The Dragon's Tear: Book Three of the Oracle Series

By Cole Pain

The Quest has only just begun.

The threat to the Lands is far from over. With the release of the Red Eye’s hate, the seal to the Quietus’ prison has broken; Barracus has escaped the underworld; and the Adderiss has taken Aidan and issued a demand – Ren must find the Dragon’s Tear, the third Eye of the Quy, the Eye of Pain. The Adderiss and Barracus want to control the Lands with the Eyes’ power; the Quietus just wants complete destruction.

The Defenders stand ready. Aaron travels to find a creature that may provide the magic to stop Barracus. Nigel intends to mend the seal in the Quietus’ prison. Chris joins Ren to search for a way to save the Lands, but their search will lead directly to the Tear. When Ren learns it can be used as a portal to travel back in time, will he choose to withstand its pain in order to obtain a secret that will help defeat the darkness? The truths are needed. The quest is on. But there is another reason Ren needs to find the Tear. The Tear will ensure his death. It is the only way.

Let the purpose be revealed . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9780991245451

Book preview

Eye

Chapter 1 – It

Nothing stirred in the darkness. No moss grew; no water dripped; no light entered. The walls were thick and wide. The silver deposits deep inside the walls formed a type of cocoon for the form hidden inside. But high above, the wind beat hard against the walls, and a thin blanket of snow had already fallen.

Far beyond the snowy peaks a myriad of clouds began to churn, harder and harder, faster and faster, until they illuminated the sky with a vile red glow. The red clouds rolled toward the mountain’s peak and roared past. The power they emitted pelted down on the wind and the walls and the snow. A hollow cracking sound echoed through the void, marring the quiet and ripping the hollow with harsh and grating tremors. For a moment nothing changed, but then deep inside the mountain, in the darkness, cradled in its cocoon, it stirred. Slowly, thin slits of murky light began to open.

High above, the red clouds were suddenly overcome with silver, and the power emitting from the clouds was stilled. The slits of murky light slowly closed. Rolling over, it covered its head and stilled its breaths. The snow continued to fall. The hollow cracking sound continued to echo through the gloom.

Soon. Very soon.

Chapter 2 – The Message

Magnus could no longer stand. Ren and Aidan caught him before he fell and propped him against Similian, the silver dragon. Ren glanced at Zorc only to find his teacher wearing a worried frown. If Magnus didn’t reveal his message soon, it would be lost for eternity.

Ren’s friends surrounded him, all gazing at Magnus with fearful eyes. Aaron, Chris, and Nigel, the three defenders, linked to Ren by something none of them could explain, remained still and silent. Morrus, Markum, Lazo, Neki, and Galvin stood slightly apart from the circle surrounding Magnus, as if distance could protect them from what the mage was about to reveal.

Ren turned to gaze at the Eye of the Dragon, a hole in the mountain’s face that looked similar to a dragon’s eye. The rocks around the edifice formed the dragon’s head, further accentuating the illusion. Months ago, the Eye had started it all by bringing the silver dragon through its hollow. Ren had thought the Eye only a symbol then. Now he knew better.

The Eye was a gateway to a vast expanse of nothingness – timelessness. Over nine centuries ago, Magnus had merged with the silver dragon and entered the void in order to return when magic was reborn. Now that he was in the world again his body was aging rapidly.

When Ren turned his attention back to Magnus, the few heartbeats it had taken to glance at the Eye had aged the ancient mage even further. Magnus wouldn’t live past a sun’s click.

Zorc touched Magus’ shoulder in a silent entreaty to speak his mind. Everyone surrounding the mage leaned closer. Even Similian, the silver dragon, lowered his head and calmed his sharp breaths.

When magic was first born, the Maker knew we would be unable to handle the extremes of the power, Magnus said. Because of this, he sent the guardians of the Oracle: Choice, Chance, and Fate, to be our guides. In those days, the Oracle was a permanent temple anyone could enter for guidance. The guardians were flesh and bone. They loved mankind.

