Born of Stone

Chapter Nine

Phaidra crouched behind a wall-length tapestry and strained to hear all being said. A slight tear allowed her to peek through, but barely. It was sedition even to do as much as she was, but listening was the least she could do for Master Nel. She had yet to take him his supper ration but the agitation in Iva’s voice had called to her and she had slipped down the hall before heading to the kitchen. Now she tried to discern what had her House First in such a state that she was flinging weapons across the room. Kalypso remained before her, dodging a dagger every now and then while Iva raged.

“They can’t possibly know he is here. Do you understand? No one is to know. Only the wizard can be trusted and no one else.”

Kalypso nodded her agreement. “And what of Phaidra, Madam?”

“Phaidra?” Iva looked confused for a moment and Phaidra was certain the First couldn’t recall her.

“Yes,” Kalypso said. “The girl who takes Master Nel bread and water. She is aware of who he is.”

Iva laughed and waved away her concern. “That little mousy girl? For all she knows, he’s involved in a game of sexual excess. She will say nothing.”

Kalypso nodded but Phaidra could see her skepticism. “If you are certain, Madam,” Kalypso said.

“Of course I’m certain. That worthless girl is as useless as her mother before her. She’s afraid of her own shadow and no threat to any of this. Just keep your mouth shut and we should be fine. The wizard has gone to greet the others. He will keep the Masters well away from here.”

Kalypso bowed her head and left the room. Iva continued to pace for a few more minutes before finally grabbing her sword and belting it on. Then she too left the room.

Phaidra waited another full minute before slipping from behind the thick tapestry. She was trembling so badly she nearly fell down the stairs on the way to the kitchen. But it wasn’t fear alone that made her quake. Anger boiled in her blood. Worthless, was she? Useless like her mother? She had thought Iva and her mother were friends. Obviously Phaidra’s mother had thought much more of their friendship than Iva. That heartless bitch.

Now that she knew exactly what Iva thought of her, the path was much clearer. She no longer feared betraying her House. It wasn’t truly her home after all.

Nel noticed the difference in Phaidra the moment she walked into the room. She carried a tray with his bread and water just like the past few days, but there was a difference in her demeanor. She didn’t shy away from him, seeming almost distracted while she fed him by hand. With the last bite, he purposely nipped the tip of her finger.

“Oh! What did you do that for?” she asked with a frown.

He grinned. “Wanted to make sure you remembered what you were doing. Too much woolgathering can’t be good for you.”

She huffed and picked up the flask from where she’d set the tray on the floor. She held it to his lips and paid more attention while he drank. As soon as he’d had his fill, he tipped it up with his chin.

“What has your attention this evening, pretty one?”

She didn’t blush this time but he took that as a good sign. She was growing used to him.

“Your brothers are here,” she said.

That was the last thing he’d expected to hear and it made his heart leap while he tried to sit up straighter. “Here? In this house?”

She shook her head. “No, Master. In Keva. I don’t know where exactly.”

He tensed and started thinking of his possible options. Keva wasn’t a small kingdom by any means. There was no way he could send Phaidra out alone to search for his brothers.

“There’s something else,” she whispered. As usual, she glanced over her shoulder before continuing. “One of the Twenty is here also, but he is no friend of yours. He knows of your captivity.”

He growled low in his throat and she moved away. “Sorry. But to be betrayed by one of them doesn’t bode well for me or my brothers. They are supposed to be our most stalwart supporters.”

“Yes, I know. They created you, didn’t they?”

“Yes.”

“Well, the one I spied today was a young one. He certainly thinks himself superior even to Iva. But she allowed his verbal abuse and even kissed him.”

He thought that over for a moment. “Black hair? Blue eyes?”

Her thin brows shot up and she nodded. “Yes. You know which he is?”

“I suspect it is Albain. He isn’t always a friend to me and my brothers. Though I couldn’t say why exactly. I know he tried to speak against our creation but was easily outvoted.”

“Hmm. Well, he is also here somewhere. Iva has left to see your brothers, I presume. I don’t know where Kalypso has gone.”

He looked up at his restraints and, despite her presence, pulled the chains taut. The wood creaked and a loud crack shot through the room. She gasped and stumbled back while he continued to pull with all his strength. Another loud crack echoed through the room and she ran to the door. He thought she would flee but she peered out the door then shut and locked it. That would buy them little time if Iva and Kalypso returned but he was grateful for it.

He continued to pull as he felt the wood slowly releasing him. Then to his utter shock, Phaidra ran back to his side and gripped his hand. She began pulling with him as if her feeble strength would make the difference. He nearly laughed but was so touched by her effort all he could do was try harder. Within seconds, his right arm was free. He used that hand to pull on the left and then it was child’s play to free both ankles.

Phaidra jumped back when he stood from the bed, still naked and with chains hanging from him. He stretched and nothing had ever felt better than his newfound freedom. He looked at the trembling woman before him.

