Shattered Souls (Guardians of the Maiden Book 3)

For the second night in a row, Dyna found herself under someone else’s roof. After yesterday’s fire, Klyde brought them to his house where they met Edith, Tavin’s mother. She was an older woman with brown hair and a kind, warm smile. She welcomed them openly, but their house was smaller than Gale and Eagon’s. After a night of all of them sleeping cramped together in the den, it was clear they would need more space.

“We don’t have any other choice.” Gale glowered at her brother across the table as they ate their morning meal. “It’s the only available house in town with enough bedrooms for all of us.”

Klyde didn’t have any smiles or cheerful jests today. He sat stiff in his chair, mouth pinched. “No, Gale.”

“Do you think I want to go there? My house is gone.” Her lip wobbled and she covered her face.

Eagon sighed and pulled her to him. He rubbed her back, murmuring reassurances. “It’s not gone, love.”

“The corner stones are still in place. Only the back wall is burned down,” Klyde said. “The men volunteered to help rebuild it. Now I can put in that extra bedroom you wanted and extend the den.”

“And meanwhile?” Gale asked. “Where else will we stay? We can’t take over Edith’s house.”

The woman smiled at them and poured Tavin some milk. “It’s no problem, dear. You know you’re always welcome.”

“I know, Edith.” Gale squeezed her hand. “But there are too many of us. Every house in town is small and meant only for the family that lives in it.”

“We can see if anyone can take a couple of them in. They will likely have to split up.”

“That is asking too much of them, Klyde. You know they’re skittish folk.”

“She has a point,” Eagon said.

Dyna pretended not to notice them discreetly shooting glances at her cousin. Most of the mercenaries had witnessed Zev shift yesterday. The town had to know by now there was a werewolf in Skelling Rise.

Gale met and held Klyde’s gaze. “We’re going to the manor.”

Klyde exhaled a frustrated sound and rubbed his face. “They can go, you will stay here with Edith.”

“I’m near my term. It’s best I stay close to Dyna in case anything happens.”

“Why would something happen?”

“It’s a precaution, Klyde.”

His jaw flexed as he and Gale were locked in a glare.

The Captain of the Skelling Mercenaries met his match in his sister though, because Gale didn’t relent. Dyna wondered what was so dreadful about the manor that he didn’t like the idea of them going there.

“She’s right,” Tavin said. “The house is too crowded. I say Auntie, Uncle, and Evin can take my room, but them lot-” His blue eyes narrowed on her and her friends angrily. “They can’t stay here. What if they burn down our house next?”

Edith shook her head at her son. “That was very rude, dear. They explained it was an accident.”

“Bullshit.”

“Tavin,” Klyde warned in a low growl. “Mind yourself.”

“We were all in the kitchen when the wall in the den blew. You saw it. The damn witch nearly killed us—”

Klyde’s chair screeched on the ground as he jerked the boy to his feet. “Outside. Now.”

Tavin scowled. He marched out of the kitchen and they bounded out of the house. Dyna heard only a muffle of Klyde’s raised voice saying he taught him the meaning of respect before the door shut, leaving them in awkward silence.

“I’m sorry,” Edith said to them. “Tavin is a spirited boy, but he speaks before he thinks at times.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Dyna said, and looked to Evin and Gale. “We’re very sorry. Lucenna never meant for that to happen and I know she will feel terrible when she wakes. We will do what we can to help you rebuild.”

Dyna glanced at the den where Lucenna still slept on her bedding near the fire. Zev stayed next to her, monitoring her heartbeat. She had drained nearly all of her Essence, more than she had fighting the Enforcers. They simply hadn’t had time to rest. Rawn sat in the chair across from them, watching her worriedly. He explained what happened and felt he was to blame. When he saw Lucenna’s magic going out from trying to close the portal, he tried to stop her but mixing elf magic with mage magic caused the explosion that blew out part of the house.

And now she wasn’t waking.

Lev sheli? Dyna met Cassiel’s gaze beside her. She will wake up. She only needs time to rest as she did before.

But Lucenna hadn’t depleted herself this severely before. Lucenna barely had a kernel of power left when Dyna got to her. The night was spent slowly feeding her Essence to Lucenna, rebuilding the Essence channels that had collapsed inside.

