The Huntsman of Adamos (Quartet)- draft

CH EMERGING EVIL

The Huntsman of Adamos spent the flight to Xelusia reading a book he had taken from the library of Serapha’s childhood home. It was on the mysteries of the Blood Queen and the Lord of Shadows. He frowned remembering how one battle had changed the way the female ruler of the temples was referred to forever. She was now called the Siren Queen. He wished that when he had first heard of the Xelusian priestesses were creating a new magic by singing, he had known what they were up to, because he would have killed them all.

The book talked about how the souls of the previous Blood Queen and her Lord had been passed down from generation to generation from the first rulers. Those who came to power before the first great war had divided their people into two kingdoms, through the years to the ones he had helped overthrow. The book claimed a healer and her brother, a mage, had discovered the gate and released what lived beyond it to gain great power and free Xelusia from Aetherian rule.

It was filled with terrifying stories, even claiming that sometimes the Lord of Shadows would walk through the dust storms of the wastelands to claim the souls of the unwary. The Devourer could also be summoned by the Blood Queen and her Lord to take vengeance against the unfaithful and it would consume the flesh and souls of those infidels in a vortex of dust. All the things of a good horror story, but nothing concrete to use against the entities.

It revealed nothing more beyond the myths every Xelusian child was taught, and the lie that in the exchange for faithful blood sacrifices, their deity would bless those who obeyed. The blood fires and sex offerings of the priestesses helped the petitions gain favor. There was nothing about how they would revive the Queen or restore the Lord beyond the sacrifices of a relative to bind the souls to their new host. His only clue was where it said those indwelled must be willing. In the history of priestesses, never had there been a period when they had not had a vessel prepared for the next incarnation until Demona had failed to become queen.

Yurieth closed the book with a thwap and rubbed his temple.

“You seem troubled my Huntsman,” Xerxes observed. “Your foster sister will be fine; Fleur is a strong-willed girl.”

“Too strong willed,” Yurieth grumbled. “She puts herself at risk when she shouldn’t, but I am not worried about her being indwelled but rather that she will be sacrificed when it fails. The Xelusians have failed to revive the Siren Queen for over two centuries, I doubt they will now. I had hoped we were rid of those evil things. If they manage to revive it, I fear for the toll of coming war.”

Xerxes eyed him. “Evil things?”

Yurieth made a face, he had said too much, but he felt compelled to warn the senile old king, because he was still the king and Yurieth hoped the man would see reason. Yurieth had seen images from the war in the future, and an enemy he did not want to face. “My mother’s Oracles believed the Siren Queen and the Lord of Shadows were not what they claim to be, as in the souls of previous leaders passed from generation to generation through profane magic, but that they are actually entities from another realm seeking to free a greater evil. They seek to destroy our worlds and all life everywhere.”

Xerxes rubbed his beard thoughtfully. “Perhaps there is a way to harness these creatures.”

“To what end?” Yurieth asked, horrified.

“Why, for the greater good of course. It would be better if we controlled them than the Xelusians.” Xerxes stated. “Don’t you think, Huntsman of Adamos?”

Yurieth did not swallow as he wanted to and reveal his shock, suddenly he realized the king was far more insane than he had been led to believe. Slowly he lied in agreement, “Of course, my king, for the greater good.” He did not miss the king’s hand resting on the hilt of the Sword of Ancients.

The King turned when Regulus approached. “Huntsman, we are approaching the drop point. There is a sand storm as you predicted.”

Yurieth stood quickly, tucking the book away. “Thank you, Guardian, I will scout the city and determine the best route into the Blood Temple. Excuse me, I need to change uniforms.” He bowed to Xerxes, “My king.”

He followed Regulus to the back of the common looking agri-transport. The Guardian turned and glared at him. “What did you say to make that mad man want to kill you?”

Yurieth quickly pulled his black huntsman gear on so he would look like a Brotherhood Assassin. “I don’t know. He... he wants to capture the entities and use them.”

Regulus shook his head and revealed, “When the Temples of the Oracles fell, he wanted all the sacred relics brought to him... He claimed he wanted to protect them, but it was because he wanted power. It is why he insisted on being joined to Eonae when Xena had barely been dead a century. He wanted the Relic of the Flame of Protection. Do not cross him, Yurieth, and tell him nothing more of the entities. If he thinks Fleur is more valuable indwelt than not, he will sabotage our attempt to save her until afterwards.”

“We cannot allow that. Fleur would rather die first.” Yurieth’s silver eyes were hard above his face mask. He did not want to think about Fleur’s plan to end her life.

“Do not fear, we will save her... Regis sent me a message, they are at the palace, and the door home is open.” Regulus patted Yurieth’s shoulder as he climbed down into the drop hatch. “Good luck, Huntsman.”

The ship skimmed the ground of the wasteland just on the outskirt of the city in a dust storm cloud. The sand and dust always seemed to blow on this side of the City of the Temples because of the slope of the dead caldera that the city was built around and within. It was said the Devourer consumed all that lived in this place when an ancient army camped here. Yurieth landed in the sand with practiced ease and quickly began to make his way through the gritty maelstrom toward the tunnels through the walls of the ancient volcano crater.

