Third Earth, page 17
She took my hand and settled onto the dirty floor like a dahlia falling to the garden soil. Knees wobbling, I sank to my perch of coins next to her, and my remorse over the whole scandalous afternoon gushed out.
“I lied, Nemmy.” I put my hands over my face to hide my shame. “I lied to some of my favorite people in the universe.” Tears I’d managed to hide so far wet my fingers and smeared all over my face. “I don’t understand what’s happening to me. What kind of magic can control mine? I’m the only known Wielder of Truth, so how can someone interfere with my gift? And how do they do it at the exact moment that causes me the most trouble? Now all the dragons think I intentionally offended that awful black dragon lady, and Lumi will be sent to the Nia Nega Abyss, and even Temnon thinks I’m a big, fat, liar-head.”
I felt Nemantia’s gaze, but with tears and snot joining my shame, I didn’t dare lower my hands to look at her. If only Bandlash had brought a napkin with the dinosaur meat.
“Here, Aggie, dearest.”
I peeked between my fingers to see a lace hanky wafting near my hand. I pressed it to my face and cleaned myself up.
“Thank you,” I sniffed, “and now I’ve ruined your hanky.”
She shook her head fondly and didn’t seem to hate me. “I understand magic not working how you want it to. I don’t believe you lied on purpose,” she said. “It’s far more likely you are being controlled. Somehow. It’s difficult for Tem and Uncle Claude to comprehend the frustration of being under another’s power, but after Vi Lorina possessing me and the wolf demon inhabiting father, we are more able to empathize. Even after all these months my magic sends me odd signals.” She paused and looked over her shoulder, almost expecting to see someone, then turned back to me. “You would certainly know if another being possessed you. Is that what this feels like?”
“No,” I admitted. “Not at all. I feel like I did before I accepted my role as a wizard. Only worse, because I’ve always been able to tell when someone is lying. Now, I feel”—I searched for the right word—“blind. I feel blind. Like I can’t see what is right in front of me.”
“Then it is not any kind of possession.”
“No, I don’t think so. My brain wants to tell the truth, but something hijacks it and changes it to a lie when it comes out my mouth.”
“Definitely a spell of some sort,” Jenz commented, his attention on the door and the cavern beyond. “Did anyone give you something in the last few days? A small token that might carry a curse. You’d have to have it with you at all times.”
“Curses are dark enchantments,” Nemantia explained. “You can see magic, so if your belongings are cursed, you’d see it.”
She helped me examine my Aether Stones, and my phone, even my armor from the Odonatas and my watch from Kymm. Crap. Stress and fear had me doubting them now. No spooky curse spells plagued anything I owned.
“Let’s test your truth now,” Nemantia said. “Why did you exclude Iloress when you shared the image of the sun larva?”
“Because I hated her, and I wanted her to suffer.”
Nemantia’s jaw dropped open in shock. My hands flew back to my mouth. That wasn’t what I wanted to say at all! Even Jenz stopped guarding to gape at me. Tears flooded my eyes again, and Nemantia focused on them instead of my insensitive claim.
“Did it just happen?” she asked.
Not trusting my mouth, I nodded.
“That wasn’t what you meant to say, was it?”
I shook my head hard, flinging tears across my cheeks.
“Let’s try again. Think hard about what you want me to hear.” She clasped my hands in hers. “Why did you exclude Iloress?”
Because she frightened me. I formed the sentence in my head. I spoke slowly, trying to control the shape of my lips.
“Because shhheeeaaiiee hated her,” said my mouth.
I wanted to protect myself from her mind, I thought hard.
“I wanted tttt-her to ssssuffer.”
Squeezing my hands in full support, Nemantia said, “Don’t give up. Try telepathy.”
I opened a telepathic line to my friend. I wanted to protect myself from her mind, I repeated, then I waited, hopeful.
Nemantia slumped in disappointment. “You wanted her to suffer. Is that what you sent to my head? Because that is what I heard.”
I pulled up my knees and wrapped my arms around them. Drat it all! Even my telepathy lied. At least when talking, I felt the lie forming and stopped it in time. With telepathy, the lie gave no warning. It was no use. Something had complete control over my truth.
