Death of a Darklord

'You are welcome in my home.' He glanced at Jonathan and Tereza. 'Remember this, that it was not magic that drove them away, but prejudice.'

Tereza turned away and walked very fast toward the tents. Jonathan just stood there. He didn't seem to know what to say or even what to do. Elaine had never seen him at such a loss.

'You have commitments, Blaine,' Jonathan said at last. Elaine knew what he meant. The brotherhood. She had asked to join, but Jonathan had talked her out of it. She had no knowledge of weaponry, no real way of defending herself. Her visions, though useful, left her sick and bedridden for hours or days. But that had changed.

'If Thordin wants another partner, he can pair with Konrad,' Blaine said.

'Konrad's all right, but I don't want another partner,' Thordin said. The fighter stood up, half between the three of them, as if he could stop what was about to happen.

'I'm sorry, Thordin,' Blaine said.

'And who will be your new partner?' Jonathan asked.

'I will be,' Elaine said.

Jonathan turned to her, frowning. 'We've discussed this before, Elaine. You are not suited …'

'I had a vision yesterday. I was not bedridden. Gersalius is teaching me to control my powers.'

'You still have no way to defend yourself. What if Blaine is not with you? Who will protect you?'

Gersalius gave a small chuckle.

'What is it, wizard?'

'Elaine is powerful, mage-finder. She will be able to take care of herself once she is trained.'

'You see, Jonathan, all your objections are gone just like that,' Elaine said. There was a large, hot stab of satisfaction at that. She wasn't helpless anymore.

'This is not the time or place to discuss this,' Jonathan said. He was right. They were talking nearly openly about a supposed secret organization. But she wanted to finish this conversation. She wanted Jonathan to feel her anger. Elaine wanted him to hear her anger.

The thought was enough. I will be Blame's new partner.

Jonathan paled, his breath coming in a sharp jab of panic. Thordin grabbed his arm to steady him. 'What's wrong, Jonathan?'

He shook his head, not trusting himself to speak.

You are hearing my words, Jonathan, nothing more. It won't hurt you. Think something, and I will hear it. Let us finish this between us, here and now.

His skin looked gray. Elaine could feel his stomach knot with fear at her presence in his mind. She didn't care anymore. 'Answer me, Jonathan,' she said out loud.

'Are you doing this?' Thordin asked.

'He can read my thoughts as I can read his, that is all. It doesn't hurt. It is his own fear that is harming him.'

'Elaine, don't do this,' Blaine said.

'I have to.'

Jonathan swallowed hard, Fighting nausea. Finally, he thought, very carefully, The brotherhood would never accept such as you as one of their agents.

They have used wizards before.

He shook his head as if he could block out the sound, but he couldn't. Elaine suddenly knew that he couldn't keep her out of his mind, not if she wanted to be there. They will not use you.

Blaine will speak for me.

And I will speak against you.

So be it, Jonathan.

He had regained his color and his temper. 'I will do everything I can to see that people know you for the corruption you are.' He turned stiffly and walked slowly, deliberately away.

'You shouldn't have entered his mind,' Gersalius said.

Elaine watched Jonathan's stiff back march away. 'No more games, Gersalius. I am what I am. Jonathan could never accept that.'

'He might have, in time, but now …' he let the thought trail off. His eyes watched her, concerned, worried.

'Now, I've made sure he thinks me evil.'

'Yes, why?'

She shook her head, not sure she could explain. 'I grew tired of the glances, of having to guess what they thought. Oh, I don't know what made me do it, but it's done. He'll never forgive me.' Stupidly, tears stung her eyes. It had been her choice; why was she crying about it?

'You have indeed burned your proverbial bridges,' Gersalius said. He smiled and clapped her shoulder. 'You'll find my home less grand than your old one, but it will serve until you are master over your magic.'

She turned to Blaine. 'I'm sorry.'

He gave a halfhearted smile. 'I have never seen you lose your temper before. It was impressive, but why Jonathan? Why today?'

'You can stay with them. There's no need in both of us losing our home.'

He shook his head, face grim. 'No, you are my family. If you are no longer welcome, neither am I.'

'Konrad has refused to partner with anyone since his wife died,' Thordin said. 'You might need another sword at your back.'

Elaine looked at him, surprised. 'You'd come with us?'

He shrugged. 'Jonathan's upset now, but if anything happened to the two of you, he'd never forgive himself. I'd never forgive me, either. Better to go along and make sure you two are safe.'

Blaine gave him a rough hug. 'You old softie, you.'

Thordin just grinned.

'Gersalius, is it all right if Thordin comes, too?' Elaine asked.

'Well, I admit I hadn't planned on expanding my household quite this much.' At the look on the twins' faces, he smiled. 'But who am I to refuse a stout sword arm to protect my back?'

Thordin slapped him on the back hard enough to send him staggering. 'You're a good man, for a wizard.'

Gersalius gave a half-cough. 'Well, with such ringing endorsement, we'll be just one happy family.'

At that, Elaine's smile faded. They had been a family, but no longer. Why had she forced Jonathan like that? It was unlike her. She shook her head. Was it the magic? Was Jonathan right, and the magic was controlling her? What if Jonathan was right and she was being corrupted? What if she was corrupting everyone around her? She had just succeeded in breaking up one of the most successful cells that the brotherhood had ever had. A house divided upon itself cannot stand. Elaine couldn't remember who had said that. She hoped that whoever it was was wrong.

NINETEEN

Twilight lay in thick purple clouds across the sky. The snow that had threatened all day began to drift down in huge, fluffy flakes, like the down of some gigantic goose. The village of Cortton lay in a small valley. Lights glimmered from windows here and there. Chimney smoke rose into the fading light to mingle with the purplish clouds.

Jonathan tried once again to explain to Silvanus and his party what lay ahead of them. The elf was mounted just behind him, sharing his horse. Jonathan turned in the saddle and found the elf's disconcerting eyes inches from his own. 'There is a plague in the village below. You might live longer if you went on to the next town. Another day will see you to Tekla.'

'If there is a plague, where else should a healer be?' Silvanus said. He made a gesture with his half-grown arm.

'I cannot argue that a true healer would be very helpful, but I want you to understand what may lie ahead.'

'I appreciate your concern, Jonathan, but we have faced evil before. We have even faced the walking dead