He stopped and turned slowly when he heard someone call his name. It sounded like his father’s voice. His clear-sight magic revealed no one around so he started forward again, only to stop when he saw a dark shadow ahead. As quickly as it appeared, it disappeared. From another direction Yurieth heard his name spoken in a low voice and turned suddenly with his bow drawn. The clouds of dust and sand seemed to thicken and thin in strange billows. The hair on the back of his neck and arms stood up as he saw the shadow moving. He aimed but it vanished again.

A moment later, Yurieth was standing in a completely still spot as the obscuring dust cleared. A creature like something from his nightmares appeared, then he realized it wasn’t from his nightmares, it was from Fleur’s memories. It was the Lord of Shadow. The temperature dropped rapidly. The black horned creature looked like it was made of smoke and death. It stared at Yurieth with red glowing eyes as Yurieth released an arrow at it. Just like in the forest when the Summer Castle had fallen, his arrow had no effect on a creature of the Darkness.

The monster laughed and Yurieth felt its words as much as he heard them. “Someday, son of oracles, you will come to me willingly and serve my purpose.”

“I will never serve the Shadows,” Yurieth vowed and put all his magic into his next shot.

Again, the creature barely moved. “I believe you will.”

Behind it, the sandstorm roared in agreement; the black creature was shaped like a guardian in build but instead of hair, four horns sprouted from the sides of its head, two up and two down. Black fangs gleamed like obsidian thorns as it smiled.

“Who... What are you?” Yurieth shouted at it and his breath made crystalline clouds in the freezing air.

“Your future, Huntsman and Assassin. I will wait for you as I wait for my queen, the one we both love. What would you do to save her? What would you sacrifice to be with her for all time?” Then the shadow was gone and Yurieth was standing alone in the tawny, dusty clouds. His whole body covered in frozen sweat as he shivered in the intense midday heat.

Instead of going through the tunnels into the darkness below the city, the Huntsman climbed the empty trail on the outer wall of the caldera in the afternoon heat. He couldn’t bring himself to travel through the oppressive shadows. Cresting the edge of the crater, the city looked beautiful in the evening light.

Surveying the oddly empty streets below, Yurieth quickly made his way to the palace along the rooftops. When he arrived at his usual observation spot, Sangriel was waiting for him, and more agitated that Yurieth had ever seen him.

“What is wrong?”

Thousands were gathered in the street and courtyard below, all silently waiting for something.

The Assassin nodded at the assembled priest and priestess. “Lady Fleur walked through the Gate just before sunset started.”

“She what?” Yurieth demanded. He recognized Lady Naphtala and Prince Lucif at the front of the crowd.

“Aye, she said she was going to put the queen on the other side.” Sangriel shifted his gaze slightly and Yurieth could see the magic he was using glowing in his eyes. “I have never been able to see what is on the other side of that veil but for a moment when she walked through... It looked like light was coming from the other side.”

They both stared at the gate, then Sangriel said, “Your mother, brother, and that young lord are doing some ritual with Princess Serapha back on Aetheria. Princess Demona is in the cells beneath the temple. Lady Fleur wants me to drug the princess and leave her on the balcony, so it will look like the princess killed her.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow night... The Gate flickers.” Sangriel pointed out unnecessarily.

As the last ray of sunshine lifted from the valley, a giant flash of light came from beyond the Gate and the surface moved like black water. The Dark Oracle stepped through the Gate, she looked out at those gathered with strange black eyes that wept dark tears. Yurieth felt like his heart was going to beat a hole in his chest as those gathered fell on their knees and put their foreheads on the ground. A man shouted something about blasphemy and ran at her with a sword. She turned gracefully and knocked him through the dark veil before following him into the other realm.

Moments later, she emerged carrying the man’s sword and his head. The familiar hum of siren’s magic thrummed painfully in Yurieth’s mind as the Dark Oracle dropped her trophy in front of the crowd with a squishy thump.

“Does anyone else wish to challenge my right to be queen?”

The general that had given Regulus the most trouble in the war but had aided Lucif’s coup, stood. Yurieth reached for an arrow, but Sangriel stayed his hand and hissed, “Don’t.”

“You may be the vessel of our queen, but I will never bow to an Aetherian.” The general pronounced haughtily.

“I was not birthed on Aetheria .” She announced coolly in a musical voice. “I am from beyond this place.” The general stepped forward with his sword in hand.

Prince Lucif reached out to grab his arm and pull him back, but his head fell into the prince’s lap instead. Blood spurted into the air as the headless corpse collapsed at the Dark Oracle’s feet, spraying red on the swirl of her skirt. She had moved so fast barely any had caught the movement. Looking down at the red pool seeping around her feet, the Dark Oracle wiggled her toes in it and giggled like a girl. She dropped the sword on the general’s back, leaving bloody footprints as she walked toward the steps to address the crowd.

“Do you also doubt me, my children?” She sang out to them.

“MY QUEEN!” The roar of the crowd vibrated the very stones.

Yurieth felt the familiar loving sensation of being oracle-shined mixing with the seductive thrall of the sirens. He did not recognize the woman he loved with blood-soaked feet and weeping black eyes but he wanted nothing more than to worship her with them. It was horror.

