Exile's Vengeance: Legends of Lairheim, #4

By Tora Moon

Evil has awakened…

Vengeance is in their hearts.

No longer exiled, Malviana vows to exact her revenge.

But the world is far different than when she was banished centuries ago. Faced with new and frightening powers, Malviana struggles to maintain her vow.

Wisah learns she is the key to a powerful weapon.

If she unleashes it, it could destroy her world. If she doesn't, Malviana will enslave her people.

Rizelya and Blazel lead their war-weary people in their greatest fight for survival yet. But the odds are against them and their near immortal foes.

Can they vanquish their ancient enemies once and for all?

Exile's Vengeance is the exciting conclusion to the Legends of Lairheim series.

If you love innovative magic, strong female leaders, and battles with monsters, you'll love Tora Moon's epic fantasy series, the Legends of Lairheim.

Get it today and join Rizelya and Blazel defeat their ancient enemies!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lunar Alchemy Publishing Company
• Release date: May 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946132093

Tora Moon

Tora Moon writes all genres of fantasy and especially loves to write stories which allow the reader to journey into worlds full of magic and escape their ordinary lives for a time. Ancient cultures and religions, mythology, and folklore fascinate her and find their way into her stories. Besides reading, some of her hobbies are sewing, crocheting, and making wire-wrapped jewelry. Her love of travel has taken her to several countries and saw her living in an RV for several years. She makes her home in the southwestern desert with her feline companion. You’d like to know more about me than that little official tidbit? So what else to say about me? Like most fiction authors, I fell in love with the written word and stories when I was a child. I loved The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Island of the Blue Dolphin. As a teenager I found Dune, Conan the Barbarian, the Xanth series, and the Dragonriders of Pern (which is still my all-time favorite series). After that, much to my mother’s literary disappointment (she studied British Literature in college), my genre of choice was fantasy, science fantasy, with a bit of science fiction thrown in. I write what I love to read: all genres of fantasy, paranormal romance, and a bit of science fiction. I love stories like Star Wars which mix magic and science into science fantasy. I like a little love and romance to sweeten the pot, but not enough to make it sickly sweet.

Book preview

EXILE’S VENGEANCE

Legends of Lairheim

Tora Moon

Prologue

The first time he’d heard the woman had been in a dream. The dark velvet voice had held him in thrall, promising him the pain he craved. No one had ever understood his need to feel and inflict pain, or the pleasure he derived from it. He’d learned after the first few incidents as an adolescent boy to hide his yearnings, as his alphas believed them to be the aberrant behavior of a rogue. And rogues were killed. So he hid his pleasures, finding ways to inflict pain and suffering on animals and on himself.

He remembered the glorious day while fighting one of the new control janacks when he first heard her voice calling to him. He followed the lure of her darkness, like the scent of sweet perfume, deep into the nearby swamp, only to be rudely attacked by the bore, Eidstrun. He’d been chased out, like an errant child, driven before Eidstrun’s much larger and stronger warrior form. He growled at the memory and fisted his hand—being careful not to drive his long claws into his palm—vowing someday he’d get his vengeance on Eidstrun.

The bitch Rizelya had turned him over to a White Priestess, who had rummaged through his mind with her filthy Talent, installing a block to the dark woman’s voice. He had finally broken it chedans later when they were in Strunlair Territory, and, using the distractions of the continuous Malvers monster attacks, he’d escaped into a large swamp where her voice immediately caressed him and drew him deeper.

He’d eventually learned her name. Malviana. He whispered it and licked his lips, savoring the taste. She hadn’t reneged on her promise. He had fallen into a pool filled with delicious, potent magic, and sweet, luscious pain had enveloped him, he’d opened himself fully to the ecstasy it brought. Time had no meaning in that place of pleasure-pain.

He’d awakened four lunadars later when the first bite of winter snows covered the swamp to discover he was no longer a Posair. Malviana had changed him into something more.

He now yearned for more than just pain as pleasure. He craved blood and death. Following Malviana’s call, he’d left the swamp in Strunlair Territory and made his way south, killing and maiming wherever he went. Sometimes he hunted with the Malvers monsters—who were no longer confined to their nests like they once had been, now with his mistress’s power steadily growing. He took victims to sacrifice to Malviana and her god—and to feed upon.

Finally, he crossed the Barrens and entered the great southern swamp. He felt her pull even stronger now. Soon he would join her. Soon he’d be with his love.

Chapter 1: 25 de Ahdar, 1076

Sunlight filtered through the high library windows. With a huge sigh, Wisah closed the book she’d been reading. Sheekeek looked up. Books littered the table in front of them.

*What’s wrong?* he asked, a talon marking the corner of the book.

Wisah winced, hoping he wasn’t poking a hole in the old manuscript. Nothing … everything. We’ve been back to the Sanctuary for two lunadars, and all the Supreme has had us do is read these old, moldy books. I thought when Rizelya found that ancient book, and we rushed here with it, there was some urgency.

*That had been my impression as well.* Sheekeek shook his head feathers, resettling them. *Perhaps the Goddess just needed to keep that book out of the Scourge’s hands.*

Wisah rolled her eyes. I doubt that was the reason. They couldn’t read it. They, nor the Volkern, could read Posarian. Plus, what little I glimpsed from the cover, I doubt we could read it. It was that old.

