Broken World Book Two - StarSword Read online

  Kieran recovered first. "Where's the girl?"

  Tyrander scowled. "Kieran!"

  Ardel stared at the twin brothers who looked so alike, but were so different. The same height exactly, with the same features, dark eyes and hair, two halves of the same person. Yet the differences were marked, for Kieran had a healthy tan while Tyrander's pale hide's sallow tinge told of excessive drinking and lack of exercise. Years of toil and combat training had honed Kieran's physique to hard muscle, while Tyrander's flabby midsection was the result of easy living and too much good food. Ardel had often wondered why Shantar had kept the fretful, crying child and given away the calm, sleepy boy. Their characters were quite obviously different, for all their physical similarities. Tyrander met Kieran's direct gaze with narrowed eyes, and a sneering smile tugged at his lips.

  "Welcome home, Brother," he jeered. "Mother will be pleased to see you. A pity Father didn't last long enough."

  "I'm not interested in them. I want the girl."

  "Only the girl? What of the throne?"

  Kieran shook his head. "Keep it, until the Black Riders get here, at least."

  "Ah, yes, and you think I will let you take the girl?"

  Kieran's hand dropped to the hilt of the Starsword. "You have no choice. I'll kill you if I must."

  "And I see you've gathered a bevy of traitors to aid you." Tyrander's eyes swept the men around Kieran, coming to rest on Ardel. "Even you, Ardel. Still, I have more men than you, Brother."

  Kieran drew the Starsword with a slither of steel and held the blade before him. Tyrander's eyes narrowed again as he studied the sword, noting the Mujar mark above the hilt.

  "So, the Mujar sent you, didn't he? Made you a fine sword to aid you, too. But will you strike an unarmed man?"

  Kieran hesitated, and Ardel stepped closer.

  "There's no need to ask him where she is, Highness. The girl has been sent to the dungeons."

  Tyrander's face twisted as he reached for the jewelled dagger in his belt. "Damned traitor!"

  Kieran stepped in front of Ardel and raised the sword. Tyrander halted his lunge for the luckless advisor and met his twin's hard eyes.

  "Step aside, Brother," Tyrander snarled. "Traitors must die."

  "Only you will die if you strike."

  Tyrander stepped back, sneering, "Father should have drowned you at birth, instead of giving you away like an unwanted puppy. I'm the chosen heir."

  "Keep your stupid castle and its pathetic people. I'll take the girl and go." Kieran glanced around. "With however wants to come with me."

  "What of your mother? Will you take her?"

  Kieran frowned. "If she wishes."

  "Oh, she will, I assure you. Go then, find your girl and your mother. But you won't leave this castle alive, that I promise you, Brother," Tyrander said.

  "I would advise you not to try to stop me, if you value your life."

  His twin smiled in a cold, twisted manner, a mocking glint in his eyes. "You'd better hurry and find your prize. They have orders to drown her."

  Kieran spun away with a curse, sheathing his sword. Ardel and Roth followed close on his heels, but at the door Ardel tugged at his sleeve.

  "Don't leave him unguarded, Highness, he has the staff."

  "What staff?" Kieran demanded.

  "The Staff of Law. He can open any door. No lock will hold him."

  Kieran swung back to face his brother. "Where is it?"

  Tyrander folded his arms and smiled. "In my room."

  Kieran glanced at Ardel, who frowned at Tyrander. Concern for Talsy pounded at Kieran's heart, making his breath catch. He did not have time to deal with Tyrander now. He had to rescue Talsy before anything else, and he knew Tyrander would not hand the staff over without a fight. Since he did not have it with him, it seemed prudent enough to confine him in the room.

  Kieran looked at Roth, who nodded and turned to bark orders at his men. As Kieran strode away down the corridor, two soldiers took up position outside the door. He gave no more thought to his brother as he hurried to find Talsy, Ardel guiding him and Roth and his men guarding his back.

  Tyrander turned from the door and smiled without mirth. The sight of Kieran filled him with a hatred that made his hands shake. He had sensed the powerful bond between them the moment he had met his twin's eyes, seeing in them a burning passion for the girl he held captive. Of all the people who might have challenged him now, Kieran was the last person he had expected. Pulling the Staff of Law from his jacket, he held it before him.

