“No!” Alora screamed, leaping toward Daegreth with no plan of defense.
The explosion of a gunshot paralyzed her in mid-step.
The room fell silent.
Daegreth released his grip on Kaevin’s hair as the knife slipped from his fingers. His hand groped his side and came back coated in blood. Daegreth’s face relaxed in a smile before he collapsed in a bloody heap on top of Kaevin.
Dropping the gun, Wesley raced down the hallway to dash inside the bathroom, just as Arista emerged.
She surveyed the bedlam. “What happened? I was only gone for a few breaths.”
Steven’s head emerged from behind the couch. “Daegreth went crazy and attacked everyone.”
“We had a battle?” Arista stomped her feet. “Argh! I can’t believe I missed it!”
~ 11 ~
Chaos. During his short absence, all of Water Clan had fallen into chaos. Vindrake felt steam building inside his head as his weapons master, Laeper, detailed the happenings spawned by his trip through the portal. Why didn’t I recognize this possibility?
Spontaneous fighting had broken out between Vindrake’s faithful followers and those who only obeyed his will via the bloodbond. According to Laeper’s account, the loyal had been greatly outnumbered. Evidently, the moment Vindrake entered the portal, his power no longer held his citizens in check. Some of his most valuable warriors had lost their lives.
Even now, tempers flared between those who’d been warring on opposite sides. Only with great effort was his bloodbond holding their conflicts at bay. Throughout the kingdom, mayhem abounded, even amongst the simple farmers and workers. Many parents had abandoned their homes, taking advantage of the unexpected opportunity to secret their children away. Of course, since he’d returned, the families would be forced to return to their abodes and their assigned duties. Unfortunately, the effort of forcing his will on all these rebellious citizens simultaneously fatigued his body, a fact he hid from Laeper with careful determination.
He could never afford to leave his kingdom unattended again in the future. Perhaps he should separate those who would be faithful to him without the influence of the bloodbond and promote them to leadership positions. He could also utilize a band of loyal warriors for the incursion in the new realm since he now knew they would operate beyond his influence. With his gift of judging, differentiating between the two groups would be a simple task.
Still, it irked him that the noisome task was necessary; he’d never had to bother with ensuring loyalty in his followers in the past. He sent his beleaguered weapons master on his way with instructions to organize interviews of every citizen, beginning on the morrow with his council, guard, and warriors.
First things first; I must protect myself. If my strength should fail during the night, I must know my personal guard will shield me rather than murder me in my sleep.
“Judaene! Come inside!” Vindrake called his guard into the room. The formidable young warrior moved to his side without hesitation.
“Yes, Master Vindrake. What is your will?”
“I wish to ask you a question. Do you serve me gladly?”
“I freely and gladly serve my master, Vindrake.”
Though the words Judaene spoke were rote, they were also true. My power and greatness must attract Judaene’s loyalty, yet I should ask to be certain. “Why then, do you serve me? How do I
know you would serve me in the absence of your bond? Your family heritage was Stone Clan, was it not?”
Judaene’s thick brows knitted over his deep green eyes, a rarity in Portshire. “Yes, Sire. We have a common enemy; I hate Graely BarManasae as much as you. He is responsible for my parents’ deaths.”
Whether or not Graely’s to blame for the deaths, Judaene believes it to be true. I should reward him for his faithfulness.
“Judaene, you have a fresh cut below your eye. Did another warrior inflict the wound during my absence? One who was not loyal to me when the bondmark left him?
“Yes, Sire. Another member of your honor guard, though she is without honor.”
“Bring her to me at once.”
“Your will be done, Master Vindrake.” Judaene’s eager eyes shown with bloodlust as he moved to obey.
Perfect. Her death will provide retribution for Judaene and much-needed strength for me. I cannot afford to kill every warrior who rebelled in my absence, but making an example of a few will encourage others to submit more readily.
*****
Alora fought to ignore the nagging headache that had returned since she and Kaevin transported Brian to the emergency room along with the rest of the Franks family. When the doctor reported Brian in stable condition, Alora and Kaevin returned to Wesley’s house to find Dr. Sanders attending to Daegreth, with Graely’s help.