You are the one who needs rest now.

Dyna patted his hand. I’m fine.

He glowered and his worry hummed through the bond. I can feel you, stupid human. That strange spell in the woods took most of your Essence and now this. Let Azeran’s tea do its work for both of you now. Please, no more magic until you are fully restored.

That spell…she didn’t know what that was or how it happened. Her veins still felt strangely hot. It had been an odd fluke fed by their desperation. She doubted they could do it again.

Dyna sipped her tea, inhaling the rosemary scent. She was feeling much better by the time they packed up their belongings in the wagon again. There was more snow on the ground but the blizzard had ended.

The mercenaries were scattered all over town, shoveling the roads and cleaning roofs. Dyna heard Klyde and Tavin’s muffled voices and the thud of their boots as they worked on clearing the roof of Edith’s house. Zev, Rawn, and Cassiel were helping to clear the snow around the barn and the path.

“Thank you,” Eagon told her as he placed a crate of potatoes into the wagon. “I have not seen her this well in a long time.”

Dyna laughed as Evin threw a snowball at Gale. She squealed, chasing after the giggling boy. The color had returned to her face and she moved easily without wincing.

“You’re welcome,” Dyna said. “I magically strengthened her immune system last night, but I will make treatment she will ingest every morning. There is the possibility the baby may come early.”

Eagon’s smile faded. “What do you mean?”

“Gale may not be able to carry to term,” Dyna told him gently. “The pregnancy is taxing on her body, but she is in her eighth moon and your baby has a very good chance of survival.”

He listened intently, watching her as she spoke. “You have not mentioned my wife’s chances of survival.” He was stoic and reserved, but she read the fear in the shadows of his expression. “Tell me the truth.”

“With our new arrangements, I will be there to monitor her every day,” Dyna said. “I will do everything in my power to help her through this.”

Eagon sighed and looked out at his family. “I know you and your companions were anxious to continue your journey. It would be a lie to say I was sorry about it. You came when the need was great.”

Once the path to the main road was clear, they loaded into the wagon with a couple months’ worth of supplies. Klyde was quiet as he rode alongside them on his ebony steed.

The wagon took them further away from town into an unplowed road through a patch of woods. The trees were quiet, like solemn sentries watching them roll past. The high sun cast shadows through the bare tree branches on the untouched snow.

They left the woods and rolled past two short brick pillars flanking the road. On top of both rested old rusted black lanterns. In the distance rose an immense five-story manor with round towers. The elevation was composed of dirty gray stones covered in mold and dried brown vines. Several tall front windows flanked the large front door. It had four chimneys streaked black with old soot. Three more windows were set on the front end of the slanted roof.

It looked like a small castle.

The wagon creaked to a stop beside a broken down barn that had long rotted with the roof caved in. They all sat in silence for a moment as they looked up at the old manor.

“Who used to live here?” Rawn asked.

“Some spoiled toff before he was eaten by trolls,” Klyde replied. He dismounted and helped Gale down as Eagon carried their son. He busied himself unloading supplies from the wagon.

Eagon and Gale climb the steps to the front door. She took a key from her dress pocket. She stared at it a long moment before sighing and unlocking the front door. It creaked as it slowly swung open on its rusted hinges.

They paused at the doorway.

Dyna looked over their heads at the grand foyer swathed in shadow. The windows were draped closed by heavy blue curtains, keeping out the sun. The floors made of polished squared stones, were covered in a layer of filth. An iron chandelier hung overhead, coated with cobwebs. To the right was a stone stairway with iron spindles wrapped in more webs. It curved upwards, leading to the next floors.

Eagon and Gale entered first. Their footsteps echoed inside the quiet dwelling. Eagon set the crate of food on a sideboard in the foyer and put Evin down. His son’s wide curious eyes bounce all over the place. He ran excitedly further into the manor.

“Evin, wait dear.” Gale hurried after himNôvelDrama.Org content rights.