  "Are there guards outside?" he asked it.

  Fiery words formed. “There are two.”

  He opened the golden cage and removed the stone, holding it in the palm of his hand. "Make a stairway to the room below."

  Tyrander smiled as the floor before him shimmered and flowed, opening a hole in which stairs formed, leading down. He tucked the staff back into its cage and descended the stairs, emerging into an empty room. Marching along a corridor and down a flight of steps, he arrived at the quarters of his general, Darton. The grey-haired man looked up in surprise, then jumped to his feet to bow to his Prince.

  "Darton, gather your men, I've been betrayed," Tyrander said. "My brother has returned, and is organising a rebellion."

  "Kieran is here?" Darton's jaw dropped. "How?"

  "Never mind how or who or why, just do it. Get me some archers, as many as you can, and bring them to the great hall. He has a group of traitors with him, Roth and Ardel amongst them."

  Darton bowed again, his scarred face twisted with confusion. "Surely, Highness, you cannot mean to kill your brother? Not with soldiers. You and he must duel for the throne, that's the law."

  "He has a magical sword. A duel would be unfair. He does not want the throne, but seeks to steal the girl. Without her and the Mujar to protect us, we're all doomed. We must fight for our lives, and yes, we must kill him if necessary."

  Darton's face firmed, losing its uncertainty. "I'll stop him, Highness."

  "Good man. I always knew I could rely on you. Stop him and you shall be Lord Darton, Chief Advisor to the Throne."

  "Yes, Highness."

  As the general strode out, Tyrander settled into a chair and poured a cup of wine, smiling. He pulled the Staff of Law from his jacket again and addressed it.

  "Ensure that Kieran cannot enter the dungeons."

  "I can lock the door, but I cannot prevail against the sword he carries," the staff's fiery words wrote.

  "What do you mean? You're the Staff of Law; you must be more powerful than a mere sword!"

  "My power is holding the world in order."

  "So, let some of it go to pot. Who cares?"

  "I cannot do that."

  "You're useless." Tyrander gulped the sour wine, pulling a face. "How can Darton drink this swill? Never mind, I'll stop the bastard myself if I have to."

  Roth hammered on the dungeon door to no avail, then turned to the soldiers. "Break it down."

  The men flung themselves at it, and the stout door shuddered under their attack, but held firm. Roth ordered them to bring a battering ram but, as they turned to leave, Kieran stepped forward.

  "That won't be necessary." He drew the Starsword, and Roth stared at him as if he had taken leave of his senses, swapping glances with Ardel.

  When Kieran faced the wall and raised the weapon, Roth objected, "Highness, you cannot mean to wield a sword against stone."

  "Watch me."

  Remembering Chanter's words, Kieran placed the tip of the sword against the stone and pushed. The Starsword lighted, turning from black to brilliant silver, the Mujar mark below the hilt blazing. With a soft, grating hiss, the blade slid into the wall with hardly any resistance, taking even Kieran by surprise. Roth and Ardel gaped as Kieran gripped the hilt and pulled the blade through the stone. The Starsword sliced through the wall, cutting an arched doorway as Kieran guided it. Just as Chanter had promised, the sword cut stone like butter, leaving a hairline incision. Kieran bent to r
un the weapon along the floor, then withdrew it.

  Sheathing the sword, he placed his hands against the rock and pushed. Roth came to his aid, as did several soldiers. With a soft grating, the loose piece of stone rocked from its place in the wall, then fell over with a dull crash. Kieran was first into the gap, drawing the sword again as he sprinted through a dimly lighted room hung with chains. He ran into the next, which several men populated, two of whom languished in chains on the floor while three were busy around a tub of water. Talsy was bound to a seesaw plank, her head over the water, and Kieran charged the torturers with a roar.

  They fled, and he wielded the Starsword in mighty strokes, uncaring of its power. The blade passed through the wooden tub like paper, digging deep into the floor. Water poured out, swirling around his feet. He sheared off the end of the plank and some of the ropes, the weapon flashing silver as it cut through stone and wood.

  Talsy wriggled free and jumped up, and Kieran stepped back and dropped the sword as she flung her arms around him. He gathered her to him and bowed his head over her bedraggled hair.

  "Enough," she murmured. "I'm all right."

