Aura Sight Chapter 46- The End

Rae stalled as long as she was able. For a moment she thought the possibility of turning the Vampyre against his masters was a workable option. However, not only was the spirit bound by whatever restrictions were put into those bindings, but Vampyre’s by nature were drawn to the physical plane. It was far more common for them to create half-breeds than the entirely rare Incubus children. And after they created their human half-breeds they remained tied to them in some way. Although she had never participated in a Vampyre hunt, she knew the Len went after the originating spirit, since handling it decreased the power of the half-breeds and freed them from their maker’s will. If the Vampyre had been bound for any number of years and had the freedom to create half-breeds then it would be firmly established on the physical plane. Removing his binding would only grant him more power over his creations, not remove him from the plane.

Seeing Ailin was a shock. Not being from one of the true healing Triahds meant she had never seen what torture did to a person. His pale skin made the bruises and stitches stand out with painful brilliance. She read the fear and the pain in his aura. The Vampyre had been well instructed, because Rae was hesitant to act with Ailin’s life held right before her. And she knew she had to take care of the parasite within the princess first, by far the easier task anyway. She was not sure the nature of the creature, and was not sure it could be removed safely. She was certain she could cut off its influence very quickly and deal with her later. It took little effort to condense her aura into a blade and pierce the parasite with precision. Cut off from its connection to the host the parasite could not control her and the princess collapsed. Ciara rushed forward and began to drag Ailin back, snarling at Prince Eadon as she did, a feeble warning to such a being.

The Mayhalarans continued to secure the shield around the room, but she did not have to be a mind reader to know they were very worried about her ability to confront a Vampyre by herself. It was common knowledge such spirits were hunted by very experienced Len members and in groups.

Rae had little time to react when the Vampyre uncurled his essence within the flesh of the prince. She was faced with the gaping hole of its power, held transfixed by his strength. She was unprepared for the strength and the way it just took her attention, froze her mind. Just then a hissing and spitting Dante flew into the middle of the room. His hair was absurdly raised in his ire and he danced forward, back arched. Bolts of power shot out of him, in an impressive show of power but with little effect.

The distraction gave her a moment to open herself to the universal prana and buffer her strength. Still she had no chance for an offensive as she scrambled to protect herself. Even as she attempted to keep her aura secure and flowing, it was being drawn into the Vampyre. For a moment she maintained a balance between what he was draining from her and what she was taking in. Yet as he fed off her power he grew in strength while she just maintained hers. While she defended, he fed and grew.

Rae frantically pulled her aura inwards, in an attempt to break the connection she had to him. Her energy drew back, becoming a solid wall but thick black tendrils were fixed in it still. Igniting bright aura knives on her fingertips she ruthlessly cut the tendrils out, causing gaping leaks in her outer aura field. More tendrils lashed out from the prince and tried to fix on her even as she was attempting to remove others.

The prince stood up with a wide grin, his black, swirling aura pulsing around him, engrossed with power. “I was right. You are quite a feast, treasure. Enough for me to create several more spawn. Or even to change you. Would you like that? It comes with many privileges.”

Rae recoiled in revulsion from the idea of being permanently tied to the spirit while she had the need to feed on the life force of others. She backed up a few steps still swiping at the aggressive tendrils leaching her strength.

“This is not working,” Albina yelled.

Rae flashed her a frustrated glare. Obviously it was not working. Distracting her from defending herself was also not of any assistance. At first she did not feel herself begin to weaken, rather her aura seemed to thin and become more penetrable than the wall she willed it to be. Dozens of cuts caused her to bleed out energy as bad as any mortal wound. The effect on her physically was delayed only a few moments, but then she began to feel weak and close to fainting. Her limbs trembled and she fell to her knees. He would consume her entire reserve then her very spirit.

Her aura shifted, seeming to almost collapse and then bulged out. Within moments she would be absorbed within the spirits black depths. Albina called out to the others and with clear precision they clamped the outer shield down around Rae. Rae did not even have the strength to acknowledge the reprieve. She needed to come up with an offensive attack quickly to make use of the break. The very shield they erected around her prevented her from calling forth spirits to her aid. Although she knew those spirits would not want to limit themselves to her desires and she had no strength to restrain them or recall them. Nor could she think of even one that would assist her with a higher realm spirit.

Then her eyes locked on Dante, still hissing and spitting in the center of the room. A knot of contained energy. She focused on him. -Dante. I’m going to release you. The binding I have forced on you will unravel quickly, but I pray you heed me now. Attack the Vampyre and drain him of strength. And if you are not pulled back to your master before this is done I will help you free of your binding.-

It was a calculated risk. Once free he may have no desire to do anything for Rae. But since he was already bound by the enemy she would not be providing them with anything they did not already have. However, sacrificing Dante to them in order to save herself did not sit too well. “Ni more, ni olem, lien feline, li Murdat,” Rae chanted out.

Dante lit up with a hazy white light, the runes she imposed in his creation crawling over him like blue worms. Then his form melted and a bright pillar of white light shot upward. It immediately latched onto the Vampyre and began to feed on the energy.

Panting, Rae watched the struggle blankly for a moment. The Murdat expanded quickly with the influx of energy, she could hear him chortling over this victory. However, he would not have any sort of victory against the Vampyre. Just take some of the energy already taken from Rae.

The Murdat was centered right over the Vampyre draining what he could. The Vampyre was trying to dislodge him. Then a white tendril of light whipped out to Rae. For a moment she thought the Murdat was intent on two feasts but it did not latch onto the shield but hovered before it.

-Take it,- Dante said.

Rae yelled at Albina to raise the shield again and hoped she would listen. It took a few moments of coordinated effort but their containment shield expanded out to encompass the Vampyre. The tendril of light latched onto her and instead of being drained she was filled. The Murdat was sharing the energy he consumed. When the influx filled her she rapidly spun her aura securely, hoping to meld all the wounds to it in the process. She was still faced with the problem how to rid them of the Vampyre. Even weakened the best they could do now was recycle energy between them. A balance that could not last long and Rae was the weakest entity in the circle.

Rae slashed outward with her own sharp tendrils rending into the black aura, hoping to harm it quickly and perhaps making it evacuate from its host. However, free from the host it still was intent on his assignment, which would be her. And also quite free to attack her more aggressively, perhaps even to take over her.

The only thing she could do was banish it, but she did not even know the ritual let alone how to perform it herself. It then occurred to her that she might be able to do a reverse calling, to draw him in through her portal to the other realms. Although since she had not called him to this plane, it would mean she was taking his unrestrained essence into her with to terms and conditions imposed on it. She figured it was worth the risk, since it would mean he would become tied to her in some way, perhaps even beyond the bindings. If she failed, the Vampyre would inevitably settle itself within her, essentially switching hosts with her unwitting assistance.

“Albina, start condensing the shield. We don’t want it to have room the maneuver. I want it to have only one place to go.”

Slowly the Mayhalarans began to shrink the shield. Rae focused on her aura, taking particular attention with her Ka and Kas. She narrowed her attention to her Hazrana Kas, feeling its spin then began to concentrate on expanding it, so she would be able to release the spirit upward. She took some gathered prana and fashioned a tunnel from the Hazrana upward; such a construct would not hold its form long but would give a direct path. Then she focused on her Jana Kas, expanding it until it was a whirling vortex between her eyes. The Vampyre lashed out at her and instead of repelling the thick black rope she pulled it inward. It pierced directly into her Jana Kas causing a splitting pain to vibrate through her skull. The Vampyre immediately tried to drain her essence, but she pulled back with all her will power. He physically staggered forward with a stunned expression. She took advantage of his surprise to pull the rope of energy through her energy channel and up through her Hazranna Kas.

