Death Dealers

Trial

She watched as the port of Alfranstad came into view. The attack had been nearly a week ago. She had enjoyed plenty of time to study the events of the night and while she had no definitive answers she had come to peace with what had transpired. She would survive this, but she knew in her heart of hearts she still wanted to be a healer.

She stood on the observation deck, twenty of her marines stood with her. She could not deny that the marines were hers, even the marines on the other ships respected her. The Revenge had become the lead ship after the incident and Nicholi had the power of an Admiral which gave her the power of his second. The Marines of the fleet answered to her.

“You will do well, ma’am.” One of them commented.

She turned to the man Jax was very observant. “I simply wish to be a healer.”

“You are one of the best healers in the Empire, they may take your title, but they cannot take your skill.”

“Thank you, Jax.”

The man smiled. “We love you, ma’am. You're as tough as any two men and three times as pretty.” He said.

She smiled. “That gets you close to a kiss,” she said with a wink.

***

Gareth read the report then looked at the master. “I need to get my team to Alfranstad, in a single day.”

The man studied him for a moment. This spell was reserved for those with high rank or for emergencies, but he knew that Gareth had political connections that could be used. He also knew that it was possible that Gareth didn’t need his help, that he was simply asking permission to deploy to the south.

“Do you understand the cost of what you are asking? You must pay for every member you take unless they wish to test themselves, but you will be disoriented when you arrive at your destination. You will need a few guards to protect you.”

“I will pay the price, for all eight, the vault will cover some of the price. It always supplements its members.”

“I will give you a week, that is one day there, one day back, and five days in the city; Gareth, you have used your favors, unless you do something massive, like bring peace in the north, you will have no favors for a while.”

Gareth nodded. “I understand, master.”

The man nodded. “I will draw up the necessary papers and a letter of introduction, though your rank and uniform should make it unnecessary.”

“Master, I may be forced to announce that I am a shadow candidate, coming out in the open will require a notary. I am sure you have access to the appropriate records.”

The master paused for a moment. “If what you say checks out, you may have a few more favors to call in...of course, you already know that. I will verify your claim and make a note in the letter. I will instruct that this revelation remains secret on the pain of death unless you announce it. What happens from there is your own decision.”

***

Esrea studied herself in the full-length mirror of the dressing chamber. She nodded to the body servant that waited on her. She was fit for court, even if it was her trial. She didn’t wear the robes of a healer, but the dress of a lady of the court. This was a slight exaggeration of her station, but it wasn’t criminal.

She strolled from the room the way she had been trained to from a very young age. Her parents had been merchants, and wealthy, but the honor of a healer’s calling could not be ignored. Now that was on trial.

She stilled herself. She had killed and she felt no remorse for the action, did this disqualify her from being a healer? It should, but she still felt the calling, it hadn’t left her.

It had been six days since the event that had set this trial in motion and she still had more questions than answers. She walked through the fine room she’d been given without a glance. She had more important concerns than silken drapes and bedding of real gold thread.

She threw the door to her room open. Twelve of her marines waited to escort her to the courtroom. There was no doubt that these marines were hers, and she knew they’d die for her if need be. She hated that thought more than anything. She was a healer!

Part of her knew she had changed fundamentally that night. She now moved with the grace of an assassin, before she was a healer that had mastered an odd artform, now her body recognized a calling that her spirit did not. She desperately needed to understand what was happening and why.

Her guard formed up around her. “Madam, it is an honor, and know that you always have a place.” The commander stated.

“Thanks, Jax. I don’t even know where I belong.”

“Madam, there has been a development...we don’t know what it is, but it has the magistrate and the council uneasy.” The commander stated.

“It has a name, Gareth of Kilmora is here, with a death squad plus one. That one wears the most interesting gray spirit armor I’ve ever seen.” Nicoli said from behind her. He materialized from the wall as if by magic. She knew it as an assassin’s trick. “I was asked to take you to him. He wants to speak with you before the trial.”

“How is he here?” She asked as she tried to keep up with Nicoli.