*Even so, they would have destroyed it if they’d found it.*

That’s true. She shuddered. She’d seen some truly awful things the alien invaders had done to her people. In some ways, she was very glad to be in the Sanctuary. She pushed her book away from her. She couldn’t read any more about people long dead. The Supreme had authorized Wisah and Sheekeek to read several histories about the Great War. Some had been enlightening, but most were boring.

Fiddling with a pen, she asked, Do you ever think about that book or what happened that day?

Sheekeek sighed, put a marker in his book, and sat back on his haunches. *I do. It was strange that the huge sandstorm revealed the temple, and as soon as Rizelya recovered the book, it disintegrated.*

The Goddess wanted it found. Wisah hesitated. She hadn’t told anyone what had befallen her. But Sheekeek had been called by the Goddess, too. He’d understand. She leaned forward. It was the first time the Goddess clearly spoke to me.

Sheekeek pulled back slightly and cocked his head to the side. *I didn’t realize that. I’d had other messages from her. What did she say, if you don’t mind me asking?*

Wisah closed her eyes, letting the incident flow to the top of her consciousness. Slowly, quietly, she recounted the experience to Sheekeek.

Wisah, my child, a voice had whispered to her.

She had sat up straight and had looked all around her, but no one had been near her.

I have need of you, child. The voice said. It wasn’t mind-speech but something else. A loving presence had filled her, and she’d finally realized who was speaking to her—the Goddess! The time has come to reveal what was once hidden. You will help heal my people and bring an ending to those who pervert my gifts, my world. Go find Rizelya. She has what you need. Take it to the Supreme. Go quickly now, before it is lost again.

I walked through the camp in a daze, Wisah continued, to the edge of the Barrens, where I met Rizelya and Glork. Rizelya handed the book to me. She gazed down at her hands, remembering the sharp jolt of energy that had pulsed from the book when her fingers had touched it. You found us moments after that.

*The Goddess had spoken to me,* Sheekeek said, *telling me to find you and take you to the Supreme. Has she told you what was so special about the book?*

Wisah shook her head. I didn’t have time to tell Jaehaas good-bye or let him know I was leaving.

*I’m sure Rizelya told him. He’d understand you left because you’d been called by the Goddess.*

But for what? Wisah threw her hands in the air. To read books about ancient history or political plots? I should be back at the front, helping my friends. What do you think is happening at the war? she asked,

*Fighting.* Sheekeek shrugged and rubbed his beak on his furry shoulder. *The Supreme hasn’t received a messenger from Histrun that I know of, so they must still be fighting.*

I just can’t help feeling guilty for being here, safe, while they’re fighting for their lives—and our freedom.

Sheekeek pushed the book Wisah had been reading back toward her. *Right now, all we can do is follow the Supreme’s orders and read these books and scrolls, until she tells us otherwise.*

Wisah sighed, knowing he was right, then picked up the dry history she’d been reading. Even as she tried to concentrate, her mind kept wondering what was so important about the ancient tome Rizelya had found.

Later that night, Wisah sat on her bed, her knees pulled up to her chin, unable to sleep and fighting off her loneliness. She glanced over at the empty bed across the room, the covers just a bit wrinkled where they’d been hastily pulled up. On the shelf over the bed, a small carved sabertiger had been knocked over in Chariel’s rush to leave. Wisah sighed, wishing her friend and roommate was here in the Sanctuary with her, rather than far south, fighting the invaders.

She wiped the tears from her face and blew her nose, admitting to herself who she really missed was Jaehaas. As a White Priestess, she hadn’t ever expected to fall in love, and especially not with a centaur. But sometime during the journey to find the Posairs’ long-lost allies, the Phengriffs, she and Jaehaas had become close. They could never have a normal relationship because of the choice he’d made many years ago to shift into half man, half horse. Once made, the change was irreversible. Jaehaas could never shift back into his fully man form and make love to her, but she didn’t care. She loved him anyway.

Her thoughts returned—as they always seemed to do these days—to the powerful book Rizelya had miraculously found in an ancient temple uncovered by a sandstorm in the middle of the Barrens. As far as Wisah knew, the Supreme hadn’t opened it yet. She wondered why the Supreme was waiting. It had seemed important at the time that the book be quickly brought to the Sanctuary. She, Sheekeek, and the other Phengriffs escorting her had nearly killed themselves to reach the Sanctuary as fast as possible. She hadn’t slept well since then, her sleep disturbed by it calling to her, begging her to open it. She didn’t know why something so old, so powerful, wanted her, a lowly White Priestess.

She scrubbed her face of the tears and stood up to straighten Chariel’s figurine. As she reached for it, power thundered through her, dropping her to her knees.

At last, the Supreme had opened the book!

Throwing on a cloak and shoes, Wisah ran from her room, through the dormitory, and out the door. The nip in the night air made her glad she’d grabbed a cloak. Although it was Ahdar, spring came later to the mountains. Kelar, the largest moon, was nearly full, providing her with enough light to make her way across the cloister grounds and to the temple. She slipped through a side door into a dimly lit corridor. The widely spaced light globes on the walls were turned down low. Few people would be wandering the temple’s halls so late at night, and those would be the occasional Red Guard, patrolling the temple.