Ren blinked in surprise. He had walked the Oracle’s halls once before, but the guardians hadn’t been what he had expected. They had been cold stone. They had once been flesh?

When the Oracle realized we couldn’t responsibly handle the extremes of the Quy: creation, destruction, and emotions, the guardians formed the Eyes. The Red Eye holds the extremes of the Quy’s hate, or destruction; the Silver Eye holds the extremes of the Quy’s love, or creation; the Dragon’s Tear holds the extremes of the Quy’s pain, or emotions.

The hairs on the back of Ren’s neck stood on end. There were three Eyes, not two. Across from him, Zorc closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. The wizard hadn’t known about the third Eye either.

"The Eyes are made from coagulated poison, found in the talons of silver dragons, and have powerful properties. Magic was added to these crystals to expanded and strengthen them so that they could possess the Quy’s extremes. Then to meld each Eye to a solid mass, a silver dragon sent its fire over them, forever encasing the extremes of the power in crystal.

Each guardian of the Oracle took an emotion and molded it to their own power. They created the Eyes so strong only a person with power thereto unprecedented, or a silver dragon, with the particular emotion in question, could awaken.

Ren was glad he had realized that truth. The silver dragon had just saved the Lands by breathing its fire over the Silver Eye in time to neutralize the Red Eye’s hate. Ren hadn’t been able to use his power at the time; hence he had been unable to awaken the Silver Eye’s love. Once the love had been released, Ren had been able to use his power to fight Barracus, the spirit who had tried to claim him by emerging through the portal the Red Eye had opened.

"Time went on. Magic grew.

"Before the Dark Ages, magic was slowly becoming corrupt. Although it was forbidden, there were some wizards who thought those with the Quy should rule the Lands. The Oracle was the only thing keeping them at bay.

Although all three beings were benevolent and loving, Fate’s caring went to the depth of her soul. She trusted us, loved us, and called us her children.

Ren remembered Fate and her kindness to him. He wished he had known her when she was flesh and bone.

There was a very powerful wizard among us – a woman. Zorc jumped. Magnus’ hollow, blue eyes turned toward him. "Yes, when a woman is a wizard, she’s an enigma, but she’s very strong. She becomes something less than a mage but something more than a wizard. Sorceresses, wizards, or magi alone cannot train her. She must grab bits and pieces of all, creating her own self.

Her name was Ara. She was beautiful, energetic, ambitious, and Fate loved her. Fate trusted her so much she told Ara about the Eyes. Soon thereafter Ara betrayed Fate and stole the Red Eye. When I discovered her deception, I took the Silver Eye, Choice’s Eye, and went after her.

Why the Silver Eye? Ren asked. Why not the other, the Dragon’s Tear?

Magnus’ hollow gaze shifted to Ren. "Although Chance loved us, she didn’t trust us. She hid her Eye – the Pain Eye. It was never with her in the Oracle. Only Ara and I knew of its existence.

I had to stop Ara. I knew if she called upon the Red Eye’s power she would be unable to control it. As you have seen, there’s no fighting the Red Eye’s influence. The Lands would be consumed by hate and brother would rise against brother. Eventually, all would die.

Magnus paused to cough. Aidan put a hand on his shoulder to steady him. Ren feared Magnus would die before he finished what he must. No color remained to his hair and his lips were almost the same pallid shade as his skin.

But I didn’t know where Ara had gone, Magnus continued. "If she lost control of the Red Eye, I would be unable to call upon the Silver Eye to counter the hate she released, for I would be consumed by hate as well. Unlike you, Ren, I’m unable to shut the door in my mind to stifle magic’s influence. It would have been next to impossible in my day. Magic has built in strength since then.