“I’m not sure...and I should know.” He mused.

He led her down a hall then around a corner then stopped as a female assassin stepped from the wall. No this was a Death Dealer. “You will stay here, brother, I wouldn’t want to nick your other ear, or worse, kill this specimen, but I have orders.” The woman looked at her and bowed slightly. “I will take you to your mate.” She stated.

Esrea simply nodded, too much was happening. She was led to a set of double doors. The woman barred her way for just a moment…”Tread carefully, healer.” Then the doors opened and she forgot all about the strange warning.

Gareth was there, she wanted to take time to study him but the naked woman...no she wasn’t naked. The spirit armor she wore flowed around her till she looked like a nude statue, all the form was there, but none of the indecency. It was a piece of art really and she envied the woman for owning herself enough to present that face to the world.

“Gareth…” His name came in a breathless gasp. She had been told he was here, but to see him...Her thoughts fled as he pulled her to him. For a moment there was nothing but his scent and the feel of his hard body against hers.

“I told you, when you needed me I would come.”

“How?”

“I don’t have time to explain...and tonight...if I have to explain anything, you’ve lost your touch.” He said a hint of humor in his voice.”

“Tonight…”

“Yes,” He agreed. “I have five days and nights before I must return. I’ll explain in the morning.” He promised. He looked to the assassin at the door. “If anyone approaches this room, turn them away. If they won’t be turned, kill them. Ignore this room, just secure the entrances.”

The door closed and he pulled her to a couch and pulled her down on top of him. “You didn’t kill those Eskilians. I did. I will present my case to the court as a whole. I’ve spoken with the magistrate, he was already inclined to say you acted on some motherly instinct. A few cases of healers in the past have been granted clemency due to similar claims. Once I give my testimony you will be cross-examined, I’ve read your original account of the incident, and it collaborates with my theory. We have an expert Magi and a wizard that will be in the session, and my Death Squad will be there. It has two magi and two wizards in it, not counting myself and Mari.”

His eyes traveled to the woman in the form-fitting spirit armor.

“She’s vault or part of it,” Esrea stated.

“Yes.” He answered.

“Are you going to choose all beautiful women, you do choose, don’t you.”

“There’s magic and then there’s magic…” He started. She sighed.

“And choices or choices.” She ended. “That wasn’t an answer the first time I asked eight years ago, and it's still no answer…”

The sentence trailed off as he kissed her. “There’s a kiss,” He kissed her again deeply. “And then there’s a kiss...does that help?”

“If it doesn’t try there’s s*x and then there’s s*x,” Mari said from across the room.

Gareth looked up at the clock. “Not enough time.” He mused. “Look, I need you to know some things and I didn’t want the council chamber to be the place. I’m no longer a shadow candidate, I’m a candidate. I want you as mate, but you have things to consider. It’s real and then there is the vault. I used you…” She placed a finger on his lips.

“We’ve used each other, it’s part of the game. I used the fact that I was close to an assassin to better my parent’s position. I’ve used you to scare off potential suitors. Do you think I didn’t know what the Scroll of Life was?”

“You wouldn’t have been able to hold the scroll had you not already been vault. I made you a part of myself to preserve you, then used your body to defend you. I didn’t have that right.”

“If a mate doesn’t have the right to save his mate, who does?” She asked. She placed a hand on either side of his face. “I knew when you performed your rites on me...I even understood most of them. I could have resisted, even prevented them. You aren’t all-powerful. Remember, I was the first to lead you to bed. Your freaking honor kept you from asking.” at this, she turned to Mari. “You’ve tried, haven’t you...he can be stubborn, but believe me he is worth the work.”

The woman smiled at her. “Is that permission?”

“Hells, no, but I don’t own him. He is my mate and he will always come to me.”

She knew the words were right, but they hadn’t been hers, or Gareth’s. The vault had spoken using her memories.

"Now listen carefully, there are things that you should know," Gareth said and he started talking.