“Oh, Aggie. This is a terrible spell. You can’t testify.”
“Not testifying will make me look just as guilty.” Thank goodness I got out that sentence normally.
“That was the obviously the plan from the beginning,” Jenz said.
“You don’t know how right you are,” I said. “After Iloress ate me, and Lumi grabbed her, she laughed.”
Jenz’s head jerked in surprise. “Who laughed? Iloress?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Lumi told me. Iloress knew she was going to die, and she laughed.”
“That’s so twisted,” Jenz said.
“Then I’ve no choice.” Nemantia stood, both hands clenched. “Lucky you have an expert necromancer as a friend.”
“Why is that lucky?” Oops. That was rude. I quickly clarified. “I mean, I’m super lucky to have you as a friend, but why is it lucky right now that you’re a necromancer?”
“I have power over the connection between life and death. If someone instructed Iloress to eat you in order to provoke this response, then Iloress must testify for herself.”
Jenz tilted his head slightly. “Are you sure, Princess?”
Nemantia nodded stiffly. A thin sheen of moisture glistened on her forehead. Was she afraid? I looked to Jenz for the answer, but he just put a hand on his weapon and searched the shadows for assassins.
“I’ve been properly trained,” Nemantia said, more to herself than me, it seemed. “Iloress will be bound to me. My gift will help, not hurt.”
Oh. I finally got it. She intended to raise Iloress as a draugr. That’s why the dragons gave her permission for her to come. Poor Nemantia. Vi Lorina used her to cause some serious harm. I understood why Nemantia feared that part of her gift. The last draugr she summoned tried to kill me in an alleyway.
“You don’t have to do this, Nemmy.” I pushed myself up to my feet.
She drew in a determined breath and pulled back her shoulders. “Yes, I do. And I can. Necromancy is a noble talent, and I am not ashamed of it.”
For the first time since the noblesse dragged away Lumi and Grimmal, I saw a glimmer of hope. “You’re the best friend ever.”
“True. So, promise me a day of shopping and girl time.”
“I promise.”
A loud, nerve-shattering clank of metal sliding across metal startled both of us, and my calf stabbed with pain. I couldn’t take much more stress; my body barely hung on with all that had happened.
“Where is my granddaughter?” rang out a booming voice.
Suspended by a huge, rattling chain, the giant bars on the outer cavern raised. Ambassador Thayn casually balanced between Kyprios’s head spikes.
“Here, Grandpa Thayn,” Nemantia called.
As they crossed the cavernous room, Thayn said, “You came to this awful place instead of visiting me? I’m hurt.”
Nemantia tightened her lips and muttered, “He’s one to talk. I’ve been free from Vi Lorina for months, and he hasn’t come, despite multiple invitations.”
I didn’t know how to comfort her. Family ties were binding in the eyes of a necromancer and lasted even beyond death. For Nemantia to be upset instead of understanding spoke volumes. Thayn should have gone to see her.
Tilting his massive head, Kyprios positioned Thayn by the doorway. Nemantia backed up, expecting him to jump in, but he held out a hand to her.
“Come, Nemantia, let’s get out of this dreary place and find somewhere nicer to catch up.”
“And Agnes?” Nemantia asked. “She’s coming too?”
“Well.” Thayn’s patronizing grin was sincere. “She must stay here until the trial, mustn’t she?”
“But she’s an arch mage, and her status demands—”
Thayn’s tone hardened. “She’s a suspect in a murder conspiracy.”
Kyprios flinched, his massive spikes cracking into the stone wall above the door opening. The ambassador adjusted his footing to catch his balance.
“You think she’s plotting against the regent?” Nemantia kept emotion out of it, asking the question with a matter-of-fact attitude.
“It has been suggested by some,” he dodged, “but let’s see to that at its time. For now, I just want to visit with you in peace.”
The princess paused, torn between staying with me and obeying her grandfather, I guessed. I’d caused the Odonatas enough trouble.
“I’ll be fine, Nemmy. Bandlash is bringing me more natsa fruit.”
