The Queen of Shards by Jens C. Büdinger

Author:Jens C. Büdinger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jens C. Büdinger

Chapter 18

Not Of This World

The sky above Black Pass was grey as always, framed in the jagged black rocks that formed the path into Mount Ussar Varys. The days grew shorter and the nights colder, but the vigilance of the Wardens and the Saints had never lessened in the past few weeks.

The pass was shut. A large black steel gate held back the scourge of the Drae’shï and the echoes of old wars. The knights and wardens had rekindled the flames of the broken black ramparts of Black Pass, mirroring those across the Rakshir Plains inside Harlot’s Hold. Knights were stationed on the old Drae’shï battlements, awaiting any movement, expecting the next wave of Drae’shï to come flooding out, but none deigned to show themselves. The wait was long.

The Wardens sat around a fire, preparing themselves for another night of fruitless sentry duty.

“So, tell me again what the old man said,” said Thane as he picked his dirty fingernails with his dagger.

“Lord Crysanthani said the Shard was part of a larger mirror. He said they used it to shelter the army of the Drae’shï as they marched outside the mountain,” said Adam.

“Like a large shield?” asked Thane.

“Of course not, you idiot,” said Willam. “He meant metaphorically.”

“I doubt you can win wars with metaphors, Willam,” stated Brandt, rubbing his hands over the flames.

“Must have been some kind of magic. He said the mirror’s powers helped keep them free from hunger and heal their wounds faster,” said Adam, combing his goatee as he felt the mystic glow of the flames on his brow.

“And where did he get this from?” asked Doran huddled under his fur cloak.

“Old records from the Immortal Wars,” answered Adam.

“And the Drae’shï woman? She has that power, too?” said Arren under his breath.

“No. But when she attacked me, she managed to use it in some way. It’s not an artefact to be trifled with, and I suspect that the Saints want to use it for that very reason. Whether through her or otherwise.”

“The war,” said Thane. “Do they even know what it can do?”

“They…” Adam slowed himself as two Saints passed by, chatting to each other. “…don’t know as far as I know. At least for now.”

“Why not tell them then? We could use the Shard to do good,” added Thane.

“We don’t know what it can do yet, whether it can even do a fraction of what Lord Crysanthani said. Once we find out, we’ll decide,” said Adam.

“We certainly can’t have all Amenti rushing to take control of a magical artefact that everyone thinks grants their wishes,” interceded Brandt as he picked up a log and tossed it into the fire.

“Or worse, enter the mountain to take control of the Hall of Mirrors itself,” added Adam bluntly.

“That would be mad! Do you think that’s why they’re here?” asked Thane, nudging his head in the direction of the patrolling Saints.

“Undoubtedly,” added Samos. “What could cement the Massass’ hold over the continent more than the magical mirror that watches over armies? Power-hungry bastard.

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