Bloody Fire: Shadows of an Empire, #2

By N E Riggs

Banof burns with ambition. To save his people, he must kill his empress. He lacks the power to do so on his own. Illera holds the karyon. With that, Banof could be all but unstoppable. He doesn't want to kill Illera, but neither can he afford to lose the karyon. If he has to chase her across the entire south, he will. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: N E Riggs
• Release date: Mar 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386620914

Book preview

1

The Shadow Retreat

The dim sun rose slowly over the horizon. Mountain peaks threw mad and crooked shadows over the palace of Daranvirmor. Hemol walked past one last window before turning a corner. Sunlight never reached this hallway. A few preiginds hung from the ceiling, illuminating the long corridor. Like everywhere else in Daranvirmor, the corridor was made from black stone. The floor had been worn smooth from the constant tread of feet over the centuries. Even though it was mid-Dar, snow covered the mountains, and the bitter winds already whipped at the windows. Even in the middle of summer, Daranvirmor was cold. What little heat the sun bequeathed, the black stones gathered up and stored, keeping the palace livable, if not exactly warm. Preiginds coated the walls and in apartments to help with that, but they didn’t keep out the cold entirely.

At the end of the hallway stood a large, heavy door, which led into the Shadow Retreat, home of the priests. The door was sculpted with a grandiose relief of the guardian spirit of the Sun, shafts of light radiating outward from his coiled body. Zaresh waited for him next to the door, wearing a loose red robe. His black hair hung in a messy braid over one shoulder, and he held his cane clasped before him with both hands.

Hemol inclined his head, showing his neck. Consort Zareshrentelmenas Sormashar.

General, he nodded back, the motion much shallower. You are late.

Hemol barely managed to hold back a scowl. He was right on time, but that wasn’t something he could say to Zaresh. He also said nothing about Zaresh’s greeting. Some battles were not worth fighting.

Zaresh pulled a key out of his pocket and opened the heavy door. He stepped aside, motioning for Hemol to precede him. As soon as Zaresh let go of the door, it slammed quickly shut behind them, the sound reverberating through the Shadow Retreat. The door automatically locked when it shut, and stayed that way, in case any children were running around and felt like exploring. The Shadow Retreat was no place for children. It was barely a place for adults.

He walked slowly through the retreat, slowing his pace to match Zaresh’s, the thump of the other’s cane loud in the silence. Zaresh had been badly injured during the Succession War, and he’d never fully healed.

It was always dark in the Shadow Retreat. There were no windows and few preiginds. The priests preferred it to be dark. Incense coated the air heavily, trapped within the walls with nowhere to go. Long, gossamer gold, silken drapes hung from the ceiling, creating shadowed crannies and rooms. He saw no one else as he walked through, but he rarely saw any of the priests.

It was simple enough to find Mitek. She waited in the deepest part of the retreat, as far from the entrance as possible. A large circle was inscribed on the ground; it was no Pattern that Hemol recognized, and he had never asked. Writing ran along the circle at regular intervals, something he had never seen in a Pattern. He had never looked closely enough at the writing to read any of it. The Pattern, with its writing, ended at a second concentric circle in the center, about half the size of the larger one. Within the second circle were two more, even smaller circles that lay side by side.

The first circle held a hole gaping in the floor, going down perhaps to the bottom of the earth for all Hemol knew. Faint, golden light would emanate from that hole at times. It was here that Mitek and her priests could speak with the spirit of the Sun. The second circle held a large fire within its lines. The fire burned red most days, though at times it turned yellow, almost gold, causing Hemol to sweat just standing near it. Despite the heat and the ferocity of the fire, it gave off very little light. There was no wood or other fuel, and Hemol had never heard Mitek recite a circle, but still the fire burned continuously. On the far side of the large circle, cloaked in shadows, Hemol could occasionally hear sounds of rustling, like the scrap of scales. He refused to even guess what made the sounds, for fear of being correct.

Today, as usual, Mitek sat beside the white fire, watching the way the flames leapt and burnt, as if she could divine some deep secrets from the motion of the fire. Hemol had never asked her what she used the fire for; some things were better not known. Empress Mitek, supreme leader of all diemthe, was a slim, handsome woman just over average height and reaching middle age. She wore her curly hair shorter than most diemthe, only a few centimeters past her shoulders, and wore the flowing, elaborately embroidered golden robes that all priests favored. She rarely bothered with jewelry, save on court days. She even more rarely wore the Iron Crown and never dressed in military uniform. She had little need to stand on ceremony, as all diemthe knew who she was, and she would never show herself to humans or altered humans, who would not know her.