She shot me an apologetic smile. I caught a hint of aggravation under it, even though she remained polite.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can get away.”
“Thanks,” I said, loving her more than I ever had before.
“Be strong. And rest while you can.”
With a final little squeeze, Nemantia let go of my hand and let Jenz help her avoid Kyprios’s spikes to join her grandfather. Jenz hopped up next to her, and Kyprios’s head lowered out of view. I returned to my pile of coins, hoping for a reprieve from socializing, but after several seconds, the deep, dark eye of Kyprios filled the doorway. Blue light dripped between his spikes. Thayn, Nemantia, and Jenz had transported from his head and left me alone with him. My hope and courage left with Nemantia. Now I felt empty.
I will ask a few questions if I may.
Ah. My interview was about to begin, and the ambassador sworn to represent me just disappeared in a puff of light. Perfect.
“Darn it,” I snarked to the vice regent, “I must have left my lawyer in my other pants.”
Dang sarcasm. I’d gotten better at controlling it, but when I was tired and scared, it still popped out.
Meaning?
“Where I come from,” I explained, “people accused of a crime are entitled to representation.” I impressed myself with my legalese. Thank you, TV crime dramas.
Yes. Kyprios’s huge eye darted up to where Ambassador Thayn stood moments before. This is true here on Third Earth. I can call for Ambassador Thayn if you request it.
“Can I request Arch Mage Claude?” I would much rather have him than Thayn, even if he was mad at me.
The Arch Mage is not versed in our law.
So, it was Thayn or nobody. I chose nobody.
“Never mind then. Ask your questions. I’ll answer as best as I’m able, but something is interferruung…”
My mouth tried to lie, so I shut it tight. The spell that cursed me had intensified. If I couldn’t explain the vocal hijacking to the vice regent, this was going to be a short interview.
Tell me of your thoughts as you excluded the Lady Iloress from your telepathic narrative.
All I could do was stare into that huge eye. My own reflection in the deep darkness showed me exactly how lame and stubborn I appeared.
Did you intend to offend her?
I shook my head. At least the spell didn’t control my body.
Then why did you exclude her, and me, for that matter?
I felt the lie prying my lips open. It tickled my tongue and bubbled in my throat. Desperate to hold it in, I clamped my hands over my mouth and accessed my gift. Warmth heated my skin, and my scars glowed. I caught a glimpse of the reflected light in that deep eye. It helped fight the urge to speak and unintentionally perjure myself.
If you truly did not intend offense, it is in your best interest to tell me directly. If you suspected hostility from Iloress, defending against her attack was warranted. If you harbored ill-will toward her from the beginning and provoked her intentionally, then you are guilty of conspiracy to murder. He blinked. A protective, transparent film wet his eye, then receded under the eye ridge. His black slit of a pupil, barely visible against his dark brown iris, expanded at the change of light. Arch Mage, you must defend yourself.
How? When he didn’t ask me yes or no questions? I sank to my knees, hands still clamped across my lying mouth. Leaning over in misery, I noticed a flash of white light. A tin coin lay on the stone. One of hundreds, but this coin flashed with the light of my magic. I picked it up.
The spell didn’t control my body.
I slammed the edge of the coin on the stone and scratched three words: three upside-down words, so Kyprios could read them.
She scared me.
Ademic translates these human symbols. His pupil, large enough for me to walk through, expanded to focus on the scratches. I see. You are unable, not unwilling, to testify vocally. Can you use telepathy?
I shook my head and sat on my heels.
I understand, but without your honest testimony, your protectors will be found guilty.
Holding up the coin, I pointed at the three words.
I know what you are asking, he said, but dragon law excludes written testimonies. Dragons do not use written words. Dominath is a rare exception. Telepathy is preferred—or spoken testimonies for species unable to use telepathy.
Whoever cursed me probably knew that. That’s why I still moved with total freedom.
Nemantia will help.
The necromancer? How? He blinked again. Ah. She plans to animate Iloress’s corpse. This is most unusual. He huffed. A wisp of smoke curled into the doorway, and the stone under my knees warmed. He must have blown a jet of fire in frustration. Iloress’s kin are sure to riot, but it seems the only way to understand this matter. As for you, Arch Mage, who inhibits your speech?