“Thank you. I will protect you with even my last breath.”

She said nothing, only continued to stare with widened eyes and trembling lips. He wrapped the chains around his wrists and ankles so they didn’t dangle and ripped the sheet from the bed to wrap around his waist. Then he closed his eyes in anticipation of morphing into his Gargoyle form. Nothing happened.

“Master Nel? Are you all right?” Phaidra asked quietly.

His eyes shot open and he concentrated harder than ever before. Still nothing.

“What is this metal again? I fear it’s affecting my ability to shift.”

She seemed surprised and closed the distance. She placed a small hand on his wrist where the cuff covered his skin. “Thellomonite, from our mountains. I don’t know what magical properties it may have but perhaps the wizard prepared it?”

“Perhaps. I attempted shifting while tied to the bed and thought the drug they used to capture me prevented it, but I now see it was something else. Perhaps this thellomonite.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“This is not your fault. Come. We must leave this house quickly.”

He grabbed her hand without thought and pulled her to the door. A peek out showed no one in the hallway.

“The house may still be empty,” she whispered.

He nodded and they left the room hand in hand. Despite the circumstances, he couldn’t help but appreciate the feel of her small palm against his.

Orestes and his brothers followed Albain through the gate and into Keva. As soon as he was within the walls, he felt an almost indiscernible shift. A glance at his brothers’ faces told him they felt the same.

“The Council of Firsts is in session at the moment but you may join me for supper,” Albain called over his shoulder.

He strutted forward as if they were in his realm and he king of all they surveyed. Orestes didn’t trust him one bit and remained on his guard.

“Why has there been a change in the magic of the barrier?” Steinn asked.

Albain kept walking but Orestes thought his step might have faltered slightly.

“I wouldn’t know, Master Steinn. Perhaps they are simply reinforcing the wards.”

“Have there been attacks here? Is there a reason for them to do so?” Goran asked.

Albain shrugged but this time said nothing.

He turned off the main road into the realm-sized city and down a darker path. Orestes remained a few paces behind him and took in every nuance of their surroundings. The usually lively and bustling city was quiet here. Not even a stray animal showed its head when they passed.

“It’s quiet,” Steinn whispered.

“Too quiet,” Goran agreed.

“We’re almost there,” Albain called out. “Just a little bit farther down this road and then a turn.”

Orestes recognized this part of the city as a more industrialized area. The buildings around them were filled with workers during the day for everything from cloth making to corn husking. There were no houses here.

“In which House are we dining?” he asked.

Rather than answer, Albain quickened his steps and disappeared around a corner. Orestes abruptly stopped and held up a hand to halt his brothers.

“Where did he go?” Goran asked.

“Who cares?” Steinn said.

“He was leading us. Most likely into an ambush,” Orestes replied.

The three looked at each other with grim certainty. Then with a shrug, Orestes pulled a sword from the scabbard strapped to his back while his brothers did the same.

“I’d hate to disappoint him,” he said.

The others chuckled and they all continued down the path. As soon as they turned the dark corner, their suspicions were confirmed.

“Fucking minotaur,” Steinn growled.

A shout rang out into the empty street and the brothers spread to cover the width of the alley. Soon the ringing of swords filled the air.

Phaidra’s heart was beating so fast she feared it might burst right out of her chest. She had never been to this part of the city but Master Nel seemed to know where he was going. Night had fallen and many were already within their homes. But still, it was unnaturally quiet on the streets. They stayed to the alleys and darker roads rather than the main thoroughfare through the city. Soon she realized he was leading her to the northern gate.

“Master…the gate…how will…we get through?”

She was barely able to keep up with his longer stride and only managed because he pulled her along. A stitch had already formed in her side but she didn’t dare complain.

Nel paused at the end of one alley and peered around the corner. Then he finally turned to look down at her. Sweat stung her eyes and beaded on her forehead and upper lip. She panted out much-needed breath while he looked her over.

“I’m sorry, Phaidra, I forgot myself. Are you all right?”

“Yes…”

He released her hand but grasped her shoulders and moved her farther down the alley. Then he pointed to the step in front of a small doorway.

“Sit and rest a moment.”

She needed no other prompting and all but fell onto the concrete step. He set his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Again I apologize. You should have told me you needed to rest.”

“I don’t…want to…get caught.”

“I will protect you. No person here would dare attack me. Even with these restraints, I promise I am able to defend us both.”

She simply nodded, fully trusting in his abilities. “Now what?”

He glanced toward the end of the alley. “We should try to get out of Keva, but the barrier is well guarded as ever.” He cocked his head and seemed to listen for a moment, but she heard nothing. “In fact, I’d swear there is a new rhythm to the magic of the barrier itself. It may very well repel my attempts to pass through it.”

“That’s possible? To change the magic, I mean?”

He nodded gravely. “If Albain is in league with Iva and whoever else would hold me here, then it’s most definitely possible. The Twenty are very powerful even individually.”