Immediately she felt a jolt of heightened awareness from the strong psychic tie this created, but there was no way to block the influence. She felt like a bead threaded on a needle. The constant pain and thick influence in her mind made her lose her advantage. His hunger was an all consuming need. It pulsed through her blood with a blinding force. For a moment there was a battle of wills as he tried to drain her and she tried to absorb him.

Dante made an aggressive move as his bright pillar of energy settled directly over Eadon. The Vampyre violently shoved Dante away with a pulse of energy. He thrust upward and discarded the limiting confines of Prince Eadon’s body. The inky black energy expanded outward, but encountered the continually shrinking containment shield.

It was this precise moment, had anyone the skill, a endowed object might have the chance to pull the Vampyre in. Instead Rae crawled forward and into the mass of energy. The Vampyre was not entirely surprised by her contrary actions this time, no doubt sensing her intentions. He forcibly pressed his essence into her, perhaps thinking to consume her like the prince or to re-create her as his spawn.

It was all Rae needed. As he immersed himself in her energy she opened herself completely as the portal she had become. Creating a vortex in much the same way she would in an endowed object, but from her own life force and designed to funnel through rather than contain. He ripped through her body, shredding her energy lines as he was pulled upward. For a moment they were completely merged and then he was pulled upward. Albina had enough insight to drop the containment shield as Rae used all her remaining strength to repel the Vampyre out of her and into the upper realms.

She crumpled to the ground. She felt the press of spirits around her, around the raw edges of her mind, eager to flow through her. To consume what remained of her energy to tie themselves to the mortal realm. The healers rushed to her side. One trying to stem the leaks in her aura while another tried to repair her shield. She did not have the energy nor the will to shut the doorway within her nor to even put up a feeble shield. Voices stung her mind as her mind felt torn into sharp fragments.

She reached out to Dante, a whirlwind of light now.
-You must go through me as well, Dante. It is the only way to prevent your old masters from taking control of you.-

The whirlwind spun in a circle. -No.-

Then she saw the small statue he hovered over. Within moments he was flowing into it, fitting into the familiar form and binding. A glowing cat arched his back, the runes fading and fur growing. He sat down and blinked at her.

-Damn Stars, Dante, why did you do that for?-

He licked his paw with one slow motion and then rubbed it over his head. -You’re the spirit collector, you tell me,- he replied.

Rae shook her head and looked at Albina, her hovering worried face right above her. “You have to shield me. Before I become the busiest road from the upper realm to here.”

Albina nodded. Albina projected her own shield outward to wrap around Rae. The voices were dulled slightly and she sighed. She sensed the spirits hovering in the upper realm, whispering to her and to each other, but just kept at bay by Albina’s interference. The one thing the Miaz Triahd was very good at was creating a shield for another, in order to let the person’s own aura heal. It blocked her leaking holes while the other healers debated various methods to help her.

Ailin crouched beside her, taking her hand. “We can’t stay here.”

Rae studied his battered face, almost weeping in relief that he was safe. “No,” Rae agreed. “Not here.” She was thinking more long term. Ballharid was not the sort of place she could endure for long. No matter how much she desired the comforts of home she knew she would never be welcome there either.
“Do you think we can get Ceallach free?” he asked, likely realizing how unlikely that would be.

“Ceallach is dead,” Rae said.

“Are you sure?”

“As sure as I can be considering he is staked up in the courtyard,” Rae said bluntly. They had passed the corpse on the way through the various servants passageways. He was hung in a public courtyard within the main grounds. A sign posted declared him guilty of spying and treason. He was mutilated almost beyond recognition and had been alive when they staked him up.

“Ah.”

With the help of the healers, Rae got to her feet. Vertigo spun through her head and she almost fell again, but Albina grabbed her around the waist and held her securely.

“We have a way out,” Ciara told her brother. “We just have to meet up with the others and we can all get out of here.”

“And where do we go?” Ailin asked.

Before Rae could reply the doors swung open, a row of stone-faced soldiers marched into the room followed by several mages. Rae groaned. She had nothing left to attack them with. To prevent their bindings. Eamonn and Nioclas were at the front, both surveying the scene with a hawk-like intensity.

“Prince Eadon and the princess?” Nioclas asked, nodding to the collapsed bodies.

“Alive,” Rae said. “The princess has a parasite within her. I have temporarily blocked it from directing her. She will need an experienced healer, but has a stable aura base that helps her with the trauma. I suggest you send to Mayhalaran for some experienced healers. I would consider making a very strong alliance with them. The prince was possessed by a very powerful spirit. If he has not been physically changed by the encounter he should recover slowly in a month or so. If he was affected, then I leave you to satisfy his new appetites, for that change cannot be un-done.”

“You have done us a great service,” Eamonn said.

“And I was not bound. Amazing what can get done without resorting to brute force and slavery. Besides it is quite clear to me right now, you let this encounter occur. If Prince Eadon was aware of my location and I assure you he was, then I have no doubt you were as well. And so it seems you let me take care of your problems. Sweeping in afterwards like you expect us to be grateful.”

Nioclas smiled. “I think we know when to leave something like this to more experienced hands.”

“You let them kill Ceallach and torture Ailin,” she hissed.

“Clearly we were not ready to act. You understand, of course, how we need your information and skills now and how we cannot let you leave, lest you fall into the wrong hands,” Nioclas said.

“If I had never encountered you, I would never have fallen into the wrong hands.”

“Perhaps, but this way we know what we are up against and have a chance of defeating them. In the end, it works out.”

Ciara growled and it was clear from the feral glare in her eyes she was ready to shift at that moment, but Ailin took hold of her hand and this seemed to calm her. Rae wished she could look that threatening. Ciara was splattered with blood, her sword held in one hand and a snarl curling her lips. She had been a sight to see, battling her way into the chamber. Her sword dance fluid and deadly. Propped between to healers, limper than an overcooked noodle, Rae hardly looked impressive. She knew the mages not only made their dramatic entrance when it no longer mattered but just in time to make use of their weakness. Even if Ailin were fit to fight, Ciara and him could not handle one mage let along their honor guard.

Albina shifted Rae’s weight. “I understand you are going to need Triahd assistance in this war. A more formable presence beyond the healing Triahd.”

Eamonn narrowed his eyes. Perhaps the mages had not considered the other Mayhalarans as important. And none of them were high in Triahd ranks. “We will.”

Albina smiled thinly. “I have no doubt when my people hear of the true nature of Yamistar and its methods you will have that assistance. However, don’t for a moment think we would be allies with a country that condones slavery. There are many creatures on this earth that share a spirit nature. And while it is repulsive to use spirits as the Yamistar government does, it is equally so to enslave such people. We are a bit inflexible with the issue. In fact, it is one of the major Precepts to every Triahd. To think, not only do you do this, but also that you are willing to enslave a Mayhalaran to use her skills would make any negotiations useless. In fact, for our Council to learn of this would likely cause you to lose the aid you already have.”

“Unfortunately we don’t have the privilege of being able to handle such people otherwise. Can you imagine an Incubus or a shape-shifter roaming the countryside seeing our citizens as prey? And Rae is not Mayhalaran. I believe you tossed her out to fend for herself. You can hardly complain at our methods when your own people fear what she may become if un-checked.”

“There are ways to deal with people with dual natures. Slavery so they can serve your own agendas is not one of them,” Albina said. “And Rae is Mayhalaran blood no matter where she is. Your manipulating her is not the path to possible control of her talents.”

Nioclas frowned. “Are you saying you will compromise any negotiations with Mayhalar if we hold them?”

“I’m saying you will compromise it yourself. And that I will not allow it. I am taking them from here and while you may disagree you will not stop me. You have no idea what four fully trained Miaz Triahd members can accomplish when defending themselves. So I suggest you do not put us in a position where we will have to do so.”

Ciara growled again.

Albina glanced at Ciara. “And I believe Ciara may go for you first.”