  He held her tight, then stepped back to look at her, his eyes lingering on the cuts on her face. "You're not all right, look at you!"

  "Just a few cuts and bruises, that's all. They hadn't even started dunking me yet."

  Kieran brushed wild blonde hair from her face and cupped her cheek. Talsy pulled free to survey the wreckage. Deep gouges marred the floor where the Starsword had cut into it, and she stared at the blade.

  "Where did you get that?"

  He glanced at it. "Chanter made it for me, so I could rescue you."

  "A Mujar sword," she murmured. "Can it kill?"

  "I'm certain it can."

  Kieran picked up the sword and sheathed it, turning to Roth and Ardel. "Now we can leave this accursed place."

  Roth bowed. "We're ready, Highness. Those who would come with us are waiting."

  Talsy stared at Kieran. "Highness?"

  He made a depreciating gesture. "It's a long story."

  "I thought he looked like you! Are you related to this crazy Prince Tyrander?"

  "He's my twin brother. My father gave me away to the man who raised me. I only found out when I came here."

  "Your father was the king of this place?" She grinned. "How very droll, Prince Kieran."

  Kieran scowled and headed for the door. Talsy followed and the rest fell in behind, including the two prisoners, whom the soldiers had freed.

  Out in the corridor, Ardel hurried to the front of the procession to lead the way. Talsy fell into step with Kieran, who shot her a quelling look when she grinned up at him. Her smile faded as they entered the castle's more populated areas, becoming nervous.

  "Perhaps we should find another way out," she suggested. "What if Tyrander tries to stop us?"

  "He's locked up and guarded," Kieran told her. "He won't cause any trouble."

  Ardel glanced back at them. "We must free the Queen."

  Talsy flashed Kieran a delighted smile. "Your mother? How wonderful!"

  "Why? I've never met her, and she gave me away as a baby. This hardly qualifies as a family reunion. I'm only helping her because Tyrander keeps her prisoner."

  "She's still your mother!"

  He shrugged. "She's a stranger to me."

  Talsy noted the hard glint in Kieran's eyes, and they followed the advisor in silence. Kieran's large, powerful presence beside her was comforting, though deep in her heart she wished that Chanter had come for her instead. Still, there must be a reason why the Mujar had sent Kieran. Soon she would be back with Chanter again.

  The soldiers' boots rang on the floor as they marched through the castle, servants scuttling from their path. Richly dressed courtiers and lordlings stared at Kieran as though they had seen a ghost. Roth and his men thrust aside any who dared to approach, and, since they allowed none near, it seemed that little trust existed between Roth and the nobility. A hubbub sprang up in their wake, and some courtiers stared after Kieran while others hurried away, disappearing through doorways.

  Talsy grew more nervous as they traversed the castle, aware of the faint tingle of Dolana as the staff's power held the structure in place. They passed through rooms hung with drab drapery and blurred paintings, hiking up and down flights of stairs and along gloomy corridors until Talsy became lost and impatient. The steady tramp of the soldiers' boots heralded them, and frightened faces peering from doorways watched them pass with open mouths. Soon word would spread that something was afoot, and Kieran's close resemblance to his brother would leave little doubt as to what. She sighed with relief when Ardel stopped and banged on a huge brass-bound door. At a query from within, Ardel announced himself. The door was pulled open, and several guards turned to face them.

  Ardel cried, "Make way for Prince Kieran!"

  Some of the guards stepped back, but a few frowned and glared at Kieran. One advanced on the Prince's party.

  "We answer to Prince Tyrander only. Is he overthrown?"

  Roth stepped forward. "He is. Prince Kieran is in control now, so step aside."

  The men gave way, and Kieran's bodyguards surrounded him as he passed through a short hall to another door. When Ardel pounded on it, a tall, elderly woman in a blue silk gown opened it. She gasped and curtsied low, backing away from Kieran. They moved past her into a silk-hung chamber filled with delicate furniture and padded with dozens of finely embroidered cushions. From the beautifully woven rugs on the floor and the tapestries that hung on the walls, Talsy deduced the manner in which the Queen and her ladies spent their time. A regal voice called out from within the silken cocoon, enquiring as to who was visiting, and Kieran stopped, turning to Talsy.

  "I can't do this."

  "Yes you can. She's your mother."

