Cassie woke before Tyrian did, which was not an uncommon occurrence. He hadn't stirred once since falling asleep, proof of how badly he had needed the rest. He was often restless at night. He had never disturbed her sleep, but she had always been aware of his problems shutting off his thoughts. It had gotten much better since they had become lovers, yet there were times when even that could not bring him peace.
She didn't move from her position. She was content to hold him forever. He suddenly stirred slightly and his lips brushed across the inner curve of her breast. Her body heated instantly, her nipples tightening in anticipation of his touch. She always knew the difference in the way he touched her; she knew whether it was simply his need to hold her or if he was trying to seduce her. Part of it came from his relic hand. It burned and tingled much more obviously when he wanted her.
There was something dreamlike in the way he slowly caressed her. She was sinking before she knew she was in deep water. It seemed so easy to surrender when he was so tender. Giving up her control, giving over her body to his care, was not as frightening as it had once been. It was wonderful.
When he rose over her, she framed his face with her hands and drew him down for a kiss. He felt strong and secure, though she couldn't quite forget how fragile his heart was. It was her hands that held him together. "I love you," she breathed against his lips. "Never forget, Tyrian."
His green eyes looked velvety with a darkness that promised an oblivion of safety. There was a darkness inside him that offered rest to a weary monk, just as there was a light inside her that gave respite to a worn Kaiten Star. Protector and protected, entwined for eternity.
The sun was fully in the window when the door to the tower opened. "It's morning," Merilyne called. Her voice didn't have its usual cheer, but it was warm regardless. The events had affected everyone. "Lord Tyrian, Lady Cassie, please come to the meeting room as soon as possible. We have received a visitor."
Tyrian reluctantly sighed and disentangled himself from Cassie. He would have been quite content to stay in her arms all day. "When this is done," he told her softly, smoothing her hair from her eyes, "we're going away somewhere we can't be found and locking the door behind us. And we'll test out just how good your stamina is, my lady monk."
She had to grin as he got out of bed. "Is that a challenge, Lord Tyrian?" She sat up and slid her arms around his neck. His body was once more hot and wonderful, the chill of the night past. "So far you seem to be doing just fine."
He smiled as he ran his hands down her back. "I have incentive. I can't keep my hands off you."
She would have it no other way. "Good." She kissed him briefly and then got out of bed.
They got dressed and made their way down to the courtyard. When they got there, Evelyn waited for them with a tray. It had coffee and pastries on it. "I got up early," she said with a smile. "R.K. told me what happened. I wanted to be sure our new family had something good to eat, and so did you."
Tyrian gratefully took a cup of coffee and a pastry. He had no idea what she did, but her pastries were light, fluffy, and surprisingly filling for not being very big. Even when he wasn't hungry, he couldn't resist eating. Today's flavor looked like it had ham and cheese in it, and it had her secret sauce drizzled on top. "No one cooks like you do."
She winked sassily. "We all have our gifts." She headed off through the courtyard, and more than one guard trailed along wistfully on the scent of coffee and food.
In the meeting room, Matthias and Cherry were present with Ewan and a newcomer. The visitor was only a teenager, possibly sixteen or so, but held a sort of eerie calmness. He was a surprisingly imposing figure at one or two inches taller than Tyrian, and he wore head to toe black. Under the cloak fastened around his shoulders, a belt could be seen carrying an assortment of tools and weapons. A small crossbow tucked into a holster the way Shots carried his guns. On his right hand was a Resurrection Relic bearing the dark outline that meant it had been overclocked.
Tyrian took one look at him and knew two things. One, this was the hunter sent by the Kane Clan. How he had gotten there that fast was still a mystery, but Tyrian felt sure of his identity. The other thing he knew was that this Hunter was another Destined Star.
"Ah, Lord Tyrian." Matthias gestured to Tyrian. "Lord Tyrian, Lady Cassie, please meet Vladimir Kane, from the Kane Clan. Kane, the two before you are Tyrian Southerwind, our Kaiten Star, and Master Cassie from the Monk Clans, his Kentei protector."
"Master?" Tyrian murmured, noticing now that the title had been used more than once.
"Later," she murmured.
Kane turned and bowed gracefully. "Greetings." His voice suited the rest of him, sounding deep and calm all at the same time. "Mistress Selene of the Millennium Valley has sent me to give my aid."
"How did you get here so fast?" Tyrian asked.
"As soon as Beelzebub left his castle, Selene was aware of it. She knew he would be crossing your path and therefore sent me as assistance." He suddenly smiled and it lightened his face. "I am also a Destined Star, Lord Tyrian."
