Unveiling the Sorceress

Elra knelt, weeping, over the body of her sister. Kerr stood silently watching as she clutched with useless hands at the still form of her twin. For several moments he was unable to respond, his body shivering involuntarily.

A second sentry was trying to pull Elra away from the corpse, while Xerxes walked slowly around the body, scouring the ground. Yoshi had closed on the group and was staring at the scene with astonished eyes.

"Did anyone pass you?” Xerxes directed the question at the sentry who had been on duty outside the tent.

The sentry shook his head.

"And the empress?” Xerxes was focused, his powerful body emanating fury and purpose.

"She went for a walk,” Kerr offered, stepping forward. “She said she wanted to get some air."

Xerxes eyed him with suspicion. “How long ago?"

"Enough time for us to eat, and unpack the bedding. We'd been out by the fire for a while after that."

Xerxes nodded. “She may have avoided this fate for herself, but we must find her now. I have to know she is safe."

Elra seemed not to even hear what was being said around her. She had collapsed on the ground by her sister's face, weeping softly against her. Instinct took control of Kerr and he moved to her side. Nodding at the sentry whose actions had proved futile, Kerr took her into his arms gently. She seemed to wilt against him more readily, which made his heart lurch in his chest. Familiarity, he guessed. Whatever the reason, he was glad of it.

Beyond her, he stared in horror at Amra. Strangest of all, now that he was close by he could see that her beautiful, long hair was wrapped around her throat, snakelike. It was as if her own hair had throttled her, the strands tightly imbedded in the soft skin of her neck.

"Her hair,” he whispered. He looked up at Xerxes, unable to believe what he saw.

Xerxes’ lips were tightly closed, his eyes flickering with thought. He nodded at Kerr, and Kerr knew then that this powerful man was just as shocked and confused as he was by what he saw.

More of the Immortals entered the tent, filling the space to crowded. Kerr recognized them as the three men who guarded the outside perimeter of the tent. They looked astonished, low curses passing from their lips when they saw inside.

"The empress is missing. Gather your men, find her,” Xerxes ordered. One of the sentries nodded and disappeared out of the tent. Xerxes turned his attention to the second man. “Scour the perimeter of the tent closely. No one passed the duty guard.” He ducked down and tested the fabric of the tent near to where the body lay, but found it heavily weighted, as it should be. “There is no sign of entry here, but check outside.” He shook his head, confused. “And we must double the guard around the tent. How many in the camp know about this?"

The third sentry shook his head. “Those who heard thought it an animal, there has been drinking.” He lifted his shoulders. “Many are already asleep."

Xerxes nodded. “Gather a dozen of your men, send them amongst the camp to question those of our people who are still awake ... and all of the Karseedians. Wake them. But do it quietly. Whoever has laid hands on the Empress's handmaid will be dealt with."

Yoshi shook her head, assertively. “No one has touched her.” She stepped cautiously around the body, pointing as she went, her expression one of great caution. “There is evil here. See, her hair..."

As if barely able to look, she gestured to where the long tresses of Amra's hair bound her throat. “I have seen something like this before, many years ago.” She swallowed hard, looking at Xerxes. “Someone has practiced a treacherous, forbidden act, one from the ledger of the dark arts. What frightens me most is that Elishiba may have been the intended victim."

The look of fear in Yoshi's eyes made a shudder pass through Kerr. To see her so disturbed made him wonder what was to become of them. She was the one who kept them all in order, and up until then she had made him feel secure. If she was afraid, he was afraid. He clutched Elra closer in his arms, and as he did he saw the empress herself dart inside the tent.

Kerr sighed with relief.

She looked dismayed at the sight of the gathering, her cloak clutched in her hand, her face flushed. “What is this, what has happened here?"

Xerxes darted over to her, and gathered her into his arms to protect it from the sight, but it was too late, for she had seen and cried out in anguish. Close on her heels, the Karseedian they called Amshazar followed her into the tent.

Xerxes moved swiftly, withdrawing his dagger from its sheath at his belt, putting himself between the empress and Amshazar.

"What business have you here?” he demanded of Amshazar.

Amshazar bowed his head and opened his palms, showing that he had no weapon. “My business was to see the empress safely back here, since there has been a disturbance.” As he lifted his head he fixed Xerxes with a determined stare, his expression serious.

Kerr wondered what would happen next. Xerxes looked suspicious, and did not yet lower his weapon. Then the empress moved and pulled at his arm, forcing him to lower it. He turned to her in disbelief.

"This is not Amshazar's doing.” Her voice faltered, forehead furrowing, her eyes flitting about the tent and from one to the other of the two men as she spoke.

"How can you be sure of that?” Xerxes snapped back, his gaze flickering between the two of them. “To return here after committing murder would be the perfect excuse, would it not?” His eyes narrowed.

Kerr soothed Elra in his arms he watched the unfolding scene, unable to turn away, for the three of them had now created a peculiar and uncomfortable atmosphere between them, diverting everyone's attention from the body. He felt the warrior's dislike of the other man, who he obviously thought of as an enemy.