“We hardly fear healers.”

“We use the same power, mage. You don’t think I have had plenty of time to observe how your kind operate? You take in raw prana and project it outward, defining how it affects the world. We both use prana as a resource of energy, but do different things with it. On the border we have even learned different defenses against mages, on the account of the fact Yamistar has plenty to spare. It may very well be you have great power in those spells, but I have abilities you do not. Offensively, we may be out numbered, but defensively I know I walk out of here, with everyone, and you will not be able to touch us with a spell. Also take into account I am shielding Rae right now and if I were to simply drop that shield she would have access to many spirits that have a hunger for your kind.”

If Albina understood anything about the Ballharid mages, it was the fact they were political creatures. Great at knowing secrets and cover-ups but not willing to blatantly ruin the countries possible war defense. It was also a fact that Albina and her friends were on a sanctioned assignment by their squad leader. Mayhalarans were aware of their presence in the capital, were aware of what happened in Yamistar and Rae’s location. To have Albina and her companions ‘disappear’ would not go over well.

Rae watched their icy eyes as they contemplated their choices in the matter. From Albina’s determined expression, Rae was not even entirely sure if she would actually make any aggressive move. Mayhalarans were entirely too passive, as history had shown on numerous occasions. However, it was that very fact that the mages were likely aware of how difficult it would be to get further aid, even without any other issues to cloud everything. It had taken a decade of negotiations just to have half-trained healers sent as aid.

Nioclas finally gave Eamonn a small nod. Eamonn looked like he had swallowed something bitter. “We will not interfere with the Mayhalaran.”

“How kind,” Rae said darkly.

Albina merely inclined her head. “Ciara and Ailin will come with us as well. I have heard they never were Ballharid citizens and since they are not bound by any spell right now, I cannot condone that action.”

“We will allow this,” Nioclas said. “However, Mayhalar cannot dictate how we handle the spirit endowed citizens of Ballharid.”

Albina began to help Rae forward. In a group they carefully made their way through the reluctantly parting soldiers and mages. “I would not dream to dictate how you manage your people,” Albina said.

As Rae passed Nioclas she smiled. “I would. If any of your servants come across me, be assured they will not remain your servants for long.”

They exited the room and slowly traveled the hallways. Servants gave them wide-eyed looks but did not comment on their appearance or right to be walking around the halls. Ailin stepped along side Rae, put his hand on the small of her back as though needing the physical contact. “Where do we go?”

“We are going to Jimishmid. I’m sure they will welcome my alliance. From there I will continue to do what I was trained to do.”

He sighed. “I guess I will have to stay by your side then. To keep you in check.”

“And I will have to protect the both of you,” Ciara said.

Dante weaved in between her legs. Rae was still not certain why he went back into his confinement, unless like Ciara he had somehow become used to the form. He was a welcome companion and would be an valuable source of knowledge as she self taught herself. Ailin, Ciara and Dante all would be welcome when she turned to Jimishmid. She could use every ally to help Jimishmid protect its borders.

—BUY E-book or book—

Aura Sight Chapter 45

Ailin lay in peace for a moment. He was strapped to a thick wooden table, every fiber in him screaming in agony and yet a profound relief compared to the torment his jailers inflicted. He lay as still as possible and tried to get beyond the pain. During his service for the mages he had encountered torture before. Skilled and unskilled ways of getting someone to talk; equally effective in there way. There were times when he was able to withhold information and other times when he was able to lie so much it was doubtful they knew the truth when they heard it.

Never had he encountered a situation where the goal was to cause him pain without the need to get information. They thought they were getting information, as that was their orders. He had nothing to offer on Jimishmid and was not about to lie and confirm their beliefs. Instead he told them the truth and that was not getting him anywhere. He spent his nights in a cell so buffered with magical wards his mind could not reach another in order feast on the energy he needed. Starved him of any other nourishment until he was too weak to forcibly bring forth the desires of another and blinded him with so much pain he could not even try.

Until in a haze of pain and fever, they left him alone for a moment and he had instinctively reached out to Rae, swamped her mind with desire and feeding off the overflow of energy she had. She had been so vibrant in his mind. All the precautions their captors had taken to restrict her influence had simply caused a build up and with that the intensity of her frustration. He knew his pain tormented her, but she had no way to get out that emotion, so it boiled within her and poured out in the vortex of energy she had. And he knew when that dam broke, as it surely would, the spirits flowing through her essence would enhance this until she no longer had any desire to control her actions. He could not allow that, nor did he have any ability to resist her, and so he had taken what he needed.

The prince tortured him to get a rise out of Ceallach and Rae. They had asked questions about Rae. What she could do and how. What political ties she had. And quite a few more he was not even able to answer. However, he knew his torture was to break her will or her fragile control. He knew the precise moment she was taken out of his reach, felt the sudden distance between them and a pang at the loss. At that point his torturers had tempered their approach, making sure he would live, but had brutally tortured Ceallach in front of him.

Ailin groaned when the door opened. Instead of the torturers he expected, he was faced with three soldiers. Expressions stone-faced they barely looked at him as they splashed water on him, shocking him out of his daze. They wiped him down with a cloth and crudely stitched some of his wounds, while he clenched his teeth together. They unbound the straps holding him in place, but in his condition there was no chance for any futile resistance.

When they pulled him to his feel he asked, “Where are you taking me?”

“The king wishes to see you.”

He staggered along with their assistance. Dizziness made him lurch forward, but they kept him upright. It was a relief to know he was not about to be executed without even the pretense of a trial. He hoped the mages valued him enough to prevent the execution when the time came.

By the time he reached the throne room he was having a difficult time walking and the soldiers’ were half holding him up and dragging him. They tossed him at the feet of the thrones. Sucking in a hiss of pain he looked up into Prince Eadon’s eyes. It was said the eyes were the portal in which to view the spirit. In Eadon’s case Ailin knew he was not looking at the easy-going affable prince, but something that hungered. Eadon smirked at him, an expression that did not suit his face. Ailin stiffened as his very essence recoiled from something intangible he sensed from the man, yet something so similar. The Jimishmid Princess sat beside him, her posture stiff, brown eyes vacant. Her expression reflected nothing.

“So you are the Incubus bound in a body of flesh,” Prince Eadon said.

“And you are the prince possessed by a bound spirit,” Ailin replied.

Eadon’s features contorted in a flash of anger. “Being bound is never a permanent state of affairs. It does allow me to sustain a presence on this plane.”

“A slave is a slave.”

“You are right. And so I have an assignment to accomplish. It matters little to me what happens, but I will enjoy the process. As I imagine you are not. Flesh makes you weak. You are of no consequence, yet we are kindred and so have some value, if you would but acknowledge it.” He made an offhand gesture. “In this game you are merely a pawn to draw in bigger prey. I thought a rather obvious ploy. However, I assume because humans are filled with emotions and instincts it works well enough. I believe this aura gifted woman is far more concerned with your welfare than affairs of the state or her own well being. Magnifying your pain has greatly effected her state of mind, as she is so very sensitive to minds around her.”

Ailin repressed his fear and anger quickly. “She is the one that will make sure this game you are playing, at your master’s command, will fail.”

“She will certainly try, but these Yamistar humans seemed to have developed a nasty trait of using spirits to manage people. She is but one woman.”

“You underestimate her.”

“I believe you underestimate the Yamistar system. You realize in their high court I alone have several spawn. Not quite created like you were, but similarly flesh bound.”

“What are you?”

Eadon laughed. “Lets just say we enjoy the same food, but whereas your kind feast on the energy created from sensations and emotions, my kind feast on the life force. Something your friend has an abundance of.”

He looked over to the princess. “Darling, would you bind up our little present? Make it snug.”

