Serpent in the Mist Read online

  “What I was meant to do, what I have to do.”

  Anger swelled up in Devyn, and he searched around for Dranmalin. He spotted the sword shining brightly near a wooden table behind Rennon. “Who are you, fiend?”

  Rennon turned briefly to look at the sword. “You want your sword, do you? You may retrieve it if you wish.”

  Devyn drew in essence and concentrated on the sword. It leaped from its scabbard and turned end over end in the air until it came to rest point first in Rennon’s back. Rennon screamed and he dropped his own sword, trying frantically to get at the sword protruding from between his shoulder blades and the point end out from his chest. His image shimmered, and in the place of Rennon stood the true form of a Drasmyd Duil. Its wings were beating furiously as he tossed and turned to get Dranmalin.

  “I bet you didn’t expect me to retrieve it that way when you told me I could get it!” Devyn said. “Hmm. That sword should have ended you.” He concentrated on Dranmalin and felt the bond. “Flames!” The Sword burst into dragon fire and the Drasmyd Duil screamed.

  Devyn raced for the door. He had to alert someone and get help, but he was struck down by an unseen force as he grasped the bolt. Dazed, Devyn stood up. Another Drasmyd Duil had removed Dranmalin from the other creature and was trying to wield it, but the sword rebelled, and the Drasmyd Duil discarded it and picked up the other beast’s sword.

  Devyn made a mad dash for the window but the Drasmyd Duil intercepted him, cutting a deep gash into his leg. Devyn tumbled onto the floor, his leg seething with pain. He held out his hand and Dranmalin came to him.

  “Pitiful boy, I can heal myself; you cannot defeat me,” the Drasmyd Duil croaked as it rounded with another sword blow. “Stay still and accept the inevitable.”

  “Your kind really doesn’t grasp the art of subtly does it. Heal this!” Devyn said. Dranmalin’s flames burned hot as the sword sliced through the sword arm of the Drasmyd Duil, severing it.

  The Drasmyd Duil leered as its arm began to regenerate at a rapid rate.

  Devyn took the opportunity to run the Drasmyd Duil through the abdomen. He thrust Dranmalin but the creature managed to evade his strike.

  It retrieved its sword and lunged at Devyn. he held up Dranmalin for the block. His leg pulsed blood and he could barely move. he surmised the wound was poisoned.

  The creature swung again and again but each time Devyn managed to block. The poison was taking its toll. Devyn tried to draw in essence, but it did nothing against the poison.

  “Now you see, boy, my poison will succeed even if I fail.”

  “You fail!” he reached out to Dranmalin and the sword bolted from his hand, igniting in flames as it struck, point first, directly in the face of the Drasmyd Duil. Devyn released what essence he managed to draw in and the sword’s flames exploded the head of the creature. It fell back to the floor while Dranmalin returned to Devyn’s hand. He closed his eyes. The poison was about to complete its purpose.

  “Foul beast, you are no more!” Devyn heard a familiar voice cry from the darkness. Devyn opened his eyes to see the light of an ethereal dragon maw clamp down on the creature, cleaving the beast in two, and then the dragon maw dissipated into thin air. Devyn immediately recognized it as cast by a wielder, the same spells he had witnessed Ianthill and Dicarion cast at Vetell Fex. The Drasmyd Duil burst into flames and began burning in the magical essence cast on it. Devyn looked up for the source of the spell and blinked in disbelief. Before him stood Morgoran.

  “Sorry I’m late, boy, I had almost forgotten about this blasted attack. It was one of the last visions I saw before the curse was lifted,” he said. “Here, give me your hand and I will get you to the clerics.”

  “I had already killed it but thank you for finally getting here.”

  “A little more gratitude would suit you, boy.” Morgoran held out his hand.

  Devyn reached out and took Morgoran’s help, and then everything went dark.

  DEVYN WOKE TO SEE VESPERIN hovering above him. “Am I...”

  “You are fine. Morgoran got to you in time,” Vesperin said.

  “Morgoran!” Devyn said startled. “It is true then? I didn’t dream him?”

  “Aye, it’s true, boy,” Morgoran said. “What did you expect?”