***

She followed Gareth into the council chamber. Mari walked behind him to his left, it was the place of an official paramour. She wasn’t sure what she thought of that position, sure it could be seen as a subordinate, but most would see a pretty woman and a man of power and work the lover angle. What hurt is it wasn’t far off. She believed it hadn’t gone that far, yet, but Gareth was a man and she was a beautiful woman. Eshrea had to face another truth, as a true candidate...Gareth would take women for political reasons and at times some true feelings would emerge. She had to decide her role in matters. She wasn’t a prude, but she knew she wanted him to herself.

She pushed those thoughts aside. She needed to concentrate on the problem at hand. Gareth made a partial bow. " Magistrate, I humbly ask permission to speak on behalf of my mate."

The man nodded, but a councilor spoke. "We've listened to the account of everyone that survived the attack…"

The man cut off when Gareth encased himself in obsidian soul armor laced with streaks of gold and two white soul blades formed in his hand. She felt Mari draw her armor and blades and hers formed with barely a thought. There was a collective gasp. She turned slightly to look at Mari. To her relief, the woman wore the blocky armor that had been seen on the ship, not the form-fitting suit she had worn earlier.

She also noted that her armor and blades were the exact opposite of Gareth's. She wasn’t the only person to notice this. “He uses her soul and she uses his.” Someone in the audience stated.

“The three of us were on the ship, Mari and I weren’t quite corporeal, but we were used nonetheless. The truth is, none of us had a choice in the matter, the Vault was threatened and defended itself. If anyone is to blame for this victory and it was a victory for the empire it is me, I set the events into play that lead to my mate slaughtering enemies of the empire...I am guilty of breaking a healer’s oath, but I am not a healer. Esrea was possessed; another force used her body to protect the ship.” His right blade vanished and his hand touched hers. The touch commanded her to stand down. Simultaneously his armor and her armor vanished, less than a second later Mari followed suit. “Will the court listen to my arguments?”

The magistrate nodded.

“I was called by the vault when I was nine, a year later I brought Esrea into the vault. I wasn’t sure how much she knew about what I was doing, but a person must accept the vault to be joined. I never spoke of this to Esrea, we were friends and contact with the vault gave us specialized knowledge that aided our studies. As our bodies changed and we started the path to adulthood, we strengthened our tie to the vault through specific rites. Esrea initiated some of them, so I knew on some level, she knew what she was doing. What she didn’t know was the safety protocols, the vault will defend itself. I provided a soul bond, and for years Esrea had studied my martial arts, and I had studied hers. This gave me access to regeneration and rites to protect me from diseases. Esrea gained the ability to defend herself, but I knew she would never consciously do so, so the vault and I conspired to prepare her mind for a possession. We did it over years, I hoped the day would never come, I loved my innocent healer, but I knew I’d rather live with a different Esrea, than no Esrea at all. The Vault’s desire was more primal...survival.” He stopped his testimony for a moment. “I, Gareth of Kilorma, Nephew to Emperor Justin Kilorma, Candidate for the High Seat, swear that this is the events that transpired on the ship. If she is at fault for anything it is for falling in love with a man who manipulated her for personal gain.”

When he fully introduced himself, the seven death dealers behind him knelt. That was a dangerous show, it meant that they were sworn to him, and if he was disposed of they would be also. She reached over and took his hand, signifying to all that she accepted him also. The room was silent for a moment then the Magistrate spoke. “I will not be intimidated into making a decision. I will look at the fac…” He cut off as Gareth raised his hand. As Candidate, Gareth outranked the magistrate.

“First I want to state that I’m not here to intimidate you. I brought you the truth...If you doubt me you may challenge me. I will be here for five days. Take a recess and discuss the evidence before you. We aren’t refuting the fact that my wife’s hand took dozens of lives...We are discussing the exact circumstances of those actions. Look for precedent...I open myself for interrogation. I swear my blade will not be raised against you or yours. You know that I have the power to ignore your edicts and order the exoneration of Esrea of all actions against the code, but as I am biased I will not. I submit to the will of the court.”

