After the Dimensions

By T.M. Nielsen

Book 4 of the Dimensions Saga

Kyrin tries to fit into Paragoy once she’s no longer able to shift through the dimensions. Alric struggles to help her, but she keeps more of her evil tendencies to herself. Sithias begins his bid to get Kyrin to join him, as the trolls come forward as a new enemy.

Sithias finally offers the twins a place as his followers, and Kyrin fights against it. The deity sends someone to help her that ends up being more of a nuisance. The elves join the humans in Valhara and Kyrin immediately clashes with them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: T.M. Nielsen
• Release date: Aug 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476407371

T.M. Nielsen

T.M. Nielsen doesn't necessarily consider herself an author. She's an every-day woman who had a story to tell. Never intending to let anyone else read it, she decided to put it all down on paper. What she ended up with is a fascinating tale filling books full of drama, adventure, action, romance, and excitement.When asked why she decided to publish, she stated, "I want for others to be able to forget about problems in life and to lose themselves in my world... the world of the heku. While I write, I laugh, cry, grin, gasp, and my heart races. I want others to experience that too."T.M. Nielsen is a computer tech by trade and lives with her husband and two beautiful daughters. She's the author of Amazon.com's bestselling series The Heku Series and the Dimensions Saga, along with a Heku Series spin-off book called Return of the Encala. She's been listed numerous times on Apple's Breakout Books and on Amazon.com's top 20 in Fantasy.**** From TM ****I updated my books all the time! Check back often for new, cleaner versions. I can't afford an editor, but any time I hear of an error, I fix it immediately.

Book preview

After the Dimensions

Dimensions Saga Book 4

By T.M. Nielsen

Published by T.M. Nielsen at Smashwords

Find us at

http://www.dimensionssaga.com

Copyright © 2012 by T.M. Nielsen

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Run! Ryche yelled, taking off through the orchard. Sedomer was on his heels as they wove in and out of the trees.

Come back here! Finn’s eldest daughter called out, running after them. At 5-years-old, the twins were already faster than her, and she was supposed to be watching them.

She stopped and looked around the orchard, waiting for a sign from one of the twins to give away their location. When she heard laughter off to her left, she ran toward them and tackled Sedomer, pinning him to the ground and tickling him.

Get off! Ryche screamed, jumping onto her back. He started pulling at her ponytail. Don’t hurt my brother!

Sedomer was laughing and squirming to get out from under the girl. He finally managed to catch her off guard, and with Ryche pulling her backward, she fell onto her back. The twins immediately tackled her, and she was laughing too hard to get away.

Hey, boys! Alric said, pulling his sons off of her. You’re going to hurt her.

Finn’s daughter scrambled to her feet and bowed. I’m sorry, my Lord. I didn’t see you.

She’s a girl! Ryche yelled, pulling against his dad’s restraining arm.

Sorry about that. They’re getting big, Alric said with an apologetic smile.

They’re fine.

Are you okay then?

Yes, my Lord.

Thanks for watching them, he said, still holding onto the twins while they struggled to get away from him.

She smiled at the twins and then turned and walked toward the city. Alric watched her go, amazed at how quickly she’d grown into a beautiful young woman. He had heard rumors that one of the higher-ranking knights was thinking about asking her out on a date but was too afraid to ask Finn’s permission.

Come on, Alric said, pulling his sons toward the castle. He worried about how quickly they were growing and knew that soon, they would be able to team up and overpower their sitters. Luckily, Kyrin was used to dealing with them and could control them as well as he could, no matter their size.

Finn saw them coming and threw Sedomer over his shoulder. Where’d Anni go?

I think she ran home to hide, Alric said, grinning sheepishly.

Oh, she loves watching the twins.

Put me down! Sedomer yelled.

Wait. Who said that? Finn asked, spinning. Sedomer started to laugh again, and Alric walked into the dining hall with Ryche.

Finn left once Sedomer was seated. It wasn’t long before the chefs brought in the appetizer.

