Suddenly, Wycke recalled waking from a deep sleep, watching an enemy soldier run his guard through. He’d been a mere child. He ran his fingers over the tiny crack in the wall a younger him thought looked like a dragon.
Two taps, then the chamber door swung open. Aberfrer shuffled into the room. “You called for a healer?”
Wycke flipped the covers back over Piers. “I planned to, but you got here first. How did you…”
Aberfrer gave a tired smile. “You did call. You just didn’t hear. I did. That’s what matters.” He leaned over the bed, hovering a hand over Piers’ body, moving slowly downward. Finally, Aberfrer dropped his hand to his side. “He is fine, simply exhausted. He should wake shortly.”
“How long have we been asleep? I’m nearly healed.”
“Six days. My mages attended you.”
Six days?
The ancient sorcerer turned towards the door, moving more slowly than when he’d been in Dhugach.
“Wait!”
“What?” Aberfrer peered back over his shoulder, then shifted to rest his back against the door.
“How is Saris? Piers’ friend Jess? Broen? Chynne?”
“They are fine.”
Wycke took a deep breath, mental images from the tower flashing before his eyes. “What of Radre? The mages?”
Aberfrer sighed. “Your brother is indeed possessed by Nyanda. I lost consciousness during our battle. When I awakened, you and Piers had disappeared and were found here with a tracking spell. Radre lay unconscious. He has been subdued.”
“The mages?”
“All dead. Though I’m not sure what killed them.”
“Where is everyone now?”
“Young Jess is visiting with the elves; Chynne is with his family. Although it’s difficult to harm a familiar, he received magical injuries, best tended by others of his kind. King Broen is… stable. Saris defeating a fearsome enemy has done much to win support among the people. Plus, they now know she can… how does Jess say? ‘Lick ass and take names?’”
“Kick. Kick ass and take names. Licking ass is kinda my territory.” Wycke gave a sheepish shrug. He did have a reputation to uphold, after all.
Aberfrer never even flinched. “Yes, I’ve heard that about you. Kick. I definitely meant kick. Best to think twice before crossing your sister.”
A load of guilt fled Wycke’s heart. “She’s unharmed?”
“Nothing I couldn’t cure with a wave of my hand.” Aberfrer gave Wycke a warm smile.
“Why is Jess with the elves?”
“She didn’t want to leave Pieravor but knew better than to ignore a direct order from Queen Consort Saris, who saw an opportunity to mend an old rift and appointed Jess an emissary. Besides, she did nothing but pace and cry outside this room. It turns out her suitor escaped Radre and returned home for reinforcements to save his lady.” Aberfrer snorted. “Though I do believe his lady hardly needs a man to come to her rescue. A contingent of armed elves arrived shortly after we did.”
“What happened?” Bright lights. Piers’ chest ripped open. Saris and Jess on the floor, unmoving. Wycke shuddered.
“It appears Sorceress Nyanda did indeed hide much of her magic in her son’s heart. She suspected he possessed some magical abilities, but remember, she wasn’t from a magical line. Her gift was rare among her kin, and she believed Pieravor’s talents would be minimal at best. She staked her claim on his royal heritage.”
“But he’s so powerful! All that magic came from her?” Wycke’s magic couldn’t be compatible with an evil being’s.
“No. She sealed her power away, planning to reclaim it from him. He’s powerful in his own right. Far more powerful than she ever imagined.”
“How?”
Aberfrer chuckled. “She sought a sire for her son powerful in other ways, not knowing King Umbri’s skills nearly matched hers. A fact those who knew kept quiet. Some do not believe a magic-user should hold the throne, fearing they’d become like Nyanda.”
