“You cannot save Nareion,” Jerish told her bluntly. She looked at the boy and saw his lips tremble.
“I will save what is dearer to him, his son and his empire. It may take time—a long time, perhaps—but I swear I will see the empire restored even if it costs me my life.” She watched as they slipped the necklaces on. “Be sure to hide him well. Take him into the country, assume the life of a commoner. Do nothing to draw attention, and await my call.”
“Will these really protect us from your associates?”
“I will have no associates after today.”
“Even old Yolric?”
She hesitated. “Yolric is very powerful, but wise.”
“If he is so wise, why is he with them? Is it not wisdom to preserve the empire and show loyalty to the emperor?”
“I am not certain Yolric is with them. He has always remained an island. Even the emperors do not influence him. Yolric does as he wishes. I cannot say what he will do. I hope he will join with me, but should he side with Venlin…” She shook her head sadly. “We must hope.”
Jerish nodded. “I trust you to watch our backs. I never thought I would ever say that—not to a Cenzar… not to you.”
“And I entrust you with the future of the empire and ultimately the fate of mankind—I certainly did not expect to be saying that to you.”
Jerish tore off his glove and held out his hand. “Goodbye, Brother.”
She took his hand in hers. This was the last time she would ever shake anyone’s hand.
How do I know that?
“Goodbye, Nary,” she told the boy. At the sound of her voice, Nevrik rushed forward and threw his arms about her. She hugged him back.
“I’m scared,” he said.
“You must be brave. Remember, you are the son of Nareion, the emperor of Apeladorn, the descendant of Novron, the savior of our race. Know that the time will come when the blood descendant of Novron must protect us again—your descendant, Nary. It may take many years for me to defeat the evil that has risen today, so you must not wait. If you find a girl who makes your heart smile, make her your wife. Remember, Persephone was a mere farmer’s daughter and she mothered a line of emperors. You must find a girl like that and have a family. Give your child your necklace and stay safe. Do what Jerish says. After this day, there will be no warrior greater than he. I will see to that as well.” She noticed a dark look come over Jerish. “It is necessary,” she told him, surprised at the ice in her own voice.
Jerish nodded miserably.
“What exactly do you intend to do?”
“Just make certain you are not in the city when I do it.”
Tink! Tink! Tink!
Arista woke up cold and confused. The sense of urgency, the fear and concern, lingered. Her back hurt. The hard, damp stone tortured her strained muscles, leaving her feeling crippled. She rolled to her side with a miserable groan.
Tink! Tink! Tink! The sound of stone striking stone echoed.
She looked up but saw nothing. It was all black now. The worms were gone or no longer giving off light.
Tink!
There was a spark of white light and in that brief flash she spotted Magnus, hunched over a pile of rocks, only a few feet from her.
Tink!
“Ba, durim hiben!” he growled. She heard him shift position.
“How long have I been asleep?” she asked.
“Six hours,” the dwarf replied.
Tink! Another flash, another incomprehensible grumble.
“What is it you are doing?”
“Frustrating and embarrassing myself.”
“What?”
“It’s just been so long, although that’s really no excuse. I can hardly call myself a Brundenlin if—”
Tink! Another flash—this time it did not go out. The spark appeared to linger, amazingly bright. Instantly Magnus bent down and she could hear him blowing. The spark grew brighter with each puff. Soon she could clearly see the face of the dwarf—the ridges of his cheeks, the tip of his nose, the beard trimmed short, all highlighted by the flickering glow. His dark eyes glistened, eagerly watching the flame he breathed life into.
“We have no wood,” she said, puzzled, as she sat up.
“Don’t need wood.”
She watched him pile fist-sized stones on top of the little flame. He blew again and the fire grew. The stone was burning.
“Magic?”
“Skill,” he replied. “Do you think they only have fire on the outside? Drome taught the dwarves first. In the deep, the blood of Elan bubbles up. There are rivers of burning stone, red and yellow, flowing thick and hot. We taught the secret of fire to the elves, much to our regret.”
“How old are you?” she asked. It was common knowledge that elves lived longer—much longer—than humans, but she had no idea about dwarves.
Magnus looked at her through squinting eyes and pursed his lips as if he had tasted something bitter. “That’s not a polite question, so I will be just as rude and ignore it. Since you feel you still need me, I trust you won’t burn me to a cinder for it.”
Arista rocked back. “I would never do such a thing. Perhaps you’ve forgotten I am not the one who randomly commits murder.”
“No? My mistake. Apparently you’re only content with enslavement.” He tugged at his cropped beard.
“Would you have come if the empress had merely asked?”
“No. What care is it of mine if the elves erase you? It would restore the world. Humans have always been a blight, like the Ba Ran Ghazel, only with the Ghazel you know where you stand. They don’t pretend to accept you when they want something, then shove you out in the cold when they’re done with you. No, the Ghazels’ hatred is up front and honest, not like the lies of the humans.”
“I’d listen to him, Princess. He is an expert on betrayals.”
The voice, low and threatening, came out of the darkness and Magnus jumped up, scrambling toward her, as if for protection. A moment later Royce appeared at the edge of the fire’s light.
“I just wanted the dagger,” Magnus replied, a hint of desperation in his voice, which rose an octave higher than normal.
“I understand, and I promise that the moment this business is done, I will make a present of it to you,” Royce told him with a hungry look in his eyes that gave even Arista’s heart pause. “Be sure to keep me informed of his usefulness, won’t you, Your Highness?”
“He’s actually being very helpful—so far,” she replied.
“Too bad,” Royce said. “Still, I have every confidence that will change. Won’t it, Magnus?” He glared at the dwarf for several minutes as if expecting an answer; then the thief looked at her. “Better get everyone up. It’s time we got moving.”