Angel of Storms (Millennium's Rule, #2)(161)

The floor was littered with bodies. He saw Frell, head twisted to face backwards, eyes staring at nothing.

Men and women rushed towards him. Allies. Thirty or forty of them. All coming toward him. Casting about, he realised that none of the rebels he’d left behind were alive. Yet half of the bodies were allies. Not all of the allies, since he had passed some on the way here. So who were these that surrounded him now? Their expressions were oddly desperate.

He skimmed away from them, surfacing in a room nearby. The smell of burning flesh and wood tainted the air. He sought the allies’ minds and saw their predicament.

When the stronger of them had left in pursuit of Tyen and the majority of rebels, these allies had stayed to finish off the rest. But they had used too much magic, and could not leave Valhan’s world. They were stranded. The little magic left in this world lay way beyond the underground city, far out of their reach. They knew that the palace had been abandoned. If any food had been left behind, it would not last long enough.

Tyen searched for another mind. Finding Baluka close by he pushed out of the world and skimmed to the corridor where he’d left the rebel leader. Baluka didn’t jump this time. His face was pale. Trembling hands pressed to his mouth as he stared through the hall doorway.

“I left too soon, Tyen,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I thought I was free to search for her. I thought we were still strong. I didn’t think we would lose.”

“It wouldn’t have made any difference if you’d stayed,” Tyen told him. “You had no magic.”

“But a leader doesn’t leave his army.”

“Your intention was honourable, to rescue your fiancée. Did you find her?”

Baluka sighed. “No. Signs of her. Clothes that smell of her. But not her.”

“The allies in the hall know that the palace was abandoned recently. They might have an idea where she is.”

Baluka scowled. “I will not ask for their help.”

“You don’t have to.” Tyen smiled and beckoned. Baluka frowned, then blinked as he realised what Tyen meant.

The allies turned to stare at them as they entered the hall. A woman rushed towards Baluka and threw herself on her knees.

“Take us out,” she begged. She reached for him but her hands encountered Tyen’s shield. “I’ll pay you. I’ll give you anything you want.”

“Do any of you know where Rielle Lazuli is?” Tyen asked.

“The Raen brought her here a half-cycle ago,” Baluka added.

As they exchanged glances he looked for signs of recognition in their minds and faces. They did not know who Rielle was.

… if she is one of his friends, she won’t live long, one of them thought. The rebels and allies will be killing anyone loyal to the Raen now.

… will regret leaving us here, when the rebels attack them next.

… suppose it serves us right for delaying so there was a chance the rebels would kill the Raen.

He shook his head and turned to Baluka. “None of them know. They believe the Raen set up a new palace somewhere, but they don’t know where it is.”

Baluka nodded. “Then take me out of here.”

Tyen nodded towards the allies. “Should we take th—?”

“No.” Baluka turned his back on them. “You didn’t see what they did to the last rebels they killed. What they wasted their last strength on. They deserve to die of starvation in the darkness. Take me out, Tyen.”

The allies’ protests faded to silence as Tyen took them into the place between. No shadows haunted the path this time. As soon as they arrived in the ruined world Baluka let go of his arm.

“Before we join the others, there’s a favour I have to ask,” he said. “A very big favour.”

Tyen frowned. “What is it?”

Baluka’s gaze locked on Tyen’s. “Find her. Find Rielle. Don’t bring her to me. I doubt she will like what she sees. But do whatever you have to, to find out if she is alive and… happy. I have to know.”

Tyen nodded. “I can do that. Well, I can try.”

“If anyone can do it, you can,” Baluka said. He sighed. “Take me back to my rebels, Tyen.”

They found a small group of the fighters several worlds away, locked in battle with a pair of allies. As Tyen and Baluka appeared the enemy fled.

Baluka turned to Tyen. “I’ll join these fighters. You go do what I asked you to do. And Tyen…” Baluka’s smile was tired but genuine. “Thank you.”

Tyen looked down. “Good luck,” he said lamely. “Travel safely.”

As the fighters and Baluka faded from sight Tyen staggered over to a boulder and sat down. So much had happened. So many people dead. Everything had changed in an instant. One abrupt and fiery ending. The Raen was dead. The worlds were no longer ruled by one powerful sorcerer. And he was no longer a spy.

He drew Vella out of her pouch.

I’m sorry, he said. With the Raen dead we are no closer to restoring your body than we were at Liftre.

Her fine handwriting appeared on the page. There is no need to apologise. As you know, I cannot feel emotions so I cannot be disappointed, she reminded him.

Yet you know that what was done to you was wrong, he reminded her.

I do. And it would make sense that the person I was would want to live again, if given the choice.