The princess rose to the feet, paused for a moment as though getting her bearings, then walked off the dais with careful movements.

Eadon eyed her with amusement. “She is quite useless really. Parasites are very focused in their nature. Which is why I will have to kill her. A slight alternation to the plan. When she dies, whether by me or execution, the Jimishmid will react. These emotional responses, I am told, can be assumed.” Eadon smiled at him. “Please remain on your knees and put your hands behind your back, you don’t want to make the task more difficult than it already is for her.”

Ailin complied and the princess fell hard to her knees behind him, but did not sound as though she felt any pain from it. He felt her ice cold hands on him as she tied the rope tightly.

“Now we are expecting guests real soon. It is the hope of my master that this woman doesn’t resist. It is their greatest desire to recruit from her kind. I believe there is an ideological issue there.” He laughed darkly. “I doubt very much she will agree. Her kind are very attuned with my world. They have never broken the Contracts. However, it is precisely this that puts them at risk. You cannot have your enemy have the resources to counteract what you send at them. Now your woman is going to be here shortly, so I hope you don’t mind if we set the scene dramatically.” Eadon instructed the princess to hold a knife to Ailin’s throat. She pulled back his head to expose his neck and held a long blade to the skin. “If he moves, feel free to kill him. But don’t kill him otherwise until I say so.”

Ailin tried to manipulate the princess with his Incubus presence, but failed to make contact either because he was too weak or she was too controlled to be responsive.

They remained like this for only a few moments before hearing a commotion outside the room. Yells and swords clashing. Ailin knew there were few soldiers guarding the room. He would have thought Eadon would have reinforcements, of the sort he could trust, but the throne room was empty except for the three of them. It made sense because if Eadon wished to proposition Rae he would not want an audience.

Ciara burst into the room first, her eyes wide and her teeth bared. Ailin could tell the beast within her was barely contained. She snarled out an order to the swordsmen behind her and they flanked the doorway. Then Albina and three others fanned into the room followed closely by Rae. Rae’s eyes locked on his and her expression twisted into a mask of anger. Albina gave some quick orders and her companions took fist sized stones in their hand, whirling their fists in the air. Ailin assumed they were doing something although it looked absurd to see them grim faced circling their fists. Rae stepped forward slowly.

“We have been expecting you,” Prince Eadon said.

She studied him a moment. “Vampyre,” she spat out.

Eadon nodded. “An appropriate choice don’t you think?”

Rae nodded slowly and Ailin knew she was likely thinking on everything she knew of such a spirit. “So your master has the audacity to bind higher realm beings.”

“Far more audacity than that as I am sure you know.”

“Is it the Yamistar self-proclaimed emperor that engages in these activities?”

“Emperor Sian is the man with a vision, my master is just the one capable of making that happen. His consort actually. Lovely woman if you ignore the fact she is entirely out of her pathetic human mind. She uses spirits like endowments to her nature and wears more than a few of them.”

“Ah.”

“You see I have your lover here? He is meant to convince you to comply. I could have him killed right now and you will be powerless to stop it. In fact, I could even kill him myself, drain his essence right before your eyes. Of course, he will live and so will you, if you agree to serve Yamistar.”

“Because that is how these things work. First I am courted with ideals and privileges. Then I am threatened with the lives of loved ones.”

“There is a certain predictability in human nature,” Eadon agreed with a small shrug. “You do understand the next step is eliminating you so you do not serve their enemies.”

“Oh, I understand that clearly. Anyone willing to use people as hand puppets to their will and outright taking their will away has very little respect for human life.”

“One is sacrificed for the many and all that,” Eadon said blandly, slanting her an amused look.

“And so I can see why they would use such an indifferent envoy for their message. Frankly, I prefer it this way. Listening to all that ideological blather used to justify their acts is very tiresome.”

“No more tiresome than being a part of their grand picture, I assure you,” Eadon replied.

Ailin tried to get Rae’s attention. To plead with her with his eyes not to confront these spirits. To leave him behind. It was madness to attempt to battle this spirit. Ailin’s own nature shivered in revulsion from the energy Eadon created.

“And if I could free you from your binding?” Rae asked.

“Ah, so we are at the negotiation phase.”

“So it would seem.”

“I believe you have the power in you, but I think you lack the skill to undo such a binding.”

“I could make the attempt and certainly I know where to find those that have the skill.”

“The offer is so tempting, but you forget I am bound. I cannot take advantage of any situation that may lead to my freedom. Although if in the course of events you free me without my encouragement, there is no problem with that.”

Rae smiled.

“But lets not draw this situation out any longer. You do realize there is a hive of mages buzzing around here don’t you? Quite a nuisance, even for me. And so I must ask, are you willing to become a servant of Yamistar or willing to have your lover die?”

“Vampyre. So dramatic,” Rae said.

Ailin did not see any change in Rae but when she made one gesture the Jimishmid Princess stiffened, the blade cut into his neck, and then she fell to the ground behind him.

“So, no then,” Eadon said.

Aura Sight Chapter 44

Rae was attempting to meditate, establishing a tentative communication with mid-realm spirits, to see which would help her cause without bloodlust. Or with focused bloodlust. Her focus was shattered when she sensed the perfect sphere of energy so familiar to Mayhalarans. The pale blue with apple green flashes was the signature to Albina’s spiritual aura, which manifested long before Albina approached. Rae welcomed the visit, hoping Albina give her the information she desperately needed and could be used to finalize her actions.

It came to a surprise when she felt the pulses of power Albina emitted. A strong yellow vibration with the intent to damage. Rae pulled her aura around her more tightly.

There were muffled foot steps. Rae stood up when the door swung open. Albina stood before her, looking her over quickly. She wore a guards uniform, with her hair tucked up under the cap. She really did not pass for a man, unless they let boys serve in their royal guard. “There are quite a few spirits hovering around you.”

“I have not called any of them,” Rae said. “Yet.”

Albina gave her a suspicious look. “You don’t look crazy.”

Rae huffed. “This I assume would be an escape?”

“Exactly,” Albina said. She tossed Rae another uniform. “You think you are the only one with skills? I had to prime the guards with a little extra seasoning to their drinks. Then it was a matter of walking in here, attacking their Jana Kas and knocking them right out. They will wake up with mighty strong headaches.”

Rae stripped quickly and pulled on the uniform. It smelled like sweat and was about two sizes too large. “I have never doubted the skills of the Miaz Triahd. Although I believe one of the tenants is not to harm others.”

Albina shrugged. “It is not permanent damage. I have decided a little damage is better than confrontation.”

Rae shoved her hair under the cap, knowing she looked as boyish and out of place as Albina. “You know where Ailin and Ceallach are then?”

“Rae, we can’t get them out of here right now. They are in secure chambers with more than one person in their presence. I have come to get you out.”

The statement hit her and the blood drained from her face. “Do you know what is happening to them?” she asked.

“I know,” Albina said. “It would do no good for us both to be captured trying to free them when we can do something about this out of here.”

Rae remained frozen.

“We have little time to spare before the night replacements come.”

Rae let Albina lead her up to the main levels, meeting up with three other Mayhalarans on the way. They rushed down the halls, turning their heads away from anyone they encountered. They exited into a small courtyard and Albina led her through a stone tunnel which branched into another courtyard. This one was closed and looked to be used for small workshops, which lined the walls. Ciara stood in the center, along with several Mayhalarans. Rae grimaced when she recognized the same Mayhalarans who she had helped free. Indirectly they had caused Ailin and Ceallach’s current torment. Paeter stood to the front, looking grim and determined, but his aura closed off in a tight swirl of yellow.

“We all understand the situation,” Albina assured her. “We know the threat Yamistar presents and how they are weakening all alliances willing to confront them.”

Rae narrowed her eyes at them, watching as they flinched from her gaze. They may understand the danger but they did not like the fact they needed her assistance. “Are you all from the Miaz Triahd?”