Wisah dashed through the temple, skidding to a stop at the doors to the Supreme’s quarters, panting and out of breath from her run. The two Red Guards, veils covering their faces and dressed head to toe in red, crossed their helbraughts in front of the door, blocking Wisah from entering.

The Supreme gave orders not to be disturbed, the taller of the two said.

But I have to see her, Wisah implored. It’s important.

Is anyone getting killed or is there an attack on the gates? the shorter guard on the right asked.

Wisah shook her head.

Then your business with the Supreme can wait until morning. She’s doing work that can’t be disturbed.

I know. I have to be in there to help her.

She gave no such orders. The taller guard sighed. Go back to bed, Wisah. We can’t let you in.

*Supreme,* Wisah called softly in mind-speech, *I need to talk to you. I need to see the book.*

Wisah waited for an answer. When she didn’t receive one, she spun on her heel, intending to go back to her room, but the strong presence of the Goddess stopped her. She had to stay here; she didn’t know why. The energy of the book seeped through the door and caressed her skin like a lover. She rubbed her arms and paced the hallway to relieve the sensation. Finally it ceased, and Wisah guessed the Supreme had finished reading the book. She tried again to contact the Supreme using mind-speech, but when she still didn’t receive an answer, she thought maybe a shield had been put up to block any such types of communication.

When the Red Guards changed a few octars into her vigil, she tried wheedling her way past the new ones. But they were just as obnoxiously efficient as the first two and wouldn’t let her in. Throughout the long night, she paced the hallway in front of the Supreme’s door, or sat slumped against the wall waiting for the Supreme to let her in.

***

A blast rocked the island, knocking Malviana from her feet to land in a crumpled heap on the damp cave floor. Above her a giant stalactite cracked, and with a loud snap it broke off and dropped toward her. She rolled quickly to avoid being impaled by it, only to have another and then another break off as the island continued to rock and buck. Unsteadily, she regained her feet, holding on to her laboratory table. A blast of energy ripped through her, and she collapsed forward, gasping for breath. Her heart thundered in her ears. She reached out with her senses.

Whatever had caused the blast had torn through the barrier keeping her and her people locked on the miserable island of their exile. Thank you, Mordaga! she cheered, tears wetting her cheeks.

She didn’t know what was causing the earth to shake, but whatever it was, it had taken down the last of the magical barrier. With the recent increase in power, Malviana had almost pulled it down already, and this earth shake finished the job for her. After the invaders had arrived and used her pets inside their corrals, the Malvers had fed well for the first time since their exile. Their powers had strengthened until a few chedans ago, when the invaders suddenly stopped using the corrals. No matter. She’d gained enough power to create new mounts for her people in anticipation of the day they could leave the hated island. A grin creased her face. That day had finally arrived!

She reached out with her senses, pushing them farther than they’d gone since her incarceration. Fear—an unfamiliar emotion—coursed through her. A wall of water bore down on the island, taller than the highest peak.

Magdelyn! Borgedier! she yelled.

Her two most trusted lieutenants rushed to her side. They were the closest she had to friends. Friends made a person weak and could be used as leverage against one.

Gather everyone, she ordered. We have to leave. Now!

What’s happening? Magdelyn asked. I thought we had more time, Your Grace.

Our time is out. That earth shake caused a tidal wave, and it’s coming straight for us.

Magdelyn’s eyes widened, and her already pale gray skin grew paler. She straightened her shoulders and gave a short nod. Right then. We’ll be ready to leave in—

Half an octar. Less would be better. Have my mount ready for me. I have one last thing to do.

Yes, my queen. It will be done. Magdelyn hurried from the cave.

Borgedier, stay. I need your strength. Malviana hated needing to rely on another. But even with the increase of death essence through her pets, she wasn’t as strong as she had once been—and what she vowed she’d return to. She slid into the nearest chair.

He dropped to one knee in front of her and thumped a fist to his chest. I am yours. Take what you need, my queen. He bowed his head and held his wand up. It already pulsed as he released his power into it.

She placed a hand on his shoulder, closed her eyes, accessed her magic, then pushed it outward far across the ocean and deep into the White Mountains. She followed the thread of magic that had formed and held the magical barrier back to its source—the Supreme. She didn’t have to go far. The Supreme’s mind was speeding toward where the barrier should be. Malviana wrapped her power around the Supreme’s mind, trapping it, then squeezed. She felt the Supreme collapse.

Malviana came out of the trance with a cackle of glee. Her opponent was dead! Still laughing, she ran to the cave that served as the stables for their mounts, with Borgedier a few steps behind. She worried for a moment she’d pulled too much from him. But to kill the Supreme would be worth it, even if it killed him.

Magdelyn held her mount steady as Malviana leaped onto the saddle behind its reptilian shoulders, taking the whip Magdelyn handed to her. It hissed at her, and she laughed again.

Is everyone here?

Yes, my lady, Magdelyn said.

Then let us ride to freedom! Malviana slapped the banthu with the whip and it sprang up, spreading its wide wings to sail out the cave mouth and into the sky. Malviana glanced back as it gained altitude to see the wave overtake the peak behind the cave.

Hurry! she yelled, willing her people to get out.

The last person, Borgedier, escaped the cave and furiously whipped his beast to fly faster. The water crashed over the cave system, the edge catching Borgedier’s beast’s tail, making it spin out of control. Malviana flung out a hand, extending her magic, and caught them before they plunged into the water. The banthu regained its equilibrium and flapped its wings, flying higher with each down stroke.