"I had noticed." Tyrian held out a hand and grasped Kane's tightly. "You've come at the right time. Has Matthias told you of what occurred when Beelzebub left his castle?" At the shake of Kane's head, Tyrian let out a long breath. "Then I think it's time you were told. Is Ewan coming?"
"I'll fetch him!" Cherry hurried out. She didn't want to hear the litany of destruction again. And she really didn't want to see the look on Tyrian's face when he talked about it.
By the time she returned with Ewan, the tale was done. Tyrian looked as calm as ever, but there was a flicker of darkness moving across his eyes. Kane's face was stony and he had one hand resting on his crossbow. He saw Ewan and instantly bowed. "Greetings, Ewan."
"Well met, Kane." Ewan looked at Tyrian. "One problem down. We have our Vampire Hunter. Now what the hell do we do about that sword?"
"I can help with that as well," Kane offered. When eyes swung toward him, he explained, "The Midnight Moon Sword sleeps within the Caves of Eternity that crawl underground between the Empire and Foresalia."
"Those caves are used all the time," Cassie said musingly. "I wonder how it was never found before."
"It's hidden." Kane glanced at Ewan. "But the first Midnight Moon Warrior could easily lead us there. I will go along in case Beelzebub knows where the sword is."
"We want to be discreet," Tyrian agreed. "Cassie and I will accompany you and Ewan." Matthias opened his mouth and Tyrian held up a hand. "No. I am going."
Recognizing that he had dug his heels in, Matthias just smiled ruefully. "Very well, Lord Tyrian. We will hold down things here."
"By horseback," Cassie said, "the closest entrance to the caves is a week away. Less if we ride without stopping. We will have to go slightly more south than normal because the western checkpoint sits inside the forest line that marks the border to the Highlights. There's a huge wall separating our two countries."
"With a casual war going on, little wonder," Tyrian muttered. "Hopefully I can get that fixed too!"
The others exchanged a smile. For someone born to walk a battlefield, he was unexpectedly passionate about hating war. But then, perhaps that was the very reason he was meant to blossom on the field. Sometimes ending a war meant fighting a war. They were words that Laia had once said, and again they rang true.
Tyrian led the way out of the meeting room, and the party of four headed downstairs. Evelyn waited for them when they reached the courtyard. She carried a large pack that she handed over to Ewan. "For the road," she said. "I want to make sure you're eating right out there!" she scolded Tyrian.
Tyrian looked down at himself in confusion. "Have I been losing weight?" He looked at Cassie. If anyone would know, it was her. "Well?"
She hesitated and then admitted softly, "Some. Nothing alarming, Tyrian. But it is showing that you don't sleep as much as you should and that you don't eat as much either." She had noticed it from that first night and had been intently monitoring it in the time since. He had lost about ten pounds and it added a stronger definition to the muscles of his body and the lines of his face. Any more and it would start to become dangerous. There was little to no fat on Tyrian's body to begin with; his body would have nothing to run on at all except his iron will.
Evelyn watched him with deep concern in her eyes, and Ewan looked slightly grim. With a sigh, Tyrian said, "I'm sorry, everyone. I can't promise to act normal, but I will at least try. There are times when I just can't stomach the thought of food, even yours, Eve."
She nodded. "I'll start looking for very light alternatives that will at least give you something." Her eyes lit with humor. "Rumor reached me to avoid ground-grown veggies unless they're very well hidden." When Tyrian's brows pulled together, she giggled. "It was Serentia, actually. She saw that you never went near that part of her garden and made Liang tell her. So she told me. I promise, we'll keep it a secret!"
"Do I want to know?" Kane asked dryly.
Ewan was grinning. "I certainly do. Remind me to bribe Liang later."
Tyrian just rolled his eyes. "Thank you, Eve."
With the food safely stashed away, the party headed for the stables to get horses from Beatrice. While Tyrian had usually been riding a normal brown stallion, he was unexpectedly surprised when Beatrice brought out a beautiful white mare who had a thick black mane and tail. "She's lovely!" He softly patted the horse's face when she butted against him. "Look at her." He stepped back and studied the mare closely. "She's thoroughbred, isn't she? City-State stock?"
Beatrice beamed like a proud mother. "That's right! You know your horses, Lord Tyrian."
He shook his head. "She must have cost you a fortune, Beatrice! The City-States raise the best horses in the world, and I can't imagine them cheerfully selling one to someone in the middle of a war, even if we're not their enemy." There was neither alliance nor enmity between Empire and the City-States.
