longer could afford staff to maintain it. It was my task to become your friend, however I could, so that we had someone sympathetic to our plight when they arrived at court. I was also to use the connection to you to find myself a wealthy bride, one whose dowry would be enough to care for us all. And, perhaps, position Ashynn to a more strategic union.
“The first day I saw you, I was stunned. You were nothing like I expected. I didn’t think you’d be as guarded as you were, suspicious of others. So, I tried to best you in the sparring ring. Outride you on a horse. Something where you’d notice me, ask me for help to improve. But you didn’t need to. Every task we were given, you excelled at.
“When word came of my family being taken, I begged the commander leave to join the search party. He denied me. Instead, he sent you.”
“He tried, but my grandfather wouldn’t allow it,” Jinaari said softly. “I was told to stand guard outside the King’s bedroom while the searchers went.”
Alesso nodded. “I believe you, but I didn’t know that then. It was one more perceived insult you gave me, one more instance where you beat me. Only, this time you would have the glory of rescuing my family while I was mucking stalls. By the time we took our vows, I didn’t see you as a brother. A fellow Paladin of Garret. You were arrogant, spoiled, and had your life laid out before you. Whereas I only had a promise I made myself to rescue my family one day.
“The jealousy grew like a cancer, second only to my hatred of the Fallen. When Garret and Keroys both picked you for the mission to Tanisal, I left before you and the commander did. I reasoned that, if I could beat you to Almair, I’d convince you to take me with you. That’s why I was at the docks. Seeing Thia . . . I saw her as a way to find my family. Instead of asking if I could come along, help out, I attacked her. I regret that. Please let her know it wasn’t personal, not that time.
“The day after I got back to the chapterhouse, Drakkus came into my room and told me to grab my gear. When I got to the courtyard, Garret was there. He told me I was going to protect the rest, including Thia, because you needed extra training. He put the geas on me so I would be forced to keep her safe and promised to speak with Lolc Aon about my family’s release. But only if Thia remained unharmed until you got back to the group. He never told me she bore Keroys’s Mark. I took the assignment for two reasons; the first was it was the best chance in thirteen years I’d had to find them.”
“The second?” Jinaari asked.
Alesso raised his head and locked eyes with him. Jinaari was shocked by the amount of hatred and jealousy in them. “The second was because I thought I could prove to all of them, including Garret, that I was better than you.” He took a deep breath and looked away. “Then, Thia brought me back from the brink of death. I found out about her father, and that she’d never even been to Byd Cudd in her life. I began to see her not as a Fallen witch, but someone who was scared every minute yet found the strength to keep moving forward. When we came out of the cave-in and encountered the Fallen, I was tempted to trade her for Ashynn. But I also knew that would jeopardize getting my mother and father free and break the geas Garret put on me. You weren’t back, Thia hadn’t dismissed me, and I wasn’t dead. No matter how much I wanted to do that trade, I knew I couldn’t.”
“And then I came back.”
He nodded. “And then you came back. Thia healed Ashynn without hesitation, even though I almost handed her over. I knew what you were doing down there and wanted to help. That’s why I tried to get you to wait while I took Ashynn back to the surface. I had to prove to you, to Thia, that I was worthy.
“It took us longer than I wanted to get to the surface. Ashynn was practically blind during the day for the first week. We managed to find a ride with someone, made it back to Almair. At the chapterhouse, I wrote a report for Drakkus, prayed. Ashynn began to come out of her shell, tell me what happened. The only thing she’d say at first was that Father was dead, but Mother was alive. I found out about a group of nuns that follow Hauk, and we set out for the convent. It was there that she gave me the letter. She’d been owned by a Barren woman, and there were instructions about how to lead Thia to one conduit. They knew you were hunting Lolc Aon, wouldn’t risk leaving her behind, and planned it perfectly. I was told they wouldn’t harm the rest of you, just take Thia home, and I’d get our mother back. Ashynn begged me to try. My geas was gone, and Garret hadn’t secured Mother’s release. I reasoned that I’d promised to free them, no matter what, before I took my vows as a paladin. While I knew Thia wasn’t fully Fallen, I didn’t believe she was worth my mother’s life. I know better, now.” He sighed. “That’s everything up until you driving your sword through my chest.”
“How you came back, the accusations you laid at my feet, need to be said. You know this.”
“Death wasn’t bad. It was the dark nothingness that surrounded me that was the worst. Knowing that it was my own recklessness, impatience, that caused so much pain. Not just for me, either. It was in death that I gained clarity when it came to Thia, realized that her purpose in this world was necessary and greater beyond any hurt pride I had about you being chosen over me. Through that blackness, I heard Ashynn screaming my name, begging me to help her. I felt my soul being forced back into my body. My lungs screamed in pain when I took that first breath. I looked over, and there she was. She was covered in blood from being beaten and whipped. The only thing that I recognized was her face. I rolled off the bed, stumbling to her, and fell. My legs wouldn’t support my weight. I was close enough to her that I could touch her, reassure her. I asked her who did that to her. All she said was, ‘He can’t do it. You have to shield Thia from him.’ It was her last act. I heard a sound and looked up. Someone that looked like you was wiping blood off his hands. He sneered at us, throwing the rag at her body, and left. Someone else lifted me up, gave me food. Helped me bury Ashynn. It was Samil. He said Thia was destined to rule Avoch, be a bridge between the Fallen and humans. And that you were keeping her captive, holding her back from doing what was necessary for your own gain. That I could be the shield that she needed, if I had the courage to do what was necessary.”