Where’s Mom? Ryche asked, starting to eat.

I’m not sure, actually, Alric told him.

She likes to walk.

Yes, she does.

I’m sorry! Kyrin said, running in. She kissed each of the twins on the top of the head before sitting down.

Alric smiled as she sat down. We were starting to wonder if we’d have to send the forces out to find you.

I got sidetracked, she said, starting on dinner when the chef delivered it.

You’re burned again, he said, taking another bite.

Damn, Kyrin sighed, looking at her hand.

Do I want to know what you were casting at?

Nothing dangerous.

Just the cave wall again?

How do you even know about that?

He smiled. I’m the king.

You’re the nosey king.

So, what brought on the cave abuse?

It wasn’t the cave this time.

Ryche stood up angrily. Did the Qualsax hit you?

Sit down, Ryche, Kyrin said, trying not to laugh. It wasn’t the Qualsax.

He sat down but watched her.

Eat

After a few seconds, he turned back to his dinner.

Here, Alric said, holding his hand out.

She put her burned hand in his, and he healed it without another word. He didn’t want to push her at all. They’d had almost 18 months of peace, and he still suspected that one of these days, her wanderlust would kick in, and she wouldn’t be able to stay calm any longer.

Kyrin was surprised when Alric didn’t speak any more about the burn but instead went back to his dinner. It was awkwardly quiet while they finished. The twins were done first, and both took off to take a bath.

Alric finished first and sat back to wait for her. It still seemed tense in the dining room, and he wondered what was going on.

Are you sure you’re okay? he asked her.

She smiled. I’m fine.

You seem quiet.

I just have a lot on my mind right now.

Want to share?

It’s not important enough to share.

Try me.

Did you ask Sithias about the wolves still belonging to Daemionis?

I did, and he said there’s no way. He said to control the wolves, Daemionis would have to have access to this dimension. Are they still following you?

Yes, and it’s annoying. They’re pests, always sniffing around, Kyrin said. It’s okay. I think I’ll just take them out if they try it again. It’s been almost 13 months that they’ve been around me non-stop.

I can put knights out there.

She smiled. No, it’s fine.

He nodded. Okay, let’s go to bed then.

Alric knew she was hiding something but didn’t feel like getting into an argument. He knew that she’d come to him with anything important and figured she would tell him if she needed help with it.

Kyrin was asleep first, and when Alric woke up, she was already gone for the day.

She rode through the trees and stopped her horse at the former temple. Alric had installed locks for her, so no one but her could get in. She often went there to get away and to think in private. She also had set up a small secret in the basement, and it was that secret that brought her out early this morning.

Kyrin tied the horse up and headed inside. As soon as the door was locked, she opened up the floor and ran down into the room below the temple. Making sure the hidden door was also shut, she turned to a pot boiling over the fire.

The first thing she needed to do was calm her nerves. Feelings of anxiety and anxiousness were growing stronger, but she’d found some herbs that helped. They kept her anger in check and also prevented her from feeling like she was about to panic. She mixed the three herbs and then drank them with some water before starting on the other project.

Next, she looked at her speed boots that were sitting beside the fire. They were worn, and one of them had a hole all the way through the sole. She was hoping to repair them and re-enchant them, if at all possible. They weren’t working at all now, and she felt like she needed them. It was the last thing she had left of what Creteloc gave her.

Kyrin knew that if Creteloc were to see her, the assassin would kill her in an instant. However, Kyrin missed Creteloc and thought of her often while she made potions and poisons down in the old temple. She tried not to cry over the loss of her friend but sometimes couldn’t hold back.

She stirred the bubbling potion and tried to wipe the thoughts of Creteloc from her mind. She’d resigned herself to never seeing the assassin again, and she just tried to ignore the hole in her heart.

