From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [139]
“Justice has come to you this day, Lord Nathak. You have killed enough in your selfish quest. Take this moment to embrace Arman’s forgiveness before I send you to the foot of his throne for judgment.”
“I will never crawl to your Arman for anything.” The normal side of Lord Nathak’s face contorted, angry, wrinkling up to match the disfigurement on the other side of his face.
Then a look of surprise overtook him. His chest jerked up as if he’d been stabbed from behind. He moaned, breathless, and seemed to swell before Achan’s eyes. The ruined skin bubbled, smoothed out.
Dumbstruck, Achan lowered his sword and stepped back. What was happening?
An eye materialized in Lord Nathak’s empty socket. Before Achan’s eyes, Lord Nathak’s skin continued to heal until it was fresh and smooth. White hair turned black. Even his wrinkles vanished until he looked Sir Rigil’s age.
Two sparks of green lit his eyes then traveled down his shoulders and arms like a fiery green thread. Lord Nathak gasped, shook his head as if trying to throw something off.
Then he calmed, and his glowing gaze came to rest on Achan. A wicked smile twisted his now flawless mouth. “Macoun Hadar is dead, my brother. I have been… joined. It seems I no longer require your assistance.”
24
They were all back in the boat now, having met Sir Rigil, Jax, and Bran on their way down the tower. Averella felt crowded with seven people in the small boat. She sat with her father and Gren on the bench in the bow. Jax took up the center row, and Noam, Sir Rigil, and Bran were cramped into the stern. Water lapped against the sides of the craft as Jax navigated it down the dark canals. There were no more sounds of battle, yet the rotten stench of Darkness remained.
Averella called out to Harnu to check his location. Where are you, Master Poe?
I’ve been forced to retreat with Prince Gidon’s men. The enemy pushed us back. I tried to wait for you, but these soldiers refused to leave me. I took your horse. Hope you don’t mind, but I thought in case none of you got back…
Tears stung Averella’s eyes. Oh, bless you! We were forced to leave by boat. I hated to abandon Kopay.
The men are saying Iamos, Mikreh, and Marpay healed many, scaled the watchtower, and killed the sorcerer. It’s most amusing, for I know it was you, Noam, and Gren.
Averella remembered the child who had called her Iamos after she had helped the girl’s father. How silly that word had spread so quickly. The people must believe Noam was Mikreh, god of fate and fortune and elder brother to Iamos. And that Gren was Marpay, Iamos’s maidservant, a minor goddess gifted in herbs and healing. Averella gave all the credit to Arman. It still seemed unreal that she could do such things. That she had forgotten so much. That it was all coming back. How much more would she suddenly remember?
We are in a boat and have nearly exited the city on the southern side. Can we meet you somewhere?
Don’t risk yourselves for me. The knights will be better protection for you, anyway. I’ll remain with the army. I’m… enjoying being a soldier, I think. Perhaps we’ll meet again in Armonguard.
Arman be with you, Harnu Poe. You are a brave man.
Thank you, my lady. Take care of Grendolyn for me.
I shall. Averella relayed Harnu’s news to Sir Eagan.
He chuckled. “You are Iamos, are you? Well, I am proud of you, Averella. And your mother shall be, as well. How do you feel? Those gowzals wanted you for dinner.”
The memory of killing Macoun flashed in her mind, but she pushed it away. “I am sore, but I imagine being stabbed feels worse.”
Sir Eagan hummed. “Remembered that, did you?”
“No. But Mother says that is how I got the wound in my side.” A deep breath filled Averella’s nostrils with body odor and the stench of the canals. She sat on the center bench. A few distant torches glowed in the blackness, but their boat carried no light as it passed out of the city.
“I am sorry we lost Harnu, but glad for Kopay. That is silly, is it not?”
“We’ve no further need