Malviana guided her beast to the barrier, then beyond.

Home! The word sang in her heart.

She was going home at last.

Malviana blinked at the bright sun—the first she’d seen in ages. A blinding headache bloomed behind her eyes, and she pulled her hood up over her head, which helped alleviate her headache. Below her the blue ocean sparkled. It was so full of life, so full of potential power! She drank in the life essences of the small fish and sea creatures, their bodies floating to the surface in her wake. The increase of power filled her until she buzzed with it. She sensed her people behind her were also feeding from the ocean’s bounty. It didn’t provide the depth of power or the nourishment a sacrifice to Mordaga did, but it was much, much more than they’d partaken of in ages. The deaths caused by her pets had kept them alive, but it hadn’t delivered any satiation.

Soon, she and her people would feed properly.

***

The bomb the invaders had left as they fled from the planet’s atmosphere detonated. The land under Rizelya’s feet rolled, and she hastily reached out a hand to steady her heart-sister, Kaieli. She held her breath, waiting to find out if their Faeorn allies had spoken the truth. After several milcrons, nothing more happened. Her world was safe from the invaders. Laughing with joy, she pulled Kaieli into a hug, careful of the delicate egg Kaieli held.

As she watched the former slaves turned allies, the Faeorn, disappear onto their ship, she felt a rush of homesickness overtake her. She wanted to go home, too. She hadn’t seen Strunland Keep for nearly a year.

She glanced up at Blazel standing by her side. His long, dark-auburn hair still twisted into dreadlocks hung nearly to his waist. He saw her looking at him and grinned. The scar running down his cheekbone and chin made him look ruggedly handsome to her. She knew it continued down his neck and chest and left arm. He’d received it and the four scars on his back from a sabertiger as a young man. She smiled back at him and squeezed his hand. She wanted to show Blazel the places she loved in her home territory and explore the old ruins near the keep with him.

At least they had a home to return to. She looked to the side of the crowd where the Vhelopsi refugees stood. Their leader, Hairan Aziru, stood rigid as he watched the scout ship punch into the sky. He and his people—nearly four hundred of them—were now stranded for the rest of their lives on Lairheim. Rizelya didn’t think she could start over in a strange world like they were doing. But no matter what happened in the future, they were better off here than remaining as Scourge slaves, waiting for the day when they became food.

Rizelya followed Blazel’s gaze to their friend, Chariel, a Gray who was gifted—or cursed—with receiving prophetic visions from the Goddess. Chariel had unusual charcoal-gray hair and eyes. Right now, they weren’t filmed over with silver as they did when she had a vision, but they were bleak. What could she be unhappy about? They had just won the war against the Scourge. When Blazel looked back at Rizelya, he wore a grim expression.

What’s wrong? she asked. She didn’t think they had mind-spoken.

He shrugged and opened his mouth to speak just as her best friend from childhood, Aistrun, lightly punched him on the arm.

Hey, Blazel, Aistrun said, a grin lighting up his gold eyes. The sun glinted off his red-gold hair. Get a move on it. Let’s go fishing.

*Fresh fish sounds good,* Graak said, dropping his beak. *I’m tired of dried meat.* The Phengriff shook out his sandy-brown head feathers, which turned to a creamy-white flecked with light brown and black feathers on his chest, then melded into his dark brown feline body. His head was nearly even with six-foot tall Blazel.

Their other Phengriff friends, Glork and Broogk, bobbed their heads in agreement.

Me too, Blazel said. I’d like to do something besides fight for a little while.

Rizelya agreed. The war with the Scourge had lasted nearly six lunadars. She was so tired of fighting and of watching friends die.

She brushed her hand over Glork’s creamy-tan and brown fur. How is your wing? It’s only been six days since your injury. Are you well enough to fly with me on your back?

He nodded, and the breeze shifted his light brown and white feathers. He lifted his left wing. *The hole from the invaders projectile is healed. See?*

She examined it closely and could see the new feathers forming next to the metacarpal bone where he’d been shot. Satisfied, she threw her leg over his back, buckled on the harness, and laid forward. A few milcrons later, Blazel and Aistrun were buckled in on Graak and Broogk. Several other fighter-Phengriff teams joined them.

As the Phengriffs leaped into the air, Rizelya could feel the pulse of magic that helped the huge Phengriffs fly. They flew east over the plains, where below them horses raced the Phengriffs’ shadows. Rizelya laughed with joy to see such an ordinary sight. Blazel and Aistrun joined her.

Soon the ocean came into sight. Instead of a clear expanse of blue and the expected bounty of fish, strange creatures flew on the horizon. As they drew closer, a tremor shook Glork from head to toe. Rizelya could just make out strange people riding the creatures.

What’s wrong? What are they? Blazel’s asked, fear filling his voice.

*A big problem,* Graak replied. *They are beasts we thought long extinct. They were the Malvers’ mounts during the Great War.*

Does this mean those are Malvers riding them? Aistrun asked.

*I can’t see them clearly,* Glork responded, his head feathers standing on end. *And I should be able to. I don’t like this at all.*

*How could that many Malvers survive all this time?* Graak shook violently from head to toe. Rizelya was glad Blazel was harnessed in, otherwise he would have fallen off.