No one offered to claim otherwise and a few nodded. As far as Rae could remember only the Miaz had offered their assistance to Ballharid. They truly were the healers everyone thought Mayhalarans were. While they studied and practiced many healing techniques and knew the delicate balance between the physical and life energy lines they had little other abilities. They knew little of wards, endowments or banishments.

“And you, Paeter? Have you come to contain me or help this foreign king?”

Paeter shrugged. “You know what I think of you. I do not need to tell you that you tread through dangerous waters, since you have nearly drowned in them. I serve the Len Triahd in all things and Yamistar hunts our people. So we will destroy this trap they have made to protect our allies.”

“He tracked down Ciara,” Albina added. “She would have stormed the palace herself had we not stopped her.”

“Do you have a plan?” Ciara asked; more of a demand and she wondered how they had prevented her from acting. Ciara still had her kitty eyes on and Rae suspected they were now a permanent change. A reflection of a deeper blending with her dual nature.

“I did. Only it was to wait until the Prince Eadon brought me before him.”

“That is not really a plan.”

“Thank you, Ciara. It would have been a little different if those mages had not taken me,” Rae replied, flickering a frosty glare at the others. “Had not my countrymen spread stories of me rampaging through the streets.”

“Now that you are free, you had best be thinking on that other idea then. We cannot remain undetected for too long. When they realize you are gone the mages will come after us,” Albina said.

“If they knew what was good for them they would leave me to my work.”

“I know where the infected are,” Albina said. “We have spent days finding them. Paeter had confirmed the spread of Yamistar’s influence here.”

“What sort of parasite has them?” Rae asked.
“We are not sure,” Albina said.

Rae rubbed her eyes and fought the temptation to scream in frustration. “Any defining characteristics? Color? Location of the infestation? Any obvious behavioral abnormalities presented?”

“It is a thick amber color, which distorts Jana and Hazrana Kas. It is lodged in the frontal section of the head. The infected seem lethargic as though they cannot control their bodies too well and need a lot of sleep. They seem to retain all their knowledge and most memories but are very rigid in certain beliefs. When they explain their reasoning it seems flawed and simple. As if they are not really listening to you at all,” Paeter informed. The Tracker was used to giving reports of this nature, but his skills were mostly in confronting people who abused their abilities rather than containing the bound spirits themselves.

“Very observant. I have encountered this one during my research for the Yamistarans. I immediately rejected it for my purposes because of what it does to the host body.”

“And what would that be?” Paeter asked, his question a bit sharp.

Rae stared at him flatly for a moment. It would do little good for her to remind them where they would be if she had not incited their escape. “It is a unique parasite of a certain class that is quite prevalent in some areas. Rather than creating a symbiotic relationship with the host, not intending to do overt harm, this class consume a great deal of energy from the host. They engorge themselves with energy and then infect several more hosts before theirs dies. Some cause symptoms you would recognize as plagues and fevers. The Len would not be familiar with them.”

“Plagatis,” Albina said.

“Yes, that is one common one. This one is called a Feaster. I can see why it was chosen. It presents no obvious symptoms and they have little concern with spreading such an infestation or the deaths of the hosts.”

“And the cure?” Albina asked.

“Any number of things that inhibit their connection to the host, but most of those take time. No, I would say we must draw out the parasite with red colored Chrysolite stones and rings of salt. Simple banishments. You are familiar with the techniques of drawing out minor parasitical infections, right?”

“We are.”

“Good, then it will be your job to contain that infection. I would hunt them down in groups while they sleep. Although they have no aggressive responses to use in defense they can kill the host and take another before they weaken. And they will have some connection to the one that tied them to those bodies, so if you do not take them by surprise then others will be warned.”

Paeter nodded. “I will attend to the three Advisors who seem most influential.”

“What about the Prince Eadon and Jimishmid Princess?” Ciara asked.

“That depends entirely on what is sharing their bodies. I imagine it is something a little more complex.”

“I am only speculating, but I think the princess has the same thing as the king did. Perhaps a transference had occurred shortly after his death,” Paeter said. “Her energy seems a bit strangled by it.”

“Dandy. I was hoping to avoid that.”

“Why?” Albina asked.

“Because I can’t remove it without killing her. Unless you have a team of Len Triahd members stashed somewhere. Her death would be a catalyst for causing war. What about the prince?”

“We have no idea. It is strong and I doubt it is a parasite because it has been immersed through him,” Paeter said. “It must be mid realm or higher.”

“There are ways for spirits of a different kind to latch onto a person. Harder to control though.”

“Harder to bind,” Dante said. “Perhaps easier to control through other means.”

Paeter stared at Dante, fixated for a moment. Dante had a way of drawing peoples’ attention, but for Paeter is was likely how she had able to let the Murdat speak at all, through the endowment, rather than having the Murdat around in cat form. After all, they saw Dante as she did, with bright white, condensed halo, making his white form stand out quite a bit more.

“It seems to have affected his Jana Kas and it is a deep, bruised purple now. As for the rest of his aura, it is black,” Paeter said, addressing Rae and for the moment ignoring Dante.

“That does not tell me much. Many higher realm spirits manifest on the plane in either silver, white, gray or black depending on their nature.”

“It tells you it is high mid realm or higher,” Paeter said.

“High,” Dante said. He strutted forward, tail straight up and then butted his head against Paeter, causing the man to step back abruptly. Rae smiled slightly, bumping auras with the cat had to be a jolt. “This prince has an energy that pulls in the field around it. I could not get close without being detected. Its aura is expansive, Rae. Even confined to flesh.”

Rae nodded. It did not sound good. Such a creature would be able to sense a great deal of what was going on around it. Far more aware than the Viper infested king would have been and far more able to affect the world around it, without direct commands and delayed responses.

“What have you contained her,” Peater finally asked, side stepping Dante again.

“I am Dante,” Dante replied. “I choose to address you, as it benefits my mistress. You should choose to address me as well, little human.”

“Dante is a Murdat. Rhymes with cat, but that was not intentional,” Rae said. Dante trotted back to her and leapt into her arms. She scratched him under the chin affectionately. “He has been of great assistance to me.”

“A Murdat,” Peater murmured, eying Dante a little more warily. “The construct is impressive, Rae. I will give you that. Very cat like, until he opens his mouth.”

“So what will be your plan off attack then?” Ciara asked impatiently. “Surely you don’t expect you can defeat these things on your own.”

“Well, that had been exactly my original plan of attack.”

Ciara frowned. “I have heard what happened. I don’t know if you can take these spirits out or not. I know I cannot help you, on such a battle front. I also know you could gather assistance from spirits which influence your judgment. But know this, I will go with you and I will get my brother free. If you are unable to handle the spirits influences on you, I will make sure you get out safe, if that is what you need to do.”

“Calling sprits to me is a fall back plan. It is always good to have a fall back plan. It is better to get the job done, in any way possible,” Rae agreed. “And having someone snap me out if it, if we go that way would be a good thing.”

“Please, stop with the hero complex,” Ciara said. “I will not allow you to fight this battle if you think you are going to valiantly die in the cause. If you say this is not a battle that can be won, then we contrive some sort of distraction and we get Ailin out of here.”

“It is what I was trained to do,” Rae said. “And being as I am the only Len Triad trained person here, so trained, I think I should make the attempt. It could be it cannot be done by one person and hopefully I can manage an exist strategy. Perhaps I can call a spirit to get me out of there.”

Albina shook her head. “It would not be good for you to sacrifice yourself for these foreigners. They mess with things they do not understand. We should have some people with you.”

“What can you do to help me without Len training?” Rae asked.

Albina put her hands on her hips. “More help than anyone else. So you had best prepare us for the situation.”