I didn’t dare answer. Not moving a muscle, I stared into that eye, hoping to see a sign of guilt or a shred of pity. I saw neither. Dragons were harder to read than sciftans. Kyprios was supposed to be sworn to neutrality, but if I were a dragon radical bent on annihilating an ancient government, I’d try to blackmail him. Seems like the surest way to sway the masses.
You suspect me.
Dang it. Even sitting still, I gave away exactly how I felt. My gift worked against me in every possible way. I covered my face with my hands.
I am vice regent and duty-bound to represent all sides with equal effort. You are making this difficult.
With that, he blew a cloud of fire and stomped through it to the gigantic doorway. With a flick of his tail, he released the chain holding up the gate, and it came crashing down. The impact rattled my teeth.
I hunched over, and a few tears moistened the dusty floor into spots of mud. I wasn’t trying to be difficult. None of this was even my fault. Or maybe it was because I actually thought I could think and act for myself, for once. I angrily chucked the tin coin. It bounced off the corner and slipped into the drain. Deep in the pipe, I heard it splash.
The water kept splashing. With echoing trickles, it boiled and rolled up the pipe until it flooded out onto the floor. It collected, swelled, and grew upward into a tall column. Details solidified into a human shape, and the water changed from liquid to handsome olive skin, black-green hair, and a long, blue coat bearing the royal crest of the siren clan.
“Rein?” I choked.
“Hi, Agnes.” His skin rippled like water, and his forehead spat the tin coin onto his palm. “You dropped this.”
“What are you doing here?”
Now fully human, he rubbed his neck and half-smiled in irony. “It’s sort of a long story. I wanted to ask the Wielder of Truth a few questions about my mom, but it looks like now isn’t a good time.”
“Sorry.” I wrapped my arms around my legs again. “My magic is a little screwed up right now.”
“Yeah, I heard. I’d just gotten to First Earth when Claude flew in, shouting about Grimmal and Lumi, and I came to help. I slipped in with First Earth’s legal team as an expert character witness for you, but then the dragons confined us all to our quarters.”
“They did? I thought defense teams were allowed.”
“Fourth Earth’s treaties with Third Earth are tenuous at best. We don’t have any sort of high king, and dragons don’t respect the constant battling between our tribes. Sirens are the lowest of the low on Fourth Earth. I guess we rank the same as lawyers here.”
“You don’t look confined to me.”
“What can I say?” He leaned casually against the wall, one tall leather boot crossing over the other while he flicked the coin. “Siren kings are hard to contain. Getting onto the planet is harder than getting around the Hall of Ri Dauch.”
“Did you see Temnon?”
“Not technically.” He came over and squatted next to me, his eyes cloudy gray with worry. “I sat in his drain for a while, wanting to surprise him, and I overheard him and his grandfather. Agnes, I’m sorry to tell you this, but Temnon’s grandfather is filling his head with nonsense.”
“What does that mean?”
Rein sighed and sat, one arm resting on his bent knee. The other hand fiddled with the coin. “Thayn says Third Earth is key to universal peace, and Temnon is the only person strong enough to take his place as ambassador. He’s quite convincing. Goes on like, ‘Dragons will protect the other worlds,’ ‘Alliances must stand,’ ‘Nothing can tarnish relationships among the noblesse,’ and a bunch of other rot.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
He hesitated a fraction too long for a natural pause. “I get the impression he doesn’t think you’re worthy of his grandson.”
Not worthy? Tightness bubbled up and squeezed my throat, the familiar feeling of rejection. A scarred, nearly crippled freak like me felt rejection with every stranger’s glance. Forget about friends. Temnon broke a life-long streak of friendless isolation, and now he didn’t trust me. If nothing changed, I might lose him. I couldn’t go back to being alone. I couldn’t.
Rein leaned his head closer and said, “Hey, it’s not true. That grumpy old man has been surrounded by dragons. What does he know about beautiful, talented, and completely amazing wizard girls? I don’t care about anything that fossil says.”
