The King's Challenge #268 and #269

TKC 268 and 269

Damin takes control with the words he utters next, for I lose the ability even to think.

“His Majesty is ill with a bone disease …”

Iniri gasps and covers her mouth. I simply stare.

“… but it is not natural. The best healers in the universe cannot cure him.” Damin gazes first at Iniri before meeting my paralysis directly. “Enris, he has been debilitated with sorcery, a process apparently lengthy and insidious until it has now manifested as an illness the Ilfin may understand. No one suspects the foulness; they see only a disease they are unable to arrest. Your father will die.”

Iniri strides forward, into my face. She shakes me. “Ilfin cannot do this. We have not the ability …”

I step aside, away from her hurtful grip. “Of course we have, sister. Just because you were a priestess in the arts for enlightenment does not mean others did not descend into the pits of dark learning.”

She is silenced, and into the quiet, Damin’s words take control once more.

“It is akin to the slow degeneration of bone matter, achieved via an extraordinary spell. This spell released once a month and thus by the month your father weakened. It has taken years to bring him to the point of no return.”

“Can it be undone?” Mirlin demands from beside me.

“That I do not know,” Damin murmurs. “I merely repeat what I received from  Moravin’s son.”

Drawing breath, I ask, “Who cast the spell?”

Damin gazes steadily at me. “Makar prince, I believe you already know.”

“Meaning what?” Iniri growls.

I close my eyes. “That is why he said never a word.” My eyes snap open, to my sister. “Uncle Lorn.”

Damin nods in confirmation.

For long moments Iniri remains unmoving and then she blurts, “I will kill him.”

“Not if I get to him first,” I mutter.

Siri clears her throat. “May I say something?” She has everyone’s attention immediately, and assumes she may continue. “Lyra … I mean, Iniri – is able to cure your father.” She studies Iniri’s suddenly blank stare and then looks up at her brother. “Damin, you know the talents the Ilfin of Massin discover are but a reflection of what is possible elsewhere. You broke the barrier of what you thought you could do her ewhen you discovered actual touch gifts you more … much more. Imagine, just imagine, what Lyra can do as Iniri if she acknowledges her power.”

Even I swing to look at my sister.

She blinks rapidly and sinks to her knees. “I am the orb, but I am also much else, including Healer.” She lifts her two eyes to me. “Healer, Enris. Not physical healing alone, as Siri is able to achieve, but every kind of healing there is.”

I stare at her. Ice settling into my veins. “We need to return to Makaran immediately.”

“No,” Damin states, straightening in a manner to reveal he has something of utmost importance to divulge.

I notice how Kay swipes a hand over his face. “His Majesty is in orbit above us.”

Damin inclines his head. “The conspirators ensured he travelled with the mission. His brother Lorn told him here may be the healing he requires. He was right, but he intended for your father to die far from home.”

Iniri shoots to her feet. “Where is that damned shuttle? We annihilate the Spire and then head to the royal ship!” She swivels, glaring at everyone, settling her attention finally on me. “Why has Commander Gennerin not revealed the presence of his king?”

“He does not know,” Damin murmurs.

Your deep grooves

How to avoid 'very'

The King's Challenge #267

(Less than 100 episodes left!)

TKC 267

“This is what I saw and what I heard,” Damin begins. “While I do not yet recall life on Makaran, what I saw in the man’s mind is familiar to me. There is a lake pavilion set in the centre of golden water where the lily flowers are yellow with red leaves. This pavilion has a trellis of silver and gold strands …”

“The Royal Pavilion,” Iniri murmurs, “in the palace gardens.” She touches Damin’s hand briefly. “We met there frequently.”

He swallows and chooses to look away from her mesmerising eyes … to me. “Four men met there and one of them was the man I delved.” He offers a wry grin. “Are we not fortunate we chose to spare the right man back there in the forest? None of the others were at that meeting.”

“Ilfin instinct," I say to him. “It has little to do with luck.”

He nods after a moment. “The other three men were Fenn Moravin, Holi Kor and Brant Makar.”

Iniri hisses through her teeth on hearing the last name. “Brandt is our cousin, fourth in line to the throne.”

“Older than us, and many have whispered he should be the next king,” I say. “His father is our uncle, but that man will never rule. He refuses to divulge his talent and therefore all are suspicious of him.”

“Brandt, on the other hand, has crowed his gift to the very heavens around Makaran,” Iniri growls. “And they love him for it.”

“What is his gift?” Kay asks.

“Alchemy,” Iniri snaps. “He is able to change metals. Iron into silver, pewter into gold. It has made him the wealthiest man on Makaran.”

“That explains everything,” Mirlin murmurs.

“Indeed,” I insert. “He is able to pay for the right to the throne. Fenn Moravin is Brigadier-General and therefore commands the army, while Holi Kor is Ultimo of the Faith, the first priest in other words. If those two are in Brant’s pockets, he is definitely making his play.”

“And the soldier Damin delved? How would he be in on it?” Kay frowns.

