No! Irrien bellowed. Ill kill you for this. Ill hunt you down!
First Stone? one of the priests said. Is everything all right?
Irrien struck him with his off hand, sending the man sprawling. He heard the others gasp. Apparently, they were all free from whatever spell the sorcerer had used to control them.
Lord Irrien, the highest of the priests said. I must protest. To strike a priest is to invite the wrath of the gods.
The wrath of the gods? Irrien repeated. He drew himself up to his full height, but apparently the old fool was too caught up in his self-righteousness to notice it.
Do not mock it, First Stone, the man said. And where is the sacrifice?
Gone, Irrien said. From the corner of his eye, he saw some of those there shifting in place. They at least seemed to recognize the dangerous nature of his anger.
The priest seemed too obsessed to notice. The gods must be thanked for this victory, or there is a danger that they will not give you others. You may be the most powerful of men, but the gods
Irrien pulled the other man close as he stabbed him. Hed been made to look weak by the sorcerer. He couldnt allow the priest to do the same. Irrien bent the older man back until he lay on the altar, in almost the spot where Stephania had been.
I have this victory because I took it, Irrien said. Do any of you think that you are stronger than me? Do you think that your gods will give you the strength to take what is mine? Do you?
He looked around them in silent challenge, meeting their eyes and noting who looked away, how quickly, and how frightened they appeared when they did so. He picked out another of the priests, younger than the dead one had been.
You, what is your name?
Antillion, First Stone. Irrien could hear the fear there. Good. A man should realize who could really take his life from him.
You are now the highest priest in Delos. You will answer to me. Do you understand?
The young man bowed. Yes, First Stone. Do you have commands?
Irrien looked around, getting his temper under control. A flash of it could terrify those who needed to be cowed, but a temper that was not under control was a weakness. It encouraged dissent, and emboldened those who mistook it for stupidity.
Clear away that as you did the first sacrifice, Irrien answered, pointing to the dead priest. Later, you will attend me in the royal chambers of this place.
He walked to the kneeling slaves, picking out two of Stephanias former handmaidens. They had much of the beauty of their now gone mistress, with a much more suitable level of fear. He drew them to their feet.
Later, Irrien said. On impulse, he shoved one of them in the direction of the priest. I will not have it said that I do not respect the gods. I will not be commanded, though. Take this one and sacrifice her. I take it that will please them?
The priest bowed low again. Whatever pleases you, First Stone, will please the gods.
That was a good answer. It was almost enough to soothe Irriens mood. His hand closed on the forearm of the other woman. She looked shocked into silence, obviously realizing how close shed just come to death.
The other started to scream as they dragged her to the altar.
Irrien didnt care about that. He didnt even particularly care about the slave he dragged along in his wake as he left the room. The weak didnt matter. What mattered was that there was a sorcerer entangled in his business. Irrien didnt know what that meant, and it irritated him that he couldnt see what this Daskalos intended.
It took him most of the journey to the royal chambers to convince himself that it didnt matter. Who could fathom the ways of those who dabbled in magic? What mattered was that Irrien had his own plans for the Empire, and so far, those plans were proceeding exactly as he wanted.
What came next would be even better, although there was one sour note in that. What did this sorcerer want with the boy? What had he meant about turning him into a weapon? Somehow, just the thought of him made Irrien shudder, and Irrien hated that. He claimed to fear no man, but this Daskalos
He feared him greatly.
CHAPTER FOUR
Thanos knew he should have been watching the horizon, but right then, all he could do was watch Ceres with a mixture of pride, love, and amazement. She stood at the prow of their small boat, her hand touching the water as they headed from the harbor into open water. Around them, the air continued to shimmer, the haze that marked their invisibility seeming to twist the light that passed through it.
One day, Thanos knew, he would marry her.
I think thats enough, Thanos said to her softly. He could see the strain on her face from it. The power was obviously taking its toll.
Just a little farther.
Thanos laid a hand on her shoulder. Somewhere behind him, he heard Jeva gasp, as if the Bone Folk woman expected him to be flung back by the power. Thanos knew Ceres would never do that to him though.
Were clear, he said. Theres nobody behind us.