I did the only thing I knew to do. I had all the emotions: love, hate, and pain. I knew I could call to the Silver Eye, and I knew I could turn it off. The Silver Eye is love. Hence, it can create life. So before Ara could use the Red Eye, I called to the Silver Eye and created a life that craved hate. I formed this creature to wake when the Red Eye’s hate was released, and I created it so strong, that when it found the Eye it would absorb the hate radiating from it, thus stifling the Eye’s taint and freeing me to follow the creature’s trail to Ara.

Ren glanced at his friends’ fearful faces. They had all witnessed the Red Eye’s power. A creature that could devour its hate was terrifying.

Magnus’ eyes mirrored their fear. It’s called Quietus, he whispered as his bony, white hand clasped Ren’s arm. Please. Forgive me. Magnus closed his eyes and heaved a wavering breath.

"It happened as I thought. When Ara released the Red Eye’s power the Quietus came alive and dashed to the Dragon’s Fire, suffocating the Eye’s hate and freeing me to follow its trail. When I reached Ara and the Red Eye, I unlocked the Silver Eye and neutralized the threat. Afterward, I collapsed in exhaustion. When I woke, the Quietus was gone and Ara was near death. The jewel-like appearance of the Red Eye had attracted a Wyvern, a fierce, two-legged dragon. Ara had been attacked as she fought to reclaim the Eye, but the Wyvern had taken the Red Eye from her. In my fury, I cursed Ara to die by what she feared most – snakes. Then I left her to search for the Eye.

Only after I finally recovered it did I remember the Quietus. Magnus shook his head, as if trying to banish the sight from his mind. "Deprived of hate, the Quietus had started mass destruction.

All people hate, he said quietly. The Quietus had annihilated entire towns, killed hundreds. I went to the Oracle in remorse. What I saw …

Magnus closed his eyes and heaved a shallow breath. The guardians were stone. They had taken the Quietus and trapped it in a mountain, burying it under a seal of their own creation, a seal of their love for man. They gave so much they almost gave everything. Now, because of my creation, Choice, Chance, and Fate are stone, cold and unfeeling. Because of me, the Lands will never know the beauty of the Oracle. Because of me, the Dark Ages were born and the Dark Ages grew because Choice, Chance, and Fate weren’t there to guide man in morality after the Red Eye’s influence. Now, the guardians can only appear when there’s dire need.

Ren bowed his head. He had chosen to enter the Oracle to speak to the guardians, to ask questions that would help him understand his quest, but when he had stepped in the Oracle’s halls, the guardians had demanded silence. Now he knew why. They only had a finite amount of time before their energy waned. They had to teach him in the little time they had.

Nigel cleared his throat. The Jaguars.

It was more of a statement than a question, but Magnus nodded anyway. "Yes, the Quietus is there.

When magic was reborn, the emotions were so intense the seal broke.

Ren’s entire body grew taught as Zorc mumbled a curse under his breath.

Magnus gripped Ren’s hand. It isn’t your fault, Ren. If you hadn’t rebirthed the Quy, years down the road, it would have been someone else. The fact remains the seal is broken. Because the rebirth only lasted a heartbeat the Quietus only stirred. But the Red Eye …

Ren closed his eyes. No.

It’s coming.

Nigel shifted uncomfortably. How do we kill it?

Magnus clinched his fist, as if trying to find the strength to say what he must. The Quietus can’t be killed. It was created through the Silver Eye. Only the Silver Eye’s destruction would destroy it, but if you destroy an Eye you release its power. Love would consume the Lands. People would stop picking crops, eating meat, and in time all would die.

Slow it then, Zorc said, tell us how to slow it.

Silver will slow the rent, Magnus said. "Because silver absorbs magic, pouring melted silver over the rent will slow the Quietus’ escape. But know this, not even melting silver over the rent will hold the Quietus at bay forever. The seal will eventually rupture and nothing will be able to mend it. Now that a crack has started, it’s breaking from the inside.

"The Jaguars have silver sediments throughout their peaks, creating a large enough cage for the Quietus to remain dormant, but only the love of the guardians can hold it at bay forever. You see, the seal radiates love inside the mountain, inundating the Quietus’ hate. Once that seal has cracked through, the emotional weave will be broken, and without the guardians’ love the Quietus will eventually break free.