Dyna followed them and the boy to the grand hall. It was vast with towering ceilings. From it hung more iron chandeliers coated in webs. A long rug had been rolled up against the wall. The furniture was covered in white sheets. Several covered sofas and wing back chairs circled around a large unlit hearth. The house had no warmth. Dyna’s breath clouded as she continued further. The space smelled musty and a layer of grime coated every surface. A ray of sunlight filtered in through the thin gap between a set of tall heavy drapes, highlighting the dust in the air.

Cassiel frowned at the dust. “No one has lived here in a while.”

“How many bedrooms are there?” Zev asked Eagon.

“Fifty perhaps, not including the servant quarters.”

Zev let out a long whistle.

“Let’s check upstairs,” Gale said to her husband. “We will stick to the second floor.”

Their footsteps faded as they climbed the stairs to the second landing.

“I will take this to the kitchen,” Zev said. “I think it’s this way.”

“Aye, up ahead there on your right,” Klyde said, carrying in more supplies.

Zev and Rawn followed him through a set of large double doors. Dyna glimpsed a dining hall and it was also massive. The long dining table was covered with another white sheet and the curtains on the windows were closed as well. There was a massive hearth on the right wall and torn blue banners hung from the ceiling.

Dyna canted her head as she admired the intricate wood moldings. “This doesn’t look like the other houses in town.”

“It’s small compared to most I have seen, but this is a noble’s hall,” Cassiel said. “A lord must have lived here long ago.”

A lord?

Dyna wandered into the grand hall. A strange sensation came over her like she had been here before. A large, torn tapestry hung on the wall. It was partially covered, but she could barely make out the faded coat of arms.

She gasped.

“Thank you for allowing us to stay here,” Rawn’s distant voice echoed in the hallway behind her.

“A pleasure,” Klyde said. “There are plenty of rooms upstairs. But please stay off the fifth floor. It’s unstable…”

Dyna turned towards the covered portrait in the grand hall. Her feet moved hesitantly, her heart pounding in her chest. It couldn’t be…but she had to see. She reached for the sheet.

“Dyna.”

She halted with her fingers an inch away at the sound of Klyde’s sharp voice.

“Don’t touch that, lass. It’s bad luck to look upon the dead and I will have none of that here.”

The captain bounded over to her and removed the heavy portrait off the wall. He threw the portrait inside the fireplace with enough force that Dyna heard something break. Next, he took out a piece of steel and flint rock to beat them together. But he couldn’t get a spark to catch, and he muttered a curse.

“Need help, mate?” Eagon asked uneasily.

“No.”

“Here, let me.” Dyna reached for the broken frame. Klyde caught her wrist and Cassiel’s growl rumbled in the bond. She warily glanced at the Captain. “I won’t look,” she said softly.

Klyde gradually let her go. She concentrated on her Essence, feeling its heat weave through her once more. She commanded her magic and a flourish of flames. It caught the edge of the portrait and the flames quickly engulfed it, the sheet turning black. The fire burned high and its light glowed against their faces.

“Ah, thank you.” Klyde chuckled as he rose to his feet. “That should help bring some warmth to this tomb. I will see about gathering more wood and repairing the roof. Make yourselves at home.”

He strode out of the living room for the door and mounted his black horse. With a snap of the reins, the captain galloped away. As if he couldn’t get away fast enough.

“This whole place is haunted,” Cassiel said, brushing up beside her. “I feel death here.”

Yes, Dyna felt it, too. She walked outside and stared up at the manor.

What is it?

It looked different in person, aged by time and neglect, but the crumbling stone held the truth of it.

“Dyna?”

“Can you take me up? I need to see something.”

He brow pinched but did as she asked. Letting his enchanted coat drop at their feet, Cassiel swept her into his arms. They shot into the chilly air, the wind nipping at her cheeks as his wings carried them high into the afternoon sky. The sun shone bright over the land of Skelling Rise. Wisps of smoke swirled out of the chimneys on every white rooftop. She studied the curve of the hills and the placement of the forest and fallow fields. Klyde was right.

This was a tomb.

Dyna hadn’t noticed it when they first arrived. Secrets had been hidden in the dark of night and the coating of snow, but she knew where they were now. She was sure of it. The manor…it was once belonged to Lord Morken.

They were in Azurite.