Hemol stopped just outside the larger circle, but Zaresh continued on. He walked awkwardly into the circle, being sure not to step on any of the lines. He leaned down and gave Mitek a quick kiss. You look well, dear, he said.

Mitek smiled warmly back. As do you. Zaresh sat down on the bench beside Mitek as she turned her gaze to Hemol. General Hemolarondoril Serongar. She held a hand horizontal before her eyes, flat with the palm facing in.

Empress Mitenekironwikim Garshenka. Hemol closed his eyes and stretched wide his arms. Unlike Zaresh, Mitek always had proper greetings. Few people neglected to show Mitek their respect - Zaresh was one such, but not Hemol. You do look well today. Mitek always looked better on days when Zaresh or Tashrin or Wirek were present.

Mitek raised her left hand and held it out close to the fire, well past the point where she was in danger of being burnt. I am well. It will be a harsh winter this year. Even here, even now, I can feel its beginning.

Zaresh frowned at that, but gestured towards Hemol. Enough of the pleasantries. You said there was important news. Let us speak of that, not the weather.

Hemol scowled at him, but Mitek patted Zaresh’s arm, soothing him. Then on to business. What news have you, Hemol?

It is from the south, my empress.

Bad news is always from the south, Zaresh said.

Hemol did his best to ignore him. The latest report from Commander Kazrun indicated that she believes the humans in Paserad will rise up in an offensive against her within the next few months, by next year at the latest. She is confident that she will be able to repel the offensive, as she always does. Her spies, though, have heard a rumor which you might find interesting, my empress. Hemol paused, since he was not sure how Mitek would react to the rumor. But, should Mitek learn that he had kept the rumor from her, the consequences would be worse. In the far south, deep within the Twin Sun Kingdoms, lianthe have been sighted more often than usual. Kazrun had faithfully reported the various reasons the humans gave for such activities, though she could guess, as easily as Hemol had guessed and as easily as Mitek and Zaresh were doubtless guessing now, the true reason.

So Veiyond has been counting the years also. He knows as well as I what date is quickly approaching. Mitek reached out and stuck her hand directly into the fire. Hemol started and almost moved forward, but managed to restrain himself. Zaresh didn’t even bat an eye. A few moments later, Mitek withdrew her hand from the small inferno, and the black skin showed no sign of being burnt. He will be returning soon. How I long to see him again. She covered her face with her left hand, the hand which should have been burnt. A shiver ran down Hemol’s spine when he saw that Mitek was smiling.

Zaresh shivered. That cannot be right. If he holds the karyon again, we would know.

It is possible that he has not yet found the karyon, Hemol said. Like Zaresh, he was careful not to mention the name, not even in his thoughts. Mitek had said she looked forward to seeing him again, but Hemol did not believe that could be true.

Mitek let her hand fall from her face along with her broad smile. She glanced briefly towards the gaping hole in the floor before turning back to Hemol and Zaresh. She frowned and said, That, I cannot say at this time. But I think that he has not, for Vijeth has not yet told me that our destruction is nigh. However, there have been certain ripples in the sea of Elementalism. The karyon has been found by someone and has been used recently. I believe the location of the karyon right now is in the south. There has been no indication in any of Kazrun’s reports that some Elementalist is using unusually strong circles?

Hemol shook his head. No, nothing of the sort. However, if the karyon is in the Twin Sun Kingdoms, it would be beyond her ability to find. Even her best spies can only determine so much from there.

Yes, that is true. The south is a large place, the Twin Sun Kingdoms keep to themselves, and the karyon could be almost anywhere. What then of the rest of the south?

Hemol hesitated again. The last report he had received, compounded with this new information, suddenly worried him. Every time he tried to fix that problem, it got worse. There has been no unusual news from Sonon. He preferred not to dwell on the disaster that was Sonon. He inherited it from the previous general, and nothing he had done could fix it. He was ready to give up on Sonon for good, but Mitek wasn’t. Banof has not submitted a report since 45 Dar. He is normally very diligent, and his next report is not due till the end of the month, so I was not overly troubled. But in his last report, he mentioned investigating a small village in southern Giram. He had, he wrote, heard stories about a strange person in the village. The village also had an unnaturally good harvest year after year. That was all he wrote. I wonder if perhaps the reason he has not yet sent another report is because he ran into something unforeseen there.

