Dark Legacy Series: Vol I: The Bearer of Secrets

Chapter 2: Daylynn

Her breath came in ragged gasps as sweat gleamed over her body and smeared the polished mahogany. Her robes lay on the floor, her back against the desktop. She bit her lower lip while Kayis pleased her. Her long legs wrapped around him as moans escaped her soft, parted lips. This part of the castle was vacant. With night beginning to fall in earnest, the last of the workers had gone home. Kayis was waiting for Daylynn when she came back through the mirror.

She came back to give her report in person, as she always did with her assignments, and this time was no different. The first dozen times she reported, her lust took the blame for her promiscuous nature. Daylynn never kept away from men with power, an arousal for her. Later, she realized she was the consul’s personal whore. Two problems arose: one, she received no pay for her services, and two, she liked sex. Kayis’s attractiveness played a factor, but she’d entertained far better-looking men in the past as their peculiar and delicate toy. To her, sex was not sacred but a tool, as well as entertainment, always enjoyed. Her un-Rallocan view was the way the world was meant to be.

Kayis’s skills aside, she relished the gratification of climaxing on the desk of the most powerful person in Ralloc—if not in magical power, but in titles—and she only let him take her there. He tried to maneuver her to the private bed or a chair, but she preferred the desk.

He used her, and she used him, too. The way of politics. Daylynn never passed up an opportunity for pleasure.

“So, what else happened?” Kayis asked, his breath ragged between thrusts.

“He brought her back,” she confessed, a moan escaping her.

“What?” He stopped.

“He brought her back with us,” she clarified. A frown flickered across her face, wanting him to continue.

“What the damnable hell is he thinking?” He pulled away from Daylynn. She hid her displeasure and sat up.

“Who cares. You can tell him to send her back. And if he refuses…”

“I can kill him on grounds of disobeying the leaders of the realm.” Kayis sneered. Daylynn witnessed a smile spread across his face, a smile saying the warlock’s actions worked out in Kayis’s favor far better than he hoped.

“He’ll be back soon. You’ll need to recall the council.” Her eyes tracked down to his manhood and the distance between them. She leaned forward and kissed him. “You want to finish?”

“Yes, but I want to try the Forgotten Islander’s way. Who knows? I might enjoy it,” he said. His hands touched her hips, turning her around. Daylynn suppressed a sigh and lowered her chest to the desk.

Chapter 3: The Kothlere Council

“So good of you to join us,” Poplu whispered into the consul’s ear. Dathyr shut the door behind him, a hallway connecting the Council Chambers to his personal office. Tapestries of the Houses lined the walls, their rods made of precious metals and gems. The Dathyr tapestry adorned the wall beside the door he exited. The fine cloth kicked up at his sudden arrival. His hands fidgeted, fixing his sash that kept his outer robes closed. “I take it the briefing was good?” A sly smile spread wide on Poplu’s face.

Kayis regarded him, his brow frowning, lips tightening. “How long have you known?”

“Please,” Poplu admonished him. “The only woman on the council, gorgeous, ambitious.” He shrugged. “Pity it isn’t me.”

“How many others know?”

Vamor snorted. “Everyone.”

Poplu moved away and took his customary seat. The consul regarded the retreating figure for a few moments before following. Normally, he’d be resentful towards Poplu, but he found a staunch supporter in Vamor. The House of Dathyr and Poplu allied in regards the exiled warlock. Kayis, Poplu, and his other supporter on the council, Capraro, were enough to overturn the council on most decisions, but even the three of them didn’t have enough sway to kill him outright. Others were at play, and Daylynn was never a sure vote but a swing. He hoped after her report enough of the council would realize the need to hunt down Judas Lakayre and end him.

Kayis eased into the chamber, now conscious everyone knew what transpired behind closed doors a few moments earlier. The charade Daylynn and he played, arriving separately and through different doors, was asinine. Crimson reached his cheeks before he smothered the embarrassment. He took his seat at the center of the panel, flanked by the races, both male and female. No elyfian graced their presence, the reclusive race withdrawing from wizardkind’s world of political machinations. The elyves viewed wizardkind as a pretentious and barbarous society.

The double doors at the top of the chambers opened, and Daylynn wandered through, her clothes still ripped and tattered, a testament to the battle that transpired less than an hour ago. She walked down deep phthalo-blue carpets gracing the aisle between observation benches made of cypress with a gloss-black finish. Stunning curtains of a gossamer material decorated the windows while scenic tapestries hung between the windows. Black walnut paneling formed the ceiling above in the shape of a shallow cone.

Diamonds studded the public benches and aligned with the tile on the floor below the council’s dais. A silver ceremonial gong imbued with enchantments sat on the council’s podium, its matching hammer with a ruby head nearby. Lanterns and candle sconces of silver lined the walls. If the treasury went bankrupt, the government could sell everything in this room and still keep the domain running for another few years, perhaps half a score, and if frugal enough, a score even.

Her movements were stiff, halting as if aware everyone scrutinized her. She climbed on the dais where the council table sat and stood behind her seat.