  Ianthill walked up behind Morgoran and put his hand on Devyn’s leg. “I was right behind him. I am just sorry we didn’t get to you before that thing got some good whacks in on you. You did a good job on that thing, Devyn.”

  “At least you know I was the one who dispatched it. Morgoran just mutilated its corpse.”

  Ianthill chuckled. “I am sure Morgoran didn’t know it was already dead.”

  “I blew its fool head off, Ianthill. How could he not know?”

  “I was too far away to see it accurately, boy.” He turned to Ianthill, “I think the brat does have essence sickness, either that or he’s in need of a good woopin’.”

  Rennon stood in the corner and Devyn caught him smile at Morgoran’s words, but he quickly returned to his sour expression when he realized Devyn was looking at him.

  “At any rate” Morgoran said. “Rennon, Vesperin, Trendan, Kelle, Enowene, Gondrial, and Bren may stay, the rest of you clear the room please,” Morgoran said, pointing at each person in turn. After the servants and onlookers left the room, Morgoran put his hands, palms down, on the backrest of the wooden chair. “We have business to discuss. I am told this is the second attack on Devyn by a Drasmyd Duil. Yarbrille is the only person missing from the keep that we can ascertain. It doesn’t take a leap of intelligence to single him out as the imposter. From this day forth, we will take turns staying with Devyn. He is now more dangerous than ever to our enemies.” He circled around the wooden chair. “Ganas Nashe is riding here as we speak with news of the advance of Naneden’s army across Symboria, if I remember my visions clearly, and some of his news may split you all apart.”

  Ianthill cleared his throat. “Morgoran and I have decided that we will divide into two groups. Gondrial and I will ride after Lady Shey, Morgoran will take over training Devyn and they will continue on to Draegodor—”

  “Wait,” Devyn interrupted. “Draegodor? The red city? Home of the dragons? Are you both mad?”

  Bren stood up from his chair. “On the contrary, I advised them to take you to Draegodor,” Bren said. “Although I can’t explain my reasons at this time, I believe that taking you to Draegodor is a vital part of my quest.”

  Rennon huffed. “Convenient. You want to take Kelle to Draegodor, don’t you? I see the way you look at her. You don’t even care about Devyn, do you?”

  Bren drew his dragon fang and pointed it at Rennon. “You go too far, sir. Do you now claim that you care for him when you have so openly shunned him?”

  Rennon’s face turned red. “You want Kelle for yourself, and I will not stand for it.”

  “Enough you two,” Morgoran said. “This is exactly the kind of nonsense that will defeat us.”

  “Bren, put that sword away,” Ianthill commanded.

  Bren sheathed his dragon fang and sat back down.

  Devyn gazed intently at Rennon; he knew his friend was out of the herb Sanmir had given him. He wondered if his outburst was due to that fact.

  “Do you think Lady Shey is all right?” Kelle asked, trying to divert the subject away from Bren’s intentions.

  Ianthill eyed Rennon and then turned to Kelle. “Aye, I do. Lady Shey knows how to use the jade statuette and the enemy knew that and got her out of the way. She is a strong wielder; they won’t contain her for long. Gondrial and Shey have a pact. If one of them gets lost they have agreed on designated meeting places. We’re going to try the meeting place in Symboria first and work our way around.”

  “I am confused then. If Lady Shey can take care of herself, then she will eventually meet up with us, so why go after her at all?” Devyn asked. “In fact, why doesn’t the enemy just kill her to get her out of the way?”

  Gondrial spoke up. “The ene
my won’t kill her. If you want to know why, you will have to ask her the next time you see her, but they will not kill her.”

  Devyn scoffed. “No more secrets!”

  “All right, Devyn. They want her to join them. She has some rather complicated ties to them. It is far more likely they will try to recruit her than kill her.”

  Devyn nodded. “I can accept that.”

  Melias entered the room with Ganas.

  “Ganas,” Trendan said.

  Ganas nodded to Trendan. “I bring news of the invading army.”

  Morgoran nodded once. “Go on.”

  “The army still moves largely unopposed through Symboria and quicker than we would like. They are perhaps two weeks from here. A small militia of farmers has amassed about a day’s ride from here. They plan to lie in wait until the army passes, and then they will attack the dark armies’ supply line. They hope to slow it down.”

