Boone Brux - Chain of Illusions

Harsh whispers between Juna and Gregory reached Rell’s ears. The two appeared to disagree about what the Bringers’ next move against the Bane should be. Rell settled her gaze on Siban, but her attention was fixed completely on the conversation next to her. She wondered if Juna was King Gregory’s woman. He certainly allowed her far more freedom in speaking her mind than seemed normal for a king.

“Then leave them here to train.” Juna’s whisper rose in volume. “I will take the others to the Shadow World. Letting the Bane get any stronger than they already are is foolish.”

“You’re not thinking with your head. If you go into the Shadow World, who will train the others? You’ll do your mother no good if you get captured by Vile. I can’t allow it.” Gregory took a bite of eggs, chewed, and swallowed. “Besides, you need the others. They know the Shadow World far better than you do and none of them are yet ready for that kind of mission.”

The woman bristled at his tone. “I am able to take care of myself.”

He snorted and shoveled in another mouthful of eggs.

“You think I can’t?” Juna placed her hands on either side of her trencher and leaned toward him, her voice coming out in an angry hiss. “After everything we’ve been through?”

He exhaled and set his spoon down, turning to look at her. “Your abilities are not in question. It’s your logic. I will not risk your life unnecessarily. That is a promise I made to your father.”

She stood and glared down at him. “I don’t need your protection anymore, Gregory. I’m not a child.”

Rell watched the king, as he in turn watched his second-in-command stomp away. To the unbiased observer, his admiration for the woman was more than apparent. His silver gaze tracked to Rell, but she didn’t look away.

“She’s very stubborn,” he said.

“She thinks you see her as a child.” The words slipped out unbidden. Her brow cocked in question. “Do you?”

A smile tugged at the corner of his sculpted mouth. “What do you think?”

“No. If anything, I’d say your feelings are quite the opposite.” She held his stare. “Maybe you should tell her.”

He gave a bark of laughter. “And lose my edge completely. No thank you.”

At that moment Siban arrived with their food, putting an end to her and Gregory’s conversation. Piles of eggs, bacon, and crusty bread were stacked high on the square wooden slab. Her stomach growled in response to the delicious smells.

“I hope you’re hungry.” Siban slid the plate onto the table in front of her.

“Not that hungry.” She pointed to the food. “You’re planning on helping me eat this, yes?”

He gave her a sheepish grin and plucked a piece of bread from the tray. “I am.”

Nearly half the slice went into Siban’s mouth. Rell’s eyes widened. “Maybe I should eat my portion now before it’s all gone.”

He chewed and smiled, making him look like a happy boy. She shook her head and picked up a piece of bacon. The savory aroma made her mouth water. After all the revolting things she’d eaten as a demon, she’d never get tired of delectable cooked meat.

Gregory rose and walked to the front of the room to stand near the blazing hearth. The crackling fire framed his large body. His black hair gleamed from the flickering flames and his close-cut goatee lent a hard edge to his features. He was very handsome and looked every bit a king.

Rell leaned toward Siban. “I think he’s sweet on the Bringer named Juna.”

Siban’s eyes widened, his gaze skating to Gregory. He swallowed. “He’s got his work cut out for himself.”

“Good morning,” Gregory said, cutting off the rest of their exchange. The conversation from the other Bringers stopped and everybody turned their attention to their leader. “I thought it best to explain what to expect in the upcoming days. Please, continue to eat. I’ll make this as brief as possible.”

An unladylike snort issued from behind Rell. She craned her neck to see Juna leaning against a stone pillar a few yards away, arms tightly crossed in front of her chest. Rell returned her attention to the front of the room.

“Two of the Bringers from my party.” The king pointed to a burly man and a statuesque woman sitting at the opposite end of the table. “Magnus and Brita, will instruct those of you from this side of the Arch on the Bringer history. It is lengthy and politically convoluted but I promise you will not be bored.” Quiet laughter rippled through the room. “I have a list of tasks, training, and posts that I’ve delegated to each of you. This will create a flowing schedule that will make the best use of our time while we train, prepare for our upcoming mission, and provide a constant watch to the manor.”

“What is our next mission?” Luc asked between mouthfuls of food.

Gregory crossed his arms and spread his legs in a more relaxed stance. “We are going to rescue the other Bringers from the Shadow World.”

A low rumble of approval rolled through the crowd. Rell glanced at Juna again. The woman appeared more alert, less angry, her gaze fixed on Gregory. A sensation of anticipation and expectation emanated from her.

Siban followed the direction she stared and he smirked. “She hopes to lead the mission.”

“You feel it too?”

He nodded. “Like she bashed me over the head with it.”

Rell turned back to her food. “It’s going to take a while to get used to these Tell powers.”

“If we ever do,” he said.

“Juna will be leading the training sessions,” Gregory continued. “She is my second-in-command. Please go to her with any problems and questions if I’m not available.”

Rell repressed the urge to smile. The king’s placation was obvious even if she hadn’t been a Tell.

“After you’ve been trained and a plan has been developed, we will enter the Shadow World and Saints willing, rescue our own.”

A single question formed in Rell’s mind, one that needed to be asked. She raised her hand.

The king’s gaze landed on her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Yes, Rell?”

All heads turned toward her. She blocked out the wave of anxiety at being the center of attention. Siban’s hand slipped onto her knee below the table, giving her encouragement. “What if the captured Bringers have been turned to Bane? How do you plan on finding their demon forms?”

Gregory inhaled and then exhaled deeply. “A very good question and one I have no answer for—yet. It may be as simple as letting the Bane know we’ve found the bodies.” He paused. “After all, you came to us, which we are grateful for.”

Her reply was a single nod. The memory of the night she’d arrived at the manor, ranting to see her body, was not pleasant. The sense of losing everything and not knowing what was true or a lie had driven her to confront the Bringers. It had been the turning point not just for her, but also in the Bringers fight against the Bane. The idea that she might be an essential part of their plan had given her the strength to face what was to come later—her demons, both imagined and real.

“Are there any other questions?” Gregory waited. When nobody spoke he said, “Please finish this fine meal that has been prepared for you by Delphina and Willa, and then come to the bailey and we will begin training and delegating duties.”

Conversation rose again, flowing around Rell and Siban. She continued to eat, contemplating the days to come.

“Are you all right?” His hand remained on her leg, his fingers lightly stroking just above her knee.

“I’m fine.” She swallowed the last bit of eggs. “I was just thinking that it’s good to have a task. Keeps my mind off what’s to come.”