He saw Ceres look around in obvious surprise as she saw the deeper water they were now rowing across. Had it taken that much concentration to hold the power in place? Either way, there was no one behind them now, just empty ocean.
Ceres lifted her hand from the water, staggering slightly. Thanos caught her, holding her up. After everything shed been through, he was amazed that shed managed to show this much strength. He wanted to be there for her then. Not just some of the time, but always.
Im all right, Ceres said.
Youre more than that, Thanos assured her. Youre amazing.
More amazing than he could have believed. It wasnt just that Ceres was beautiful and clever and strong. It wasnt just that she was powerful, or that she seemed to put the good of others ahead of her own so consistently. It was all those things, but there was also something special beyond that.
She was the woman he loved, and after what had happened in the city, she was the only woman he loved. Thanos found himself thinking about what that meant. They could be together now. They would be together.
She looked up at him then, and she reached up to kiss him. It was a soft, gentle moment, full of tenderness. Thanos found himself wishing that it could fill the whole world, and that there was nothing else they had to deal with.
You chose me, Ceres said, touching his face as they pulled back.
I will always choose you, Thanos said. I will always be there for you too.
Ceres smiled at that, but Thanos could see the note of uncertainty there in her expression too. He couldnt blame her for that, but at the same time he wished it werent there. He wished that he could chase that away, leaving everything all right between them. Hed been on the verge of asking her for more then, but he knew when not to press things.
I choose you too, Ceres assured him, but at the same time she pulled back. I should go catch up with my brother and my father.
She went over to where Berin stood with Sartes and Leyana. A family, all looking happy together. A part of Thanos wished that he could simply go there to be a part of it. He wanted to be a part of Ceress life, and he suspected that she wanted him to be too, but Thanos knew it would take time to heal things between them.
Because of that, he didnt rush over to her. Instead, Thanos stood considering the rest of the boats inhabitants. For such a small boat, there were a lot. The three combatlords Ceres had saved were doing most of the rowing, although now that they were clear of the harbor, they would be able to get the boats small sail up. Akila lay to one side, a conscript Sartes had freed keeping pressure on the wound.
Because of that, he didnt rush over to her. Instead, Thanos stood considering the rest of the boats inhabitants. For such a small boat, there were a lot. The three combatlords Ceres had saved were doing most of the rowing, although now that they were clear of the harbor, they would be able to get the boats small sail up. Akila lay to one side, a conscript Sartes had freed keeping pressure on the wound.
Jeva was coming toward him.
Youre an idiot if youre going to let her walk away, Jeva said.
An idiot? Thanos countered. Is that any way to thank someone who just saved you?
He saw the Bone Folk woman shrug. Youre an idiot for doing that too. Risking yourself to help another is stupid.
Thanos cocked his head to one side. He wasnt sure that he would ever understand her. Then again, he thought with a glance across to Ceres, that was something that applied to more than one person.
Risking yourself is what you do for friends, Thanos said.
Jeva shook her head. I wouldnt have put myself in danger for you. If it is your time to join with the spirits of your ancestors, it is your time. It is even an honor.
Thanos wasnt sure what to make of that. Was she serious? If so, it seemed a little ungrateful given the risk he and Ceres had taken in order to save her.
If Id known it was such an honor to be a figurehead for one of the First Stones ships, I would have left you to it, Thanos said.
Jeva looked at him with a slight frown. It seemed to be her turn to try to work out if he was serious or not.
Youre joking, she said, but you should have left me. I told you, only a fool risks his life for others.
It was too harsh a philosophy for Thanos.
Well, he said. Im glad youre alive, at least.
Jeva seemed to think for a moment or two. Im glad too. Which is strange. The dead will be displeased with me. Perhaps I have more to do. I will follow you until I find out what.
She said it evenly, as though it was already a settled thing in which Thanos got no say. He wondered what it must be like, walking through the world with the certainty that the dead were in charge.
Isnt it strange? he asked her.
What is strange? Jeva replied.
Living your life assuming that the dead make all the decisions.
She shook her head. Not all of them. But they know more than we do. There are more of them than us. When they speak, we should listen. Look at you.