"Choice, Chance, and Fate gave almost everything. They cannot give anymore. We have to stop the Quietus by our own means or the Lands are destroyed.

"My punishment from the Oracle was to live inside the silver dragon and be a harbinger of the news of impending destruction. Like silver, Similian’s silver skin absorbs magic. It can also absorb the timelessness of the Void. I was safe inside Similian.

After I was safely away, the Maker brought the inundation, destroying every silver dragon in existence. The destruction was necessary. Without the Oracle’s protection, the Eyes were a threat to humanity.

Ren leaned closer to catch the last of Magnus’ words. The mage’s cheeks were hollow; his skin, ashen; his hair, long since fallen out. Magnus touched Similian in quiet thanks.

Similian, I’m sorry I slept all those years. If I hadn’t, I would have died inside you long ago; I would have never been able to bring the message the Oracle commanded I bring. I’m sorry for the burden, but I must ask one more thing of you. Sim nuzzled his shoulder in silent acceptance. Similian, the Dragon’s Fire …

All eyes turned to the Red Eye, still resting on its stand. A small light still glowed inside.

It still holds Barracus’ spirit. I fear he may be strong enough to break from his prison. Although he will be unable to enter one of great strength in the Quy, he could target a weaker host. Similian, you must take the Eye out of the Gateway and into the Void. There he will be unable to find a host and will soon lose all strength. When the light has died, you may come back and live your life as a dragon should.

Aidan stiffened at Ren’s side. How long will it take?

Time has no meaning in the portal, my child, Magnus said, hand slipping from Similian’s skin. Sim may come back in a heartbeat, or in a year. There’s no way to be certain. Similian …

But Similian was already standing. Aidan moved to the dragon’s side. The faint traces of silver in her hair and skin became even more defined as she rested her forehead against Sim’s smooth scales. Ren could almost feel their inner connection and hear their silent words.

When he turned back to ask Magnus how much Aidan could understand the dragon, he only found an empty robe.

Chapter 3 – The Red Eye

Ren studied Aidan as she watched Similian fly toward the Eye of the Dragon. He didn’t know how Aidan and the dragon were connected, but he knew they were. Aidan’s body and spirit had existed inside Similian for some time.

The silver glimmer to her skin was faint, but in the sun her auburn hair glistened with an unmistakable silver sheen, setting her ablaze with silver fire. When she turned to face him, her pupils formed silver slits, slicing her violet irises by a hair’s width, but instead of giving her a sinister appearance they graced her with profound beauty.

Ren stepped beside her and watched the dragon’s flight. He yearned to reach out to her in some way, but he was still uncertain of her feelings for him. He studied her face out of the corner of his eye, marveling at how her skin shimmered in the fading sun. Aidan, the Maritium leader, had linked with him but he had yet to ask her why she had chosen to do so. To the Maritium, the unica was a sacred, ancient gift, given carefully and secretly guarded. Ren had yet to understand what exactly the link meant besides being able to sense the other’s heightened emotions. Her words came back to him: "The unica is intimate, but it can never be passionate. Yet because of it I can never marry. Our link is too strong to allow my feelings to drift to another. With a one-to-one link marriage isn’t only forbidden, it’s unpalatable."

Yet she had kissed him. When she thought her life was over, she had reached out, almost desperately, but now Ren sensed nothing from her. He didn’t even know if the link between them still existed.

The day was quickly fading. The last of the sun’s rays caressed Similian as his lean body rippled effortlessly with the soft beating of his wings. The shadow of the majestic creature mirrored Sim’s movements and rode the dusty peaks of the Sierras far below.

Similian’s beauty still caused Ren’s heart to pause. Praise the Fates the dragon had survived Ista’s torture. Nothing so glorious should ever have to suffer any kind of pain.