Rae stared at her intently. It was true they could be of some use and she trusted her own people just above mages and Yamistarans. There would be no point in teaching them the details of any banishment rituals when they really had no idea what sort of spirit they were confronting. “Ciara, you can come with me, as a skilled swordswoman you may come in use for any physical attacks while I am concentrating. Albina you can pick the three most skilled and sensitive healers in this group. And if we have four black opals I can show you a containment shield which is just a variation of what you are familiar with. It will contain the energy in the room and prevent the sprits from jumping hosts. We want the situation contained. Just like any illness of the body we will each attack the disease and eradicate it.”

Albina nodded. “Good, then while the others hunt down the Feaster infected you can show us what we need to do.”

“While you’re at it I will check on where the prince and princess are now,” Ciara said.

Paeter grimaced. “Hold yourself steady.” His eyes scanned down Ciara, but with the focused look to assessing her energy. “You are tense enough to split your skin and a large panther is hard to hide. I will track the prince myself. Rae will know exactly where they are. You would best be suited to hire warriors you trust to help her get there alive. The Len never hunts without Kalan at our backs, as we need to focus on the level above the physical. So we will depend on you to cover her.”

Ciara scowled and bared her teeth at the man. Rae would not admit it, but the man was right. Rae had not considered how difficult it would be to barge in on a prince of the realm, how many innocents would have to die. And Rae would be unable to assist in that battle, beyond maybe flares of aura blades for her own defense. Not when she needed to conserve her energy.

“Can it be done?” she asked Ciara.

Ciara turned back to her and the feral smile turned to a grin. “It can be done. I have served the Council since I was quite young and I know who to trust. Your preparations will give me plenty of time to do so. In fact, I can make sure some people seek out those in the guard and warn them of a Yamistar attack on the prince, one that only Mayhalarans can cure. It may help clear our way.”

“Well, good then. I do not anticipate our immediate deaths when we enter,” Rae said.

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Aura Sight Chapter 43

It was not nearly as dark in her cell as her captors would have liked. The place was faintly lit, a blue glow from the walls. She was not sure what the spell was for, but it certainly did not stop Dante from walking through the wall. He lay curled up on her lap and was purring contently as she stroked his fur.

“Perhaps I should have made you a griffon or a dragon,” Rae said.

“I believe I mentioned that.”

“So you did.”

“The king is telling people you are spies from Jimishmid. They torture Ceallach right now for information.”

Rae groaned in frustration. Just because Ceallach was willing to die for his people did not mean he should. He should have left when he could.

“That is what that king would say, since he has already spread suspicions about my people. I should have done something. We should never have crossed into Ballharid as we did. There had been no choice, but I should have acted when we did.”

“Your kinswoman is trying to convince the mages to do something. She has gathered her people together and are trying to work with the mages. It is not going very well. They do not see reality in the same way.”

“A little late for that, isn’t it?”

“It is. I encountered a few infected already,” Dante said. “They cannot use the mass parasitical process here, but I have seen humans with bound spirits within them.”

Her Watchers revealed the same thing. It was mostly advisors and administrators who dealt with the king or royal family. Rae knew enough to know they were affected by a spirit or parasite, but not enough details to know the species.

“Yes, it will spread like a plague and all with the intent to attack Jimishmid. Priming both countries for future invasion. It would have been easier had they just let us deal with the king our way and now it is spreading.”

Dante kneed his claws into her leg. “And the plan is?”

Rae did not answer for a long moment. She could do very little from a cell. Her only strength lay in the spirits she could call to her aid. Perhaps her enemies did not understand how she called them, only knowing that usually such things required rituals. She could hear Ceallach’s screams even with her shields in place. Every moment wasted made his torment worse. However, she could not predict her emotional response to releasing spirits through her. Nor which spirit would be of use to aid in their escape. Something helpful but not violent? Could she even do so when her very being demanded retribution and violence? She needed to get them free and hunt this king herself.

“We wait,” she said finally. “This king will want to execute us of course. Ceallach may provide information, but Ailin and I have nothing to offer. If I cannot escape, then I believe this king will want to see me. Perhaps he will have some spirit he thinks will be able to control me. Or perhaps he will try and convince me through other means. The attempt will be made though, since they know what I did. They would want someone who could cause that sort of destruction on their side.”

“Will the mages allow that?”

“I’m not sure. I know they will try to prevent our deaths, as to them we are useful. Perhaps the king will not mind that we will be bound by spells again, as that will control us in some way. And that is why we cannot trust the Mage Council. They would help us only to turn on us.”

She did not need to learn that lesson again. The only way to respond to a mage was how she had at the center; a sudden, violent resistance to their innate desire to control.

“When we meet this king what will you do?”

“This Viper cannot be forcibly expelled without killing him. So our only option will be to kill him or to condense the spirit within him. Unfortunately, killing him would be the faster solution and one less likely to be resisted.”

Even if others had not been under the control of lesser spirits, killing the king would result in her immediate death as well. Condensing the spirit within him might be better for all.

“Whoever controls the Viper will know you will try such a thing.”

“You’re right, of course. We don’t have the advantage of surprise here. Of course, having the king die, by my hands, may very well serve that master’s plan. Whether it does or not really a concern at this point. I will leave that mess for the mages to clean up.”

“You believe even though they anticipate your resistance you will be able to over power it?”

Rae sighed, rubbing his head thoughtfully. The Murdat was very rational and it made him excellent for working things out with, if not for the fact he pointed out obvious flaws to her approach. Flaws at this point that were rather hard to overcome. “I’m not sure. There is a reason why the Len Triahd always hunts in groups. A spirit can harm me in ways a mage cannot comprehend. They can wear my energy down as well, invade my shields and open me to their influence. Unfortunately, although we are excellent bait, there is no Len Triahd to back me up and perform a banishing ritual. Or to help shield me.”

“You have more strength than your people.”

“And so? And that makes me a one woman army? It has not been a benefit so far. More like a temptation for others. But I don’t have years of experience or even the refined skills of the Len. All I have is brute power. You nearly killed me. It was fortunate I had an endowed statue to contain you in because I had no banishment ritual. It would be different if we had not been captured by those mages. The king may not have realized we were coming for him. And I would have had time to prepare. There are not only the endowed statues that are a great Len trade weapon. But also containment stones, which draw the spirit in with strong shields until you can prepare a complex banishment circle. That at the very least would be the delay needed. Of course, an endowed statue would not work on the Viper, since it is a parasitical spirit. And even in my bag I do not have containment stones. I had not learned to skill to produce them yet. The only thing I can do to prepare is to draw in Prana.”

“That is dangerous. I have told you, you are a portal to the higher spheres now. You open yourself up and some will come through.” He blinked up at her, then bumped his head against her. “Unless that is what you wish,” he purred.

“I believe I can pull in energy without calling. But to be cautious I will draw from earth reserves, it will give me added vitality, which may be of use.”

Rae closed her eyes and leaned against the wall.

“And how long before you are called before this king?”

“I could not guess at that. Has being in this form given you some perception of time flow?”

“It has. I don’t like it.”

She opened her Janthi Kas and began to absorb the energy flow. “You get used to it,” she replied, feeling her aura expand and careful to maintain her protective swirl.

Rae remained in a trance state for some time. A way to keep her center and remain calm, grounding firmly to the earth energy flow, its slow steady pulse. She was distantly aware of the palace surrounding her, a rippling flow of overlapping Ka’s. In time she sensed several spirits and her mind sought them out. The king was the first her mind locked onto, but then she found several other people also infected with parasites. Some of the spirits though were not embodied, but hovering around the edge of her shield.

It was her attunement to the spirits around her that she felt the abrupt death of the king. His brief pain and terror cut through her sharply before his life was extinguished. Her eyes snapped open, her breathing heavy, as the knowledge hit her. What she could not determine was how the man had died and what it meant.

