Red Dragon's Keep (The Dragon's Children Book 1) Page 11

  Lady Aeden slowly lowered her sword as she stood. Angry shrieks echoed through the corridors of the undercroft. The soldiers in the hallway whirled to face outwards and crouched, prepared for any attack.

  Those still bunched on the stairs hurriedly descended and joined the group at the bottom. Lady Aeden extended a hand to Thomas, who grasped it and let her pull him to his feet.

  “Do you feel anything now?” she asked.

  “No. It just feels like there's an iron band around my head.” He shuddered. He felt sick and very tired.

  “That's your shield,” she responded. “Try to loosen it a bit.”

  Thomas put his shaking hand on the side of his head, stilled his mind and grounded his ki, sending mental roots deep into the earth. As he did, the pressure eased until he was able to think again. “Ah,” he sighed.

  He was finally able to take note of what was happening around them. He picked up his knife from where he had dropped it.

  The soldiers who had first descended the stairs formed a circle around them. They looked at Lady Aeden and her sword warily. Thomas snorted and shook his head. He thrust his knife into the sheath on his belt. He'd thought that it would be a better weapon to use in the tight confines of the undercroft corridors.

  He pulled his sword from its scabbard. As it cleared the hardened leather, light burst from the blade.

  Lady Aeden grinned. “Yes!” she hissed.

  The soldiers moved farther away from both of them.

  Chapter 22

  The draiochta sword flamed. Thomas turned his stunned face to the blade. Its light pulsed with the beat of his blood. It had never done anything like this before.

  Lady Aeden regarded him and the sword soberly. “Lord Thomas, I'm very glad that you chose that sword. They often name themselves. Has it told you its name? Drop your shields. I'll protect you,” she demanded urgently.

  Oh good gods. Thomas was scared.

  He slowly opened the shields he had erected to protect his mind. He felt the extra shielding that Lady Aeden provided.

  “Hello?” he questioned hesitantly. How do you talk to a sword?

  A rumbling wicked chuckle met his question. He jerked and almost dropped the blade.

  A deep voice thrummed through every mind. Shouts and cries of fear filled the corridor.

  I am glad to be taken up once again! It has been long and long. I thirst for battle.

  Thomas started violently, wanting to drop the glowing sword. “What is that?” he exclaimed.

  “Not what, Lord Thomas, but whom,” said his teacher.

  Hello, young whelp of the Arach’s. I slumbered long, waited for this moment to come again. What are you called? The voice echoed again in all of their minds.

  Thomas looked at Lady Aeden with eyes gone wide and all color drained from his face. The sword shook in his hand. A jolt of power up his arm jerked his eyes back to the sword.

  I am Thomas, son of Thomas, son of John. Who might you be? He asked the question very politely.

  I am a Draiochta Sword. I have ever fought against the power of the Demon host. I can feel them rising. Let us finish this evil that rests at the heart of Red Dragon’s Keep. The sword spoke to him alone.

  Thomas turned to Aeden. “He names himself a Draiochta Sword. He wants to finish the seleigh soren.”

  Thomas watched Lady Aeden's eyes widen. She gave a tiny gasp then sketched a slight bow to the sword. “You honor us with your presence,” she murmured. Thomas looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Lady, did you know?”

  “I suspected,” she answered.

  I am HellReaver, born of wizard power and Dragon fire, used by the Arach’s' since the line was born. I greet you Lord Thomas and Lady Aeden. Lady Aeden, it is good to greet you and OathKeeper once again.

  Lady Aeden looked puzzled. Thomas shook his head. A shriek filled his ears. “We need to kill this thing.”

  It is a seleigh soren, HellReaver, bound here to take Lord Thomas by someone above, Lady Aeden exclaimed in Thomas's mind.

  Let us be about it then, kill this Demon and finish the traitor who tried to kill you. The light of the sword damped down to a very dim glow.

  Thomas straightened. He looked at the soldiers surrounding them and pointed to the left. “The seleigh soren is that way. Lady Aeden and I will take point. Owen, Cameron, Evan and Breanna, stay with Sergeant Padric. Be ready.”