We know at least one of them survived, Rizelya said, her voice trembling. The woman who keeps haunting my dreams. Terror gripped her as she remembered the evil delight the woman took in the death caused by the Malvers monsters.

Blazel narrowed his eyes as he watched the creatures’ progress. It looks like they are heading for the fortress Graak and I found in the southern swamp. That thing is pure evil. We need to get back and warn the others.

The fish were forgotten as the Phengriffs circled to return to camp.

Glork suddenly slowed, beating his wings furiously to hover in place. *Wait!* he cried. *There’s something else out in the ocean.*

Rizelya gaped to see a huge fast-moving wave below them.

Oh, Sweet Mother! A tidal wave! Aistrun yelled.

We didn’t escape unscathed from that damnable bomb, after all, Blazel swore.

*Morru,* Graak ordered, *you and Leistral fly back and warn the keeps along the coast. As soon as we’re close enough, I’ll have Kaaik and Baekeek help you. Go! Go! Fly fast!*

The smaller, faster, falcon-type Phengriff sped away.

Rizelya could feel Glork put on more speed as they flew back to camp. Histrun, Keshanal, and Moraak needed to know about the new threat from the Malvers people, and they had to save the people near the coast from the tidal wave.

***

When they approached the camp, Blazel could see several people harnessing Phengriffs. As soon as they’d been within range, Graak had mind-spoken with his leader, Prince Moraak, who obviously had passed on the message to the Supreme Alphas, Histrun and Keshanal. Two dozen of the huge, black Thunder Wings leaped into the sky, and Blazel nodded to himself in approval. They were a large enough company they could evacuate many people from the keeps in range of the tidal wave. As soon as they cleared the sky, thirty fighter-Phengriff teams—some carrying women dressed in the bright-green clothes of healers—took off and headed toward the coast.

Graak landed next to the command tent, and Blazel jumped off, having already unbuckled his harness. He and the others hurried inside.

Where do you want us, sir? Blazel asked Histrun as soon as the entered the tent.

Histrun was bent over, studying the map covering the large table. The old man’s red hair, dulled with age, was even paler and thinner after the trial of the Scourge War. Worry lines now creased his face and his grass-green eyes were puffy from exhaustion. He slowly stood up, and Blazel noticed his shoulders and back were more stooped. He worried about the man who had been his mentor, teacher, and friend. Histrun had taught Blazel how to shift into his warrior form and how to be an honorable Posair male, even if, until recently, he’d never been in a pack.

I knew I shouldn’t have sent you three, Histrun growled. You always seem to find trouble.

Hey, Aistrun objected, trouble finds us.

Rizelya put her hands on her hips and glared at Histrun. We didn’t do anything to cause the tidal wave. The blame for it is squarely on the Scourge’s bomb.

Did Graak tell you about the Malvers returning? Blazel asked.

Histrun rubbed his eyes. Yes. As if we didn’t have enough to deal with. They will have to wait until we get our people to safety.

*We should take a large force to that castle in the swamp and wipe them out,* Moraak said, his tail swishing in agitation. It crashed into a small table, flinging the taevo pot and mugs on it into the air. Moraak’s golden head feathers were flattened tight to his head, and his tawny-gold fur stood up. At seven feet tall, he towered over the Posairs in the tent. *We must kill them before they can kill us!* Moraak banged his talon onto the map table, causing the markers on it to jump and several to tip over.

Naila, Rizelya’s sister and the Posairs’ battle commander, reached over and righted the overturned markers. Do you know how? she croaked in her rough, gravelly voice. A long time ago, a janack had tried to strangle her, and the injury had ruined her voice. She switched to mind-speech. *I don’t. Our ancestors tried to kill them*—she flung a hand toward the Barrens—*and that is the result. The Malvers are still here, and the land was devastated.*

*We should at least send a force to see what we’re up against,* Moraak said. *Graak could not see the creatures well enough to tell how many there were.*

*Some sort of spell distorted the air around them,* Graak said. *None of us could see them properly.*

I concur. We need to know, Histrun said. He held up a hand to forestall Moraak. But it should be a small scouting party. We don’t know what we’re up against, except that it’s evil.

Graak and I could lead them, Blazel offered. Inwardly he shuddered at the thought of returning to the castle. The vegetation around it had been twisted by the malignant magic of the place until they barely resembled the trees or plants they’d once been. Twisted, monstrous beasts had overrun it, making it their homes. He saw Graak flinch and his rear paw twitch. One of those beasts had been intelligent enough to use a magic rope to try to ensnare Graak as they had flown over the castle. It had left a scar on his paw where the fur wouldn’t grow. Blazel glanced down at his right palm, where the backlash of the magic in his helstrablade had collided with the malignant magic of the rope and burned the pattern of his helstrablade hilt into his palm. Bethlyn had healed the wound but couldn’t do anything about the scar.

Histrun shook his head. No, that won’t be necessary right now. I need you two for something else. Graak, do you have any idea when we can expect that wave to make landfall?

Graak looked up at the tent ceiling while he thought, scratching the side of his beak with a talon. *Based on the wavelength and the speed, I estimate we only have two or three octars.*

That isn’t much time to evacuate five keeps.