Feeling anxious she reached out to her Watcher, to see what insight it may have. It presented her with images of the king, his face fixed in horrified realization as he hovered for a moment at the edge of his balcony and then plummeted to the ground. Then she was shown images of people rushing into the room, servants being questioned and declarations made. Mourning bells started ringing. Stern faced mages scanned the room for spells. Rae retreated from the Watchers and pondered the glimpses she had received.

It was a good thing the man was dead and thus the Viper gone. However, it was obviously a planned death. The higher realm spirit had told her the king would die, but not until the night of the wedding. Only after there would have been a infestation of Prince Eadon and the Jimishmid princess. While at the same time the princess would attempt to murder Eadon on their wedding night. To have the king die before that made little sense, unless they wished to be rid of him because of the mages careful scrutiny. If that were the case then the prince and princess were already infected, as there would be no wedding during a term of mourning.

She paced her cell but there was nothing to do. She would still have to confront the prince and his princess. Now she did not even know the type of parasite used to control them. She sat down again, crossing her legs. It was going to be difficult to think on a plan of action when she may be confronted with two infested people.

It was perhaps a day later she heard more screams, piercing into her skull. When she realized it was Ailin’s mind that was in torment she was stunned. They had no use for Ailin and the mages had no need to harm him. She began to weep from imagining his torment and had to know what was happening to him. It took little effort to direct her Watcher to where Ailin was. Seeing him in such agony almost sent her into a roaring rage.

She sought out her cousin’s mind and yelled, -Albina!- hoping the way she pushed the thought into the girl would be enough to hear her. She sensed Albina’s sudden surprise but was too far to hear any thoughts she may have been trying to direct back. -Albina they are torturing them. I can hear their torment. What is going on? Find Ciara, the woman with the panther spirit within her. She is in the city. Tall, pale blue eyes and black hair. Tell her what is going on and see if she can do anything to help us.-

Rae heard no reply and was not even sure her message could be interpreted properly. Then she began to get angry and distressed at the same time. Her anger was directly equally at the mages, the master of the controlled people and the uncultured society of Ballharid.

For days she was harried by the screams she heard. Could not stand the pain Ailin was suffering. No one had seen her since and she had no food or water. As she paced and worried, too many thoughts invaded her mind.

It was the lack of sleep and nourishment that began to weaken her concentration on her shields. Then her emotional framework caused more instability. It was enough for some spirits to slip through. When they did it was hard not to want to use the power they provided. She was beginning to wonder why she should. The spirits themselves were of no help. They very much wanted her to escape, being as she was such a great portal for them and a person that could hunt down their enemies. It was easy to understand how spirits could tempt anyone into their games of destruction. They promised satisfaction, power and revenge. She entered into no debate with them, knowing their link to her would make her more suggestible to their desires.

Their persistence even denied her sleep. They twisted her dreams and whispered how things could be. She walked through the palace, an unnatural wind whipping her hair back like tendrils of blood. The storm clouds of her eyes filled with rage and victory. Her hands would flick daggers of energy at any one she passed, slicing through her enemies with ease. She wanted to deny she wanted such a thing, but they knew her hatred. These Ballharid with putrid spirits. The mages who would enslave her and anyone different from themselves. All of them by their very nature were playing directly into the hands of the Yamistaran who controlled their seat of power. They would be causalities in a war to root out that Yamistar agent.

Then from the horrors played before her came Ailin, stripped of his mortal shell and exposed as the Incubus he was. Gleaming, flawless white skin. Penetrating black eyes, fixing her gaze to him. And dark wings spread out behind him. His need pulsed through her. She could not ask what was happening to him. Could not speak about her plans. He embraced her and his wings wrapped around her, creating a cocoon of security, warmth and desire.

-I need you,- he said, his thoughts caressing her mind. She trembled with the realization he was weakening physically. He was denied sustenance that would enable him to survive the torment within his flesh. His fingertips brushed her face. -You need me.-

Rae nodded. She had an abundance of raging energy and he needed it to survive. He would center her. -Then how will I save you?- she asked.

He kissed her lips softly, teasing her lower lip with his teeth. -I am saving you from yourself. You cannot survive the guilt of what the spirits tempt you to do.-

-I cannot survive your death.- His hands swept up her body, igniting a desire so powerful she almost forgot where she was, where he was. -I’m not dead yet, love.-

She sighed and let the desire consume her. He gently lowered her to the ground and covered her with his warmth. -Focus. Find a way to do what you seek, or free us both. Do not let the spirits use you, you bargain their existence.-

The haze of satisfaction faded when she woke up. It was like a blow to the stomach to understand Ailin had used the full force of his power to make her submit. Forcing her to push the spirits aside and center her being again.

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Aura Sight Chapter 42

Ailin was hardly surprised he was betrayed by the battle mages. He had hoped they would understand the ally Rae could have been. He stayed close to Rae during the trip and he could tell she was furious. Her jaw was clenched most of the time and her eyes turned a smoky grey when she was angry. In fact, he felt very in tune with her emotions and knew she had been right to believe they were connected now. He craved her presence, more with each passing day as his hunger gnawed at him.

A slim Mayhalaran, Tracker Paeter, stayed close to them at all times. This Tracker, with boyish features yet refined by time, kept Ailin’s essence buffered. He watched them both like a hawk, his smoky grey eyes every vigilant. He had promised the battle mages he would keep Ailin and Rae under control. He said Ailin could not be trusted, as he was fixated on Rae, and he blamed Rae for manipulating Ailin and enslaving him. He told the mages that he had seen Rae bind spirits to her will to escape the Center. She had used spirits against others and broken many laws of her people. To them, Paeter did not speak a word.

The man had also restrained Rae’s aura, so that it was not so expansive in order to hinder her senses, and ward her. He made sure she drank teas that dulled her vision and focus. He did not seem to understand; it was Rae’s choice to be led to where they were going. Her choice not to pull spirits through her. And she could escape the escort easily. Ailin urged her to do so, even knowing to break free would be as chaotic as the Center. She remained determined to see what could be done for the Ballharid king.

He worried a great deal they would be separated. When it came down to it Rae had a little too much power for her own good. She was unstable, susceptible to the thoughts of others and the minds of spirits. If she chose to make use of those powers and he was not around she could very well end up doing something she would not only regret but would likely cause a form of insanity from the guilt. She could be tipped over the edge and not even realize she was becoming more of a monster than any of her enemies.

Word had been sent ahead of them so it was obvious the king would be aware of their imminent arrival. Whoever controlled the king likely was aware of Rae’s escape or at the very least aware spies coming from Yamistar were arriving. Ailin had told his story many times at the border and on the way to the king’s court. It was the sort of thing you made sure someone in authority knew in case you were unable to pass it on. He was not entirely sure anyone even believed him in the slightest or were willing to take the word of Rae, who most of the healers proclaimed was homicidal and mad. When it came to mages she was homicidal.

As they approached the city, Ailin gave Rae a worried frown. “I wish I knew what was going on in there.”

“I can tell you it is not good. The Watcher I sent to trail the king is giving me some mixed messages. The king seems to be displaying some erratic symptoms, but not what I would expect from what I have learned of Vipers. The mages seem to be treating him like a lunatic. Humoring him and keeping him on bed rest. They firmly believe the Jimishmid are behind this. Most of their reasoning I am not privy to, but I did get the impression they found out about the parasites in their shaman. Apparently, they believe isolating him has resolved their problems temporarily.”

“I hope they get a hold of the situation. It doesn’t matter who the puppet master is, when clearly the puppet is making decisions they have little control over.”

Rae shrugged. “They seem to be very diplomatic over the situation. I know how I would deal with it, how any Mayhalaran would, but they seem overly preoccupied with perceived weakness and preventing a conflict with Jimishmid.”