Once everyone settled, Kayis rang the gong. The sound carried and echoed, the chambers devoid of all attendants, scribes, and aides which would normally help mute the noise. Tonight’s late meeting was closed to the public due to the nature of their business and the haste in which assembled. Kayis spoke. “This session is called to order. Forgive the late hour, but Madam Reese just returned from the Other Side. Given her preliminary report, I thought it warranted a special session. Madam Reese? Your report please.”

Daylynn cleared her throat, her hands smoothing her garments. “Earlier this morning, we requested Warlock Lakayre’s help regarding the Mirror of Imaesion. Once through the gateway, we followed the source of an otherworldly presence. It was not, however, the Kothlus Trilogy as we originally speculated. Well, it was, but there were two sources.”

“The Kothlus Trilogy?” Kayis interrupted. “I don’t remember that being part of this morning’s meeting.”

“That’s because you stormed out of here in one of your tantrums,” said Kellis, one of two goblins on the council. Kayis shot him a withering glance but said nothing.

“How did you know it was the Kothlus Trilogy?” Capraro inquired.

“All magical objects created carry the essence of their maker. Judas Lakayre made the Kothlus Trilogy, so he can sense when it’s near. The befoulment trapped inside the text also gives off a unique signature. Both were suffered immediately upon arrival.”

“But that’s what he said, right?” Poplu broke in. “He says he sensed the books. He could be lying!”

Daylynn nodded. “True, except I felt it, too.”

“What do you mean you felt it, too?” Sedrus queried. Sedrus, the only centaur on the council, and neutral if not a touch reserved and xenophobic.

“The power was strong, vile, and clung to my insides, making me nauseous.”

“How sure are you of what you sensed?” Kayis asked.

Daylynn’s eyes narrowed. “I’m attentive to what I perceived, an evilness.”

“Warlock Lakayre created the Kothlus Trilogy, right? If what you’re saying is true, the malevolence you sensed was part of him.”

Poplu, sensing the direction the consul headed, added, “Are you sure Warlock Lakayre didn’t influence you by using his magic on you?”

“Warlock Lakayre is a self-righteous ass, but that doesn’t make him evil.”

“You wouldn’t know if he influenced you, would you?” Kayis prompted.

“What are you saying? I’m incompetent?”

“Not at all,” Kayis said hastily. “I’m trying to ascertain the possibility he influenced you.”

Daylynn bristled at his remark. Her eyes narrowed, and she spoke. “I’d notice if he tried.”

“Please, continue,” Lagelm, the other goblin on the council, invited.

“Warlock Lakayre traced the essence to a small book shop. The young woman said the editions had already sold. A carrier picked them up before our arrival.” She paused, sighing. Her eyes had tracked to the consul before she spoke again. “The girl noticed my robes.”

“What?” Capraro inquired.

“The girl saw through our magical projection and commented on my robes. The strength she would need to break through the shroud Warlock Lakayre placed on us is unthinkable.”

“What happened next?” Kayis pressed, herding her into the direction he wanted.

“We were attacked. The windows blew in, the shop was destroyed. The girl was unconscious until Judas revived her. We retreated, taking the girl with us. As we neared the gateway, a sheol attacked us.”

“A sheol?” the council asked at once, everyone except Dathyr. The sheol were wraith-like entities, an embodied mist—half incorporeal.

She nodded. “Judas killed it. He questioned it, torturing for information, and during the interrogation, the sheol died.”

“How did he kill the sheol?” Kellis asked.

“With the light from his wand.”

“Did the sheol give up any information?” Sedrus questioned.

“The Dark Lord will rise again, he was never truly gone, and the books were taken back to our side of the gateway.”

“Did he say how he managed to get there?” Lagelm asked. She glanced at the goblin, his eyes locked onto hers. The two stared at each other for a brief moment before the creeping feeling of ice poured down her spine. She shivered but held his gaze. His black eyes were glossy, bottomless wells of malevolence.

“Xilor’s apprentice,” she whispered. Conversation broke between the members, all except Kayis. He let the murmurs carry on for a few moments before he continued the line of questioning.

“What happened next?”

“Warlock Lakayre picked the girl up and brought her back through the gateway with us.”

The consul allowed himself a small smile. He peered to his right, in the direction of his supporters, knowing they would side with him. This was his chance to rid his family of the man who disgraced them, Kayis tainted by association.

“Well, there you have her report. Madam Reese, please take your seat. The exiled warlock broke our laws, flaunting us with open defiance, and he must be punished.”

“I agree,” Poplu joined. “We tried to be respectful of what he did for us in the Wizard’s War, but it’s now obvious he’s a danger, not only to himself and us, but to that young girl he brought back.”

Kayis nodded. “We should hunt him down and return the girl, for her benefit, of course. If he comes peacefully, we can talk options.”

“Consul?” Kellis broke in, his long finger held aloft. “What law did Warlock Lakayre break?” Kayis ground his teeth in frustration at being second-guessed. The goblin continued. “If you’re referring to our statutes about finding anyone with magical gifts on the Other Side, it states they should be brought forward. In essence, none was broken.”