He hoped nothing bad had happened to Banof. He would be sad if the boy had gotten himself killed by a southern human running around with the karyon. Banof had been under Hemol’s direct command before assuming command of the thirty-third rabet, and Hemol had been quietly grooming him to become the next general. He was rather fond of the boy. Banof showed uncommon good sense for his age, and the diemthe would be poorer as a people if he was lost.

To his surprise, Mitek laughed at his worries. You underestimate Banof, she said. He is capable and plans well in advance. If some human has found the karyon, Banof would trap that human into a confrontation.

And a beautiful sight it would be, Zaresh said, also laughing. It has been far too long since I have seen humans dying. How I miss it.

Perhaps Hemol could get one of his commanders to get you some humans, Mitek said, her eyes mischievous. Then you could play with them as much as you wish.

You are so good to me, my love, Zaresh said, leaning closer to Mitek.

Hemol spoke up before Mitek and Zaresh could get distracted further. But, faced against an opponent armed with the karyon, surely even Banof–

My friend, Mitek cut him off gently, the karyon might be rumored to give its possessor ultimate power, but that is an exaggeration. Did not our former king Janrik hold the karyon? Zaresh frowned at that; he didn’t like reminders of how Janrik died. And yet, before our very eyes at the end of the War of Ascension, we saw him defeated in combat, even when he used the karyon.

Hemol bowed his head in acknowledgment of that. All too well, he remembered that battle. He had been second in command of the diemthe forces at the time and had an excellent view of the now famous duel.

Mitek continued, Because of that, I cannot believe that Banof could be defeated by any human, even one who holds the karyon. Humans have such limited Elementalism, and even less that is appropriate for combat. Banof, however, is the best Elementalist in his age group. If he ever showed his true power, even you might not be able to stand against him. He is level ten.

Hemol frowned but did not offer a contradiction to that claim. Banof was good, no one knew that more than he. But Hemol was a survivor of the War of Ascension, and he had killed four lianthe during the course of the war. During the War of Paserad, he killed another two lianthe. When a nuthe was killed, the victor would absorb some of the power of the fallen foe. Not all of the power of the defeated nuthe, but enough to raise a rank in power. With six lianthe deaths brought about by his blade and his Elementalism, Hemol was far more powerful than most diemthe. Banof, who had never killed another nuthe, surely should not be more powerful than he. Ten was the highest level a nuthe could reach without a kill; Hemol could believe that Banof had that much power - he had seen Banof’s power, and Mitek was never wrong about such things. While Banof was the most powerful a nuthe could naturally be, Hemol was more powerful still.

The problem we face, Mitek said, is what to do if the power he feared is in fact the karyon. If it was, and if he won the karyon in battle, we will face him as an enemy.

An enemy? Hemol whispered. Banof would never turn against his own people! Zaresh shook his head, but Hemol ignored him.

Mitek chuckled. As a true diemthe, he is hungry for power. I know the deepest desire of his heart. It would be easy to dispose of him. Better that Banof should be the one to hold the karyon than the one who will soon return. She turned her back on Hemol, once again to gaze at the hole beyond the fire. Thank you for your report, Hemol. Do what you can to discover more about what is happening in the south. Do not go personally. If the worst possibility has already come to pass, then no need to inform our enemies that we know. I will contact you if I learn anything useful. Until then, I leave everything to you.

Recognizing a dismissal when he heard one, Hemol held out his arms again. Yes, my empress.

Before he got more than a few paces, Mitek spoke up again. My friend, have you been feeling cold lately?

Hemol stood still and silent for a long moment. It is always cold in the mountains, my empress. As you said, it already seems the coming winter will be harsher than most.

Indeed, Mitek said, and said no more.

After a few moments of waiting to see if Mitek would say anything else, Hemol continued out, leaving Mitek and Zaresh behind. Just before a thick drape obscured his sight of the diemthe empress, he thought he caught a hint of gold light coming from the direction of the hole. Firmly, he looked forward and walked faster. If Mitek was speaking with the spirit of the Sun at this very moment, then that was not something for which Hemol wanted to be present.

The conversation had shaken him more deeply than he wanted to admit. His own information had been bad enough, but compounded with possibilities of the karyon, his blood ran cold. In an attempt to drive all such thoughts from his mind, he walked quickly out of the Shadow Retreat.

