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A.O.E.M.: Carousel
Aubrey Ross
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2005 Aubrey Ross
An Authorized Excerpt
Prince Lyell Karlis stood waist deep in warm water, his hands pressed together in front of his chest, wet hair streaming down his back. Wavering candlelight danced on the smooth marble walls of the ceremonial chamber and gilded the symbols carved in the rim of the pool. Elementals surrounded him; their heads bowed, chanting softly.
The Earth Master stepped forward, activating his symbol. Lyell turned to face him echoing his words. Warmth washed over Lyell, soothing him, augmenting his strength. An ancient evil had returned, one the Sidhe believed long vanquished. Lyell was a Sutrotha Master, the last of his kind. Mystic and warrior, he would need both skill sets to combat this enemy.
Raising his arms, the Water Master joined the evocation. The symbol in front of him glowed, causing his robe to shimmer. Water churned around Lyell and the temperature rose. He braced his legs and lifted his arms, accepting the Water Master’s blessing.
Mistress Air unfurled her wings and Lyell turned to face her. She called upon the power of her element, punctuating each phrase with a staccato flap of her translucent wings. Her words stirred the warrior in Lyell, savage, fierce, and undaunted.
With a forceful command that echoed off the walls, the Fire Master ignited the pool. Lyell closed his eyes as flames lapped at his torso. Searing pain mocked his determination. His muscles jerked. He ground his teeth and clenched his fists, absorbing the heat, embracing the fire.
His people needed him. He must be strong.
Focus.
Lyell relaxed his jaw and opened his eyes. Golden light ringed the pool, engulfing the Elementals. Slow deep breaths purged the last of Lyell’s fear, centered his being, and calmed his spirit. He waited, panting and receptive. Nothing happened.
The Elementals continued to chant. Golden light receded until only their symbols glowed.
“The evocation is complete.” The Fire Master stepped off the pool’s rim. “The vision will come. Give it time.”
Accepting his assessment with a stiff nod, Lyell climbed from the pool. The Elementals departed without another word. Lyell heaved a frustrated sigh. An evocation had never failed to bring forth a vision before and he needed direction desperately. He pulled on a simple robe, tightened the belt around his waist, and left the ceremonial chamber.
“So what’s the plan?” Dezmon, Lyell’s master-at-arms and closest friend, loitered in the corridor.
“I don’t know yet,” Lyell grumbled.
“The evocation didn’t work?” Concern lit Dezmon’s dark blue eyes. He pushed away from the wall and fell in step beside Lyell. “That’s never happened before.”
Lyell shot him an annoyed glance. “I’m well aware of the fact.”
They paused on the covered bridge linking the temple with the palace. Purple twilight colored the scene with a soothing haze. D’Arcy Aiden sprawled as far as the eye could see in a majestic jumble of white buildings and lush trees. Lyell glanced at the people below, strolling along in tranquil oblivion, unaware of the danger. His heartbeat accelerated and he squared his shoulders. The future of these people depended on him.
The Raonull were the vilest creatures to ever threaten the Unseleighe realm. Lyell’s father and the other Sutrotha Masters had pledged their lives to defeating the evil sorcerers. Before they departed for the final offensive, Lyell had been chosen to guard the secrets of the Sutrotha order. Neither Sutrotha nor Raonull survived the mystic battle. Only Lyell remained; the guardian of a future secured through sacrifice. The Elementals tutored him, helped him hone his skills, and accept the scope of his responsibilities.
The current generation barely remembered the name Raonull, but Lyell understood.
“Do we just wait around until you have a vision?” Dezmon’s dark brows drew together revealing his frustration. “Is there nothing we can do?”
“Either the evocation will reveal a course of action or I’ll depart at dawn for the realm of mortals.” Lyell turned and continued toward his private quarters, Dezmon at his side. “The Sutrotha order is secret for a reason. I’ve probably told you more than I should have, but the Elementals only interact with each other.”
“And you.”
Lyell stopped outside his bedchamber and faced his friend. “I’m taking Sekarrah and Iomar with me.” Dezmon crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes, but he didn’t argue. “You understand the nature of the threat. I need you here.”
“Why Sekarrah?”
Lyell averted his face, fighting back a smile. He’d misunderstood the cause of Dezmon’s irritation. “She’s fast on her feet and shrewd. I’ll bring her back safely. I promise.”
“She’ll be thrilled.” Dezmon sounded anything but. His affection for Sekarrah had developed steadily over the past few years. Only his position as her mentor prevented him from pursuing their attraction. “This is the opportunity she’s been waiting for. She won’t disappoint you.”
Before Lyell could respond, Dezmon inclined his head and continued down the corridor. With a distracted chuckle, Lyell opened the door and entered his private suite. He needed to sleep, muster his energy, and focus. But how could he focus without a specific purpose?
Shedding his robe, Lyell folded the garment and knelt beside his bed. Pressure closed in on him from all sides. The Elementals had advised him not to inform his brother, King Gainnon, of the Raonull’s reappearance. Only another sorcerer could combat the Raonull and the king had his own battles to fight. Lyell wasn’t sure he agreed with their decision, which compounded his anxiety. If he could purge his mind of everything but the Raonull threat, perhaps the vision would come. He closed his eyes, folded his hands in front of his chest, and cleared his mind.
Emptiness crept in, banishing each thought, each concern. He welcomed the calm, embraced the darkness. His breathing slowed. Sensation faded.
You seem surprised to see me. A man’s voice disturbed the quiet.
I… They told me you died in the fire. The response came from a woman.
A pinprick of light appeared within the void, dilating, revealing the scene. The woman knelt before the man, her back to Lyell. Long, dark hair flowed to her waist. A reddish corona radiated from her, illuminating the man. Was it a trick of the vision or was she transmitting her image from another dimension?
Sorry to disappoint them, but the Raonull are known for their resilience.
A violent shudder passed through Lyell. The Raonull were known for their ruthlessness and brutality. Their induction ceremony took them into the afterlife and back. Lyell shifted the image, focusing on the sorcerer. Tall and thin, his body emerged from the crimson glare, but his face remained concealed.
Does the Halfling believe I’m dead?
Lyell stiffened at the question. The Halfling was Marissa, Lyell’s adopted sister. The sorcerer had used her as bait to draw out his assassin. The assassin had escaped the fire as well, but he died in the arms of one of the Elementals after warning them of the Raonull threat. Lyell hadn’t spoken with her since the previous winter, but the Elementals assured him she was out of danger.
Everyone believes you’re dead.
Good. Let’s leave it that way until I’m ready for my next move.
The woman nodded. Would you like me to track the movements of the Halfling?
No. She served her purpose, at least for now.
Then how can I assist you?
The sorcerer sneered, his face coming into focus. Bright red burns and blisters distorted his features. One side of his head was bald, his dark hair consumed by the fire. His black eyes flashed with maniacal command.
Come to me. I need the comfort of your body. You have denied me sexual tribute. I demand it now.
I’m sorry, sir. It’s impossible. I have worked too hard to earn the trust of those around me. It would compromise my position. I’ll send a concubine --
I don’t want a whore! I want you.
It’s impossible. She stood and brushed off her knees.
The image wavered. Lyell grasped the edge of his bed, fighting to maintain the vision. He needed more information. The sorcerer obviously had a spy, but what good was that tidbit if Lyell couldn’t find her? He hadn’t seen her face.
Light flashed within his mind. Pain erupted a second later. Images rolled in a sickening rush…
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