When the potion was done, Kyrin gently picked up her ailing shoe and dribbled some of the potion onto it. She barely had time to react when the entire shoe caught on fire. When her hand burned, she dropped the shoe, and it landed with a splash in the potion. Everywhere the potion hit, smoke started, and she had to frantically start putting out tiny fires.

Once there was no longer a risk of her room going up in flames, she sat down, frustrated. Tears of pain formed as she looked at the one remaining shoe. She tried a healing potion on her burned hand, but it didn’t seem to heal the burns.

She watched the skin start to blister, and a black scab began to cover the back of her hand. At first, she thought it was just a burn. Now she realized that the potion that hit her hand was eating away slowly at the flesh. The pain intensified, and she got up angrily, knowing she had to enlist help from the priests before she lost her hand.

Figuring she’d go see Emerisa while she was in town, she mounted her horse and kicked the mare toward Valhara. By the time she got to Sithias’ temple, the black was creeping slowly onto her arm, and the pain was becoming worse. She’d covered it with her cloak to hide it from anyone she might encounter.

Sighing, defeated, she walked into the temple. She still hated going into Sithias’ temple, even though she no longer had the risk of angering Daemionis. They were all very nice to her, as was the entire town now, but for some reason, she still dreaded it.

Lady Kyrin, Dewell said, smiling broadly when he saw her. He frowned slightly when he saw the sweat across her brow, caused by pain.

She looked around and then whispered, Can we talk in private?

Sure, he said, and motioned toward a side room. When they got inside, she shut the door and turned to him.

Can you heal something without telling Saith or Alric?

He nodded. I think so. What’s wrong?

Kyrin slowly un-wrapped her burning arm and saw that the black wound was up to her elbow.

Dewell gasped and moved forward, his hand already glowing blue. She sat down when the pain became worse, and he concentrated harder. Her fingers had barely begun to return to normal color when he saw that the black mass was almost to her shoulder.

I need help, Dewell told her. I don’t know what that is, but it’s growing faster than I can heal it.

She barely managed a groan, so he disappeared quickly and returned with four other priests, who all immediately went to work on her arm. As they worked, one of them laid her back on the bed when she started to black out. The black mass seemed to grow faster as it crossed her chest and covered her neck.

Get Saith, Dewell said when the four of them couldn’t heal fast enough either.

No, Kyrin whispered, squeezing her eyes shut.

Dewell nodded to one of the priests, and he disappeared from the room.

What are you all doing in here? Saith asked, stepping into the room. He got closer and saw Kyrin and the black scab crossing her upper chest and starting down her other arm.

My god, he gasped, and then put his hands out. His hands grew brighter than the others, and the burn began to retreat away from his touch.

Get more in here, Dewell said when black began to cover Kyrin’s face. One of the priests ran off while another cut off her thick tunic, leaving just her undershirt. The black was now down onto her abdomen and crawling across to her back.

She’s out, one of the priests said when Kyrin finally lost consciousness.

What is this? Saith asked angrily as he moved his hands to try to stop the mass from taking over her face.

I didn’t have time to ask, Dewell said, trying again to heal her hand.

Get the Holy Knight, Saith yelled.

One of the priests ran from the room to get Alric. More priests came from around the city, and Kyrin now had almost 20 of them trying to stop the spread of the blackness.

This isn’t a burn! one of the priests said. They looked over, and his hands were now red, and the black was disappearing from beneath them.

They all changed tactics and finally began to get the black contained. By the time Alric came in, only a small patch on her hand remained, but it was being stubborn and wasn’t healing.

What happened? Alric asked, looking down at her.

We aren’t sure, Dewell said, and then focused in on her hand.

It doesn’t look as bad as you said it did, Alric said to the priest that came to get him.

We thought it was a burn, Saith said, stepping back. It just kept getting worse and had almost covered her entire torso before we figured out that it wasn’t a burn.

Alric bent over to look at the black on her hand. That’s not a burn?

No, my Lord.

He sighed. I knew she was up to something, but I wasn’t sure what.

We still don’t know.

True

Kyrin sighed softly and began to stir.

