Chapter 9

Kyrin continued to watch preparations, but her mind was far away in the city. She couldn’t help but think about Alric’s selfless act to save a pregnant woman. A new feeling emerged and she tried to push it aside, but it grew stronger. She started to panic when she realized that she had feelings for Alric, feelings that could get her punished by Daemionis.

When the sound of the battle horn rang out through the valley, the Knights rushed to their horses. The Minotaurs had been spotted by the outlook high on the mountain. Kyrin stood quickly, not sure why she was even contemplating going with them. This wasn’t her fight and she fully planned on shifting out of Paragoy Dimension the second she saw a Minotaur.

She felt a panic when she realized that Alric was in the town alone, and the Knights weren’t going to make it before the Minotaurs cleared the city streets. She didn’t care about the townsfolk. They weren’t her concern. The alarm she felt was for Alric.

Kyrin knew she could make better time with her boots of speed that Creteloc gave her. The horses had to stick to the winding roads leading into town, but she could go through the trees. Without another thought, she flew into the forest toward the town of Valhara.

The smell of the Minotaur hit her first, a familiar scent that brought terror into her. She ran harder. She had to get to him. He had no way to defend himself against that amount of Minotaurs, and she hoped her flail would aid him. When she hit the town, the people she passed were surprised at her speed and watched in shock as she headed for the crashing sounds coming from the front gate.

She knew Alric would be there. He wasn’t smart enough to run. He would face them head on instead of leaving the townsfolk to fend for themselves like most Kings would have.

When she got there, the Minotaurs were already past the gates and flooding into the city. Alric stood alone before them with his sword drawn.

The front Minotaur walked forward and looked down on the small human. Alric stepped back defensively, and the fight between them began. The Minotaur was too big, and his natural defenses were too strong. Kyrin flew at them, and arrived just as Alric fell unconscious at the massive hooves of the Minotaur.

He had blood pouring from his head, and she couldn’t tell if he was breathing. The Minotaur smelled deeply and crouched down, ready to devour the flesh of the King.

“No!” Kyrin screamed, and brought her hands together in a clap above her head. Red balls of light began to swirl around her, gaining speed and splitting rapidly until she was engulfed in their light. Hundreds of orbs whirled around her faster and faster as her anger grew.

The Minotaur stood up from Alric and watched her in horror as her black eyes met his.

“Nosfomora,” she whispered, and her hand shot out toward the lead Minotaur. Orbs began to fly off of her toward the now running enemies. Her other hand flew out toward the Minotaurs on her other side, and red orbs shot from it also, chasing down the Minotaurs and sending them to the ground in a lifeless heap.

She fell to her knees and lowered her head when the Minotaurs were dead. Such power drained her, and she was exhausted and afraid of what she’d just done. When she finally made it to her feet again, she leaned against a fencepost and then spun at the quiet sound behind her.

Her breath was knocked out of her when she saw that the Knights had arrived and seen her magic, along with almost every townsperson. She took a step back when Finn met her eyes.

A crack of thunder sounded, and the gathered crowd began to rush backwards when Daemionis appeared behind her.

His scaled green skin was in harsh contrast to the bright light of day around him. His gaze sent terror into the hearts of Valharans as he took a step toward Kyrin. She looked up at him, and her eyes were pleading for him to help her. She’d broken the laws of magic in front of Knights, who devoted their lives to honoring the laws and enforcing them.

Daemionis reached down and picked up a Minotaur in his hand, and then grabbed Kyrin and they all disappeared with a flash of light.

***

Kyrin looked over when Creteloc walked into the caves, “Did you get it?”

“I told you I would,” she said matter-of-factly. Creteloc held out a black leather vest, and Kyrin slipped into it.

“You said this is shadow elf made?”

“Yes, it won’t impede your fighting, but will help if you are hit.”

“Did Daemionis confirm that the Clemency Consortium doesn’t know what I did in Paragoy?” Kyrin asked her.

Creteloc walked past her and began to stir a poison that bubbled in the fire, “They have no idea. Paragoy is not within their grasp yet.”

“And Sithias?”

“Sithias contacted Daemionis to ensure you weren’t being punished for the use of magic.”

“Why does he care?”

“We aren’t sure, but believe that Sithias wants your power for his own.”

“Good luck, I’m not going back there.”

“Why is that, exactly?” Creteloc asked her. “You had food and water, shelter, yet you did as you wanted, and they were clueless as to your true nature. It seems to me like such a land, would be benefit you immensely.”

“You know why,” Kyrin whispered, and then sat down to re-pack her tiny bag.

“Ah yes, the King. I knew it would happen soon enough.”

“What?”

“You grew up, Kyrin. It’s natural to seek out a mate.”

Her nose wrinkled, “That’s not it.”

Creteloc smiled evilly, “Yes, it is. We’ve kept matters of the flesh from you, but you are a woman, and it’s raising its nasty head.”

“What do you mean?” Kyrin asked, watching her.

“It’s not my place to teach you.”

“Whose is it?”

“No ones. When Daemionis decides you can have a mate, he will let us know.”

“No!” Kyrin whispered. “He cannot make me marry.”

Creteloc began to fill vials with the bubbling purple liquid from the fire, “When the time comes, he will help you with that also. Daemionis won’t allow you to become the possession of another.”

“Well, he’ll have to find me first.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes, I’ve been here for six months, and I’m ready to go.”

“Wanderlust”

“I don’t have Wanderlust.”

“You do. It’s in your blood. Are you going to seek out Paragoy?” Creteloc asked.

“No, and even if I wanted to, I don’t remember how I got there. I was running from the Shadowmere and have no idea the path of dimensions I took to get there.”

“I would still think you would try.”

“You seem pretty intent on getting me to live in a land full of the good.”

“Your corruption would be good for them.”

Kyrin laughed, “You want me to bring evil into their land! That’s your plan, isn’t it?”

“No land should be without it.”

“Thank you again, Creteloc,” Kyrin said as she adjusted her belt over the new black leather vest.

“The Clemency Consortium will be out there.”

“I know, and I’ve avoided them for this long. I’ll be ok.”

“I’d hate to see Daemionis’ magic user disappear.”

“I won’t.” With that, Kyrin walked out with her tiny bag her only possession and quickly left Paramide Dimension, landing directly in Kyrstalis. Creteloc had given her a cloak to help conceal her identity while she traveled through Kyrstalis to the dimension at its furthest west borders.

The stench of death and decay filled her senses the second she appeared in the cemetery. The dry grass crunched beneath her feet as she made her way quickly across the city. The Shadowmere would never stop looking for her, and she felt exposed and vulnerable on their home turf.

Too easily she found the portal and then breathed a sigh of relief when she walked through and appeared in the dimension with the river of death. She ignored the bodies floating along with the current as they reached out for her, teasing her to come help them.

She knew better. The first time she’d been in that dimension, she saw a Priest of Kynekke reach down to help one of the bodies. His eyes had grown wide and lifeless almost immediately. He was then pulled into the water and screamed soundlessly as he was pulled beneath the surface.

Skirting as far away from the water as possible, she walked quickly toward the dimension she wanted. She knew the dimension connections within four dimensions from each direction off of Kyrstalis. After that it was all unknown, and she headed out to see if she could find safety away from the Consortium’s vigilant eye.