"I didn't buy her," she protested. "She was found outside the gates this morning. There was a note on her mane that said she was expressly for you. As soon as I saw her, I knew why. She's been trained to be ridden by a war general. You can tell by how she carries herself. The note was signed, but I don't recognize the name."
He felt his heart skip a beat. "May I see the note?" It was handed over and he opened it quickly. There was nothing in the handwriting that looked familiar, but he instantly recognized the initials at the end. "DP," he said softly.
"DP?" Ewan asked.
Tyrian crushed the note. "Beatrice, burn this. All anyone knows is that it was a gift to me." He ran a hand down the mare's long face. She had calm, intelligent eyes; evidence that she was, indeed, from the best stock in the City-States. Some suspected that Unicorns ran with their horses and had permeated them with power.
"We're calling her Fay, if that suits you," Beatrice noted.
"I like it." Tyrian swung up onto Fay's back and she tossed her mane proudly.
Kane had to laugh. "I guess she knows just who is in charge around here."
Three more horses stood by, so the rest mounted up as well. It wasn't until they were on the road and well away from the base that Ewan said softly, "Okay, Tyrian. Give. Who sent the horse?"
Tyrian kept his eyes on the road. "It was a belated birthday gift. Or, considering the time that has passed, an early one. The DP stands for Donald Phiriead."
The last name was unfamiliar. The first name was not. And because Donald Southerwind was married, it didn't take a Scholar to guess his childhood family name. "Then that means he supports you, doesn't it?" Cassie asked softly. "Why else would he have expressly sent you a horse bred for carrying the head of an army into battle? And just looking at her demeanor, you know she was chosen for you."
"It's too much to try and think about," Tyrian admitted. "Whether he supports me or not, there will come a day when I have to face my father in battle. I'm not even sure if I will be able to handle that." He took a long breath. "Ben was with my family for ten years. Which means the Devourer, and me, were exposed to my family for ten years."
Ewan's hands tightened on his reins. "But isn't that only a concern if he dies? You're not going to kill him, Tyrian. It'll be like Gordon and Samantha. And no doubt the other Lower Generals as well. We'll outwit them and end things without bloodshed. And if you do have to duel him, you'll be able to win without killing him. Not without hurting him, maybe, but that's what Healers are for."
It didn't make it any easier for Tyrian to stomach. It was one thing to duel his father when they were training, as they had done for years. It was another entirely to face him in battle as enemies. Even if Donald was on his side. Even if he was supporting Tyrian. The battle would commence, and Tyrian couldn't bear it. Raising a weapon against a family member was sickening in his mind.
They rode hard during the day and rested only during the darkest hours of the night. It wasn't until they drew very close to approaching the caves that Tyrian asked Kane, "How did your family become Vampire hunters?"
"Accident." Kane smiled as he said it. "For as long as the Millennium Valley has existed, my family has worked alongside Selene. She's been a sort of surrogate aunt to me and is more like family than not. The first Vampire who went rogue surprised everyone. Until then, they hadn't even realized that the blessing was also a curse. My ancestor, also named Vladimir Kane, tracked the rogue down and destroyed him. Ever since, my family has been the most well-known of Hunters. We train expressly for it."
"How many Vampires are there?" Cassie asked.
"Hmm. A couple thousand total. We lose one or two to going rogue once every few years. The Millennium Vampires are very careful of who they convert, and they have to be strongly convinced sometimes. Even then, things happen. You can't have all good in any race."
"What about Beelzebub?" Ewan asked. "You can't tell me he was ever good."
"I don't know. Selene is the only one who knows the whole story, but she hasn't told anyone. I think it has to do with the Pure Millennium Relic that she possesses. There's a scar on her right hand and she carries the relic on her left."
Tyrian and Ewan looked at Cassie, the only one who seemed to know anything about Pure Relics. It was something that still had Tyrian suspicious as to her promised eternity. Slowly, she said, "Pure Relics can be removed from an owner, but the manner in which it is removed can be detrimental. If Selene had the relic fused and it was ripped from her without her will, it would have wounded both skin and soul. But say she wanted to pass it on willingly, and her recipient was willing. She'd suffer no physical effects and her recipient would have the normal pain of fusion."
"What I felt wasn't normal." Tyrian didn't bother making it a question.
"No. I can't tell you why exactly. I don't know that much. You should have felt some pain and some weakness, but nothing as debilitating as it was. And that's why I'm not even positive yours can be removed, Tyrian."
