Son of Khyber

CHAPTER TWENTY — SEVEN

Fallen Lharvion 22, 999 YK

I am the Angel of Flame. The words from her dream echoed in Thorn’s mind, and she found that her hand had tightened around Steel’s hilt. “We’re going to fight a dragon?”

If Daine meant her any harm, she could see no sign of it. He frowned, puzzled. “No. An angel, an embodiment of fire. I do not know its proper titles, only that it holds power over flame. Drego, perhaps you could enlighten us?”

The Thrane nodded, but Thorn could tell that he was surprised by the topic. As before, he wove a pattern with his fingers, creating a ward that shimmered in the air. “The guardian of the Cardinal Point is one of the Burning Host of Syrania, the vanguard that stands against the fiends of Shavarath. She is Vyrael, the Ashen Sword, Eighth among the Burning Host.” As before, the translucent sigil caught fire and burned away in the air. “Hers is the strength of smoke and flame. Less subtle by far than our fallen foe but easily as dangerous in battle. Why her?”

“Do you have another suggestion?” Daine asked. “I found tools in the Cannith vault that will help us survive the battle. And her defeat will give me the power that I need.”

Steel was buzzing in the back of Thorn’s mind, but she was already asking the question. “Power to do what exactly?”

“I told you before. I liberated a weapon from the Cannith forgehold, and now I intend to turn it against the houses. If I can absorb enough power into my mark, I can shut down all house operations in Sharn.”

Thorn nodded. “Yes. And that’s where we began. The forgehold was illegal and operated without Brelish sanction. Defeating this monster was a service to the people of Sharn. Shutting down legitimate businesses… That does nothing but hurt Breland.”

“It’s not about Breland!” Daine roared, his mark blazing with crimson light. “Why can’t you see that? The Five Nations are dying, and with each day the Twelve become more powerful. I have seen the horrors they can unleash. Forget your petty nationalism for one day and look to the fate of the world! The houses must be stopped!”

His fury was as powerful as it was unexpected. Thorn could see faint veins of darkness running along the lines of his mark, and she guessed that the strain of absorbing Vorlintar was still weighing upon him.

“This weapon is one more tool that they made without your knowledge-one more tool that they would use against your people. Let me turn it against them, and you will see the horrors they were prepared to unleash-and gain a weapon you can use against them, when the time comes. Tarkanan cannot win this war alone. We know that now. The Twelve turned the world against us. Now we will reveal them for what they truly are.”

His mental state is continuing to deteriorate, Steel said. Safer by far to take this weapon from him, whatever it may be. If it is as vital as he says, better to have the artificers of the Citadel study it.

Unless it can only be wielded by the Son of Khyber, Thorn thought. It all seemed incredible, but what if he was telling the truth? What if he had been preserved from Dolurrh, drawn through time to change the course of the future? Her encounters with Merrix and Sorghan mingled together with her disturbing dreams and Daine’s dark tale of the War of the Mark.

“Why now?” she asked.

“Because there may not be another time. Sharn is Syrania’s latrine, where the angels throw their refuse. Here we can prey upon these fallen spirits to get the power that I need. I don’t know where I could find another radiant idol, and I must leave Sharn within the day. Merrix couldn’t recognize you, but he knew this body. I cannot stay here, and I cannot return to Sharn again. I need to finish my work quickly and then regroup with the others to the north. You will have to decide if you wish to join us, or if your loyalty to your nation is more important than this struggle. But I cannot fight this battle without you.”

Steel’s voice was cold. It’s your decision, Lantern Thorn. Just remember the oaths you’ve sworn and the reason you were sent here.

Sent by the Twelve, Thorn thought. Not by Breland. They’d already made a lapdog of King Borenal. How much further would they go?

Steel could sense her hesitation. You’re a Dark Lantern of the King’s Citadel, charged to uncover threats to Breland. The decision is yours, but you will have to live with the consequences.

“Very well,” Thorn said, speaking to Daine and Steel at once. “Where do we find this burning angel?”

