Blood of the Underworld(110)

Melody gently pushed him back, and before he could protest, she fully clothed herself.

“You would doubt me, then question my emotions?” she said, a stern edge overcoming her voice. “Truth is, Leon is dead. If avenging his murder gives you peace, then I support you. But most important is that we remain faithful to our god. That is why I wanted you to listen. That is why I urged you to do as Laerek says. The end of days is coming, my sweet little child. Veldaren must be made ready. Will you fight for it, or will you sit here in your room with your toys and your shadows and hide from what you have been called to do by our glorious Karak?”

Tears grew in his eyes, and he fought to keep his voice under control.

“Please don’t be mad at me,” he said. “I will. I promise I will. I’ll kill her, and I’ll leave her in darkness just like her father left you.”

Melody took his chin in her fingers, tilted him close, and kissed his forehead several times.

“Feel no shame,” she said. “And fight your doubt, just like we must fight the chaos of this world. Karak has given you a grand purpose, and I couldn’t be any more proud. Go do what must be done, and know that I will always be here for you.”

Behind her was a closet, and carefully he stood and pulled it open. Inside was a crossbow loaded with a single arrow, its tip coated with poison. All prepared and ready for him with his mother’s loving hands. He took it, smiled at her.

“I’ll make you happy,” he said. “I owe you so much. I’m not sure I can ever repay you.”

Now holding the candle, Melody lifted it to her face so the light shone across her smile.

“You’re my beloved daughter,” she said. “The one I should have had and raised if not for Maynard’s pride. You have nothing to repay me for.”

Stephen reached for the door, and as he pulled it open, Melody called his name.

“Stephen,” she said. “When you take her eyes, tell her the truth. Tell her you’re my daughter now, more than she’ll ever be. Do that, but remember, don’t harm Nathaniel. Karak has blessed him for a reason. Once free of Alyssa’s influence, his gift will blossom like a flower, and we must do whatever we can to nourish it. He is no threat to my ascension.”

Crossbow shaking in his sweaty hand, Stephen nodded to his mother.

“I will,” he said. “I promise I will.”

He left, shut the door behind him, and then hurried down the hall to where Alyssa slept.



Victor leaned against the back wall of his tavern, arms crossed, body covered with shining armor. His fingers drummed the hilt of his sword, but he forced himself to remain calm and leave it sheathed. Gathered together, in both the tavern and two nearby streets, were the bulk of his forces. They were all equally impatient, but Victor had no choice, much as it left a foul taste in his mouth.

True to his word, Deathmask arrived twenty minutes after sunset. He walked alone, his face unclouded by ash or cloth. His smile was wide, and it unnerved Victor further.

“I’m here, and my men ready,” Victor said. “What is of such great importance?”

Deathmask bowed low in greeting.

“Forgive me if I inconvenienced you,” he said. When he pulled up from his bow, there was a sparkle in his red eye. “But if you want to keep a hold on Veldaren, you need to act now, without delay.”

“What are you talking about? Speak plainly.”

Deathmask looked to be in no hurry, despite his urgent message. He paced before Victor, tapping his lips with a finger.

“I’m sure you know much of this city’s guilds, but what about elsewhere?”

Victor shook his head.

“I must profess ignorance in this.”

“And other things, as well,” Deathmask said, grin growing. “But then let me remove your ignorance. There is a guild in Mordeina known as the Suns. Over the past few years they’ve spread their influence, first into Ker, then Omn, and now they’ve set their eye on Neldar. They’re coming here, into Veldaren, so they might strike at the heart of this nation, and then branch out like a disease.”

Victor frowned, not liking what he was hearing.

“Are you afraid of losing some profit, thief?” he asked.

“Don’t be naive. Veldaren is already spiraling out of control, and the Suns will destroy it completely. They won’t rest until every guild, mine included, is wiped out.”

“So far I don’t see much reason to hate them.”

A bit of amusement left Deathmask’s eyes.

“Enough, Victor. You know as well as I that the guilds here are weak, and can be controlled. But not the Suns. This is not some distant threat, nor someone that will bow to the Trifect or pay heed to the Watcher. They’ve come to conquer...and they’re already here.”