Rizelya lifted a hand. What about me? What do you want my battalion to do?

Most are gone already, Naila said with a smile. She tossed her thick braid of bright-red hair back over her shoulder and pointed to the map. *They are in Posanvenlynde, Posanvendean, and Posanvenir, evacuating those keeps. I want you and your squad-pack here, at Posanvende Keep. It should be far enough inland to escape any damage, and it’s a large enough keep to hold everyone. We’ll use it as the evacuation center. Word has already been sent to the keep alphas, Camerposan and Dalnevah, to expect an influx of evacuees. Help them make sure their people are safe, especially since that many people will attract the damned Malvers monsters. Your new techniques will be useful there. I’ve already sent Maheli on ahead. Maybe together you can figure out how to create a shield like the invaders used.*

Rizelya tucked a lock of her dark auburn hair, which had escaped from her braid during the Phengriff ride, behind her ear. We’ll do what we can. We don’t have the technology they used. But we’ll eventually think of something that will work.

Come on, Little Red, Aistrun said with a sigh, looking down at the much shorter Rizelya. We have work to do. Too bad about those fish. He sighed deeply again and made a sad face.

Rizelya laughed at him, then turned to leave but Keshanal stopped her. Take Kaieli with you, Rizelya. It might do her some good to leave here for a while.

Blazel nodded in agreement. One of the casualties of the final battle with the Scourge had been Rolstrun. He had been Blazel’s first Posair friend after he returned from his sojourn into the swamps, and he still mourned his friend. Kaieli and Rolstrun had become lovers during their enslavement by the invaders and she’d taken his death hard. Blazel glanced at Rizelya and couldn’t imagine the grief he’d feel if something were to happen to her.

As Rizelya and Aistrun left the tent, the Vhelopsi leaders, Hairan Aziru and Sangasu Musa entered.

We heard the news about the catastrophe, Hairan said. Is there anything we can do to help?

Histrun started to shake his head.

This is our world too, now, Hairan said. Please, let us help.

Histrun considered the map again, his chin resting on his fist. Then after several moments, he nodded and pointed to a keep near a small river. I’ll send your people to Posanvenheim. They need to move away from the Borleano River. When the wave hits, it will travel quickly upriver. There’s a group heading that direction, I’ll have them drop you off.

*I’ve let them know to expect you,* Naila said. At Hairan’s blank look, she swore, then said to Histrun, Translate, please. The Vhelopsi didn’t have the magic or aptitude to communicate via mind-speech. They could only hear the Phengriffs, who could make themselves understood by everyone.

Histrun translated, then added, Hurry, they’re waiting for you.

Hairan and his entourage bowed and quickly left the tent.

Blazel raised an eyebrow to Naila. What do you want Graak and me to do?

Naila stepped to a chest, unlocked it, and pulled out an old-looking scroll. She carefully laid it on the table over the map, setting stones on the corners to hold it down. It appeared blank except for some faded print along the edge. Blazel leaned closer to see it more clearly until he could make out the ancient script he’d learned to read at the Sanctuary. He read the words in a low voice and blinked in surprise when the magic in the scroll was awakened. A map in bright colors appeared, showing the eastern coastline and the southern peninsula. Dots glowed where villages and cities once stood. But it was the dark island far from the eastern coast that caught his attention. It would take several hours of flight to reach it.

Histrun pointed to the large island, not touching the map. That’s where I want you and Graak to go. It’s where the Malvers were exiled after the Great War.

Blazel sucked in a breath, and chills ran down his spine. Graak squawked, his head feathers lifting.

Histrun ignored their reactions. We need to know if all the Malvers returned to the mainland or if some remained on the island. I don’t want to have to fight a two-front war with them. Take a small force with you in case there is trouble.

I’d like to take Rizelya and Aistrun with me.

I know, son. Histrun slumped onto a stool. But I don’t want her anywhere near that Malvers woman. If she can affect Rizelya from that island, and behind a magical barrier, I’m terrified of what she could do to Rizelya when she’s close.

Blazel nodded and ran a hand over his hair where a gray streak ran through it.

Ah, sir. He swallowed and hung his head. Um, I’ve had dreams of her too.

Histrun frowned at him. Why haven’t you said anything, boy?

They weren’t as bad as Rizelya’s, and I never saw anything more than she did. I don’t know if it would be safe for me to go to their home or not.

Histrun scrubbed a hand through his hair, mussing it up. He looked at Naila for a long moment, then at Moraak. They seemed to be having a private discussion in mind-speak. Finally, Histrun huffed. You’re the only one we have available right now. Everyone else is helping with the evacuations. Visit Saffren and have her help you with a mind block like she did with Rizelya.

*She should go with you,* Moraak added. *I’ve felt her mind-blocks and they are strong. She could protect your group from a mind-attack if needed. Take Kaaik, he is also good with mind-blocks. I’ve called him back, and he should be here by the time you’re ready to leave.*

Blazel saluted and Graak dipped his head. Then they both studied the map again.

Blazel groaned. Come on, Graak. It looks like we have a long flight ahead of us. We need to gather supplies and our people. I don’t want to stay there overnight.

*Me either!* Graak said with feeling, shaking his head feathers. *We will fly fast.*

Apprehension filled Blazel as they left the tent to find their teammates. What if the Malvers woman hadn’t left the island? Could he and Saffren fight her off? As he thought about it, he decided to see if Chariel was still in camp and if she was, he’d take her with him too.

