BPL2 - Chapter 3

Gunder nodded silently and began leading her toward the Gatehouse again. Perhaps he thought that speaking might cause her to change her mind again.

They reached the oversized wooden doors, and Gunder used a spell to open them. “We are already miles-deep into the Mountain Labyrinth of the Frigid Sea,” he said. “Few still live who possess the knowledge to navigate the canyons and straits of your homeland.”

“Right,” said Lylan. “I’ve heard that only pirates know how to get around this area.”

Gunder clucked his tongue, his expression resigned. “Unfortunately, you are correct. The remnant of your people have had to pursue… alternate means of employment since the fall of the monarchy.”

She nodded, hiding her smile. Lylan, Queen of the Pirates. It was almost enough to make a girl change her mind about the quest. Maybe she could get a hat like Captain Jezebel from A Smuggler’s Attributes.

Gunder continued. “The path to the Island is protected by many runic barriers, making direct magical transportation impossible—even for Dimensional Mages or Observers wielding Blink. It is one of the failsafes which protect the Island during times it lacks a guardian.”

“What happened to its guardian?” asked Lylan.

Gunder’s words were almost inaudible. “I don’t know.”

The pain etched across his face provided clarity enough. The guardian of the Island was its queen. “Perhaps,” said Lylan quietly, “perhaps she’s still out there. The hydra would have kept her safe from all fatal damage, right?”

“No,” he said, looking away over the countryside, or up to the moon. Anywhere but at Lylan. “Not all kinds of fatal damage.”

Lylan thought back to books she’d read and seafaring tales she’d heard from her Uncle Ress as a little girl. “Fire,” she breathed.

Gunder nodded. “Correct,” he said, his voice gaining strength. “Besides, we know that the treaty with the hydras provides for only one bond at a time.” He waved a hand at Lylan, smiling at her despite his pain. “She is not coming back to me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Gunder nodded, then changed the subject. “Our journey will be completed in stages,” he said. “My friend will jump us from barrier to barrier, but we must cross through them on foot. After you step into your role as protector, the barriers will drop and travel will not be so burdensome.”

“If I decide to take up my role,” corrected Lylan.

The Mage appeared next to them at that moment, and Gunder did not reply to Lylan’s statement.

“I am ready,” said the Mage.

“Thank you, Hos.” Gunder led them into the Gatehouse.

The Gatehouse was as derelict on the inside as on the outside. They made it through two rooms littered with debris and a long, cracked hallway before Lylan had to stop and sit down, breathing through her nose to quell the nausea. “Sorry, but I don’t think I’m going to make it much farther.”

“Of course, forgive me,” said Gunder, crouching down near her. “We will rest as long as you require. Once you are ready, we just need to walk a few hundred feet farther to pass under the first barrier. Then Hos will transport us to the next stage.”

“Fine,” said Lylan. “But while we wait for feeling to return to my legs, how about you fill me in on some things. Starting with the snake.”

“Certainly.” Gunder refrained from correcting her term. “How much do you already know about the hydra?”

“I know exactly two things about it: It’s called a hydra, and it can heal me.” Lylan touched the burning spot on her chest. “If you want to call this healed.”

“You’re correct to quibble with the term,” said Gunder. “I was imprecise with my words earlier. The hydra bond imparts regeneration, not healing. The two concepts are similar, but not identical, or so I was told by my wife. I am no healer and I don’t pretend to understand the nuances, except to say that rather than repairing the damage that was done to your chest, the hydra is remaking you anew.”

“I thought it was torturing me.”

“A bit of both, I think,” said Gunder.

“Remaking me,” said Lylan. “That sounds ominous.”

Gunder smiled. “Don’t worry. My wife never sprouted any extra limbs.”

“So…” said Lylan. “What can you tell me about the other reward I got along with the regeneration?”

“It is a powerful and unique gift, as I can personally attest.” Gunder touched a place on his chest lower down than where Lylan had received her wound. “You saved my life when you stepped in front of the sword meant for me, but the blade still just reached me, bringing with it your Poisoned Blood.”

Lylan raised her eyebrows. “This poison doesn’t seem too potent. You look better than I do.”

“Don’t look so disappointed, granddaughter.”

Lylan frowned. “You, sir, are a warmonger.” Just because she’d agreed to come with him to the Island didn’t mean he was forgiven.

“Reformed,” he said. “Reformed warmonger.”

“Oh, really?” said Lylan. “Are we talking just in your heart, or have you done some sort of glorious penance in the last few days I don’t know about? You nearly caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. The road from there to ‘reformed’ is a long one.”

“I think we may be getting too far off-topic.”

“I’ll bet you do.” Lylan adjusted her seat against the wall, sighing. “So Poisoned Blood…”

Gunder frowned at her, but still answered. “Poisoned Blood initiates incurable fatal damage which unfolds over eight hours of unspeakable pain and convulsions. There is a single antidote—a plant that grows only in your domain. I took the liberty of plucking a few of your flowers for the concoction, but I see now that I may have been premature in assuming your consent.”

“Maybe so, but you don’t have to act so pitiful about it.” She looked him in the eye. “You have a lot to make up for.”

Gunder huffed loudly. “If you don’t want—”

“Forget it,” said Lylan, holding up her hands. “I’m belaboring the point. I get it. You get it. Let’s move on.” Lylan pulled a tiny scalpel from behind her ear and made a quick incision across her forearm.

Gunder blinked. “Are we making some sort of pact?”

“What?” Lylan glanced at him, then focused back on the gash. “No. I’m checking out my new weapon.” She focused hard on the blood oozing from her skin.

Tring!

You have discovered…

Name: Sovereign’s Blood of the Royal House of Ke’el

Quality: Mythical

Durability: 25/10

Weight: .14 ounces per fluid dram

Effect: Accelerant useful in razing the strongholds of your enemies to the dust whence they came.

Effect: Chemical burns on unbroken skin providing a potent instrument for torture.

Effect: Fatal poisoning in cases of direct internal contact. Victims will perish slowly and painfully until the toxin finally stops the beating of their miserable hearts.

Effect: [LOCKED]

Antidote: Seafarer’s Holly, distilled

Description: Fresh blood from the majestic veins of High Queen Lylan Ke’el of the South. The Most Radiant Hydra has imparted a tiny fraction of its potency and malice to the physical body of the High Queen, resulting in what is surely the most virulent substance in this universe. Flee before her, you fools.

Lylan closed the disturbing notification with a cautious mental finger. Locked? She’d never seen or even heard of that happening before. She looked up at Gunder. “I’m going to need more answers immediately. We’d better get going.”