She looked up from where she leaned against his chest and smiled. "I have many thoughts, Marcellus. But none of them are doubts about us."
"Then you agree to love the king?"
She patted his cheek. "No. I leave the subjects to love the king. I agree to love the man."
His voice grew serious. "You will be in more danger than you realize, Nyori. If we go through with this, it will create many enemies for both of us."
Her hands tightened around his own. "I will gladly face any danger with you, Marcellus. We can repair any damage done if we work together. We still have time."
You are the lord of fools, Marcellus.
He gazed at the darkening horizon. "Yes. There is that. We still have time."
The lord of fools…
The sun set on the balcony, while in the distance storm clouds gathered and thunder softly rumbled.
VALDEMAR STARED INTO the gloom of the entranceway. It was shrouded and indistinct, something only fire could brighten. He squeezed the cryptorb tightly in his fist and turned to gesture at Ganbatar and Kydir, the only other Dragonists that accompanied him.
"Come."
They held up flickering torches and followed him into the darkness. The tunnel was of roughly hewn stone, carved deep into the rear of the fortress. A lever had activated the hidden doorway, something Valdemar recently learned from his monstrous father.
"How goes the advance against Suldan?" His voice echoed in the tunnel.
"It will fall quickly." Ganbatar's eyes were fixed ahead, wary of what might lurk in the gloom. "The Komurans are tired of fighting. Most do not understand why we are attacking them. They will surrender the city to us soon."
"They can blame the rebels for their predicament. They feed them, shelter them, arm them. For that, they bleed. Until they beg to slay their patriots, I will grant no mercy. Every strong male among them will be impaled until they lose their will to fight. Only then will I consider them conquered."
"As you say, Lord Commander." Their pace slowed as the tunnel came to an abrupt halt.
Ganbatar quickly stepped in front of Valdemar and placed his hand on his sword grip. "By Deis' holy light — what have you brought us to, Lord Commander…?"
The end of the tunnel was carved into a bestial face. It was squat and wide, with oversized yellow eyes, a widespread snout, and a mouth twisted in a leer that displayed jagged fangs. The idol dwarfed the men that stood before it. It exuded ancient menace, as though it had existed for ages long before men dared to bury its presence by building a fortress around it.
This is why the fortress was abandoned. Why Stravaholme was driven to madness and cursed for all time.
Valdemar took a hesitant step next to a triangular pile of stacked stone nearly as tall as he was. He lifted the cryptorb Masiki had given him. The purplish sphere hummed and shimmered as if effusing light from its innards. Valdemar placed the orb on the pinnacle of the pyramid.
The orb flashed, illuminating the chamber in hues of violet. The entire hollow rumbled as though a herd of wisents stampeded down the tunnel. Valdemar fought to keep his footing, and Ganbatar cursed as he whirled, looking for a foe to fight. Kydir stumbled alongside, eyes wide behind the spiked mask that covered his face.
The stone creature's eyes turned crimson as torches flared from the sockets. Its grin distorted as the mouth opened, wider and wider until the gaping cavity nearly obliterated the idol's features. A gasping sigh escaped from the depths, along with the sound of a million piercing cries.
A flood of bats exploded from the darkness. They fluttered in the chamber in numbers so thick that Valdemar could barely see his Dragonists. Dust powdered the air, stirred by the force of their wings, and their high pitched chirps and squeals bounced off the walls of the chamber. Valdemar scarcely paid them any mind. They were only animals. Just flitting pieces of flesh and blood.
What advanced from the depths was much worse.
The cavernous maw flooded with light as a pair of unnaturally tall, gaunt figures emerged. Valdemar recognized them as Eidolon, the ghastly creatures that Masiki kept as guards. Their brilliant robes fluttered as though gale-force winds beat at them. The Eidolon's skeletal faces exuded primeval hatred as they stared at Valdemar and the Dragonists with eyes of flaring light.
"Behind me, Lord Commander." Ganbatar and Kydir leaped in front, drawing their daito blades. They had to know their steel was useless, but true to the Dragonist code they were prepared to embrace death for their master.
The Eidolon unsheathed their swords — long, silvery blades that flashed in the torchlight. One of them pointed an elongated finger at Valdemar and spoke in a voice like rustling leaves.
"No further, or you will face worse than death. None may pass without the High Lady's leave."
Valdemar placed a hand on Ganbatar's arm. "Your steel is useless. Put it away." He stepped closer and inclined his head to the Eidolon. "I will await the High Lady's order. Then you will guide my army as you have been instructed."
He turned away from the Eidolon's hateful gaze and strode back down the tunnel. The Eidolon remained at the mouth of the entrance, dazzling guardians that radiated waves of darkness.
Ganbatar quickly caught up with him. "Lord Commander — you mean to bargain with those…daemons?"
"The bargain is already struck, brother. The Eidolon will guide us through the underground passes when the word is given."
"By whom? Who is this High Lady they mentioned?"
"One whose goals coincide with my own. That is all you need to know for the moment."
Ganbatar unhooked the scarlet face shield from his helmet, allowing Valdemar to see his concerned expression. "You know this cannot be right. Our father fought to rid the kingdom of sorcery before his death. You and I converted to Divinity, which forbids any involvement with the dark arts."
Valdemar stopped in mid-stride to stare at his brother. "You think to instruct me in the ways of Divinity, Lord General? I am the champion of Deis. Appointed by his Light to restore the glory of Divinity to its rightful place and reclaim the rights and lands taken from his chosen people. I am fully aware of what is or is not forbidden."
"Then you know this is wrong. Brother, you have achieved great things. More than our father, more than any leader of our people. But this…there has to be another way."
"There is no other way." Valdemar's jaw trembled. "Do you forget what deeds our father did to purify his nation in the name of Deis? How many heads adorned spikes on the castle walls, Ganbatar? How many women wailed as they were burned alive for clinging to their beliefs?"
He nodded as Ganbatar dropped his head. "Yes. You remember. Father made us watch. Watch as men's flesh was stripped from their bones, as women's skin melted like wax and their eyeballs dripped down their faces. The pagan Komurans call us savages. The false worshippers in Leodia labeled us cruel barbarians. But we know what those acts of purification led to — a stronger nation, united in faith and belief in ourselves. This is no different. What I do now will only lead to greater glories."
"Lord Commander." Ganbatar's face was deadly serious. "If we do what you propose, if we follow those creatures into that darkness…I do not believe we will ever see our homeland again."
"No. We won't." Valdemar allowed the tiniest of smiles to scrawl across his lips. "There will be no need to when we reclaim what is ours. I need you to do something for me, Lord General."
Ganbatar dipped his head. "What is your order, Lord Commander?"
"Take a battalion of your finest Dragonists and return to Dragos immediately."
Ganbatar's eyes widened when he lifted his head. "Lord Commander, it is not my wish to remain behind when you—"