Chapter 2: 25 de Ahdar, 1076

Rizelya raced to the healers’ sleeping tent in search of Kaieli. Rizelya slipped through the tent flap and allowed her eyes to adjust to the dimness within. She found Kaieli curled around a carved egg on her cot, weeping softly. Their Volkern ally, Tre’nok, had given her the egg. One of the carvings was of Rolstrun, and it was the only likeness of him Kaieli had. Rizelya sat on the edge of the cot and placed a hand on Kaieli’s shoulder.

Dear Heart, she said. I know you’re hurting. But there’s an emergency, and we need you.

Kaieli brushed at the tears on her face and turned to Rizelya. What emergency? What could possibly be wrong now?

The Faeorn didn’t account for the bomb causing a huge tidal wave when it went off. There’s one coming that could wipe out the entire eastern coast. Several Posanlair Keeps are in danger.

Kaieli sat up, still hugging the precious egg. What do Histrun and Naila want us to do?

We’re supposed to go help the alphas at Posanvende Keep get ready for the arrival of the people from the smaller, minor keeps. Naila wants you to go because there might be serious injuries.

Rizelya studied Kaieli as she carefully wrapped the egg in a blanket, then placed it in a nest of clothes in her chest. It wrenched her guts to watch her former lover so heartbroken, and uncharitably she hoped she’d never have to experience such pain herself by losing Blazel.

While she waited, Rizelya thought about the net-shield she and her team had created that stopped the invaders’ aerial projectiles. During her captivity, Kaieli had developed a way to weave all the Talents together to create something akin to Black Talent. Rizelya had been too busy fighting to really explore the possibilities of it, but now she wondered if there could be another use for it.

Posanvenir is in the direct path of that wave, Rizelya said, tapping her chin with her fingertips. If the wave hits it, it will be destroyed. Do you think with your Black Weave we can create a shield to protect it?

Kaieli straightened up, her eyebrows furrowed. I don’t know. I’ve never tried anything like that. But Chariel mentioned your team created a net-shield. We could possibly combine the two.

That was my thought. We should at least try. If all the people and livestock are evacuated first, then if we can’t do it, the only loss will be the buildings.

We need one person from each of the seven Talents, plus a male to anchor the energy. Kaieli’s eyes filled with moisture. Rolstrun did that for us.

Most of my team has already left, Rizelya hurriedly said, not wanting Kaieli to break down again. We’ll have to make do with whoever we can find. Let’s grab Chariel and Loshera. Their Gray and White Talents will be the hardest to find elsewhere. I have Red and you have Brown, so we’ll only need someone with Blue, Green, and Yellow, and those aren’t hard to find in the fighting-packs anymore. She grinned. It had been her innovation that allowed women with Talents other than Red to join the fighting-packs. Aistrun is coming with us, so he can be the anchor.

I can be the anchor for what? Aistrun said from the tent door. Are you two ready yet?

Kaieli nodded and they hurried from the tent.

We’re going to try to stop the wave from destroying Posanvenir Keep, Rizelya explained as they ran.

Then why are we headed to the temple?

We need a White Priestess, and Chariel’s been spending a lot of time there.

I know, Aistrun huffed. He and Chariel had become lovers during their quest to find the Phengriffs, then she’d spent three lunadars in the invaders’ slave camp cleansing the crater rocks of nucla. After returning, they’d been too busy fighting the invaders for anyone to spend much time alone. Whenever we haven’t been fighting, she’s been in the temple, trying to cleanse herself from her time in the invaders’ camp.

They reached the white tent that served as the temple for the war host. Rizelya tore back the tent flap. Are Loshera and Chariel here?

A woman passing from her middle to elderly years bowed to the altar, then stood up. Loshera had snow-white hair and light-yellow eyes. I’m here. Chariel is in the back. What do you need, Rizelya?

We’re going to try to save Posanvenir Keep from the tidal wave caused by the invaders’ bomb, Rizelya said. We need the Black power to do so.

Ah, I see.

Chariel entered the main chamber of the tent from a section near the back. Her charcoal-gray hair was damp, and in the candlelit tent her charcoal-gray eyes appeared black. She wore trousers and a tunic rather than her priestess robes. I’m ready.

Are you reading minds now, Chariel? Rizelya asked with a smile.

She shook her head. I heard the commotion and figured you’d be coming for me soon. Let’s go.

They raced through the camp to the grassy outskirts. Besides Glork and Broogk, three other Phengriffs awaited them.

*You may ride me, honored healer.* A hawk-type Phengriff with rust-red fur and medium brown feathers crouched down in front of Kaieli. *It is my pleasure to work with you.*

Thank you— Kaieli said as she blushed.

*Keeru,* he supplied.

Glork introduced the two nearly identical Phengriffs as nest mates, Morlek and Torlek. They had light tan head and chest feathers, and dark tan wings and fur. Loshera awkwardly climbed into the harness on Morlek’s back, while Chariel, with more grace, mounted Torlek.

On their way to Posanvenir Keep, the Phengriffs flew a short distance over the sea. Rizelya gasped at the sight of the incoming wave. It now rose twenty or more feet , stretched over ten measures, and was traveling faster than when they’d first seen it. Instead of the two octars they’d predicted, it would hit land within the octar. The Phengriffs flew faster, and Glork mind-spoke with Moraak, giving him the updated time frame.