Did you put a resting blessing on her? Alric asked.

No, sir, Dewell said. She passed out from pain.

He frowned. It was really that bad?

Worse, sire.

Kyrin finally opened her eyes and then tried to look at her hand, but the priests still working on it held it down.

Feels better, Kyrin said, and then looked over at Saith and Alric, and cringed. Dewell, I said not to tell!

He smiled crookedly. I had to. It got out of hand.

It’s just a little burn.

Was it?

She sighed. Sort of.

Alric moved over to look down at her. What was it?

Nothing important. Something just got out of hand.

I know you’ve been up to something, but I let it go because I figured it wasn’t dangerous.

It’s not.

It didn’t look benign, Saith said, looking over when the priest working on her hand finished.

She sat up. It’s not bad, okay?

Then what was it?

She glanced nervously at Dewell and then sighed. I am trying to fix my boots.

Those speed boots?

Yes

What’s wrong with them?

They wore out.

So that’s it? You were trying to get them to work again?

Yes, that’s it. Kyrin slid off of the bed and pulled her shirt down. Believe it or not, I’m not concocting some potion to wipe out all of Qualsax at once.

I didn’t think that.

She turned to Dewell. I asked you not to tell anyone.

I couldn’t control it. I had to enlist help.

Help was okay! I said no Saith or Alric.

Why is that exactly? Alric asked her.

Because of this. I was hoping I could trust the priests enough to come in here without it becoming a public event.

It’s not a public event, Dewell told her. You can come to me in private. I swear.

Apparently not, she snapped, and then walked out.

Alric turned to Dewell. So if you could have healed that yourself, you wouldn’t have told us?

No, sire. I would not have.

That’s disturbing.

I want her to be able to come to me if she’s injured.

I understand that, but we need to know if she’s doing something dangerous.

If she can’t trust me, Dewell said, then she won’t come to me to heal her. If she can’t come for a healing, then she’ll either try to heal it herself, or she’ll die out there alone.

That’s a bit extreme. Isn’t it? Saith asked, irritated.

I don’t believe it is.

This, I should have known about, Alric said. If we can’t trust you to make better judgments, then you won’t be allowed to heal her without assistance.

Dewell was obviously getting frustrated but knew better than to argue with the Holy Knight or the High Priest. Yes, sir.

Kyrin rode up to Finn’s house, still irritated at Dewell. She tied the mare out front and then knocked on the door.

Finn’s youngest daughter opened the door. Mom! The queen’s here.

I’m not a queen, Kyrin said, stepping in when the girl moved aside.

Hello, Lady Kyrin, Emerisa said, coming out as she dried her hands.

Do you have a few minutes?

Sure, have a seat.

They both sat down, and Kyrin waited until the kids left the room. I need a favor that’s, well, it’s kind of weird, and I need you to keep it a secret.

What kind of favor?

Do you know anyone with a baby?

Emerisa thought for a moment. Not right off hand. I know one family in town that had a baby last week, but I don’t know them.

Do you think they’d let you sit it?

I doubt it. What do you need, exactly? Emerisa asked, somewhat hesitant. She considered Kyrin a good friend but knew that Kyrin still had some evil tendencies.

You won’t tell?

No

Even Finn? If you tell him, then he’ll tell Alric.

I won’t tell him. I promise.

I need urine, Kyrin said, wincing.

Well, what? Emerisa wasn’t sure she really wanted to know.

I used to use the twins, but they’re too old now. I just need a few vials.

Dare I ask for what?

I’d rather you didn’t.

It doesn’t matter. I don’t have access to a baby.

Kyrin sighed. I need it badly.

I honestly don’t know where to get any.

Okay, well, thanks anyway I guess.

Emerisa watched her stand up. You’re off so soon? Do you want something to drink?

No thanks. I have something cooking out at the temple, and I need to check on it.

May I walk with you?

Sure

Emerisa disappeared into the back and came out with a long-sleeved tunic. Here, you’re missing a shirt.

