Page 23 of Killian
“Do not allow him to wake yet,” Egidius ordered. “The light magick working to heal him will cause him excruciating pain.”
“I nearly forgot about that,” Saura responded. “Killian, dear, put him in stasis. We must finish our task. There is poison yet inside him. His beautiful new power is aiding us, but the potion was immensely strong.”
Using his depleted well, Killian put his friend into a deep sleep that would last until the warlocks completed their task of saving his life. There was no time yet to deal with his fear of nearly losing Chander. What turmoil rested in the breasts of necromancers? Was this the first of many attempts to destroy their Fate-chosen leader, or was Chander safe from such future machinations? And dragons…why did they persist in their hatred of sorcerers? Did the dragon attached to Killian’s soul feel such loathing toward him? Was that why Dravyn had failed to write to him?
Conley returned with fury boiling in his gaze. “I left Agnarr with our Venerable Knights.”
Chander had resurrected two men to act as lieutenants to the Reverent Knights, and Venerable Knight Vann Ruarc and Venerable Knight Roman Calixtus were wonderful additions to their people and The Council.
“What was his demeanor?” Egidius asked. “Your mate says he did not work alone.”
“Unrepentant,” Conley stated, his lip curling in disgust. “Your former friend is quite proud of his work and is confident that Chand’s life cannot be saved, for Agnarr is no novice.”
“Allow me to speak with him,” Egidius begged. “His life is forfeit, but I hope he has some honor left in him. I would have us remove every danger from Chand’s life. It is imperative he remains the Arch Lich.”
“We would welcome your aid,” Conley assured Egidius. The Reverent Knight knelt next to the Arch Wizard and patted his shoulder. “Do not take on the burden of his guilt, Egidius. You knew nothing of his plans.”
“He is still one of my own, and it is a mark against the entire Circle of Wizards.”
“Rest easy,” Killian told Egidius. “The warlocks have saved Chand. That is what is most important. He is our dear, dear friend, but our personal loss is nothing compared to what the necromancers and our Council would have suffered without him.”
“He has had but months to experience ruling without the elders gainsaying him at every turn,” Kariston groused.
“Uh…Killian?” asked a muffled voice Killian barely recognized as Benton’s.
Killian stood and stared at the two thick cocoons he’d trapped the mated sentinels in. “You recall who I am?”
“Yes,” Benton replied. “I cannot explain what happened. We shared a meal with Chand. Halfway through, his breathing grew labored, and he swayed. He whispered he must see Drystan and Conley. Then I suddenly could not control my actions.”
“Why not?” Killian asked.
“Because Chand was near death,” Baxter growled from the other cocoon. “Instinct took over. We would not allow another to harm him.”
“It must be their spell,” Drystan murmured. “They will stop at nothing to protect.”
“We are quite ourselves again,” Benton insisted. “But these vines are coiled through my clothing and digging into my skin. I cannot even teleport out or the vines will come with me.”
“Very effective,” Egidius said, praise in his voice.
“Yes, it is quite great,” Baxter lamented. “Would you free us now? Chand is okay. I can sense it. You put him in stasis. He will live. Though his magick is starting to fight the light. You must stop.”
Thanking the vines for their diligent aid, Killian freed the sentinels from their prisons.
“I feel it,” Kaedan said, rising from the scarred floor. “I can do no more without hurting him.”
“We will bring him home and keep an eye on him,” Saura declared.
“Killian. Aloisa. You will stay with us too,” T’Eirick said.
“You will have a few fallen knights to find chambers for too,” Drystan stated. “They will remain until we have sorted this out.”
“Thank you,” Saura said. “Egidius, will you come to the castle for a visit after you speak with Agnarr?”
“Yes,” Egidius replied. “I will appreciate the comfort of friends following such a tense meeting with someone I once cared for.”
“Bring Jael and stay for a few days,” Kaedan insisted, speaking of Egidius’s only child.
Egidius smiled. “As you wish, Grand Warlock.”