Aidan was a living testament to Similian’s beauty. Ren wondered again how many of Sim’s emotions Aidan could sense. He could hardly wait to be alone with her so he could ask her about her experience inside Similian. There was much to do yet. The Lands were in chaos. Zorc had to teach him the Code of the Alcazar. The Quietus had to be stopped. But that was tomorrow. Tonight was Aidan’s alone.

Suddenly, the dragon roared in pain.

Sim!

Ren doubled over as Aidan’s terror raced through his veins. He had never sensed the link as strongly as he did now. It seemed as if his insides were on fire. Ren drew his sword, but when he found the dragon in the sky, he knew there was nothing he could do to save Similian.

Ren watched helplessly as Similian fell to the earth, bellowing in pain, a javelin embedded deep in his chest. The Red Eye fell from Sim’s talons and hit the dusty rocks of the mountain. Just to the right of Sim, previously cast in the dragon’s shadow, stood a figure in a gray robe – Feher, the High Priest of Dresden. The Druids were a power hungry race. They would do anything to claim the power of the Red Eye.

Similian crashed to the ground, body twisted and broken. Rivulets of blood began seeping down the naked rocks of the Sierras.

No!

Aidan darted forward and raised her hands. The air around her shimmered with heat and a blaze of fire roared from her palms, engulfing Feher in flames before he could reach the Red Eye.

Feher screamed. It was earsplitting. It shook the very marrow of Ren’s bones. But Feher’s screams didn’t compare to the panic that gripped Ren’s soul. His heart seemed to die inside him as he realized a truth he didn’t want to face. He stumbled forward, desperate to reach Aidan before the inevitable happened.

It was too late. From his periphery, he could already see the snakes. He could already hear their hissing.

Halt, Chosen! You wouldn’t want to anger the Adderiss.

A chill colder than the glaciers of Hass shivered up Ren’s spine as the hissing drawl of the Adderiss inundated the air. He watched in horror as the creature from his nightmares came into vision. Although beautiful, the Adderiss was covered with ivory scales, and adders were her only clothing. The snakes twirled around her limbs with frightening speed. Two large ones moved slowly around her shoulders. Her moss green eyes were surrounded by a hideous red undercoat; her raven black hair brushed her shoulders and absorbed all light. Ren closed his eyes as he remembered what the Adderiss had demanded of him weeks ago. He had given it freely, without understanding what it was he gave.

I want your fire.

Ren fought those words. He would not accept them. Aidan had been taken from him twice before. He would not let her be taken again.

Aidan stiffened as some of the adders left the Adderiss and swarmed up her legs. One of the Adderiss’ two large snakes inched up her right thigh and coiled around her waist before coming to rest over her shoulder. Its black eyes looked at Ren; its long tongue flickered in triumph. His link to Aidan was abruptly cut off, stifling her terror and freezing his blood. Looking into her eyes, he was unsure if she had stifled her feelings or if the Adderiss’ snakes had blocked their connection.

The Adderiss watched Aidan with tainted intrigue. Her eyes’ red undercoat seemed to glow next to her ivory scales, and the ridge around her forehead formed a sinister crown. The snakes coating her form moved with more speed, as if excited by the prospect of claiming another soul.

The last time he had seen the Adderiss, she had killed one of his men. In order to save another from death, Ren had given the Adderiss what she demanded. He had given the Adderiss the one thing he would never give.

He had given her Aidan.

But he hadn’t known what the Adderiss had meant by his fire. He hadn’t known what Aidan would be able to do once she was freed from the dragon.

Take me, Adderiss, Ren said, not Aidan.

As the adders crept around him, he once again felt the horror Aidan now lived. The adders’ skin was cold, and it did not warm. It was as if the cold chill of the Plains of Desolation was forever in them. The adders began to nibble his flesh, daring him to refuse the Adderiss and her claim.

I’m the one you want, Ren said. Aidan has done nothing against you.

The Adderiss threw her head back and laughed. The snakes on Aidan moved faster. A whimper of fear escaped her lips.

