Part 48 (1/2)

The creature died with barely a spasm, releasing its death grip on the hammer. Its body dissolved into nothing more than a mound of vaguely human-shaped ash.

Just in case, Alin sent tendrils of blue questing into the pile of ash, thirstily drinking up the remnants of heat and power.

Then he called a meteor of golden power from the sky, blasting the pile into a crater five feet deep and ten feet wide. The ash rose on the wind, likely scattered from here to Bel Calem.

No sense taking chances.

A blue-armored knight rode up to Alin, saluting him. He rode a creature that looked like the blue-skinned hybrid of a tree frog and a wildcat.

”The creatures of Naraka have been pacified, sir,” the knight said.

”Excellent,” Alin responded. ”Tell all the districts to see to the villagers. Treat them with all courtesy and respect.”

The knight saluted and rode away.

Alin lifted into the air on sunset wings, drifting back to his family's house. After a moment of searching, he brought up Tamara's travel-bag. Within it, he could feel the sticky, grasping presence of Ragnarus, pulsing like a disembodied heart.

Slinging the travel-bag over his shoulder, he went to search for his Gold soldiers. He needed Ilana.

And then he had some business to conduct.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE:.

LONG LIVE THE KING.

358th Year of the Damascan Calendar 24th Year in the Reign of King Zakareth VI Summer's End Simon woke up, in a strange room of a strange city, feeling oddly refreshed. A huge window lay just next to his bed, and a single glance outside showed him that many of the nearby buildings were built around trees. A handful of men and women in brightly colored festival clothing celebrated something, but most hurried about their work.

There had been a holiday coming up, but he couldn't quite remember which one. And if today was a holiday, why wasn't everyone celebrating?

Summer's End, he remembered at last. If this was a holiday, it should be Summer's End: the end of the first half of the year. Tomorrow would be the first day of autumn, so people celebrated the last days of summer.

In Myria, no one would do any work today. At least, none they didn't absolutely have to. Apparently things were different here, wherever this was, judging by how few of the people had joined in the festivities. Most hurried by, or gathered in groups, whispering.

Well, he thought, at least I have something to celebrate. I'm clean, dry, and comfortable.

Even here, there should be a Summer's End feast. His stomach groaned at the thought.

He glanced around the room, hoping to see some food, but no such luck: the room was small, with just a table, his bed, and a second bed, exactly like the first. That bed was empty and neatly made.

The door, presumably leading into the hallway, had been barred from the inside. Well, it sure was a good thing he had a bar on his door. No Incarnation or hostile Traveler could possibly get to him in the face of a barred door. Now he felt secure.

That means I don't have a doll, he realized. If Otoku or Caela had been around, they would surely have responded to his sarcastic thoughts. They rarely missed an opportunity to p.r.i.c.k his ego.

Simon slid out of the bed, feeling stronger than he would have expected. The last thing he remembered was taking the mask off and feeling like he would never be strong enough to walk again. Come to think of it, how long had he been here? And where was here, exactly?

A note on the table nearby caught his eye, and he picked it up.

Simon, he read.

You're in the healer's wing of the Overlord Eli's estate in Abdera. We took you to the pool, but you didn't wake up. You've been in the care of the Asphodel healers here. I hope to return before you wake, but if I don't, come to the House as soon as you read this.

Do not leave your room.

*Denner Simon regarded the note, glanced at the morning sun out the window, and stretched.

Then he summoned Azura, prepared to open a Valinhall Gate. He considered walking outside anyway, in defiance of Denner's orders, but he really had no reason to. He had very little idea where *Abdera' was, and even if he did, he'd rather be in the House anyway. Hopefully, both Denner and Indirial would be home, and then he could get some complete answers.

Come to think of it, had Kai survived? A knot formed in his stomach. The last he had seen Kai, the man was dying from a cursed wound. Had they managed to heal him in time?

Suddenly worried, Simon raised the blade to begin cutting open a Gate, and found himself pointing the tip of his sword at Alin's throat.

Simon jerked back, banis.h.i.+ng Azura.

”Alin!” he said. Then he noticed what Alin was carrying: he cradled Ilana gently in both his arms. ”Howasorry, I didn't see you there. I didn't meanawhat's wrong with her?”

”Nothing, physically,” Alin responded, his voice calm and even. ”She is healthy, so I imagine that her mind is in shock. She will need regular supervision until she recovers.”

That was when Simon realized that this wasn't Alin.

Not really.

He couldn't believe that he hadn't noticed immediately. Alin's skin was a shade lighter than usual, as though he had died last night and hadn't quite decided to lie down yet. His hair was a brighter gold, as though it was actually made out of coils of precious metal.

But it was his eyes that were the biggest giveaway. The whites were still white, but unnaturally so*they were pure white, white as clouds at noon, white as fresh snow. And his irisesa Simon wasn't sure what color Alin's eyes had been before, but whatever that color was, it was probably in there. Somewhere. His irises were made of s.h.i.+fting slices of color, as though a rainbow had bent itself into a ring and been crammed into Alin's eyes. The rainbow's rings practically glowed, s.h.i.+fting so that the orange was the most obvious one second, then the pink the next, then the aquamarine.

”Alina” Simon began hesitantly, ”aare you okay?” He had almost asked What are you?, but he thought Alin might take that badly.

Besides, he was afraid he knew.

He suddenly wished he hadn't banished Azura.

Alin ignored the question, carefully laying his sister down on the freshly made bed.

”I need you to look after her,” Alin said. His voice still had no particular inflection; he sounded as though he were reading his words off a page. ”Take her to your Territory, or back to Myria, whatever you like. Not Enosh. Just take care of her, and keep her safe.”

”Why not bring her to your Territory instead?” Simon asked.

”I can't go back there anymore,” Alin said. He stared out the east window; from that angle, he would be staring directly into the sun. He didn't blink.

Simon cleared his throat, focusing as best he could on not upsetting Alin. But he still needed answers. ”Okay. That's fine. How did you know I was here? I'm not even sure where here is, to tell you the truth.”

Simon forced out a laugh, but it probably sounded as nervous as he felt.

”I sensed you,” Alin said calmly.

His rainbow eyes s.h.i.+fted and glowed. More than that, the room filled with his presence. It didn't physically get any brighter, but it felt bright, as though the light had been made solid and was pressing against Simon's skin. Simon barely resisted the urge to back out of the room.