Kyrin looked down at the sleeveless undershirt. I’m still covered.

Still, please?

She pulled it on. Where’d you get this? It’s huge.

It’s Finn’s, Emerisa said, laughing. She grabbed a cloak and then started out after Kyrin.

They walked for a while in silence before Kyrin smiled. So, we’re away from your kids. What did you want?

That obvious is it?

Sort of. You hate coming out to the temple.

I’m just… well, I’m worried about what you’re up to that requires urine.

It’s just one of my potions.

Her nose wrinkled. You drink a potion with urine in it?

No! I dab it on my wrist. That’s disgusting.

It’s none of my business, but what does it do? Emerisa asked.

They stopped when two knights rode toward them. From Finn and Emerisa’s house, the closest way to the temple was partially along a busy Valharan road.

Good afternoon, Lady Kyrin, the closest knight said, bowing. He then smiled at Emerisa. It’s good to see the captain let you out, Emerisa.

She smiled. I escaped. How are patrols?

Boring as usual.

Before they’d finished talking, Kyrin started walking past them and down the road.

Emerisa laughed. She’s shy. You two stay safe.

Nice talking to you, the knight said, and then rode off.

Emerisa caught up with Kyrin. You still don’t like them, do you?

I wouldn’t say that, exactly.

What would you say?

That I don’t trust them any more than they trust me.

They trust you though. Since you returned six of them from out in the dimensions, they trust you implicitly.

For now.

She smiled and kept walking. Emerisa knew how hard it was for Kyrin to trust, and she was just pleased that Kyrin’s list of trusted Valharans was growing.

Okay then, what’s the new potion for? Emerisa asked.

You swear you won’t tell?

I promise. Finn’s quit asking because I won’t tell him what we talk about.

If Alric ordered you though?

He won’t. He likes that we talk, Emerisa told her.

True. Fine then. I’m out of the potion I use to keep from getting pregnant, Kyrin said, and looked nervously at Emerisa.

She had a fascinated look on her face. You can make those?!

Yes. Are you mad?

No! I just, well, that explains a lot.

Explains what?

Why the twins are 5-years-old, and you haven’t had another baby.

I don’t want more.

I know, but it’s unavoidable, or at least, usually is. How long have you been out of it?

Two months, and it’s making me nervous.

I would imagine.

So, you aren’t mad at all?

No. I think you could market that stuff though.

Kyrin frowned. Sell it?

Heavens yes.

To who?

Women in Valhara.

Oh, that would go over well, Kyrin said, laughing slightly.

I think it probably would.

Well, do you need some?

No, actually. Finn and I have to have priest help to have a baby now.

Why’s that?

My first baby was a bit of an accident, unplanned I mean. It was a traumatic birth and did some damage. Since then, we have a hard time getting pregnant, and it takes a lot of blessings.

That’d be handy.

Emerisa smiled. Except some of us like having babies.

You do?

Of course! Being a mother is the best thing in the world.

Kyrin thought about that for a moment and then stopped walking when they heard a carriage approaching. I hate this road. It’s too busy.

Emerisa smiled. You just don’t like people.

That too.

When the carriage rounded the corner, they saw it was a covered carriage and was decorated in bright colors with pots and pans hanging off the sides.

What’s that? Kyrin asked, watching it come closer.

Emerisa sighed. Gypsies. Let’s get off the road a bit.

Are they dangerous?

They can be. They come into Valhara once every few years and try to sell potions.

What kind? Kyrin asked, still standing in the road watching them.

Bad ones. They claim to do things like cure a cold, but then they all have awful side effects. We had this elderly woman who took one of their potions to help with the hand pain that comes with age, and she ended up getting boils across her nose.

Kyrin drew her flail. Then let’s not let them in Valhara.

Emerisa gasped. Lady Kyrin! Put your weapon away. We can’t take them on.

I can. I don’t want them selling poisons in Valhara.