  “Devyn and I will go by way of Seabrey to Draegodor. Bren will lead us there. The rest of you must decide which party you would like to travel with or if it is time for you to return home. No one will fault you to return to your village if that is your wish.” Morgoran stiffened and motioned toward Trendan. “I have a special task for you, Trendan. I need your tracking skills.”

  Trendan nodded.

  “I need you to take a couple of Defenders and go after the wench, Kimala. I believe she is trying to escape on foot, which means she hasn’t gotten far. It’s a dangerous task I set before you, and I cannot spare anyone you see here to travel with you.”

  “I will travel with him,” Ganas spoke up. “Two trackers are better than one.”

  “Nay, Ganas. I have another purpose for you.”

  Rennon cleared his throat. “I’m not sure if this will help but I saw something hovering over Kimala during the battle at Brightonhold.”

  “An illusion?” Morgoran asked.

  “I am not sure what it was. Something was with her.’ Rennon answered.

  “It is as I have seen, Ianthill.” Morgoran said.

  “Ah, so now your visions are all correct and on point.”

  Morgoran wrinkled his brow, “What are you saying, brother?”

  “We will discuss it later,” Ianthill responded.

  “Why do I get the feeling you remember more about your visions than you have led us to believe?” Gondrial said, eyeing Morgoran suspiciously.

  Morgoran ignored him. “Ganas, I want you to go on to Trigoth as my envoy. There is a man by the name of Theosus Fiderea, an apothecary, whose shop is nestled in a quiet corner of the foreign quarter. Seek him out and tell him I have returned. Once you have convinced him I sent you, he will know what to do next. Rennon, I want you to travel with Ganas.”

  “Me, why me?” Rennon protested.

  “Because you are an apprenticed apothecary. Theosus is an apothecary. You may be useful to Ganas.” Morgoran said.

  “What? That makes no sense.” Rennon said.

  “Why must everyone in this party question me? Just do as I say.”

  “Because I don’t know you, old man. You have been useless this whole time.”

  “Oh?” Morgoran reached beneath his robes and produced a tin box. He held it in his hand for a moment before returning it to his pocket.

  “I have never been to Trigoth, and I think it might be the right time to go.” Rennon agreed.

  “Theosus is sometimes referred to as the Serpent by the locals if you have trouble finding him.”

  “Where Devyn goes, I will follow,” Melias interjected. “I have had dealings with Draegodor before. I may be useful.”

  Morgoran nodded. “I think that would be a wise idea.”

  “I will go with Ianthill and Gondrial,” Enowene spoke up.

  Ianthill took out his pipe and began stuffing it with tabac. “We should try to find where Naneden sent the armies of the West and see if we can get them back in the fight. We will not be able to prevent him taking the Blight, but we will need every last soldier to regain it.”

  “How do you propose we do that?” Gondrial asked.

  Ianthill pointed the stem of his pipe at Trendan. “That task will be up to you, my boy. When you find her, try to bring back Kimala alive; she may know something. I suspect Naneden used Asheth’s Grimoire to send the entire army off somewhere. He went to great lengths to get it.”

  “Aye, it does make sense. Do you remember the Portals? The wielder Migarath used the grimoire as a basis to build them.” Morgoran said.

  “I do remember them.” Ianthill said. “There are not many still around.”

  “A few, I think. I still have one at the Vale.” He stroked his long white beard, “Anyway, Trendan, Kimala may be able to confirm our suspicions, find her.”

  Trendan nodded. “I will.”

  Vesperin gave Rennon a worried look and then stood up. “I stand by Devyn and will follow him as my goddess commands.” Rennon shook his head and looked away.

  Morgoran clapped his hands together. “All right then, we will move on to Lux Enor tomorrow. Be prepared to leave.”

  Chapter 3: Loyalty and Temptation

  Trendan cautiously entered Enor’s Forest, a wooded area a few miles north of the gates of Calanbrough and a few miles south of the city of Lux Enor and made his way through the dense outer underbrush. The scorch of the Blight had not reached the lush woods growing unkempt between the Blight and the highlord’s city. Up above him, the skies churned, dark clouds formed ominously. Lightning occasionally streaked through the sky and, in turn, thunder boomed. Trendan knew where he was going, and he knew there would be shelter when he got there. Scanning the forest floor, he spotted the faint footprints of the one he hunted. The person leaving the footprints tried to hide their trail, but Trendan could still see the signs. Soon he reached a diminutive clearing encased in young oak trees, and he cautiously approached.