“Is there no other way out?”

His brows went up and he crouched before her, bringing the full weight of his formidable gaze right to her. She fought the urge to back away.

“I would think you’d know that better than I, being a child of Keva. Have you never heard of another way? An underground passage perhaps?”

She chewed on her bottom lip and considered his question. Had she ever heard of another way past the northern gate? It didn’t take long to remember she had.

“Well yes, but it’s a rumor really. Just a tale I heard once. I’m not certain there’s any truth to it at all.”

He shrugged his massive shoulders, momentarily distracting her.

“No matter. If it’s all we have to go on I’m willing to explore a rumor.”

“Hmm? Oh, right.”

He grinned as if he knew her thoughts, and her face burned. She looked away and wiped an arm over her brow.

“Are you ready to go on?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

She stood and he followed suit. “You don’t have to call me sir or master. Please just call me Nel.”

“Okay…” She wasn’t sure she could actually do that but nodded anyway.

He seemed satisfied with that and took her hand again. “All right, pretty one, where does this rumor say we go?”

She considered the alley and looked back over her shoulder to the other end. “This way first,” she said, pulling him along behind her.

They had traveled nearly an hour and Phaidra’s frustration was palpable. Nel wished he could reassure her somehow but knew she was frightened for them both. He felt confident he could keep her out of danger so long as they didn’t run into Albain or Iva.

They had just reached the end of yet another alley when the familiar sounds of battle reached his ears.

“Wait. Hear that?” he asked her.

She stopped and cocked her head to listen but then shook it slowly. “I hear nothing.”

He knew his senses were more acute than most species’s, but the Kevan warriors were usually very perceptive. A glance at Phaidra would tell anyone she was no warrior. He wondered at the mystery of her.

“I hear a battle,” he said. “I want to see who would be fighting on the city streets but I need you to promise you’ll run without hesitation if I tell you to.”

Fear crossed her face but she nodded vigorously. “I will.”

“Good. If we get separated, go find the exit. If it exists, leave this city and head for Angor. Tel them Master Nel has sent you and you’re under my protection.”

“And if I don’t find it?”

“Run back to Iva and tell her I kidnapped you. If you can hit your arm or acquire a bruise or scratches that might help.”

Her eyes widened. “They’d never believe you would hurt me. I certainly wouldn’t.”

That made him smile and he had to touch her again. He cupped one cheek and marveled at the softness. “I’m glad to know that, pretty one. I would never intentionally hurt you. However, they do not know what a captured Master might do. We’ll have to pray for their ignorance.”

She nodded again and her cheek warmed his palm. Her innocence was like a fine wine, heady and addictive. He finally gave in to the urge to kiss her again, though he knew this wasn’t the time or place for such things. When he pulled away, it took a moment for her eyes to reopen.

“You’re going back to Halstrid with me,” he said. As of this moment, there was simply no other option he would willingly tolerate. She nodded again and his mind eased. “Good. Let’s go.”

They made another turn and the sounds of battle grew louder. He was amazed there weren’t women warriors in the streets. Keva was known for their warriors. Why were they remaining in their houses?

After the final turn, he quickly discerned why. There were no houses nearby. Three of his brothers were deep in battle with all manner of creatures. The street was littered with bloody bodies and the Masters were finishing off the last few. Phaidra gasped and quickly jumped behind him. He felt her trembling at his back.

“What are those?”

“The minotaur? Or the cyclops? The big ones are trolls.”

Her small fists gripped his arms but she remained hidden behind his back. He decided to leave her there while he watched his brothers finish the job before them. They were on a cobblestone street lined with small concrete buildings. The buildings each had torches set along the walls facing the street, lighting the space as if it were day.

Orestes swung his sword and beheaded the final troll while Steinn and Goran killed the cyclops together. The three looked to each other a moment before surveying the damage.

“Well, you three certainly made a mess,” Nel called out.

Orestes spun and the others tensed. All three raised their swords before realizing who they faced. Then they closed the distance and yanked him off his feet.

“Brother! Where have you been?”

“Are you well? What the hell, man?”

“Are you wearing a sheet?”

Nel couldn’t help but laugh in sheer relief with the familiarity of his kin surrounding him. They all continued questioning him until he held up his hands.

“Are those cuffs? You were chained!” Orestes’s roar echoed through the street and a dog barked in answer.

“Yes. I was chained to Iva’s bed and kept prisoner these past days.”

“No wonder we couldn’t find you,” Steinn said.

Goran stepped to the side and looked past him with an amused expression. “And is that your captive or your guide?”

Nel turned to see Phaidra cowering against a building, looking as if she would gladly blend into the wall behind her.

“Captive? Most certainly not.” He went to her and gently took her hand between both of his. Then he pulled her over to his brothers.

“Brothers, this is Phaidra of the House of Iva. My savior.”