"How does that work for Selene?" Ewan asked. "Did the relic make her a Vampire?"
Kane hesitated. "Again, I'm not positive. It's from that time she doesn't talk about. But I do know that the vampirism is the price to be paid for having immortality without a relic. They're pretty well identical to Pure Relic users except for a tendency to sunburn and the need to drink blood."
"Until they go rogue," Tyrian murmured.
"Until then. Betraying what is a gift from the gods is only going to make you pay in the end. Hell, we're still not even done with the Era of Punishment, and that's been going on for a million years. Once we see these monsters starting to diminish, then we'll know we're finally forgiven."
Tyrian contemplated an eternity that eventually didn't have monsters to fight and slay and said wryly, "I'm going to get bored. Maybe the gods can cut back on the level of monsters that directly go after cities and leave the rest for bored combatants to mess with."
They reached the caves by nightfall, and as it was going to be dark inside the caves anyway, they went ahead and entered. The four horses stayed inside the entrance, and Fay kept the other three in line. Kane and Cassie lit torches to carry along, and they all moved deeper into the caves. Ewan and Tyrian walked with weapons in hand since no one knew what to expect.
Inexplicably, it wasn't long before Ewan began to feel a sharp tugging sensation inside. He stopped walking and looked down the path to the right. They had almost passed it up because the tunnel was so dark as to be invisible. The tug pulled in that direction. "Follow me. I think someone knows we're here."
They wound down more tunnels following the tug that he felt inside. There were assorted beasts and monsters inside the caves, but they only attacked occasionally. The deeper into the caves that the party moved, the less inclined the monsters were to jump out. That, too, was a sign that they were on the right path.
One of the tunnels gave way abruptly to a room. There were torches along the walls, and Kane lit them from his. The light that flooded the room revealed it to be a perfect circle. In the very center rested a glowing orb of light. Hovering inside the orb was a sword. It was not, however, any normal sword.
It was the first sword that either Ewan or Tyrian had seen that put Mouse's craftsmanship to shame. The blade was almost three feet long, paper thin at the edges, and razor sharp. It was a much darker shade of silver, almost black even in the light. The hilt was stone and glass with not a bit of wood or metal to be seen. Where the hilt curved back to protect the wielder's hand, it looked like a Dragon claw. Holding the sword would look almost as if you held a Dragon's hand. At the center of the hilt where hilt met blade, a black relic had been embedded. Inside the relic swirled bits of midnight blue and silver like the night sky. The symbol in the relic was that of a serpentine Dragon—the eldest of all Dragons—wrapped around a crescent moon and sun fused together.
"Who disturbs my slumber?" a male voice asked in annoyance from the general vicinity of the sword.
Though sentient didn't always mean capable of speech, it certainly did this time. Ewan lifted his chin. "I am Ewan Grizmar. I seek your power to destroy the rogue Vampire known as Beelzebub. I would ask that you lend your power to the aid of my Kaiten Star."
There was a long silence and then the sword said softly, "Step forward, Ewan. I wish to see you." When Ewan stepped forward, the sword studied him in silence for a long while. His appearance was not an unfamiliar one, and the sight of it brought comfort to the Night Relic. He had waited a long time indeed.
The sword glowed softly, and an answering glow came from Ewan's shoulder. It was not, however, the star of his birth. The mark that appeared resembled the symbol of Eternity within the relic, but lacking in the sun half. "You are indeed the Midnight Moon Warrior I have been waiting for," the sword said in satisfaction. "And as your destiny binds you to Tyrian Southerwind, I will offer my services as well. Beelzebub is long overdue for a good smiting!"
Ewan grinned savagely. "Now you're talking my language!" He reached out and grabbed the Midnight Moon Sword and the orb of light exploded outward. The sword he had been using promptly shattered into dust. He turned sharply and held the Midnight Moon Sword in front of his face, and his brown eyes burned intently. "Tyrian Southerwind, by this sword, I will fight for you. You have my vow as a swordsman from the Commune of Soldiers."
Tyrian nodded. "I accept that vow."
"Hey, Night," Ewan said as he studied the sword, "I don't suppose you have transport capabilities."
"As a matter of fact, I can indeed perform one act of transportation. I can't promise it will work ever again. It only works because Lady Tanelia was at your base."
"And why would that be?" Cassie asked curiously.
"Long story," Night said dryly. "Best left told at another time. Transport now?"
"Hang on, we need the horses. Let's make our way out of this maze." Ewan sheathed Night and took the lead to get out of the caves as fast as possible. He couldn't shake the feeling that they needed to get out quickly. There was danger hovering nearby.
