"But make no mistake. Nothing can be forged anew except through fire. The forge is blazing brightly now. What comes out of it will be decided by all of us, for the matters at hand threaten both Gifted and Co'nane. The Guelph were destroyed ages ago. Anyone that would assume to resurrect that ghost will find their fate to be the same. I would hear what the Sects know of this."
Celestine cleared her throat delicately. "I have agents placed in many lands, as you well know, Majesty. They bring me rumors that some of the Gifted hailing from Bruallia have plans which do not coincide with our own."
"Bruallia. Where this warlord Valdemar Basilis prepares to invade Leodia." Alaric noted her surprise at his words. It always seemed to shock them when he revealed his superiority at information gathering. They saw him as idle, but the Co'nane had Thralls everywhere, all of them eager to report.
"The two might be related. Continue to watch this Valdemar, and report to me on his movements. Though the power struggles of domestics do not concern me, a hidden hand may direct that one. He may be the key to this riddle of rebellion."
Lord Drowan stirred from his silence. "What of the accounts of this Reaver? My people are affected more than the other Sects for we are scattered about, therefore more susceptible to attack. Whether this dark rider is a Reaver or not, it is my Sect who will suffer most. Something needs to be done."
Tasith nodded. "These Huntsmen are also getting bolder and more skilled. Unless they are dealt with swiftly, their attacks upon us will be more numerous. Even now they venture out of the wilderness and attack us in our cities. I am told the band that destroyed our brethren in Leodia were outstandingly skilled."
Alaric studied Tasith. Though the others despised her for her Sect, he held a degree of respect for her. The Paphic were known to be emotional and impractical, but Tasith was neither. Behind the coyness was a razor-sharp mind, a clever manipulator, and an expert in survival. She was well informed.
But not as well as Celestine, who spoke up again. "This is the band led by the Huntsman called Rhanu'bis."
"The same bugger who destroyed Uro and his Sect in Hikuptah?" Killian grinned as though the news excited him. "Good riddance to 'em, I say. This Rhanu'bis will be a fine kill. They say his name means Godslayer. His legend will only grow stronger if we don't find him and put an end to this."
Lord Drowan appeared more angered than impressed. His hands squeezed into fists. "Many of our people fear this one and his band. They say he is as skilled a fighter as has been seen and has no fear of death."
Killian tittered behind his hand. "Hang on while I soil me loinclothes. You want to sit around shivering because of a bunch of bloody domestics, that's fine by me. I'll take a band of me mates and find this Rhanu'bis. I'd like to find out firsthand just how skilled these Huntsmen are."
"No." Alaric's voice rang with quiet authority. "Not you, Killian. You will go to your island and make sure your Sect stays away from Kaerleon. Lord Drowan has made a point. His Sect is the most threatened. Therefore I give him the authority to deal with these renegade humans."
He turned to Lord Drowan. "Use the weapon I know you have kept sheltered. If this Rhanu'bis and his Huntsmen are as skilled as the rumors claim, he should experience the fate of those who would dare try to threaten us. Summon Yanus to put an end to their hunting days forever."
As Lord Drowan bowed in acknowledgment, Alaric took their shock with his usual calm. "Yes. Times are changing, Speakers. I have been lenient for far too long. I have let you run your Sects unsupervised, and in return I get disobedience and murder placed at my doorstep. So now I command you to look into your Sects for the truth behind this uprising. If you cannot get results, rest assured that Krolo can. He and his Dhamphir hordes eagerly seek to demonstrate their loyalty, and await only my command to act."
He smiled at their uneasiness. "Once again dark days are upon us. Once again the time has come to choose a side." He paused to gaze at each of them in turn before sitting back with his slender fingers pressed together and his voice as calm as undisturbed waters.
"Choose wisely."
Chapter 33: Nyori
Ayna and Nando departed shortly after Shiru and Han dashed ahead with Rhanu. Ayna's words had been brief. "I am sorry our time is short, but it's imperative I leave now. I have placed you on the safest path I can determine. Stay with these Huntsmen. The akhkharu seek you still. You are better protected by those who can destroy them."
"Why can't I return to Halladen with you?"
Ayna's eyes were troubled. "Halladen has been attacked, Nyori. Our home was put to fire and sword. I would have told you when we were with Riodran, but I did not want to weigh you down further than you already were."
Nyori stared wordlessly. "Attacked? When?"
"Shortly after you left. Several units of powerful akhkharu swept through. Our people fought, but we were no match for seasoned Craft wielders. Our Disciplines are for benevolent purposes. We can defend ourselves, but you know our vows hold us to avoid killing. The only reason Halladen was not completely razed was that they determined you were no longer there. But the death tally was high. Many of the Sha are scattered."
Nyori felt numb. "This is my fault. I should never have…"
Ayna placed a hand on Nyori's arm. "This is the work of the akhkharu, Nyori. No one else. We have discovered there is dissension in their ranks. Infighting. They have been positioning for ages, scheming against each other. This chaos would have erupted regardless of whether Eymunder was discovered or not."
"Then why can't I go with you and Nando? I am alone among these violent people. This is not my place."
"She's right, Ayna." Nando had been uncharacteristically silent until then. Nyori wished there was more time to speak with him properly. It was a tremendous relief to see him alive when she was sure he had perished with Ironhide in the mountains. He had not spoken of his ordeal. Though he limped slightly, he appeared much the same. But his eyes had aged; they were harrowed by the experience. She could not help but feel a twinge of guilt. Whatever Nando had experienced, it had happened because he tried to protect her. It seemed she would spend the rest of her life dealing with feelings of guilt.
Nando continued. "Nyori should come with us. I will not fail her as I did last time."
Ayna hesitated, but shook her head. "No, she cannot travel as we can." She gave Nando a considering look. He grimaced, but nodded.
Ayna turned back to Nyori. "I will be meeting with the Sha who have fled. There are several havens I must visit. Our combined wisdom is needed for consultation on this catastrophe. When we have a course of action, I will find you again. For now, you must stay here." Her voice softened. "You will not be completely alone. You know who the dark rider is."
Nyori felt a stab of fear. She remembered Marcellus screaming as Leilavin calmly watched him burn alive. What he became was even more terrifying.
"He is not himself any longer. I made a terrible mistake when I warded him."
Ayna placed a hand on Nyori's shoulder. "We all make mistakes, Nyori. We can run from them or try our best to correct them. What will you choose?"
Nyori raised her head. "I will do what I can, Ayna. Though I don't know what it is I must do."
"It is enough that you try, Nyori. Everything else is beyond our control. For now, your path goes to Glacia. The Norland fortress will be strong enough to harbor you safely until we meet again. Plead your case to King Theron. He will hear your words. Trust your instincts, and allow Eymunder to guide you." Ayna looked in the direction Rhanu and the others went. "What do you think of him?"