Read Blood and Steel (The Cor Chronicles Volume I) Page 55
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“What was the name of the Dahken who took you to Sanctum?” asked Taraq’nok. They had returned to the library and seated in a pair of high back chairs, separated by a table.
“Rael. He found me just as your man had come to take me from my parents, just as your man had murdered them.”
“It is unfortunate he did not simply join me; we could have started this years ago. What happened to him?” he asked
“A priest named Jonn and a dozen soldiers came after us near Sanctum. Rael was killed in the battle.”
“Such a loss,” the Loszian sighed. “Dahken Cor, I know you hate me and because you hold onto some ridiculous morality taught to you by Garod, you hate everything the Loszian Empire is. Honestly, I hate most Loszians myself, and you know as well as I do that the Westerners are deluded and betrayed by their rulers. Together we can remake the entire continent.”
“What part does a warrior sorcerer from Dulkur possibly play in your scheme?” Cor asked.
“Ah,” Taraq’nok’s eyes lit up before he laughed softly. “Honestly, I do not know; whatever part she chooses I should think. Hopefully, she would consent to be my queen. I can only wonder what kind of sorcerer a mix of her blood and mine could produce. At the least, she is a powerful ally, but I do not yet understand what motivates her.”
Hearing the Loszian speak of Thyss in such a way, Cor wished he had not asked the question. He felt suddenly angry or perhaps jealous, and he didn’t understand why he suddenly ground his teeth and wanted to strike the Loszian. Cor was certain of one thing however – that Thyss would never submit to the will of Taraq’nok in such a way.
“Where is she today?” Cor asked. He wasn’t sure why he wanted to know, but Taraq’nok took no notice of his interest.
“I do not know actually,” he answered, staring into space. “Likely riding a horse through the countryside, or burning some hapless peasant to a cinder because she likes to watch them dance, or some other such nonsense. She seems somewhat prone to flights of fancy, much like her gods.”
“So, what is next in your grand plan Taraq’nok?” Cor asked, bringing the Loszian’s gaze back to him.
“Well, we have two small issues to be addressed. The first is how do we begin training the Dahken without it taking years for them to reach their potential. While neither of us are in any danger of dying of old age in the near future, it would be preferable if we did not take twenty years.”
“I don’t even know if I can train them,” Cor answered. “All I can do is try to teach them the way I was taught, but it could take months before they unlock the smallest part of their power, ignoring the fact that you have children and even a babe down there. Some may not be ready to learn for ten years or more. Besides, what makes you think any of them will even go along with it?”
The Loszian shrugged, “What choice do they have?”
“They have every choice,” Cor answered, eliciting a humorous look from the Loszian. “We’ll argue over that later. How many people know of your little Dahken prison?”
“Only you and I. The steward will eventually have to be informed, once they begin needing provisions and such. I had one lieutenant who knew, but unfortunately your mentor killed him for me. It was likely for the best.”
“What is the second problem?” Cor asked.
“It is a relatively minor thing,” Taraq’nok answered with a shrug. “By now, the emperor knows you came through the gate, and he will interrogate Lord Menak as to why he didn’t kill you. Lord Menak will throw me under the horse’s hooves to save himself, and the emperor will expect proof that I killed you. I have an easy solution to the entire problem, but you will have to do everything I say. It will be a true test of trust on both of our parts.”
“Then we are doomed,” Cor nearly blurted, laughing uproariously. The Loszian waited until Cor’s laughter quieted, before asking a question that further proved to Cor that he was not in control of the situation.
“Well my friend Cor, now you might explain to me why you have come to Losz.”