Let the king take care of it. As soon as he gets word that the gypsies are back, he’ll get rid of them.

Or I can just get rid of them now, Kyrin said, stepping in front of the carriage. Stop!

The horses were pulled to a stop. The man sitting on top of the carriage put the brake on and looked down at her. You interested in buying?

Kyrin smiled. Sure, what do you have?

Kyrin! Emerisa whispered, shocked.

The driver jumped down from the carriage and walked around to the side. What is it you’re looking for? I have it all, and if I don’t have it, I can make it.

Do you have a general flesh healing potion? Kyrin asked, following him over. Emerisa glanced around nervously. She wasn’t sure what Finn or even King Alric would say if they were caught speaking to the gypsies.

I sure do! he said, and began digging through the back of his carriage.

Kyrin shot Emerisa a grin and then she turned back to him.

Here we go, beautiful lady. The man turned and handed her a tiny vial.

Kyrin uncorked the vial and smelled it.

It don’t smell pretty, but it’ll work, he said.

What’s in it?

Nothing to concern your gorgeous little head over.

How much? Kyrin asked, stopping up the vial again.

Two gold is all. That’s a special price just for you.

Kyrin smiled at him. Now, this is what I see. That potion has bloodroot and yohimbe in it. One will paralyze you, and one is an aphrodisiac.

Emerisa gasped.

He shifted nervously. No, no, it’s all healing stuff.

What were you hoping to accomplish? Kyrin asked, stepping closer to him.

Nothing!

Do you know who I am?

No… I wasn’t…

I’m the Lady of Valhara, and if you don’t turn around and leave, I’ll have to tell my husband what you tried to sell me, Kyrin told him.

Emerisa smiled broadly. The punishment for that would be severe. He’s very protective of her.

I… I didn’t… Without another word, the man got back into his carriage and turned it the other way. Kyrin and Emerisa watched him run his horses away from the city.

That was great! Emerisa said, looking over at Kyrin with a grin.

Idiot

Was that really what is in the vial?

Kyrin looked down at the vial. Yes, it is. I’ve seen this before when the Goshirin Consortium had a non-compliant woman they were trying to sell.

What are you going to do with it?

She shrugged. I’m not sure. Let’s get going though.

Emerisa glanced down the road again and then started walking. Back to our earlier conversation. Don’t you think you should tell the king about the potions you use?

No! Why would I?

He may be wondering why you haven’t gotten pregnant.

I’m sure he is.

I’m surprised he hasn’t had the priests look at you.

Kyrin smiled crookedly. He has.

What did they say?

That they couldn’t figure out why.

Emerisa laughed. Only you, Kyrin.

Kyrin spun suddenly and drew her flail as she looked hard into the woods.

What? Emerisa asked, trying to see what Kyrin had.

I heard something.

Emerisa listened carefully but heard nothing.

Stand back, Kyrin said, pushing Emerisa away from the trees.

Emerisa fell seconds after a dart embedded into her arm. Kyrin somehow managed to dodge the first dart aimed at her, but the second sunk into her thigh, and she almost instantly lost consciousness.

***

King Alric could do it, one of the knights said to the knight beside him. They were mounted and doing routine patrols along the streets around Valhara.

She said she doesn’t want to bother him to do a wedding though.

He does them all the time. We’re his knights. That has to be a perk.

I told her that!

Well, have her talk to Cinita. King Alric married her and Talus last month.

What’s in the road? the knight asked, slowing his horse.

Is that a body?

They quickly rode forward and jumped off their horses when they got to the body lying on the cold dirt road.

The first knight knelt down and turned her over. This is the captain’s wife.

Emerisa? the other knight said, touching her neck. She’s alive.

There’s a dart in her arm. He pulled it out and then picked her up. Let’s get her to the priests.

Wait, the other said, walking over to the side of the road. He bent down and picked something up.

What is that?

The knight turned and held up Kyrin’s flail. There’s only one person I know who carries a three-headed flail.