As they circled Posanvenir Keep before landing, Rizelya could see most of the residents had been evacuated already. Flocks of sheep and herds of multa were being driven deeper inland. The wild billocks herd had already moved on its own. As they landed near the gate, several teenage Browns were chasing a flock of fowl inside the courtyard, trying to capture them and stuff them in crates.

A Phengriff with bluish-gray feathers and fur that darkened to black along his back and the top of his head flew over the teenagers. His face and chest were white and the black streak over his eyes looked like a mask. Harnessed on his back was a young woman with sunny-yellow hair. Rizelya recognized the pair: Korrik and Eiden.

You have ten milcrons to catch those birds, Eiden called down. Whatever you haven’t caught by then will either find their own way to higher ground or drown.

*Eiden!* Rizelya called. *I’m glad you’re here. Ask Korrik to land, please. We need your help.*

Eiden and Korrik turned away from the teenagers and landed next to where Rizelya waited. What do you need us to do, Rizelya?

We’re going to try to save this keep. We need a strong Blue and Green to complete our team. Do you know any that are still here?

I think Grazeen and Noriana are here, Eiden said.

*Yes, they are,* Korrik said. *I’ve asked them to join us. They were getting ready to leave with the last carts.*

Rizelya glanced around the keep’s now-empty courtyard. Is everyone out?

*I don’t sense anyone,* Glork said. *Brogkek and Leistrun are making a last sweep to check for any stragglers.*

A short, slender woman with dark forest-green hair ran around a corner. Grazeen stopped in front of Rizelya and held her ribs as she panted for breath. I got here as fast as I could, she gasped.

A moment later, an older woman with cornflower-blue hair and pale green eyes jogged up to the group. What do you need, Kaieli, Rizelya? Noriana asked.

We’re going to try something new with the Black Weave, Rizelya said.

The what? Noriana asked.

The Black Weave. You know that thing you do with Kaieli that creates Black Talent? It needed a name.

Oh, Kaieli brushed back a dark brown curl. That’s a good name.

Rizelya quickly explained her idea to create a magical wall to break the wave before it hit the keep.

But won’t that just divert it to the other keeps along the coast, making it worse for them? Aistrun asked.

No, Noriana said. If we can break the wave, it will dissipate. Kaieli can use my water magic to control the subsequent waves.

*We don’t have much time for whatever you’re going to do,* Broogk said, pointing a talon to the harbor.

The water was being sucked out to sea, exposing the sand and rock of the harbor floor. A few measures beyond the harbor rose a wave forty-feet high.

Kaieli, you tell us what you want us to do, Rizelya said.

We found we have to be touching for me to weave the magics together.

*I’d prefer if you were above the ground on our backs,* Glork said, his tail thumping on the ground. *You’ll be safer that way, if it doesn’t work.*

Korrik gazed at Eiden, ruffling his head feathers. *It would be difficult to snatch you to safety while fighting that massive wave. I don’t think we can fly through it.*

*We can’t.* Broogk glanced back at the wave, his dark brown fur standing on end.

How about if we sit on your backs while holding hands? Rizelya suggested. We’d be touching, and if you need to get us away quickly, you can.

Glork bobbed his head in assent. *That will work.*

As soon as you touch the person on either side of you, Kaieli instructed, open up your magic and I’ll weave them together.

They all remounted, with Grazeen climbing behind Aistrun and Noriana behind Rizelya. Glork and Broogk were the largest Phengriffs and could easily handle the double weight. A thunderous rumble echoed from the ocean as the wave approached them.

Kaieli’s grip on Rizelya’s hand tightened painfully. Noriana wrapped her arms around Rizelya’s waist and nearly squeezed the air from her. Chariel grabbed Kaieli’s hand, adding her Gray Talent and completing the circle. As soon as she did, Rizelya felt Kaieli latch on to each person’s magic and began to weave them into a single stream of energy. The strands of magic merged together as she built one thick black band of power.

Rizelya heard Kaieli gasp, and the power flickered a moment before Kaieli regained her composure. Rizelya sensed this was more power than Kaieli was used to having at her disposal. Everyone in this group had strong Talents. When Kaieli added Aistrun’s magic, the black braid pulsed in the rhythm of a heartbeat. Then suddenly the Phengriffs’ power and magic surrounded the rope and was woven into it.

Rizelya instantly knew what had to be done, but it wasn’t her directing the magic, it was all of them. Just like her magic, her mind was melded with the others into something complex, a part of the whole that was connected not only to each other but to the whole of creation.

They reached out and touched the wave, which suddenly seemed insignificant to them in this state. It smashed into their might, not just in this small section of shore, but up and down the entire coastline. They absorbed its energy, taking it in as their own, adding it to the power they held. Wave after wave crashed against them, each one growing smaller and smaller, until at last the fury of the ocean had been spent.

Intoxicated with the power they held, they knew they could do anything, control everything. But with that knowledge came the knowing that this gift could only be used for good, to help their people or to vanquish the evil that seeped into the land. If they ever used this gift for greed, the consequences would be dire. Their souls would be lost forever and never be accepted back into the womb of the Goddess.

The power