“How does she do that?” Sangriel wheezed, shuddering in pain as he fought it.

“Don’t resist or it will hurt worse,” Yurieth advised. “Let it pass over you like the wind.” When Sanriel’s breathing became normal, Yurieth asked, “Are we sure she is in control and not the queen?”

“Your mother and Lady Naphtala are certain of it.” Sangriel assured him. “She said she had trapped the queen within the Veil of Light.”

‘Yurieth?’ Regis voice was barely heard over the discordant hum of the siren’s magic. ‘The king insists on rescuing Fleur by morning, my father cannot stall him. Lord Karstien is to bring Queen Eonae. Tell Sangriel the plan goes through tonight. Go through the Queen’s chambers, then to Lady Naphtala’s, the portal is there.’

Yurieth almost swore, as he explained, “Regis says Xerxes insist on rescuing Fleur before morning, we are going forward with the plan a day early.”

Sangriel nodded. “Come, we will go to Lady Naphtala’s chambers.”

Yurieth finally looked away from where Fleur as the Dark Oracle walked through the throng of Xelusian worshipers back to where Prince Lucif stood with his court. The Blood Prince was staring after Dark Oracle like a lust-struck boy. The Dark Oracle turned and held out her hand to him. Lucif swaggered down the steps and kissed her hand with the arrogant confidence of someone who did know their world was about to end. Lucif led her towards the palace and they entered the archway to the throne room.

Running, Yurieth and Sangriel leaped from the top of the Hall of Blood Mages to the Queen’s balcony. No one noticed two Blood Brotherhood Assassins walking through the halls of the palace. The sound of feasting and debauchery came from every direction. Regis opened the door to Naphtala’s chambers with a curt nod. He was waiting for Lady Naphtala to return as was expected of a bodyguard of Baalru.

The Assassin stood in front of the portal, eyeing it suspiciously, “And this comes out on Aetheria?”

Yurieth smirked, enjoying his ally’s discomfort. “Yes. It goes through the Infernal Realm and comes out on Aetheria .”

In a swift movement, Yurieth caught Sangriel’s arm and propelled him through the portal. After a moment’s disorientation, they were standing in the lush green courtyard of the Manor of Odini, feeling the cool evening breeze. Sangriel looked at the sky, the Celestial Alignment visible above, and then he laughed for the first time since his daughter was born on a free Xelusia. “By the Shadows, Yurieth, I thought you were kidding about a door through the Infernal Realm. I guess it is the end of our world.”

“I am the son of oracles and would never tease about such things, old friend,” Yurieth promised in a somber tone.

Karstien walked out, looking just about as far from a son of Adamos as imaginable with his golden blonde hair turned black and tanned skin made pale. “Serapha is finishing with Abrieth, it should be only an hour more. Grandmother and Oren are making a pool of Water of Light to submerge Fleur in when we get her back.”

“She is going to be upset,” Yurieth pointed out.

Karstien laughed ruefully. “Oh, you have no idea how upset she will be that we changed her plan... If she attacks me, let her, she won’t kill me.”

Sangriel raised an eyebrow. “Forgive me, Lord Karstien, but Lady Fleur is an expert with a sword and her magic.”

“Who do you think gave Fleur her first sword?” Karstien smirked.

Sangriel looked amused, “I am not sure if that was a wise or foolish decision on your part, young lord.”

Karstien shrugged. “She has always forgiven me before. Come, Lord Oren has had dinner prepared while we wait.”

Hours later, when Regis came through the portal, Queen Eonae was apprehensive. “Is all prepared, Huntsman?”

“We are ready, Queen Eonae. My father and the king are hidden in the tunnels below the city. Lord Yurieth will lead them to the chambers where Lady Fleur is being kept. You will be on the hall below. There is a great celebration going on and we should be able to move about freely as long as we are wearing Xelusian clothing. Lady Naphtala sent you a dress and veil.” Regis handed her a parcel.

Eonae’s mouth made a thin line as she took the clothes, “I’ll return in a few minutes.”

Yllumina watched the young queen leave and sighed, “She could have had such a better life, if her father wasn’t greedy for status.” She looked at the warriors, “Serapha is too tired to come, Abrieth needs to stay close to her. Lord Oren and Cinna have gathered the children. All is prepared.”

Yurieth walked over and hugged his mother, he could not find a word to say that could express how he felt. Tonight, his mother and her cousin would sacrifice themselves to create the illusion of the death of a dual wielder so that his sealed one could survive. Karstien would take her back to the future, where they would be reunited. Yurieth prayed that everything would go according to plan, his hope was that Fleur would survive. He could endure anything as long as he knew she was in his future.

“Let’s do it.” Karstien said in a cavalier way and they looked at him oddly. He went through first and they followed.

Yurieth slipped away to lead the king and guardian to the Siren Queen’s chambers. Sangriel went to retrieve Demona while Karstien, Regis, and Yllumina went to wait for Naphtala and Fluer. By morning, the Xelusians would believe their princess had killed their queen and the Aetherians would believe their king died rescuing their queen.