Daine had asked Thorn and Drego to wait outside the cathedral while he spoke to Xu’sasar. The two of them sat on chunks of rubble, looking at the debris. Ruined as it was, somehow it seemed less desolate. Perhaps the district would be rebuilt one day. Perhaps hope would return to Fallen.

“What do you think about all of this?” Thorn asked.

Drego shrugged. “I’m always ready to drive one of these celestial interlopers from our world. As for declaring war on the Twelve? That I don’t know about.”

“Do you think he’s right? Is this his destiny?”

Drego looked at her, and his silver-gray eyes gleamed. “I’d rather discuss our destiny. If he’s right, and this comes to a true war against the houses, I’d hope that you and I could be on the same side.”

“Why do you do that?” Thorn said.

“What?”

“This schoolyard flirtation. You’re a handsome man, but by now I think you know me well enough to know that it won’t influence me. So why bother?”

Drego put a hand over his heart, staring at her with a playfully soulful expression. “Can’t a man be a fool for love?”

“So they say,” Thorn said. “But you’re not nearly the fool you seem to be, are you?”

Drego looked at her, and there was a subtle change in his expression. She was used to seeing a hint of mockery and mischief in his eyes, whoever he was dealing with. Now there was something different in his gaze. Something closer to respect. “Perhaps there’s a side of me you haven’t seen.”

“Oh, I think I’ve seen it once before. When you almost destroyed my nation.”

Thorn expected Drego to look away, but he held her gaze. “You deserve more than Breland.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s it? That’s your best line? You’re not even going to tell me how a war with the Twelve would reunite Galifar and bring us all together again?”

Drego didn’t smile. “I could. But perhaps I’m tired of this game, of hiding my true feelings behind this childish flirtation. Maybe it’s time to set aside the masks.”

“Fine,” Thorn said, mystified. “You first.”

Drego shook his head. “There’s no point. Have you ever been in love, Lantern?”

This certainly wasn’t where she had expected the conversation to go, but she followed the path. “Once, yes.”

“And what became of your beloved?”

“We served together. One mission, I came back. He didn’t.”

“And do you still think about him? Do you see him in your dreams?”

“Yes, I suppose I do.”

“Now imagine you were asked to serve with a doppelganger, someone who looked just like him but who was nothing like him. Someone with the mind of a child, filled with foolish beliefs. What would you do?”

Thorn frowned. “Aureon’s Word, what are you talking about?”

Drego laughed, and just like that, the mood was broken. The mischievous gleam was back, the sly smile. “My apologies, my lady. I thought a little pathos might make for an interesting change from the schoolyard antics.”

Thorn studied his face. She had a knack for reading people, and he seemed utterly sincere. On the other hand, he’d fooled her in Droaam. She wanted to press the point further, but before she could speak, Daine emerged from the cathedral. Xu’sasar was with him, leaning on her bone staff to keep weight off her injured leg.

“We must go,” Daine said. “Drego, do you know a path to the Cardinal Point?”

Drego glanced over at Thorn, a curious expression in his eyes-a combination of mischief and curiosity. “Yes, I believe I do.” He rose to his feet and held out a hand. “Lady Thorn, are you ready to fight your second angel?”

She stood on her own, ignoring the proffered hand. “Always. What about Brom?”

“There’s nothing more to be done for him,” Drego said. “At least, with Vorlintar defeated, the souls of his victims can finally rest.”

“So we’re just leaving him here?”

“This is war, Thorn, even if it is only the first day of it. There will be time to mourn the fallen when it is done. This place was his home, and through his actions it is a better place. He will be at peace here.”

Thorn nodded. He was right, of course. It wasn’t the first time she’d had to leave a body behind. She turned to Xu’sasar. “Will you be all right?”

Apparently Xu’sasar’s people had no custom of the sentimental farewell. “Fail him, and I will hunt your soul in the final lands,” she said. She looked back at Daine. “Die well.”

He turned to Drego and Thorn. “Come. Destiny awaits.”

Thorn’s hand slid down to Steel’s hilt.

I hope you know what you’re doing, Lantern Thorn.

So do I, she thought.