Hand Emerisa up to me and then start searching for the Lady, the knight said, handing Emerisa off to the other. Once he was mounted and Emerisa was sitting limply up against him, he kicked his horse into a gallop toward the temple.

Kyrin! the remaining knight yelled, and headed into the woods.

When the knight passed through the gates into the city, he sent one knight after the king and the other back to help look for Kyrin. Once he got to the temple, he slid off, careful to support Emerisa, and then cradled her and walked her into the temple.

What happened? one of the priests asked, running up.

We found her unconscious out on the road. She had a dart in her.

No idea what?

No. We found a flail too. I’m heading out to help see if we can find the Lady.

Does the king know? the priest asked, starting to look over Emerisa.

I sent word.

I think she’ll be okay. You better go.

The knight nodded and then glanced at Emerisa before taking off. By the time he got to the trees where they had found the flail, the woods were full of knights calling out for Kyrin.

Finn and Alric rode up as the knight slid off of his horse.

What’s going on? Alric asked, meeting up with the knight.

He looked nervously at the captain. We were on routine patrols when we came across Emerisa unconscious on the road.

Finn gasped. What?!

I took her into the priests already. She had a dart in her arm, but she’s alive.

Alric looked around the trees. It’s unlike Qualsax to be this close to the city.

There’s more, sir, the knight said. We also found Lady Kyrin’s flail sitting on the side of the road.

Alric’s eyes grew wide. Are you sure?

He nodded. No one else we know carries a three-headed flail. We have every available knight out searching for her.

I, Finn started.

Alric headed for the trees. Go to Emerisa.

Finn nodded and soon disappeared on his horse.

The king turned to the closest knight. Go to Finn’s house and talk to his daughter, Anni. Find out how long ago Emerisa and Kyrin left the house.

Yes, sire, he said, and quickly mounted.

***

Wake up, a gruff voice yelled.

Kyrin heard him and struggled to open her eyes. When she finally did, things were too dark, and she wasn’t able to see well.

Watch her.

She tried to speak, but her words were too slurred to be understood. When she attempted to sit up, she found that her wrists and ankles were restrained to a hard, wooden table. Pulling slightly, she discovered that her hands were held tightly to the table with thick leather.

Stop struggling, the voice said. You can’t get out.

When her eyes finally adjusted, she saw that she was in a dimly lit square stone room. The table in the middle was the only piece of furniture, and six trolls stood around looking at her.

She felt sick to her stomach and remembered the dart. The trolls had poisoned her and Emerisa. Where’s the other woman?

We left her in road to die, the troll closest to her said. We don’t want her.

Why? she started to say, but her mouth was so dry it was hard to talk. Why am I here?

You took elf princess and stopped Tiasis’ return.

She sighed. Just let me up, and we can talk about this.

No! We have to start over to bring him back. This time we start with noble blood.

I don’t have noble blood.

We check first. You carry noble blood, the troll said angrily.

She shook her head. You’re wrong.

Don’t matter. We bring Tiasis back now.

Kyrin pulled at the restraints, but they seemed solid.

Bring in Soothsayer.

Another older troll came in, followed by three wolves. She struggled harder when one of the wolves came up and lightly ran his nose along her abdomen.

See, her carry noble blood, the Soothsayer told them. We wait for baby, and then we have Tiasis.

You’re going to keep me for nine months? Kyrin asked, laughing. Good luck with that.

We get you to city. No one know where you go.

I could always call for Sithias.

He not your god.

True, but he does so like to come when I call him.

You no call him. We be forced to kill you.

But then you won’t have your noble baby, Kyrin reminded him. She knew trolls well enough to realize that her best bet to get free was to confuse them. Lucky for Kyrin, they weren’t that hard to confuse.

The Soothsayer turned and spoke to a few of the trolls, We keep her hands apart. She can’t cast. She not strong enough to break binds. We keep her as long as we need.

***

What did you find out? Alric asked when Finn joined him.