  Kieran shook his head. "Ardel, tell her what's happened and get her safely from the castle. Take some men, I'll meet you outside."

  He tried to make his escape, but Talsy clung to his arm. "You've got to face her sometime. Don't be a coward!"

  "Who's there?" a soft voice enquired.

  A tiny woman with grey-streaked dark hair and liquid black eyes parted the curtains and stepped through. Her face was perhaps a little too narrow and high-browed for true beauty, but her small nose and high cheekbones gave her an exotic air. A royal blue gown trimmed with seed pearls and white lace clad her slender form, and jewels peppered her hair, sparkled at her throat and graced her wrists and ears. She was well into her middle years, and lines of worry and despair framed her mouth and crinkled the corners of her eyes. Talsy knew without a doubt that she was Kieran's mother.

  Kamish stopped at the sight of him and gasped. "Tyrander?"

  Ardel bowed, smiling. "No, Majesty -"

  "Kieran!"

  The Queen raised thin hands to her mouth in shock, then her eyes rolled up and she collapsed. Ardel leapt forward to catch her, lowering her onto a couch as the flock of women that had been hovering in the background rushed forward to fan her face and pat her hands. They were of a similar age to their monarch, and wore elegant gowns of various shades, similar to the Queen's, though not as fine.

  Kieran grunted and turned away. "Well that does it. Ardel, you see to her, I'm going on ahead."

  "Kieran!" Talsy grabbed his arm and jerked him around to face her. "You're not leaving your mother like this! What happens when she wakes up and you're gone again?"

  "Then she'll think she had a bad dream," he said, prying her fingers from his sleeve.

  "Over my dead body!"

  Kieran glared at her. "That can be arranged."

  Roth, apparently taking them seriously, pushed in between. "Highness, don't act in haste, I beg you."

  Kieran stared at him, incredulous, then glanced at Talsy, who laughed. Kieran chuckled and patted the captain's shoulder. "Don't worry, Roth, not today. She'll have to annoy me a little more than this."

  Roth realised his mistake and looked sheepish,
withdrawing.

  Talsy stepped into Kieran's path and folded her arms. "You'll stay and talk to your mother when she wakes," she stated in a tone that brooked no argument.

  "Who gave you the right to bully me?" he said, fingering his sword hilt.

  "I did."

  He turned at a soft call.

  "Kieran?" Queen Kamish sat up, pale but composed, her eyes riveted to him. "It is you. After all these years. You've returned."

  She held out her hands, but Kieran looked away, his expression unreadable.

  Kamish pleaded, "I cursed your father for giving you to Jossa. I never forgave him. He carried his guilt to his grave. It wasn't my doing, I swear. I've prayed for your return all these years."

  Kieran cleared his throat. "Madam, I don't know you, nor did I come here for your sake. You have Tyrander for a son, and it seems you raised him to be what you wanted. You have no need of another."

  "Kieran, wait!"

  He sidestepped Talsy and slipped out of the door.

  Kamish slumped, and a serving woman pressed a cup of wine into her hands.

  Talsy looked at Ardel, who nodded. "I'll see to her."

  Leaving the Queen's chamber, she hurried after Kieran and found him waiting outside. The Queen's guards muttered in a corner. Talsy opened her mouth to berate him, but he raised a finger.

  "This is none of your business. You left your father to follow Chanter. I have no wish to have a mother I've never known."

  Talsy glared at him. "Fine, have it your way, Tyrander." She spat the name, and he winced. "Yes, well you might flinch from that name. He's kept her locked up for who knows how many years, and now you treat her like dirt. Well she might wish to have borne no sons at all."

  "Leave him." Queen Kamish spoke behind Kieran, and he turned to frown at her. She continued, "He has a right to be angry, even though it was his father who gave him away. I will not foist myself upon him. I only wish to leave this place."

  Kieran spun away with a curse, striding back into the corridor. Kamish stared after him, then followed, her maids at her heels. Ardel offered her the support of his arm, and she accepted it with a smile. Roth and the soldiers hurried after Kieran, and Talsy trotted to overtake them, falling into step with the Prince. He shot her a hard look that was clearly intended to prevent any further arguments, and she met it with a frown. Kieran retraced their steps through the gloomy castle until Roth directed him to turn right where previously they had come from the left.