“What was that? Kill me?”
“No,” he shook his head. “I knew I couldn’t do that. For all the jealousy, I knew you were the better swordsman. My task was to get you out of Helmshouse and down a tunnel, chasing Amara. There was only one way to go. I was to wait for you, let the others escape, but take you alive. And then make sure you stayed here until Samil came back with Thia.”
“What changed?” Jinaari shifted in his chair. “Something did or you wouldn’t be here now. I cannot grant you absolution in any way unless I know everything.”
“I found the man who beat Ashynn. It wasn’t you. And,” he took a deep breath, “he’s convinced that Thia now has the Scepter of Avoch. He’s trying to get the army to march on Cirrain.”
“Who was it? And when will they start to march?”
Raising his head, he met Jinaari’s gaze. “It’s your brother, Stijyn. I overheard him talking with someone after our fight. He’s in charge, even though everyone thinks it’s your mother. He wants to burn Cirrain to the ground before the snow gets too deep.” He reached down and picked up the larger bundle on the floor. “Samil has left to try and convince Thia to join him. He took your armor, but left this behind. No one’s been able to pull it out so he could duplicate it without dying or being hurt, including your brother. Wrapping it in the cloak was the only thing I could think of, and you’ll likely need that anyway.” He held it out.
Jinaari took it, laying it across his lap. Moving aside the thick wool, he let out a deep breath. Wrapping his hand around the hilt, he drew the blade free enough to see the familiar glow. “What’s that?” he asked, nodding at the other item.
Alesso picked it up, turning the oblong box over in his hands. “Samil built this place, based on descriptions Stijyn gave him. It was made to keep you secure while he worked on Thia. If my death doesn’t happen by returning your sword to you, this will guarantee it. Samil knows his way here, because he made it. Stijyn needs help or he’d get as lost as you.” He opened the lid, showing Jinaari a pair of glasses, and placed the box on the table. “If you wear them, you’ll see what is real and not the illusions. Once your brother knows these items are missing, and you’re gone, I will tell him I did this. Please,” his voice cracked, “get out of here and find Thia before Samil does. I would die knowing you are at her side. You are the shield she deserves, Jinaari Althir.”
He removed the glasses, and looked back at Alesso. “Let death come as it will. Meet it with honor and dignity. May Garret find it in his wisdom to take your soul to his realm, my brother.”
Peace and calm came across Alesso’s face as Jinaari rose. “May Garret guide your sword, my brother,” he replied but he didn’t get up.
“You’re waiting here, then?” Jinaari asked as he unwrapped his sword and began to secure the belt to his waist.
“It is best. It won’t be more than a few hours before he discovers the theft, and I made sure I was seen coming here. You won’t be seen leaving, though.” He pointed at the glasses. “There’s more ways in and out of here than the staff know.”
He secured the cloak, throwing the hood over his head. It was large enough to hide most of his body, and the dark color would make it easier to blend into the shadows. He turned the glasses over in his hand, but nothing seemed out of place. Putting them on, he jumped as the room around him changed. The gleaming dark wood table became a pile of rubble and skulls resting on a stone floor. Glancing at Alesso, he saw him sitting on a boulder. The bookshelves and other furniture disappeared, leaving a small room with a ladder leading up.
“He put me in an oubliette?”
“It was Stijyn’s idea. I will be found, eventually. You need to be gone before then. Thia, and the others, need you.”
He walked to the ladder and reached up, putting his hands on the rungs. Looking back at Alesso, he said, “I won’t forget this.”
“Tell my mother my death this time was honorable, please.”
Nodding, Jinaari grasped the first rung tightly and pulled himself high enough to get his feet beneath him. Alesso’s confession rang in his ears. Samil he could see . . . Stijyn’s involvement angered him. All you had to do was wait a few more years! I didn’t want the throne, I never did. And what did he mean by Thia had the Scepter of Avoch? It’s been lost for centuries!
If she did have it, though, that changed everything.
Picking up the pace, he glanced up. There was still close to a hundred feet to go, but the light was brighter. Outside, then? Don’t overthink this, he told himself. Get out, make sure no one sees me, find the cave where I was when Alesso grabbed me. Samil was right about one thing; Thia would’ve browbeat Adam into bringing her back to where he’d fallen. If he could get there before Samil set the illusion . . .
Ignoring the ache in his arms, he kept going up the ladder. Reaching the top, he peered up over the edge enough to look for anyone guarding the oubliette. Seeing no one, he scrambled out and stood up.
The opening was sheltered by a large bush. The leaves had died off for the winter, revealing the long, sharp thorns that jutted out from the branches. Jinaari’s hand went for his sword, but he stopped. No sense announcing my presence, and that glow would be noticed. He pulled the cloak around him tighter; wrapping his hands into the folds of cloth to protect them. There was a small opening to his right. It wasn’t large enough to pass unscratched, but he’d get through.
The thorns snagged the cloak, but he pulled free without ripping the fabric. Five minutes later, he was beyond the brambles. Looking around, he saw a tower in the distance. A cloud passed by, and the tower shimmered into a warm green for a moment.
Helmshouse.
Remembering how far they’d walked after leaving, he turned to his left. The opening has to be this way. I only have to find it. And then find my friends.