We all look at Damin, who mutters, “He was Moravin’s son.”

Iniri hisses again.

“Damn,” I say, “not good.”

Writer's Inspiration

First time

TKC Collage (Enris 1)

This one has been long in coming due to the recent interruptions, but here it is, the collage for Enris after 14 images :) If you have missed a post, catch up via the links on The King's Challenge Page.

The King's Challenge #265 and #266

TKC 265 and 266

Iniri is with Damin when Gennerin and I return. The two stand together in the centre of the cleared space and it concerns me. Yes, there is camouflage tenting hiding them, but everyone inside Arc is ever exposed.

They speak intensely; that kind of intensity is bound to cause rumours.

“Are you ready for the mission to the Spire?” I ask the commander, mostly to distract him.

He gives me a look, but answers willingly enough, perhaps prepared to be distracted. “A shuttle will land in the meadow opposite as the sun sets. The men are gathering the gear as we speak.”

“Excellent. Gather for Damin also; he will not have time to think about it now,” I say grimly. I glance at the soldier. “If what he discovered affects the Ilfin situation here, I will inform you. If it is a matter of family feuds, allow me to deal with it.”

“Of course, Lord Makar.” The commander moves off.

“Wait. Prepare for Iniri and myself also. We will be on the night’s mission.”

Commader Gennerin swivels to me. “That is not the best idea.”

“It may be the worst idea and yet it will be so.”

The man blinks. “Why?”

“Instinct.” I offer him a shrug and head to Iniri and Damin.

“… for my father’s sake,” Iniri is saying as I close in.

“And I will tell you, but wait for …” Damin pauses as he sees me. “And he is here; now I will tell you.”

“You are too exposed here,” I snap.

Iniri looks up at the tenting. “I do not care. Here we can see them coming.”

“Them?”

“The traitors in the sky and those among us.” She lowers her gaze to glare at me. “Enris, what is going on?”

“Damin knows, but I prefer more privacy.”

“I do not. In fact, we need to gather the Arc team together for this. We trust them and we already know they are survivors.”

“Are you suggesting we cut the Ilfin soldiers out of even this night’s little errand?” My eyes narrow as I look at her.

“Yes.”

“Why?” I now echo Gennerin, understanding the man’s confusion.

“The Makar must win this.” She glances at Damin. “I believe Damin will confirm.”

“I do,” Damin mutters.

For long moments I am quiet, pondering the underlying reasons. Perhaps the millennia of separation between us and our father have emboldened the nay sayers back home. If that is so, then my sister is correct. To maintain the status quo, the Makar must again be seen as stronger.

“Very well.” I turn to where Kay lurks with Siri in the shadows near the perimeter, and gesture them in.

Damin meanwhile lifts a finger to Joseph and Hal, and those two call to Hanna and Marian.

As they approach, I ask, “Where is Mirlin?”

“Behind you. Prince,” the westerner drawls. “I read the signs. We are about to break ranks, and mere hours after joining. I wonder why that is?”

“Keep it down, will you?” I whisper.

Grinning, Mirlin steps into the forming circle. “We need Artur also.”

Damin agrees and heads of to find the big man, returning soon with him in reluctantly in tow.

Iniri sucks at her teeth. “Too exposed. You were right, Enris.”

“And now it is too late,” I growl back. “This obvious huddle cannot now be hidden, but deafen them, will you?”

Snorting, she lifts a hand. Blue light leaks from her fingertips to surround us. Damin sees it and so does Mirlin, but the others merely see her gesture.

The stage is set. It is time for Damin to tell us about our father.

Kipling: Dealer in words

Commonly Misused Words

The King's Challenge #263 and #264

TKC 263 and 264

Damin slams his hand against the soldier’s brow, shoving his head against the bark. “Do not move,” he snaps, “or I will empty you.”

I am not the only one terrified by the notion.

No one moves.

Damin leans his forehead onto his hand, eyes closed. The soldier barely breathes, but his eyes skitter in every direction, trying to avoid the man directly in his face.

When a strong urine smell permeates the clearing’s damp air, I realise the other soldier has lost control of his bladder. What are these men afraid of? Treason is one matter, already uncovered; their fear speaks of something beyond even that.

Intense moments pass and it feels as if eternity has assailed us. Gennerin breathes harshly, fast. The man is out of his comfort zone. He is Ilfin and knows of the Greater Talents, while himself possessing something extra, but this is strange to him. Hell, it is strange to me.

Damin steps back, visibly shaking.

He jerks his head to me and his eyes are filled with sympathy.

Fear hollows my gut.

“Enris, kill them,” he says then and walks away, weaving through the trees to vanish swiftly.

I release an explosive breath … and so does Gennerin. We stare at each other, and I nod. The commander blinks, but he removes his weapon from the holster at his waist and shoots both men between the eyes. It is a silent weapon; the soldiers simply lean forward lifeless with bloody holes upon their brows.

We are hiding the bodies when Allin and Ross return. Those two look at each other and help us.