“Yes, but we decided to abandon that practice years ago because everyone died who came back!” Capraro countered.

“A practice is not legislation,” Lagelm clarified. “We won’t be hunting down the warlock today for breaking mandates or practices.”

“WE ARE THE LAW!” Kayis roared, whirling to face the goblin. He fought for control of his hatred because propriety demanded his composure. When he spoke again, his voice was strained, caged. “The warlock is anarchy in our midst. He needs to be hunted down and stopped, and the girl will be returned because she’s a descendant of the followers of Xilor and doesn’t belong in Ermaeyth. We’ll clear her memory, and she’ll be returned tonight.” Kayis shot him a vehement look and continued. “He defied our wishes and isn’t here now. His absence is an admission of guilt.”

“That depends on your view. From where I’m sitting, he’s not here because he’s aware you’ll try to imprison him or worse,” Sedrus intoned, backing the goblin. To mollify the consul, he added. “Believe me, I have no love for him, but even I’m not so blind to acknowledge that.”

Kayis clinched the fist resting on his leg and counted to five before he spoke again. “Madam Reese, can you please clarify what happened to the sheol?”

“He tortured and killed it,” came Daylynn’s reluctant clarification.

“Murdered,” Kayis clarified. Half the council erupted in conversation.

“Murdered a sheol? Are you mad?”

“What was the creature doing on the Other Side? They’re forbidden to move from their Ruins.”

“How did it even get there?”

“A sheol smuggled into the castle? Preposterous!”

“Warlock Lakayre’s transgression is forgivable next to the violation of the sheol.”

“Enough!” Kayis slammed his fist on the table, silencing the council. “For too long we have been lenient where the warlock is concerned. He’s an exile!”

“And therefore not bound by our constitution,” Sedrus reminded everyone. The centaur shifted his feet. “A decision of the council’s after the Wizard’s War.”

“I believe you helped craft the sentencing, Consul?” Lagelm alluded.

“Shall we call for a vote?” Kayis snapped.

“Let’s,” Kellis agreed. “To clarify, no laws have been broken. He’s an exile, and the council requested his help to investigate the Mirror of Imaesion, a device of his making. So, what are we adjudicating?”

“Warlock Lakayre is a menace and must be stopped. An exile beyond our regulation with more power than most alive,” the consul clarified.

“More power than any man alive,” Daylynn said, her voice soft. A haunted expression came to her face.

“Those for hunting down the warlock?” Kayis queried. Vamor Poplu and Piero Capraro raised their hands along with the consul. Their eyes turned to Daylynn whose lips thinned, but her hand remained motionless. “Those against?” Kayis’s grating voice asked, the agitation evident on his face. The goblins, Kellis and Lagelm, raised their hands. Sedrus did as well. Again, all eyes turned to Daylynn, who kept her hand on the table. “Your vote, Madam Reese?”

She glanced at the consul and further down the line towards Capraro and Poplu. They shot her venomous stares. She turned her head down the other side of the bench to the other members, not wizardkind. She sighed before she spoke. “I abstain from voting. He didn’t break any laws, but I agree he can be a menace at times. Judas saved my life while on the Other Side. Twice! I wouldn’t be here to vote at all if not for him, so I abstain.”

Kayis’s lips thinned fractionally but choked off any scathing remarks. A disquiet crept through the seven council members as they waited for one bold enough to speak first.

“Warlock Lakayre is of the impression we were followed,” Daylynn said at last.

“What?” Kayis snapped. “What a ludicrous thought!”

“Made sense at the time,” Daylynn acknowledged. “We called him because of the mirror’s behavior. We arrived on the Other Side and were greeted by a vile essence. Someone snatched the books away before we arrived and tried to kill us by blowing up the shop. Someone with magical abilities attacked us. While escaping, a sheol delayed our return. Seems to be a strange set of coincidences.”

“The sheol cannot leave their Ruins without council permission,” Poplu interjected.

“What if they don’t give a shit about our permission?” she snapped back.

“Explain,” the consul demanded.

“They’d no longer fear us if they had no reason to.”

“Protection? From us? Who’d be so stupid as to stand against us?” Capraro reasoned.

“Not stupid, powerful.”

“No one can defy us!” Kayis boasted.

“Except an exiled warlock,” Lagelm added.

“And a dark lord once thought vanquished,” Daylynn finished.

Kayis leaned forward, giving her a long look. His sneer curled out into the silence. “Don’t tell me you believe in the warlock’s paranoid nonsense. You don’t really think the dark lord can return, do you?”

Daylynn took a deep breath and held it, unsure of how she should answer. She never believed in Judas, not truly, but he’d proved himself many times over. She also realized if she answered in any manner that might sway the power of the council from Dathyr, he’d take her words as a slight. Her best course to appease the consul was a diplomatic answer.

“I believe, after everything I’ve seen, anything’s possible.”