That made Thanos frown. He wasnt one of the Bone Folk, to be ordered about by their speakers of the dead.
Me?
Would you be in the circumstances you are if it werent for decisions your parents and your parents parents made? Jeva asked. You are a prince. Your whole power rests on the dead.
She had a point, but Thanos wasnt sure that it was the same thing.
Ill be deciding what to do next for the living, not the dead, he said.
Jeva laughed as though it was a particularly fine joke, then narrowed her eyes slightly. Oh, youre serious. We have people who say that too. Mostly, they are madmen. But then, this is a world for the mad, so who am I to judge? Where will we go next?
Thanos didnt have an answer for her when it came to that.
Im not sure, he admitted. My father told me where I might find out about my real mother, then the former queen told me that she was somewhere else.
Well then, Jeva said. We should go. Such news from the dead should not be ignored. Or we could return to the lands of my people. They would welcome us with the news of what happened to our fleet.
She didnt seem daunted by the prospect of reporting so many deaths to her people. She also seemed to be looking over at Ceres every so often, glancing at her with obvious awe.
She is everything you said she would be. Whatever stands between you, solve it.
She made it sound so simple and direct, as if it were as simple as saying it. Thanos doubted that things were ever that easy.
Im trying.
Try harder, she said.
Thanos wanted to. He wanted to go to Ceres and declare his love. More than that, he wanted to ask her to be his. It seemed as though theyd been waiting forever for that to happen.
She waved him away. Go, go to her.
Thanos wasnt sure about being dismissed like that, but he had to admit that Jeva had the right idea when it came to going after Ceres. He went over to her and the others, finding her looking more serious than hed expected.
Her father turned, clasping Thanoss hand.
Its good to see you again, boy, he said. If you hadnt come, things might have been difficult.
Youd have found a way, Thanos guessed.
Now, we need to find our way, Berin replied. It seems everyone here wants to go somewhere different.
Thanos saw Ceres nod at that.
The combatlords think we should go out to the free wastes to become mercenaries, she said. Sartes is talking about slipping into the countryside around the Empire. I thought about maybe going back to the Isle of Mists.
Jeva was talking about going back to her people, Thanos said.
And you? Ceres asked.
He thought about telling her about the lands of the cloud mountains, about his missing mother, and the chance to find her. He thought of living anywhere, anywhere with Ceres. But then he looked over to Akila.
Ill go wherever you go, he said, but I dont think Akila will survive a long journey.
I dont either, Ceres said.
Thanos knew her well enough to know that shed already thought of somewhere to go. Thanos was surprised that she hadnt already taken charge. He could guess why, though. The last time shed been in charge, shed lost Delos, first to Stephania, and then to the invaders.
Its all right, Thanos said, reaching out to touch her arm. I trust you. Wherever you decide, Ill follow.
He guessed that he wouldnt be the only one. Ceress family would go with her, while the combatlords had sworn to follow her, whatever they were saying about running off to seek adventure elsewhere. As for Jeva well, Thanos didnt claim to know the woman well enough to know what she would do, but they could always drop her off somewhere, if she wanted.
We cant catch up to the smuggling boat that brought you to Delos, Ceres said. Even if we knew where it was, this small boat wont move as fast as it can. And if we try to go too far I think Akila wont make it.
Thanos nodded. Hed seen the wound that the First Stone had inflicted on their friend. Akila had survived as much through willpower as anything else, but he needed a real healer, and soon.
Where then? Thanos asked.
Ceres looked at him, then at the others. She still seemed almost frightened about saying what she needed to say.
Theres only one place, Ceres said. She raised her voice to a level where the whole ship could hear. We need to get to Haylon.
Her father and her brother immediately started to shake their heads. Even some of the combatlords didnt look happy.
Haylon wont be safe, Berin said. Now that Delos has fallen, it will be a target.
Then we need to help them to defend, Ceres said. Maybe there wont be people trying to take it out from under us while we do it this time.
That was a good point. Delos had fallen for a lot of reasons: the sheer size of Felldusts fleet, the people who hadnt stayed to fight, the lack of stability as Stephania conducted her coup. Maybe things would be different on Haylon.