The answer as to what type of danger lurked was answered as soon as they got the horses and stepped out of the caves. The entrance had been surrounded by dozens of Imperial soldiers. Cassie, Kane, and Ewan instantly stepped together and protectively shielded Tyrian with their bodies. He didn't protest but he reached back to grab his staff. Like hell they would fight their way through without him.
"Surrender!" one soldier said sharply. "Put down your weapons and come quietly!"
Ewan snarled, "This has gone beyond the whole issue of the Rebellion! Lady Blaine sent out Beelzebub, the most evil of all creatures, just to get to Tyrian. Can you condone the brutal massacre of an innocent village just to stop someone who isn't doing harm to anyone except those who want to believe blindly in a decrepit old fool?"
There was no chance for a retort. Relic symbols suddenly appeared in the air over the soldiers. Over one half, the flame symbol of a Fire Relic appeared. Over the other, the vine symbol of a Land Relic. The sound of magic harmonizing echoed in the air and the fires of hell, literally, broke loose. The land cracked open violently under the feet of the soldiers and flames burst up from the depths. The double attack was more than doubly potent. Many soldiers fell and didn't get up again. The others were so busy trying to escape the effects that they didn't even notice the party scrambling out of the way.
Tyrian turned his head sharply and saw two figures running toward him. One was an older woman, and the other was a teenage male. Both wore the familiar clothes of a Magician, and both carried crystal topped wands specifically designed to enhance magical attacks. "Hurry!" he said urgently.
Kane grabbed the woman's hand and pulled her up onto the horse with him. Cassie grabbed the teenager. As soon as both mages were secured, Night let out a brilliant pulse of light that lit the night like the day. It blinded everyone. When the light faded, they stood outside the base.
The woman slid down to the ground and smoothed out her long jacket. It was worn rakishly over the top of a set of snug leggings and tunic. Her green eyes sparkled as she smiled at Tyrian. "Sorry about that. We're always dropping spells. You never know who might get caught up in a dropped spell."
Tyrian found himself grinning as he dismounted. "Tell me you specialize in attack magic."
The woman held up her hands. On one hand was a Fire Relic. On the other was a Water Relic. The boy had two Land Relics. It gave a double potency to any spell he cast. "I'm Verdure," he said as he hopped off Cassie's horse. He wore clothes not dissimilar from his partner, but everything fit much looser to give him room to grow. He gestured to the woman. "She's my mom, Crimson. We're both Magicians, and we're both ready to accidentally drop spells on enemy units, Lord Tyrian!"
Tyrian studied him. "Age?"
"Fourteen, sir."
Just old enough to enter a field of combat, and he was already quite powerful for being young. A minor weight lifted from Tyrian's shoulders. He held out his hands to them, and when they grasped on, the mark of destiny appeared on their shoulders. "You got here right when I needed you," he said softly. "Lend me your strength, and I know we can win."
"It's yours," Crimson said simply.
"One more and we have a full unit," Cassie said softly, her hand slipping into Tyrian's as he released the new Stars. "Laia's sword arm and your skill with a staff won't be wasted then."
The gate had been lowered, and everyone hurried inside. Verdure and Crimson followed a guard to get rooms, and Beatrice hurried to take care of the horses. It was night, but it wasn't late. Night's ability to transport them home had taken almost a week's worth of time off things, and it had potentially given them a strong advantage.
Even though it was night, the party moved swiftly toward the meeting room where they knew Matthias would be waiting. Tyrian walked into the room and said without preamble, "We have the Midnight Moon Sword and two elemental Magicians."
"Three," an unfamiliar man said curtly.
Tyrian arched a brow as he saw the newcomer standing next to the table. Matthias and Leonard were watching him warily, and Kyle looked distinctly unhappy. Cherry hid mostly behind Kyle, and her eyes were wide.
The man was handsome, fair-haired, and blue eyed. His age seemed indeterminate though he looked as if he was barely in his mid-twenties. Something far older lingered in his eyes, and when Tyrian glanced at his right hand, he realized why.
The man wore the Pure Relic of Wind.
"My name is Lane Aerian," the man said with a bored note in his voice. "I'm the great Lady Tanelia's apprentice. She told me I had to come here and help since you needed my aid." He scoffed. "Which was quite obvious when I saw the state of your magical reserves. Or lack thereof. Did you think you could play tricks the entire time?"
Ewan bristled. "Watch it, kid."