Once back in the main part of the palace, he slowed his pace down somewhat. The sun had risen further in the sky, and Hemol stood still before a window for a long time, absorbing its warmth. He still did not feel warm. He recalled Mitek’s parting words to him and wrapped his arms around himself.

He shook his head and headed up to the ninth floor of the palace. Daranvirmor was built directly into the face of a mountain, rising far up the slope of the mountain and spreading in each direction, made of the same rock that formed the mountain. The palace was not very deep, though. It had been built so that there could be as many windows and balconies as possible. Humans liked to wall themselves away from nature, but nuthe opened themselves to it, welcoming it even if it meant freezing every winter.

Every rabet collected intelligence, both fact and rumor, all of which was reported to Hemol. He had heard the various things humans said about Daranvirmor, calling it dark and terrible and evil. It was hard to understand. Perhaps a human would think those things of Daranvirmor, but to Hemol it was home. The vaulted ceilings arched gracefully over his head, and elaborate frescoes and tapestries covered the walls around him. There was much beauty in Daranvirmor, created over the centuries by many artisans and craftsmen.

Upon reaching his office, Hemol walked over the balcony. He stood there, leaning against the railing, and stared at the sun.

The priests said that the sun had been brighter once, before the Sun spirit was trapped beneath the earth here at Daranvirmor. He had a hard time imagining it. To him, the sun seemed plenty bright. The priests also spoke of restoring the spirit of the Sun to his previous glory. They said the sun would be much brighter, the winters would be warmer, crops would grow fast and easy, and their children would laugh more loudly.

As for himself, Hemol was content with the current sun. He had been cold earlier, but sitting in the sun now, he felt warmer. The priests might worship the sun for what it could be, but Hemol loved it as it was.

How much longer would he see this sun? If Mitek and her priests succeeded, it would be a new sun he stood beneath. And if Mitek did not succeed, it would be because the karyon had fallen into the hands of he whose return was nigh. Hemol shivered despite himself. Even in this bright warmth, the thought of the return of the lianthe emperor chilled him. Should the emperor be the one to achieve victory, Hemol knew that event would also see his own death.

2

First Defeat

Follow them to the Elementalist Guild! Umagun yelled at some of the men standing nearby. Don’t let them get away!

The men saluted quickly then hurried off. Umagun looked around him, surveying the area grimly. The resistance was in full retreat, but that hardly mattered now. They’d lost, and Illera had gotten away. How had that happened? More importantly, how had some human Elementalist managed to defeat Banof?

He knelt down next to where Banof lay on the ground. The diemthe was out cold with a bad injury to his shoulder, but he was still breathing. Umagun exhaled in relief. If Banof had died...

What shall we do now? Gwel asked, coming to stand next to Umagun. She got away, we don’t know where she’s going, and the commander is hurt.

Umagun barred his teeth and just barely held back a snarl. Chase her down. If we move quickly, we might be able to make it to the Elementalist Guild before her. Even if we can’t, we can try other places and see if she’s there. The resistance had clearly planned well; he was sure the rabet soldiers at the Elementalist Guild were already dead.

Gwel nodded then turned to some of the men as well as two of the Elementalists. Go to the Elementalist Guild as fast as you can. If Illera’s there, stop her. If not, wait there. The men saluted quickly then hurried off.

There’s only so many places she could go, Jakie said from Umagun’s other side. His voice shook a bit, and he was wringing his hands together. Umagun narrowed his eyes as he looked at him. There was something wrong with Jakie, something other than what had just happened. Whatever it was would have to wait. They had more important things to worry about now.

Where? Umagun asked.

Flinching a bit, Jakie started listing places. The only truly safe place is the Twin Sun Kingdoms, but there’s no way for her to get there. The next best would be Rildivmor. If she isn’t there, she might be somewhere else in the south, like Relerio or Sonon.

That was a lot of places where she might be, most of which were under the jurisdiction of other rabets. He growled softly and said, You’ve been to Rildivmor before, haven’t you?

Jakie nodded. I can’t go there with a rabet uniform. I’d be killed.

Then put something else on and get there as soon as you can! If something happens elsewhere, we’ll contact you. Jakie nodded and hurried off. Umagun took a deep breath, calming himself, then moved on to Gwel. Sort the men into groups. Leave those who are already watching the Pattern here, put one group in Jorn and one in Lunway. I’ll take the last group with me to Relerio. If she wants to get to the Twin Sun Kingdoms, that’s the best place to start.

Understood. Gwel glanced down at Banof. What about the commander? Will he recover soon?