He turned to leave. The term wife was still echoing in her mind. As a candidate, he had the power to simply claim it. She had exactly two days to accept or deny him. If she said nothing it would be seen as acceptance, but weaken him. He had placed his reputation in her hands.

***

“You love her.” It wasn’t a question and she didn’t have to mention the subject. They were alone, in the house of the Death Dealer, his rooms were palatial. Here he wasn’t a subcommander, but a candidate, and from his personal history they named him a probable, not only that, he was one of them. It had been centuries since a Death Dealer held the throne. The Emperor was always Magi, but most were raised from other schools as well.

Gareth glanced down, not refuting her statement, “Yet, you name me wife.”

“You have the right to refuse.” He said in a low voice.

“I won’t destroy you. Yes, some have become emperors despite several refusals, but it hurt them. You’re decisive and you know me, and you are using it against me.” She plopped down on the massive bed. She wanted to use this bed, but she needed to understand the winds that were pushing her sails. Part of her was proud of how he was managing events. “You brought your paramour with you to claim me as wife...Oh’, I know you haven’t truly bedded her, you’re too honorable for that, but it will happen, and honestly, I’d prefer it to be one woman rather than a string of w****s. No, I’m not giving permission, nothing about this is optimal.”

Gareth lay beside her but didn’t touch her. “Everything I’ve done up until this moment has been to protect you. Our world isn’t perfect, Esrea. I was your side gig for some time. We use each other, you know this. I didn’t plan Mari.” He paused, a smile appearing on her face. “She tried to kill me...but my magic didn’t let me kill her. I wouldn’t call what I feel for her love, but it is close enough that I won’t deny strong feelings. You and I are the same coin, she and I are the same face of a different coin.”

She sighed. “I’m not blaming you, Gareth. This just isn’t how I envisioned our reunion.”

He nodded. “I’ll get other rooms for the night.” He went to set up and she grabbed his hand.

“Don’t, I want you...Damit, why do you have to make things so complicated.”

She moved her head to his chest, listening to his heart. She loved him, and part of her knew she was arguing about a woman he hadn’t slept with while ignoring the fact that he had assuredly had w****s. The difference was, she hadn’t expected Mari, while she had expected the w****s.

She reached for the clasp of her gown and his hands covered hers. “I need an answer. I will not have you as a side thing.” His voice was gentle, but firm. She knew there was no arguing with it.

“Why tonight? I just want to forget today...I want to remember what we are.”

His lips brushed the tops of her head. “It cost me to come here. The price wasn’t physical, but mental and spiritual. I had to see the future from different perspectives...I had to see the future without you.”

She moved to her elbow and looked at him, and was surprised to see tears in his eyes. Gareth didn’t cry. Suddenly he was sheathed in his black armor, but the blades were no longer white, but blacker than the darkest night.

He stood and stalked to the table with the wine and poured himself a goblet. “I’m not a good man, but you make me good. I will be emperor.” He turned cutting an imposing figure, a terrifying figure. “I loved you before I ever understood s****l desire...I wasn’t accustomed to love...to feeling, I was placed in the guild to learn the skills to kill my uncle, instead, I killed my own father. Mari is a good woman, but killing is also in her blood, without you I am a monster.”

She wanted to argue, but his tone was too pained. She stood and walked over to him. “Gareth…”

“Before we meet again you will love another. It won’t be planned, but you will love, bed, and conceive. I accept that child.” His helmet had vanished so he could drink and tears were running down his cheeks and his body was trembling slightly. “I deliberately forgot the name of the noble and his house.”

She took his hand. “You’re not a monster, even without me you’d be a good man. I don’t know what you saw, or the truth of visions, I’ve never put much stock in prophecy, but I know you...You spared someone that tried to kill you. A monster would not do that, and You have fake identities that only heal people. A monster would not do that.” She paused. “I am not saying that events in the future couldn’t turn you into a monster, most monsters were once good people, and your love for me might prevent some decisions that would be made. That does not make you evil.”