  Cameron quavered a question, “Thomas, what is that?” pointing at the sword.

  Thomas looked at Lady Aeden. “This is HellReaver. He is an ancient ally of our family,” he said, turning to the group. “He will help us defeat the Demon held here to kill us.” Eyes widened even further all around.

  “And I hold OathKeeper, companion for many years,” said Lady Aeden.

  Thomas and Lady Aeden moved toward the front of the group.

  The soldiers backed hastily to the sides of the corridor to let them pass. The Keep had two wells, one between the forecourt and stables, the other in the undercroft of the Tower close to the kitchens. He thought that's where the monster was imprisoned. Another shriek seemed to shake the walls. Swiftly they moved forward, all need for quiet or stealth gone.

  The corridor ended at the well-room, the entry itself opening on the left hand side of the hall. Thomas and Aeden put their backs to the walls on either side of the entry as the others grouped a few feet away. Aeden and Thomas looked past the doorway into the room.

  At least ten bodies covered the floor in various states of dismemberment. Thomas gagged. The smell was horrific, decaying meat and the iron tang of old blood.

  In the center of the room a being from a nightmare stood enclosed by shimmering bars of light and power.

  The seleigh soren was grey. It looked vaguely human, skin hanging in rotting, cadaverous folds from every joint. Hands with but three fingers reached toward the bars of light and the creature screamed as they made contact. A high domed head with slits for a nose sat directly on the things shoulders. Its eyes gleamed blood red in deep black eye sockets. Drool dripped from its mouth filled with sharp jagged teeth. It reached again toward them.

  Sergeant Padric sighed. “My Lord, this ‘seleigh soren’ can't be a threat. She's beautiful.”

  Thomas’s head whipped toward the soldier. “What?” he exclaimed.

  Lady Aeden slashed her upraised hand across her body, wordlessly telling him to wait. “What do you see?” she demanded.

  “I see a young woman weeping in the center of the room,” Sergeant Padric said, tilting his head in inquiry. “What do you see?” he asked.

  Thomas described the apparition of horror.

  Padric blanched.

  Thomas turned to Lady Aeden.

  There is only one way to kill this Demon spawn, HellReaver spoke in their minds. It cannot be banished. You must break the bars of power and cleave the creature from head to toe before it can escape. Both of you must set it afire.

  Thomas gulped. He looked at the bodies destroyed by this monster. His eyes narrowed as his jaw clenched. These were people that he’d been charged with protecting. “Let's finish this.”

  They surged into the well-room. Lady Aeden slashed her sword through the bars of power. She fell to one knee as her power was sucked away then backlashed into her body.

  The Demon leaped at Thomas as the spell containing it shattered. Thomas lifted HellReaver and slashed across the arms of the beast. It shrieked in agony. Green fluid gushed from the gashes. He swung his sword back across its body. As its blood splattered his tunic, the fabric began to smolder.

  The Demon shrieked again. OathKeeper burst into flame. Lady Aeden flowed to her feet and moved to stand in front of the door, forbidding exit.

  The soleigh soren flung itself, mouth agape, at Thomas and tried to grasp him with its bleeding arms. It lunged toward his throat.

  Thomas swung HellReaver over his head and brought it down on the creature with all the strength in his arms. HellReaver flashed white and Thomas howled in battle fury. The swo
rd sliced through head and body as if it was made of butter.

  The two halves fell to either side as he staggered forward over it. He whirled with HellReaver held at guard, ready to take on any threat. As he turned, clawed hands scrabbled toward his legs dragging the sundered body toward him. He swung HellReaver again and digits flew across the room.

  Lady Aeden chanted a fire spell that ignited the scattered body of the monster.

  Thomas added his fire spell to hers with a gesture of his hand.

  Lady Aeden stood to his right, leaning on the tip of her sword. The backlash of released power had hit her hard.

  The cleaved body of the seleigh soren began to smoke and bubble as the mage-fire began to consume it. The smell of smoke, death and decay filled the room and corridor beyond.