He should be. But I’ll keep him with me–

There is no need for that, Banof mumbled. Umagun sat back down next to him and placed a hand on his arm. Banof opened his eyes slowly and blinked blearily. Illera is in Obarvanid.

Sir, Gwel saluted, palm beside her temple. I’ll take my troops and track her down there. She gathered most of the soldiers up with her and ran off.

Banof put a hand on the ground and pushed himself up slowly, wincing. Umagun paused for a moment then slid his arm around Banof’s back and helped him up. He seemed a bit dizzy, but Umagun was sure he’d be fine in no time. It would take more than a cut in the shoulder and a knock to the head to take Banof out for long.

He opened his mouth to ask how Banof could be so sure that Illera was in Obarvanid then thought better of it. Banof was frowning, something he usually didn’t do. Could he actually be angry?

In the thirty-six years that Umagun had served under Banof, he never once saw his commander angry. Impatient, a bit frustrated, or slightly annoyed, yes, he’d seen those a few times. But he had never seen him angry. Umagun bit his lip. If Banof got angry, would he start acting like other diemthe and take his anger out on the troops? Would he start making rash decisions without thinking them over?

Umagun didn’t know, and not knowing worried him. It had been a long time since he hadn’t been able to anticipate Banof’s mood.

He kept a hold of Banof even after he finished sitting up. He didn’t seem very stable, and Umagun worried that Banof would tip over if he let go.

Did he get away as well? Banof asked.

Umagun blinked. He who?

Teg. The man who was fighting me, Banof said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Pausing, Umagun considered lying. Banof would find the truth out sooner or later, and then he might be really angry at Umagun. Yes, he got away. He runs pretty fast.

Banof pressed his black lips together in a thin line but didn’t comment on that. The remaining troops milled around the warehouse cautiously, standing at windows and doors and pointedly not looking at Banof. As Umagun watched, the soldiers standing near one of the doors stepped aside, and Jakie walked back in.

He was panting lightly and was even paler. Sir, he said to Banof after catching his breath. Gwel ran into me in the street and said you were awake.

Banof raised an eyebrow. Indeed.

Er, yes. Jakie flushed. Then he bowed his head. I have to apologize to you, sir. It’s partly my fault that Teg fought you.

Banof sat up straighter. What do you mean? he asked quietly. Umagun nodded, scowling deeply.

After hemming and hawing for some time, Jakie said, I kind of know him.

You know Teg? Banof asked, and that tone was back in his voice. This conversation wasn’t going to go well for Jakie. Umagun winced in sympathy. Tell me everything you know about him.

I haven’t known him for very long. I met him at the Elementalist Guild here in Giram, pretty recently. We started talking because we’re both from the north... Jakie trailed off, as if he wasn’t sure just how much he should say. Banof made an impatient gesture for Jakie to continue. Another bad sign for Jakie; Banof was rarely impatient. Well, he’s quiet, I guess. Doesn’t say much about himself, but he always listened to everything I said. We were friends, or at least I’d like to think we were friends. He’s from Rildivmor originally, served in the fifteenth, but hasn’t been back in a while.

Umagun nodded. That would explain why he fought against us, even though he’s a northerner. Rildivmor natives could hardly be counted as regular northerners; they caused more problems even than north-easterners.

He said he didn’t like rabets and never had, but he always listened closely whenever I talked about this rabet. Jakie hunched his shoulders at that last part, clearly guilt. While Umagun was sure he hadn’t deliberately passed on any valuable information, he obviously had said a few things he shouldn’t have said. It seemed this Teg fellow had managed to take advantage of some of what Jakie had said.

Did you speak to him of our plans? Banof asked sharply.

No, sir, Jakie shook his head, wringing his hands in the long, loose sleeves of his robe. I talked about how you were a good commander. Er... he paused and ducked his head again. I... I might have mentioned we were planning on killing a girl, and Teg guessed I was talking about a lianthe. But now we know he was part of the resistance, so I didn’t tell him anything he didn’t already know, or could guess! He winced and spread his hands, his tone pleading.

Banof waved a hand. Whatever you told him is in the past. If you spoke to him of me, it explains much. I am not angry at you. Is there anything more you can tell me about him?

Jakie stopped playing with his sleeves, his shoulders slumping. "Thank you, sir. And I am sorry, for anything I might have told him. I never guessed that he might challenge you, or that, even if he did, he might injure you. He’s not much of an Elementalist, sir; he said he only sometimes works