"Kid?" Lane smirked at him. "I'm over three hundred, kid, so I think I can say whatever I like. For a guy so big, you're not exactly smart, are you?"
Ewan looked at Tyrian. "I'm going to kill him, Tyrian. Tell me he's not a Destined Star."
Tyrian put a hand on his wrist in restraint. "I'm afraid so, Ewan."
Ewan hissed out a string of words that made Cherry's cheeks turn as red as her hair. Lane merely ignored him and turned back to Tyrian. "So you're the legendary destined Kaiten Star. You've definitely got strong potential as a sorcerer, but you haven't even tapped into a fraction of it. Are you just blathering around?"
Kyle and Ewan both bristled and went for their swords. Tyrian held up a hand sharply to stop them, his eyes never leaving Lane's. "Trying to make others feel small won't make you feel taller," he said very softly. "Stand down, Lane."
Cassie and Kane both backed up a few steps, and so did the others. They had never heard Tyrian speak quite like that before, and it seemed to be a warning sign of a considerable temper. As he had yet to lose his temper at all, it made everyone wary, even Cassie. This was much more deadly than when he had yelled at her for protecting him. That hadn't been real temper as much as frustration.
Lane rolled his eyes. "Please. You're just a kid compared to me, figuratively and literally. I'm here because I'm a Destined Star. Don't think that because I know you need me means I'm just going to respect you. Clear?"
"Clear."
Before anyone could blink, Tyrian's relic hand snapped up and a blast of raw black magic shot from his palm and streaked across the air. Lane tried to lift his hand to put up a shield, but he was nowhere near as fast as the Kaiten. The blast slammed into his chest and sent him tumbling backwards across the table only to crash onto the floor on the other side.
"Holy shit," Ewan said, eyes wide. "Damn, Tyrian."
Even Matthias was speechless. Cassie covered her mouth to hide a smile. Tyrian was a man of great passions. Temper was a passion. Just because he boiled slowly didn't mean he wouldn't boil over at some point and explode. Unfortunately for Lane, he had arrived a time where Tyrian had been on a slow boil for months. His attitude had been the last bit of heat needed to send Tyrian over the edge.
Tyrian shook off the excess power around his hand and then calmly walked across the room to kneel beside Lane. "Well?"
Lane looked up at him with grudging respect. "I'm impressed," he admitted. He even let Tyrian help him to his feet again. It was only pride that kept him from wincing as his body protested. That tumble across the table had not been any more pleasant than the landing at the end. "You're a much stronger sorcerer than I thought."
"For the magically stupid," Leonard said dryly, "what's a sorcerer? Is it different from a Magician or mage?"
"Mages are anyone who use a relic. Magicians are mages who specialize in using relics only. If they specialize in healing magic, they're a Healer," Lane explained. "A sorcerer is a mage who has above average magical capacity and output but chooses not to specialize in magic. A sorcerer who chooses to specialize in magic, like me, is typically called a Thaumoturge."
"What would Laia be?" Cherry spoke up curiously.
"Complicated," he muttered. Even he had no idea how Laia Mitakel could be a Magician, a Healer, and a warrior. She could effectively be called a Thaumoturge Warrior, and the idea alone was rather alarming for him. The possibilities were endless for what she could do. If he ever met another one, and one who could wear a Pure Relic, he had a feeling that the very world could be changed.
Tyrian turned toward the door. "You will be in charge of our magical unit. You will work with Verdure and Crimson to make sure our mages and Magicians are as well trained as they can be. Work with them tomorrow, and as hard as you can. Tomorrow night, we're going to the scene of the massacre. In the morning, Kane, I want to hear a full report on what to expect from Beelzebub's undead army."
"Yes, sir," Kane said instantly.
"Yeah, fine," Lane muttered. It still stung that a sorcerer that young had gotten the drop on him. The respect that tangled with his need to see Tyrian happy was an uncomfortable feeling for Lane. He had never really loved anyone except Tanelia.
Tyrian saw the sudden sadness in Lane's eyes but did not pry. He knew he would never have an answer. Instead, he said, "There's still a good deal of night left. Try to sleep if possible. Ewan, tomorrow morning, go see Mouse early on. If she can do anything for Night, let her do it."
"I haven't had a good sharpening in a while," Night admitted.
Cherry and Leonard stared at the sword Ewan wore. Kyle didn't bat a lash. "Naturally, Ewan would have a weapon with a big mouth."
Neither Night nor Ewan could take offense, much as they would have liked to. Like called to like, as they said
©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.
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