  A makeshift tent constructed between branches of four large oak trees lay partially hidden from view. The tent flap was not secured, so he slipped silently into the structure just as the rain began to fall. The interior of the tent revealed its inhabitant as female with flowers in a vase on a neat and tidy, collapsible table. Trendan could see the dark-haired woman, dressed in light blue, in meditation, facing an opening out into the forest opposite of him. Her manner of dress was scant and see-through. Trendan averted his eyes even though in his heart he wanted to take in the sight of her. Rain fell straight down outside of the tent, turning what snow had fallen through the trees into slush.

  “I know you are there, Trendan,” she said, pulling a blanket over herself.

  Trendan plopped down on a wooden stump at the center of the tent. “Naturally, I’m surprised to see you still in camp. Aren’t you cold dressed like that?” Trendan was relieved she covered herself. Fayne shrugged but did not answer him. “I thought you had traveled all this way to meet Vesperin, yet you have waited here for three days now. I don’t understand you, Fayne.”

  “I don’t expect you to. It is our tradition. I have prayed for three days, and now I must fast for four days to purify myself before I approach him in order to secure Loracia’s blessing.”

  “Four days? You may not have four days. I have come to tell you. The Defenders are digging in and preparing for battle, and Vesperin left with Morgoran and Devyn for Draegodor this morning.”

  “So, the dark armies of Naneden will take the Blight?”

  “It certainly appears that way unless the knights of Trigothia can be convinced to join the battle. Devyn has been acting strange lately, and Vesperin and the others fear he may have essence sickness. They say it sometimes happens to first-time wielders.”

  Fayne gave Trendan a concerned look. “Vesperin knows of such things?”

  Trendan looked away from her piercing blue eyes. “Vesperin knows many things; he has trained as a cleric all his life.”

  “Will Devyn be safe to travel then? What of his injuries?” Fayne asked.

  “He will travel if he has to. If the Defe
nders are forced to retreat, the dark armies will route Lux Enor, so there is little choice. Besides, Vesperin has cured most of Devyn’s wounds.”

  Fayne bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Trendan, but I cannot see Vesperin yet. A heaviness grows in my heart. I will have to miss my opportunity it seems.”

  Trendan became upset. “But why? He is not but a few hours away from here.” He stood from the stump and reached for her arm. “Come, I will be at your side.” Fayne pulled back sharply from Trendan’s grasp just as a thunderclap rumbled angrily above. Trendan sat back puzzled, disappointment clear on his face. “As you wish, Fayne, but I find this behavior somewhat suspicious.”

  “Suspicious? In what manner am I suspicious?”

  Trendan fidgeted with his fingers. “I should think that one who has traveled so far to meet the man in her dreams would rush to his side, especially if she were as physically close to him as you are to Vesperin at this moment.” He glanced out at the rainfall. “He will pass this way through the western forest for Lux Enor. Why not find your way to him then?”

  Fayne became angry but kept her composure. “Don’t you think I want to? I have stood at the edge of this forest straining my eyes as far as I can see to get a glimpse of him to no avail. I can’t wait to put my arms around him and kiss him as his wife.”

  “Then come with me now. I can take you to him and still follow Kimala’s trail tomorrow.”

  “Trendan, I can’t. Loracia has not given me a sign, and I will only go at her will. Vesperin will not know me as his wife without her blessings. I must wait.” Fayne paused for a moment as she realized what Trendan had said. “Kimala? You plan to track her down instead of traveling with Devyn?”

  Trendan grimaced then spoke softly. “I do.”

  “Why, she is leagues away by now. What do you hope to accomplish?”

  “Bren believes she may have been traveling by way of dragon. Don’t ask me how he knows such a thing. He also believes the dragon may have abandoned her, and she may have been forced to flee on foot. If that’s the case, she couldn’t have gotten far. I kind of hope the dragon left her behind. It will make things much easier for me.”