Zorc stepped forward. What do you want with her, Adderiss?

The Adderiss spun to Zorc, moss green eyes ablaze. Don’t you know? She went to Aidan and rubbed her reptilian hand down Aidan’s cheek. Silver dragon’s fire is a powerful thing.

Her eyes flickered to the Red Eye beside the dragon. Similian still hadn’t moved. His crimson blood had pooled just before it had reached the Eye, as if the Eye would taint even death itself.

The Adderiss refocused on Ren. I see you haven’t put the pieces of the puzzle together, Chosen. Her snakes moved in frantic response to the undercurrent of excitement in her voice. "I haven’t always been known as the Adderiss.

My true name is Ara.

Ren was too shocked to acknowledge the Adderiss’ claim. Only the snakes around him moved, and even they moved less quickly, as if anticipating Ara’s next words.

Magnus has told you about me, has he not? Ara leaned closer to Aidan. Ren could almost feel Ara’s breath on his own neck – the breath of death.

Yes, he would. But he doesn’t know the whole story. After he cursed me to die, he left. He didn’t see what happened afterward. It was a slow death, so slow I was between this plain and the Abyss for a time. I made a pact with the Watcher, you see. I’m the one who helped form the Plains of Desolation.

Ren stiffened. May the Maker’s fates be with them. He didn’t want to know how Ara had helped create the lower middle plain.

The Watcher’s minion needs pure souls to help him remain in the plain above the Abyss, to be able to catch spirits that hold on as I did. She walked to Ren and peered into his eyes. Her tongue flickered dangerously close to his neck. In exchange for life, I help him. I send the Mynher pure souls, pure life, so the Mynher can create an army of the undead for the Watcher. The Mynher catches souls that die slowly, too slowly to sink to the Abyss with speed. And my snakes are what claims life, pure life, to live inside the Mynher, to help him remain in the lower middle Plain. She leaned closer, her breath as vile as her eyes. The man you think I killed went to the Mynher. He will give his life-force, writhing in the Mynher’s skin, until he dies.

Bentzen! Maker of fates! Ren bowed his head, trying to banish the memory of the Mynher’s chalk white skin, coated with a thin, transparent membrane and filled with an array of faces, screaming in pain. Now his friend Bentzen was among them.

Despite the imminent danger of the snakes, Ren clamped his hand around Ara’s throat. Ara hadn’t come to kill him, and she wouldn’t do so now.

Ara’s eyes flickered to Aidan. Aidan released a sharp wail of pain.

Be careful, Chosen. I can send Aidan to the Mynher with little more than a thought.

Ren instantly released Ara, chest heaving. The clutches of evil were tightening their grip and there was nothing he could do to stop their coming. Ara’s eyes bore through him, viler than anything he had ever seen.

I will do anything you ask, Ara. Just release her.

Yes, I know you will. And I have something in mind. Once you do this, I’ll consider giving back your fire.

Ren gritted his teeth. That isn’t the way it works, Ara. I do something. You release her.

Ara smiled. My rules this time, Dragon Mate. I want you to find the Dragon’s Tear.

Zorc stepped forward, hands outstretched as if to ward off Ara’s demands. As of yet, no snakes covered Zorc, but his movement caused many to leave Ren and swarm up his legs. Despite the danger, Zorc shook his head violently. His ageless eyes bore into Ara as if he could stare her out of existence. No, he will not, cannot do that.

Oh, I do believe he can. Ara’s eyes flickered to Aidan before she returned her gaze to Zorc. Her message was clear. If he didn’t find the Pain Eye, Aidan would die. No, not die. Aidan would suffer a thousand lifetimes in the skin of the Mynher.

What will you do with it? Ren asked.

I will release its power, with Aidan’s help that is.

Aidan’s eyes flared with rage. I will never help you.

No? Ara hissed, tilting her head. She pointed to Ren. The snakes moved around his body with unfathomable speed. The Mynher would love to have his soul. So pure.