  Suddenly exhausted, Thomas lowered HellReaver and moved to Aeden’s side as the battle rage drained from his body. He laid the sword at his feet and stripped off his burned and pockmarked tunic, throwing it on the flames consuming the Demon.

  “Let’s go up. We'll leave this to burn itself out then send a crew to remove what’s left.” He picked up HellReaver.

  Slowly they walked from the room and joined the others waiting in the corridor.

  Thomas waved his hand toward the staircase.

  “It’s dead. We’re safe for now.”

  Soldiers straightened in relief and sheathed their swords.

  Owen, Breanna, Cameron and Evan sighed and sheathed their knives. “Wow. I can’t believe that thing was down here and nobody knew,” exclaimed Owen. Breanna stood as close to him as she could, shivering violently. He put his arm around her and started to rub her arm, trying to calm her down.

  Cameron and Evan stood looking into the room, watching as the flames consumed the body. They looked at each other and then grinned. “That was excellent, Thomas! Lady Aeden, you were great!” they shouted together. Thomas just shook his head.

  They all turned and, as the energy of fear and battle-readiness drained from their bodies, they trudged wearily back up the stairs.

  Chapter 23

  Thomas sat alone at one of the tables in the great hall, cleaning HellReaver with a soft rag soaked in oil. The fire burning in the hearth cracked and snapped as the great logs burned down to ash. Pleasant warmth enveloped his back.

  He brought out his whetstone to sharpen the blade. The rhythmic rasp soothed him. This was a mindless task he had done so many times in the recent past that it left his mind free to wander.

  HellReaver, why didn't we know you were here? How long have you been here? Why didn't my father choose you?

  HellReaver responded. Your father has not chosen a Sword of Light. He has always carried the sword of his house. The swords of houses are symbols of power and rank in the kingdom. This knowledge has been lost along with so much else during the time I have been quiescent.

  When your father returns, he must choose a Sword of Light. Recall the drawing you felt at your choosing? He will feel the same.

  I have been waiting for you, young Thomas. Time to me is lost in dreaming of ages past. My last bearer was Laef Arach, over two centurie

  Your father will bear BattleSworn. Others will be taken up.

  We of the Claiomh Solas, the Swords of Light, are awakened once again.

  Thomas sat stunned, whetstone dangling limp from his hand. This was a sword out of legend.

  By the gods, he thought, we are doomed if I hold a Sword of Light!

  § § §

  The next day, Gregory found him at breakfast. Tired beyond measuring following the battle with the Soleigh Soren, Thomas ate, not tasting, food moving from trencher to mouth without thought.

  Dawn light was barely breaking the horizon, heralding another icy winter day. He had dressed warmly in woolen trousers and doublet to keep the cold that permeated the Keep at bay. Soldiers, skullies, and freemen filled the tables arranged in rows in the body of the great hall, eating breakfast before the start of their labors.

  More and more of the freemen and their families who looked to the Keep for protection were arriving each day, driven from their Steadings by the advancing Demon hordes. Shelters were set up against the walls of the Keep, both inside and out and at the edge of the village beyond the cattle pens. There would soon be no room left within the wall that protected both the Keep and the village.

  “My Lord,” Gregory’s voice spoke with regret. Thomas blinked and came back to the present with a start.

  “I must remind you that we hold those who have betrayed us ready for your judgment. I also believe that it is the better part of safety to have soldiers assigned to guard you. You are the heir and must be protected.”

  Thomas groaned and pushed himself back in his chair.

  Gregory shook his head in sympathy. “I understand, my Lord. This isn't something that any of us is looking forward to.”

  “Is there anyone here who can question them?” Thomas asked.

  “The captain of the guard may have the expertise.” Gregory ran a hand through his already disordered hair and glanced down the tables. “Lance Corporal, go to the barracks and request that Captain Braden report here.”

  “Yes sir.” the lance corporal jumped up and hurried out of the great hall.

  “What of Lady Aeden. Do you think she might help?” asked Thomas.

  “All we can do is ask her, Lord Thomas,” Gregory said, shaking his head.