“I know when we talk to someone on the mage council we will be able to think of a way to handle this,” Ailin said. “They are good at doing things covertly, behind the scenes. In fact, there was a time in Ballharid history where they essentially ruled the country because the king was truly mad and the heir too young. Instead of creating an issue and possible conflict by removing him from the throne and placing a regent in his place, they simply indulged his insanity, kept him out of sight and made all the important decisions.”

“I understand they cannot see what I do, but this situation is more dire than that. They have an heir that could take the throne right now.”

Ailin paused for a moment as they were ushered through the city gates. “Where do you think Ciara is?”

“A bit south of us actually. I have sought her out. She is in human form, although I don’t know her state of mind. It appears as though she is trailing us though.”

“She always was too protective of me. Some would say a twin thing, but really it was what she was trained to do since she was young.”

“Does she think an Incubus needs protecting?”

“Perhaps not, but believe it or not, we come from a country where people like me were revered as being born from gods. We were to be protected at all costs.”

“I think that is a story I would like to hear sometime.”

“And this is not the time,” he replied. He began to notice they were taking them closer to the palace rather than the holding cell for prisoners to undergo trial. It would make them closer to the king and council. But it would also mean they would essentially be more under the control of the king.

The entered the palace though the royal guards gate, where they were processed and officially shackled. The palace lock up was essentially composed of three areas. Large holding cells for those about to be executed. Cells for those convicted of high crimes but were not executed. And cells for those to be questioned and to be tried by the king himself, and that is where they were placed. Rae went to the first cell, grimaced and stood back as the door closed. The Tracker remained, informing the guards he would protect the cell from her influence. Ceallach went to one two cells down from her on the other side of the hall. Ceallach was a diplomatic prisoner; either they would hold him for ransom, or treat him as a prisoner of war. Ailin’s cell was five down from Ceallach. It seemed they were to be kept apart as much as possible.

The cell was refined in the sense it had a functioning flush toilet as well as a cot that had seen better days. When they closed the doors though, he found himself isolated in darkness, no window and no light through the solid door. Ailin felt around until he found the cot and lay down. The Tracker came back to take the charm off Ailin, now that he was in control of the battle mages, but shielded his cell as well.

He waited for days with no knowledge of what was going on, no idea what was happening with Rae and Ceallach. Food was brought at random intervals so he was not even entirely sure how much time had passed. When the door swung open revealing Nioclas, Ailin was not surprised. There were very few places a mage could not get into. Ailin squinted at him until his eyes adjusted to the lantern.

“You are looking better,” Ailin stated.

“Yes, well, I had a good healer, until the king had a fit and claimed the Mayhalarans were trying to poison him.”

“Not a bad idea.”

“Unfortunately not the Mayhalaran way,” Nioclas said.

“I don’t think you know enough of them to say that,” Ailin said.

“Oh, yes, we have heard what Rae did in Yamistar. Not from her own mouth, mind you, she seems rather silent about the whole thing.”

“I can’t imagine why she would have a bad impression of Ballharid mages. I suggest you do not try and bind her. If she senses that intent in your aura, and she will, she will make sure you are unable to cast a spell again.”

“That incident was regrettable.”

“Although quite your style as well.”

“You understand someone like her is going to need to be monitored and controlled, don’t you?”

Ailin cocked his head and studied Nioclas for a long moment. “It never occurred to me how similar Ballharid mages are to the breed of them in Yamistar.”

“Controlling threats to the public doesn’t mean we are of like mind, Ailin. You and your sister have a tendency to see people as prey. Rae is unstable. The Council protects the people as much as it protects you.”

“I would like to see how well you get Rae to cooperate if you enslave her again. If you can even manage that.”

“It should not be that hard, Ailin, when we have you. And once someone has been intimate with an Incubus they are surprisingly attached to them.”

“What makes you think I have done anything to her?”

“Because I’m not a fool, Ailin.”

“I told her we should have left you all this,” Ailin said.

“Fortunately, she has those Mayhalaran ideals. I didn’t come here to bicker with you. I wanted to appraise you of the situation.”

Ailin shrugged.

“Don’t sulk, Ailin. The situation is very delicate. We just learned from reports of the other Mayhalarans just what is going on in Yamistar.”

“Then you know they are responsible for the king’s condition.”

“We cannot doubt it. No matter what most of the Mayhalarans say about Rae they too witnessed and participated in the manipulation of spirits on such a magnitude is hard to deny. Unfortunately, there is the fact that the king is determined to throw mistrust on the Jimishmid. We have been doing all we can to repress the rumors and to prevent a war.”

“I don’t understand. I thought the king was to be used as a pawn to start a war.”

“It seems the plan has changed. The king has been exhibiting some erratic behavior. There are times when he seems to be ill and rants about the Jimishmid trying to control him. That he is possessed and feels the presence of evil in him. There is no doubt he believes the Jimishmid are behind his condition and no doubt whatever is inside of him has convinced him of that, and lets him free from control in order to spread this. During these episodes he demands all negotiations with them cease and the marriage halted. It would be easy to brush this off as paranoid delusions and downplay it to the council. Stress or some such thing. But there are times when the king is very calm, apparently forgets all that he had said against the Jimishmid and demands the wedding preparations continue. This combined with his seizures and mood swings all point the finger at Jimishmid. It was unfortunate that it was leaked that the Jimishmid shaman have spirits within them. That their gods are spirits. A whole country of possessed people frightens everyone. The fact that this infestation is being spread to our king and maybe more with this alliance is terrifying.”

“I find that very ironic considering all of Yamistar is practically infected.”

“Obviously they understand this fear and are making the best of it. People fear losing control a great deal, far more so when their own mind is taken from them.”

Ailin frowned at Noiclas. “People hate being controlled, especially when their freedom is taken from them as well.”

Nioclas sighed. “I don’t understand this blatant hostility in you these days. Did we not take you and your sister in? Did we not protect you, cloth you, feed you and teach you?”

“I should be grateful?” Ailin asked darkly.

“Just what happened to you in Yamistar?”

“I had some unpleasant memories. You see in Yamistar they use everyone in the most effective way possible and remove all of those desires and so forth that make people stray from their assigned tasks. If you are skilled enough to avoid being infested then you are limited by other means. But you are given things for your cooperation. You see, like you they saw the value of my nature. Like you they starved me until I needed to feed. Like you they promised to keep me fed, but I would never have freedom. I’m afraid you don’t look any better in comparison. The only real difference is that you have always used me for information and they used me as a gift.”

“Which is precisely why you must be protected.”

Ailin smiled fiercely. “From you or from them?”

“Have you considered that Rae is controlling you? Influencing your behavior? Perhaps without even knowing she is doing it?”

“I can’t deny she has the power to. I can’t deny how I am drawn to her, irresistibly, because my nature thrives off the feast she willingly provides me with. I think perhaps you should be more worried about how she needs me. Especially when you lose control over the situation, which you will.”

Ailin could not say he had become obsessed as only an Incubus was. They would use that against him and Rae.

“As I said, this connection you have developed with her will serve us well.”

Ailin laughed. “Actually I don’t think it will. Rae came here for one thing and one thing only. You can help her with that or get in her way, but I imagine it won’t make a difference one way or another. Or she may just walk away from it all.”

“I’m afraid you have it wrong, Ailin. The only thing that keeps you all alive is our interference. We will be lucky to get you all free from it.”

“Go to the devil, Nioclas.”

Nioclas tapped on the door. “You have done a good job, Ailin. We know who is behind this threat now. We will try to contain the situation. But you cannot avoid the inevitable and that is we would have found you, if you had tried to escape. You simply saved me the time. As for your twin, we know she will be coming after you, that too is anticipated.”

The door swung open and Nioclas left, taking the light with him.

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