Aidan stepped forward, panic evident on her face. The large snake next to Aidan’s shoulder hissed a warning and Aidan stopped her approach. Her eyes found Ren’s, and in them he saw determination battling her fear. They would find a way, her eyes told him. They just had to have faith.

He clinched his fists, trying desperately to find a way around Ara’s demand, but he knew he couldn’t battle the Adderiss. If he didn’t comply he would not only see Aidan lost, but also all of his friends. He had to find the Pain Eye. Once he found it and saved Aidan, he would find a way to make things right.

The Adderiss watched him with an evil so intense he could almost feel it. He wondered if he would feel the same standing in front of the Quietus.

As quickly as Ara had come, she vanished, taking Aidan and her adders with her.

Ren collapsed to the ground. His entire chest felt as though it had been ripped from him.

Someone shouted his name, but he didn’t respond. A black abyss of sorrow and emptiness threatened to swallow him and he didn’t know how to stop its coming. No matter what, he would never give up. There had to be a way. There had to be.

He had to remember the first truth. If he believed in the Maker anything was possible.

But where was he to look for the Eye? Magnus said no one knew where the Eye was hidden except Chance.

His name came again, this time with more urgency. When Ren turned, he saw Nigel running toward him, panic in his eyes. Ren straightened, trying to convey that Ara’s snakes hadn’t harmed him. The Black Knight shook his head and pointed to where Similian had plummeted from the sky. Ren followed Nigel’s gaze.

A lone rider galloped toward the Red Eye. Ren instantly recognized the white-gold hair of Galvin. Ren’s chest constricted when he saw what Nigel had already seen. The Red Eye was now glowing with power.

Galvin leaned down to retrieve the crystal.

Galvin, no! Ren jumped the steep embankment next to the New Alcazar and fell over its edge.

But he was too late. Galvin had the crystal in his hands and Ren watched in horror as the light in the crystal glowed with even more life. With a surge of blinding light, Galvin was thrown from his horse.

Ren regained his footing and ran faster.

Galvin stood and slowly turned to face him. As his eyes reflected the light, Ren stopped dead in his tracks.

Galvin’s eyes weren’t his familiar dark brown.

They were glowing a sickening shade of rust.

Barracus smiled. Galvin had been easy pray. He had no power to defend himself against the former wizard. Ren fell to the ground, hundreds of cubits away, helpless. He had to kill Galvin. He had too. Even though Galvin didn’t have the Quy, Zorc said he once did. Could Barracus reclaim it? Ren couldn’t take that chance. Ren shook with effort, calling on his power, but it wouldn’t come.

He called on the defenders, trying desperately to seek the Quy through them, but the power evaded him. He couldn’t kill Galvin. It went against everything he was. There was a way. There had to be a way to separate them.

Ren watched helplessly as Barracus took a blanket off Galvin’s horse and threw it around Feher’s body, stifling what little flame remained. Then with calm surety, Barracus tossed the High Priest’s carcass over the mare and mounted.

Barracus swiveled to Ren and the Black Knight, who had skidded to a halt beside Ren. Nigel’s breaths were frantic. The Black Knight had grown close to Galvin during the ride to Zier. Ren could almost feel the worry oozing from Nigel’s pours.

When Barracus spoke, Ren recognized Galvin’s voice, but it was coated with a thick taint.

You managed to escape me, Chosen, but that’s of no consequence. This one will suit me just fine. He grinned. If I were you, I would watch my back. I won’t allow you to live for long.

Barracus turned and rode away, taking the Red Eye with him.

Chapter 4 – The Silver Eye

When Nigel walked into the great room where everyone had assembled, the air was thick with silence. No one wanted to be the first to speak. Nigel glanced at his brother, thankful Ramie was still alive. Others hadn’t been so lucky.

In Zier alone, one out of every five citizens had lost their lives when the Red Eye’s hate saturated the atmosphere. Scouts had been sent to other kingdoms with orders to report back the tally of casualties as soon as possible.

