Part 41 (1/2)

He looked into Valin's black eyes, gleaming with metallic silver, and at the chains wrapping the man's neck.

Then he reached up and pulled off his mask.

Immediately the world lurched back into normal motion, and weakness seized his limbs, pulling him relentlessly to the ground.

Valin's face was clearly, almost comically, confused.

”What are you doing?” he asked.

Simon didn't quite know himself.

Trust me, Simon, Caela said smugly. I got this.

From the corner of his vision, Simon saw a flare of ruby light.

Leah's voice, clear and commanding, echoed in the open air. ”Incarnation of Valinhall, you have slaughtered your way through my country for too long. In punishment for your crimes, I command you to drop your weapons and await execution.”

Then, in a more normal voice, she added, ”Die, you monster.”

A wave of crimson light swept across the field, seizing the Incarnation in bonds of s.h.i.+ning ruby. The light wrapped his limbs, pulling the sword from his hand, drawing him down to his knees.

The Incarnation screamed, straining against the power of the Crimson Vault. His feet dug into the ground, but he was still pulled to his knees.

The red light wrapping his limbs looked almost like chains.

”Ragnarus!” Valin snarled, pulling against the chains as if he meant to tear Leah apart with his teeth. ”I will bring an end to you! Do you hear me? I will free the world from you!”

Simon was shaking, rather unsteadily, on his feet.

But he hadn't lost all his strength yet. And he was still holding the crimson sword.

Simon let Azura drop from his fingers, taking the Ragnarus blade in both hands. Then he didn't so much stab the Incarnation as collapse on top of him, letting his body fall blade-first as his strength left him.

The red blade penetrated Valin's chest and drove into the dirt below.

The Incarnation's body twitched and writhed like an insect pinned to a board, his limbs jerking and sc.r.a.ping against the earth.

”I can do this,” Valin whispered. ”Don't worry. I can save you alla”

Then he died.

Simon lay on top of the Wanderer's body for the sole reason that he couldn't seem to move at all. Even moving air in and out of his lungs felt like more effort than his body could handle. He would have pa.s.sed out, but somehow he felt too drained to do anything but stay awake.

Leah walked over to him, kneeling to press two fingers to the Incarnation's neck.

”Howahow?” Simon managed to say.

Leah smiled at him and tapped her crown with one finger.

Simon tried to smile back, but he wasn't sure if his face moved. ”Nice,” he said.

She stood up and walked away, almost entirely out of his view. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her making urgent gestures to nearby servants and soldiers.

I brought her, Caela announced proudly.

Why didn't you tell me? Simon sent. He tried to crane his neck, to see where Caela was*did Leah still have her*but he couldn't move.

I didn't know if she would make it in time, the doll responded. She can run quite fast, though. You should invite her to Valinhall.

I would have died without her, Simon said. You did a good job.

Caela made a sound that was almost like a purr. Good, good, praise me more. Indeed, you would be lost without my wisdom and guidance.

Indeed, Simon agreed.

A pair of Damascan soldiers grabbed him, one under each shoulder, and lifted him into the air. He tried to stand, but his body responded like a rag doll, and he couldn't resist. Even his head lolled bonelessly on the end of his neck.

Maker, this is embarra.s.sing.

Leah ordered the soldiers around by clapping them on the shoulder, pointing, or making other signals. She didn't say a word.

Caela, why isn't she talking?

I don't think she can, the doll responded. Some side effect from her crown, probably. Ragnarus is like that.

Power like that in exchange for losing your voice? Simon asked. That doesn't sound so bad.

We don't know how long it lasts, Caela pointed out. And that might not be the only price.

Simon considered that, but it still sounded like a good deal to him.

The two soldiers walked him over, maneuvering him toward a stretcher held by a pair of medics.

Hopefully that meant he was on his way to get medical care, though he was sure that all he really needed was a trip back into Valinhall. Not that he had the strength to open a Gate, at the moment.

Another pair of heavy footsteps walked up behind him, accompanied by the sound of clanking armor.

For some reason, those sounds alone filled him with dread.

Uh-oh, Caela said.

What? Simon asked. What is it?

A gold light, like a second sun, shone from behind Simon.

Then Alin's voice rang in his ears. ”Simon? What's going on here?”