From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [130]
The tanniyn screeched again, its very breath blowing a knight off his mount.
Strike it, boy! Use the power. Kill the beast!
Yes. Achan could destroy it with the green fire. His anger boiled. The orb in his hands grew to the size of a wagon wheel. He hurled it at the tanniyn. The green fire sailed through the air as if weightless. It struck the tanniyn’s snake-like throat halfway between its body and head. Green fire engulfed the beast until the entire thing turned to black ash that floated down to the surface of the water and landed in a long, curling, black stripe.
No, Your Highness! Duchess Amal said.
Now those soldiers on the bridge, the man said. They are Esek’s men sent to kill your generals in their beds tonight if you do not stop them now.
Traitors!
But before Achan could react, something slammed against his mind. His soul flew out of the black knight and into the sky. Cold panic gripped him. He was being stormed. He could not even move his limbs. They were stuck to his sides. Arman!
Achan lay on his back on his couch. The wagon shifted under him. Moving. About to cross the bridge, or maybe it already had.
Shung sat beside him, looking down. “The little cham was in trouble.”
Relief washed over Achan like a warm breeze. “Thank you, Shung.”
Your Highness? Duchess Amal asked. Are you well?
Shung woke me. I’m in my wagon. What happened?
The fire had possessed you. I had no choice but to take you from that black knight by force.
No, my lady. I was not possessed. Though even as he said this he knew it was a lie. That green light, that fire, that power. It had gripped him entirely, more so than any of Challa’s kisses. He had wanted it, yet there had been a hint of wrongness. Some small thing that had nagged at him.
—you hear me?
I’m sorry? Did you say something, my lady?
You must focus to break free from its hold.
The power is gone. I was only remembering it.
Look into the Veil. Now. I am in your wagon.
Achan met Shung’s eyes. Shung nodded, and Achan pushed himself up to sitting in the Veil.
Duchess Amal was standing beside his couch. She took hold of his chin. Remembering it is a way to bring it back. Promise me you will guard yourself against such temptation.
I promise. The words came too easily, though. They felt hollow somehow.
Look at me, Your Highness. Look into my eyes and promise me.
He obeyed. Her eyes were green, like Sparrow’s. The thought brought a gasp to his lips, as if she could read his mind. Forgive me, my lady. You spoke wisdom, and I did not heed it. I promise you, I shall flee from that kind of power if ever I feel its presence again.
And you will never again possess any man.
I possessed a man? The black knight. When he’d entered that black knight’s mind, he’d been filled with anger because of—Prince Oren! What happened to him?
Promise me, Your Highness.
I promise, my lady. Never again will I possess another.
She released him. Prince Oren stepped in front of the blow meant for you. I did not see where the orb struck him. We can only pray he survived.
Blood drained from Achan’s face so fast his head lolled backward. How will we know? Who stood guard over his body while he went into the Veil?
I did not ask. I suspect Sir Gavin will know. Now, Your Highness, stop and—
A sudden impact jerked the wagon up on two wheels. Achan fell back into his mind just as his head slid against the wall. Shung set his hand on the wall to keep from falling on Achan. The wagon slammed back to all four wheels, and Achan slid off the couch to the floor. Outside, horses squealed and men shouted. Smoke drifted on the air.
Stay in the wagon, Your Highness, Duchess Amal said. You and Shung must exit when I say. Armed to fight.
A softer blow rattled the wall. A gust of green light blew the door drape inward