Nigel feared many nations would need new leaders. Kings would have been among the first attacked when the Red Eye’s hate had tickled men’s hearts. The Red Eye brought out hatred in the best of men, and every man hungered for a little of what their king possessed: wealth, power, influence. It was only natural to crave such things. The Red Eye would have called to those cravings and emphasized those urgings.

Bostic’s death gave testimony to Nigel’s theory. The king of Ketes had died at the hands of a mob of solders. It was mere luck Ramie had escaped with his neck, but Ramie was separated from the army when the fighting broke out and had only faced a few opponents.

A sword hadn’t even nicked Lorlier. The king of Fest had bested at least a dozen soldiers before the Silver Eye had neutralized the Red Eye’s hate. Lorlier sat across the room with his head in his hands. The king was devastated that he had shed the blood of his own men, and he continuously worried about his two daughters, Marianne and Alise, who were still in Fest. At least Lorlier’s only son, Davis, was still alive. Lorlier had worked his entire life for his children, to give them everything he could. If Lorlier returned home to discover he had lost one or both of his daughters, he would be a broken man. Each time Nigel looked into Lorlier’s eyes he could taste the king’s fear.

Nigel’s thoughts ventured back to Bostic and his kingdom. Ketes would need a new leader, and quickly. But that was something for Ren to decide. Nigel glanced behind him, half expecting Ren to appear in the doorway, commanding them all to action, but Zorc had drugged Ren a short time ago. Ren wouldn’t wake for a few sun’s clicks.

Neki sat across the room with haunted eyes, twirling a loose string that hung from the cloth binding his wounded arm. Neki had seen little death in his day. The battle he had witnessed had stirred something in the swordsman that would haunt him for years to come. Markum sat beside him, looking disheveled and worn. His visions had exhausted him, and he had yet to rest.

Fraul, Ramie’s captain, swatted at a fly buzzing around the blood on his arm. Cuts and bruises covered Fraul, but none had needed stitching. Fraul was as agile in battle as he was in humor. Ramie, on the other hand, sat beside Fraul with ample dressing and wraps. It wasn’t that Ramie was a poor fighter, on the contrary, he was a good one, but Ramie went into combat with the energy of a rabid dog and seldom moved when a blow unworthy of his attention came near. He avoided blows that would weaken him, but disliked veering from his position when he was intent on the kill.

Despite his wounds, there was a light in Ramie’s eyes Nigel had never seen before and it brightened whenever Manda’s name was mentioned. It was the first time Nigel had seen Ramie enchanted by a woman. The phenomenon was interesting to witness. Nigel tried his best to avoid the girl. Speaking to her would only cause trouble. It was just as well. Manda’s fiery green eyes reminded him of Sherri, and any memory of Sherri was painful to bear.

Presario stood in the shadows at the far corner of the room with his cowl off. Although the shadows kept the intricacies of Presario’s face concealed, Nigel could still discern the man’s features. Presario’s burns were just as Nigel remembered. One of Presario’s eyes was melted shut, and the crevices lining his face looked too severe for survival, but something in Presario’s one blue eye cast a profound beauty, giving his distorted features serenity instead of severity. Presario inclined his head. Nigel replied in kind.

Morrus and Lazo stood together, occasionally making hand signals, careful not to break the silence. Nigel could see the worry in Morrus’ eyes. Morrus feared the Druids would return to the mainland and begin closing everyone who possessed the gift of the Quy. Nigel agreed. The Druids would be jealous of magic’s rebirth and would retaliate while the Lands were still unsure of their newfound power.

Although Lazo motioned quietly to Morrus about the Druids, Nigel could see the real concern in Lazo’s eyes: the Quietus. Lazo had seen the image of the Quietus when he had witnessed the apparitions of the Red Eye. A blackened creature with eyes a murky white and fangs as long as a man’s hand, the Quietus