His armor vanished. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Well I can’t argue with that, but you have me.” She said matter-of-factly

She awoke to a cool briney breeze washing over her. She reached for Gareth and he wasn’t there. For a moment she thought it had all been a dream. Gareth, the Trial, everything, but her eyes were drawn to the balcony door. It was open and a nude Gareth looked out over the predawn city, towards the sea. She had accepted him last night and would make an official acceptance speech today. She didn’t like that he believed she would betray him...have a child with another. Could the magic he used to travel simply be testing him?

She rolled out of bed and walked over to him, hugging him from behind. “Come back to bed, we still have some time to burn.” She whispered.

He held out a hand. She moved around beside him and took it. “The world is starting to take shape. I have my compass.” He looked down at her. The light from the brazier, the only light to speak of, danced over her body hypnotically.

“Hope.” He paused. “I want you to understand something. When I lie with other women, it isn’t out of lust...it's to forget what I’ve done. I never take you to bed to forget, but rather to make memories. You are hope in a world of darkness.”

She didn’t want to think about this now, last night, after the argument, had been more than she remembered. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “I accept that, but when your tours are over, so are they.”

He nodded. “She asked that if it ever came down to it, that it be my blade that takes her.” He whispered.

She took a deep breath. She didn’t want to discuss that woman, but she understood this request, though it was one she’d never ask. She knew he’d agreed. “I don’t understand your life, love, but I accept you. This has always been the case.”

He turned to her. “Learn the arts of the Marines. The seven forms aren’t meant to be separate.”

She took a step back. To anyone else, the statement would seem odd, out of context, but Gareth’s mind was like that.

***

Gareth, sent the body servant away, opting to dress her himself. His hands were sure as he fastened the neckstrap of her gown. “I’m not sure that I’ve ever dressed a woman...undressed, yes.” His lips brushed her neck. “The decision will be in your favor, today, but there will come a day when you must decide between a title and a life...Choose, life.”

He had started working on her hair, so she could only study him in the mirror. This new side of Gareth made her uneasy. It was one thing to be an assassin, but being a seer was unnerving. “Red looks good on you. Maybe I need to make it the new royal colors.” He mused.

“You aren’t emperor yet.” She chastised.

He paused with her hair and walked around and knelt before. “I swear that I will take the throne with as little bloodshed as possible. I will not initiate hostilities, but my blade will strike true against any who raises a blade against me.”

She kissed his hand. “Don’t kill your uncle yourself. Your father nearly destroyed you and you detested him.” She smiled. “Others couldn’t see it, Gareth, but I know you, in some ways I know you better than I know myself.”

***

The court was even more full today. Being able to see a death squad and it not be a bloodbath drew many, still others were drawn to the Candidate. Only twelve existed at any time, six in the open, six in the shadows, but one had stepped from the shadows. This hadn’t happened in six generations, there was also the draw of the Vault, it had been lost as long as the empire had been the empire.

The magistrate studied the two of them. His eyes locked on the Seal of the Kilorma that hung between her breast on an intricately woven gold chain. She also wore a ring with Gareth’s personal crest on it.

“You have accepted his claim on you.”

“No, your grace, I’ve accepted my claim on him.” She replied. “He is my husband.”

“Very well, the court witnessed the claim of both parties, it will be entered that Esrea of Livon is the Consort of Candidate Gareth Kilorma, of the Death Dealers and Magi, and key to the vault. Your children will be legitimate and legal heirs of titles and lands. May the Emperor smile on your union. As for the other matter before the court...I have examined all the evidence presented and find your actions nothing short of heroic. Not even the Healers guild denies that. While they have the power to disavow you, I can state precedent where they have forgiven more, for less skilled individuals. It is my judgment that you did not kill those creatures, but were compelled by more primal powers, but I advise you to gain control of these forces. One can be forgiven, twice and the courts will decide to advise a change in calling. Other professions heal, the healers are a specific group and their customs are to be respected.”

She bowed her head. “Thank you, your grace.”

“Esrea of Kilorma, your gifts can better the empire no matter where you are, you have accepted a new calling as has your husband, that of candidate. While you are still tied to your former orders, you have a higher calling, don’t forget that.”

She bowed her head.