She said they had a run-in with gypsies, but he’d left before they were attacked. The last thing she remembers was Kyrin drawing her flail because she heard something in the trees.

Is Emerisa okay?

She’s groggy is all. The priests are keeping her overnight just in case. After talking to her, I found that she and Kyrin ran into trouble almost three hours before she was found.

That leaves a long time to get out of here.

We’ll find her. Emerisa never saw who attacked them though.

Go stay with her. We have this covered.

Thank you, sire, Finn said, and then returned to his horse.

Alric turned to a knight when he walked up. What did you find?

I agree with the first reports, sir. There are troll tracks in the area. I’d wager there are over 100 of them.

Let’s follow them. I want everyone who went to the trolls the last time, except for the captain. You come instead and bring 50 knights.

Yes, sir, he said, and then ran off to get his group. Alric looked deeply into the dark trees and hoped that Kyrin was safe.

***

You’re ruining my reputation, you know? Kyrin asked, pulling at the restraints. She still doubted the troll’s opinion that she was pregnant. She knew the trolls well though and fully planned on getting out of this by herself.

Stop talking, the nearest troll yelled.

There are rumors of a woman in the dimensions, Kyrin continued. She somehow got in with the undead Nosata, and she was always getting kidnapped. It was sad, actually. I’ve managed to stay away from the Qualsax, but no, the trolls had to do it.

I said shut up!

It serves her right for falling in love with the head of the undead though. I heard they even had kids, which is gross.

We gag you if you don’t be quiet.

You can’t gag me for nine months.

We can for most of it.

She shrugged. I was just explaining why this is a bad idea. I don’t want my reputation ruined.

We not touch reputation, the troll said.

Yes, you did! Do you know what’ll happen to me when they find out I was kidnapped by trolls? Ugh, I’ll be harassed and laughed at.

Not caring.

Will you care that I need to go?

You not go.

No, I need a trip to the washroom.

He looked over at her. Hold it.

For nine months? Kyrin asked.

You, take her, he said to another troll. The troll grumbled and then began to unfasten her ankles and wrists

She sat up and shook her head before freezing all of the trolls in the room. The wolf that was still standing by the Soothsayer froze also, but his eyes watched as she left and shut the door behind her.

Kyrin looked down the long cave corridor and ran down it, using the light from dimly lit torches along the way. She was hoping to find a weapon, preferably her own, on her way out the door because she wasn’t sure how far she was from Valhara.

She rounded a corner, still running, and emerged into a massive cave room full of trolls.

Damn, she whispered, stepping back.

They all turned toward her.

***

It’s getting too dark to see, one of the knights said to Alric.

They can’t have much of a head start, and they’ll stop for the night, Alric explained. There’s a good chance we’ll catch up to them if we keep going.

I’d rather find her and rest after, one of the other knights said. She didn’t rest while we were in the dimensions, and I plan on extending the same courtesy.

Alric studied the knights. Okay, let’s keep going.

I could lose them in the dark, the ranger told them. He was a half-elf dressed in leather with a bow across his back. I normally don’t. However, that’s a risk you run at night.

Let’s try to follow the tracks. If you feel like you’re losing them, then we’ll rest for the night.

Yes, sire, the ranger said, and then turned on foot and began to walk toward the north. He was the only one not on a horse, but rangers preferred to be on foot anyway.

The Valharans followed him as he slowly made his way along the tree line, skirting around Qualsax land.

Funny how they’ll avoid the Qualsax yet kidnap the Lady of Valhara, one of the knights said.

Alric nodded. I can’t help but feel this might be in retaliation for stopping whatever it was they were doing to revive Tiasis.

They can’t do it now though, right?

Not using the method they were. Sithias and Erianah are keeping a closer eye on them. If they are trying to bring him back again, we may have to take care of them.

I think we should just for touching the Lady, one of the knights said angrily.

Alric smiled at what was now known as a ‘dimension knight,’ or one