  “And here she is now.” He smiled as Lady Aeden entered the room from the direction of the kitchen and storerooms. “I’ll let four soldiers whom I trust know that they are to be your guards from now on.”

  Thomas closed his eyes and leaned his head against the back of his chair. He didn’t want guards, but understood the need.

  He really, really didn't want to ask Lady Aeden if she would question the traitors. He was afraid of her answer, either way.

  Lady Aeden tipped her head in question as she walked toward them. “What is it?”

  Once she stood at the table with them, Thomas asked, “My Lady, I don't want to ask this of you. I have to. Will you question the traitors with me and Captain Braden? I don't know the questions to ask.”

  Lady Aeden crossed her arms over her chest. She looked at the wall behind the table, her mind obviously focused far away.

  “My Lady? Are you all right?”

  Aeden came back from her thoughts. “All is well, Lord Thomas. I was remembering a questioning in my past. It wasn't pleasant.” With a sigh, she agreed. “Yes, I'll help with questioning those who would endanger us all.”

  Thomas pushed himself out of his chair. “I don't understand why or how someone I have known all my life can be a traitor.” He shook his head. “It makes no sense.” Thomas pounded his right fist into his left hand over and over again. “How could she,” he kept muttering.

  “There is no reason for her to do this,” he exclaimed, throwing his arms wide. “She had a home here, a good job and we all loved her.”

  Gregory looked at Thomas with sympathy. “I might have an answer for you, Lord Thomas. Jalyn was the headwoman after Lady Eirin, your grandmother, died. Your grandfather, Lord John, lost interest in everything after she was gone.

  Jalyn took over and ran the daily life of the Keep with an iron hand until your father married Lady Jenni. Jalyn and Lady Jenni did not get along. Jalyn became the cook, which is quite a fall from her former position.” Gregory shook his head. “She has carried this anger for fifteen years.”

  Lady Aeden reached out and clasped him by the arm. “People change. People let things eat at them until they are no longer the person that you knew. We will find the reasons that she would do this. Come. I must set the wards.” She gave him a shake.

  “Where should we conduct the questioning?” Thomas asked.

  “Perhaps my office would do?” Gregory offered.

  “Can you ward that space, Lady?” asked Thomas.

  “Yes I can,” she responded. “Have the guards bring the prisoners one at a time to the offi
ce.”

  “Yes, my Lady.” Gregory turned to the sergeant in charge of Thomas’s escort detail. “Please bring the traitor Jalyn to my office. Use four guards to escort her.” The guard hurried away to the holding room.

  Thomas, Gregory and Lady Aeden made their way to the seneschal’s office.

  As the trio turned the corner to Gregory's office, Captain Braden approached down the hallway from the kitchen. He saluted Thomas as he came to a stop in front of Gregory's door. “Lord Thomas. How may I be of service?” he asked.

  “Captain Braden, we need to question the traitors who have betrayed us; find out what they have done and with whom they are in league,” Thomas told him. “Lady Aeden has agreed to ward the room and help with the questioning.”

  Captain Braden nodded.

  They walked through the door and moved to the windows, turning to look at her as Lady Aeden took her place in the center of the room, facing east. She bowed her head and closed her eyes, then opened them and raised her arms over her head so that her palms met, her arms forming a circle.

  “I call the East, to the element of Air.” She turned one quarter turn to the right and brought her arms down to her sides.

  “I call the South, to the element of Fire.” Another quarter turn to the right. She raised her arms and crossed them in front of her chest.

  “I call the West, to the element of Water.” She turned a final quarter turn to face north. She raised her arms to shoulder height.

  “I call the North, to the element of Earth.” Her arms swung down to her sides.

  “I call the Spirit, the ruler of all.” She thrust her arms skywards as if she were throwing a shower of magic into the air.

  “Ward this space and keep all safe. As I will, so shall it be.”

  Thomas felt the surge of magic from each cardinal direction as the Lady called to them. He could feel pillars of power take form in each place.

  A scream echoed in the hall outside of the door. “No, no, no! Don't take me in there! It's killing me! AHHH!”