“This did not happen,” I state before we move to return to the shuttle.

“How do we explain their disappearance?” Corporal asks.

“I have sent them on a long range scout,” Gennerin says grimly. “Do not speak of this even among yourselves, in the event of listeners.”

Both soldiers simply nod.

“Return to the shuttle. I need a word with Lord Makar.”

Allin salutes smartly, takes Ross’ arm and marches him away with him.

The commander faces me. “I have the ability to hear truth in a lie or a lie in truth; that is my talent. It is the reason I am in command.

“They lied?” I indicate the region where we hid the bodies.

“No, Damin Mur lied.”

By the stars. I clear my throat. “What did he lie about?”

Gennerin blinks at me owlishly in the diffuse light. “I sense your disquiet. A man able to delve for what is hidden via touch? It fills me with dread also, for we all have our secrets. Know this, however; he lied about it, probably to scare the crap out of the traitors.”

“He cannot? Then what was that?” I wave at the two trees where the men were bound.

Gennerin shakes his head. “He is able to delve deep via touch, but it is never casual for him. In other words, he will not hear a man’s secrets in an inadvertent touch. He gives all of himself when he searches deep, for that is what is required.”

“That is why he shook after,” I whisper. Never have I been this relieved.

Gennerin inclines his head. “Your secrets are safe.” His gaze is unblinking.

Sniffing, I start walking. “Commander, the secrets I wish to keep hidden have to do with guilt over a certain woman. It is not about the big issues.”

Falling in beside me, Gennerin murmurs, “And mine concern my daughter back home. And my wife.”

We glance at each other and both of us grin. Indeed, our personal issues hurt more and thus we prefer them to remain hidden.

The King's Challenge #261 and #262

TKC 261 and 262

Leaving the four bodies behind, Damin and I drag our two captives to a clearing. While we are tying them to trees loud crashing sounds reach us.

Someone is coming, this time without subterfuge.

“Lord Makar!” someone hollers.

Commander Gennerin. I make a face at Damin. The commander’s timing is off. Damin and I now will not have the freedom to question our prisoners, at least not in the manner to extract swift answers. He mutters under his breath, nodding thereafter. He understands.

“Here!” I shout.

Soon the man himself enters the clearing. With him are two soldiers, and Kay. One of those soldiers is Corporal Allin from the shuttle, and another appears to be a recruit. Never have I seen a man so nervous.

Kay murmurs, “This is Ross. He helped us make sense of the situation when we attained the plateau.”

Soldier Ross salutes.

“At ease,” I mutter, transferring my focus to Gennerin. “You spoke with Iniri?”

Nodding, the older man strides in to glare into the faces of the two tied men. “Speak!” he spits out.

Of course there is no response.

Kay shifts his attention between me and Damin, and then moves to Ross. “Find the bodies of the others and bury them. We do not need questions at this time.”

“What is going on?” the young man asks, clearly out of his depth.

“Traitors,” I say. “Do as Kay suggests. Shallow graves will suffice, or cover them well with rock and branch. Allin, you as well.”

The corporal glances at his superior, but Gennerin is fixated on the two captives. He inclines his head and gestures to the young soldier. The two vanish into the trees.

“Damin,” Kay says next, “we do not have time for long-winded questioning. Others will come soon, wondering where the Makar and their commander is. Delve, Damin. Get it done.”

Gennerin snaps around to stare at Damin.

“Let him do it,” I tell the man. “Damin is a true Delver. Unlike Hal, he has years of experience already.”

Gennerin steps aside, saying not a word.

The captives begin then to gibber, glancing at each other in terror.

“Usually a Delver sees images,” Damin murmurs in a cold voice as he saunters closer. “Symbols that reveal emotions.” He halts before the man closest to my position. “It happens without prompts from me and I have needed to learn to shut it off.” Damin lifts his left hand, fingers wide. “Usually it is achieved without effort on my part, but when I employ touch …”

“We will talk!” the soldiers shouts.

“… every secret is revealed,” Damin states, ignoring the outburst. “And it becomes more than mere images.”

I know my eyebrows hike up, and Kay glances at me in surprise. We did not know Damin could use touch. Then again, he may be seeking to intimidate; perhaps touch has nothing to do with his ploy.

“We will talk!” the other screams.

Commander Gennerin sucks at his teeth, no doubt wondering what deeper secrets these men possess. Whatever they are, those cause the terror.

“Damin,” I say and, when the man glances at me, “touch?”

He blinks and nods.

Ice races through my veins then. If that is true, Damin is aware of my hidden secrets also. Swallowing, I murmur, “You are a dangerous man, my friend.”

“Moravin is our leader!” one man screeches out. Shoving at his bonds, he continues, “We planned this on Makaran! Moravin suspected you may be alive and sent us to negate your influence.”

“Your father is weak and therefore now is the time to change!” the other adds.

Fire displaces ice. “Damin,” I grind out, “touch. Find out what is wrong with my father.”