The Divine Unleashed (Book 3) (3 page)

“And do not forget the dragon,” Kade said as he indicated Rayden.   The dragon caught the mental request from Kade and roared loud enough to be heard for miles.  It took another deep breath and then while sweeping its head back and forth, marched forward, bellowing its rage at the spiders.  They shook in sheer terror.  Rayden inhaled deeply and then in a dramatic show, unleashed his dragon’s breath on the tree.  The heat had the spiders retreating to a safe distance, or it may have been the fear that almost had them running for their lives.  The tree would be nothing but a pile of ash when it was done burning.  Rayden stalked around the clutch of spiders as if he were hunting prey.  His muscles were flexing as he slunk like a stealthy cat circling a helpless victim.  He moved smoothly over the ground in a half crouch as he flanked the spiders, his head swinging back and forth as if trying to decide which one should be his next target. 

Kade stalked the offending spider, matching its pace, keeping just inches between it and himself.  “He could have killed half of you without effort.  All I needed do was give him permission,” Kade said and then he paused, waiting for the full effect to hit them.  “Do you really believe that I could not defend myself,” he said as he turned to look to the side as if the spider directly in front of him was of no consequence, “or do you understand that it is more accurate to say that…I showed you mercy?” he finished as he slowly turned back to glare dangerously deep into the spider’s eyes.

Kade knew, after watching the queen when they first met, that this was their way.  If he wanted their respect, he knew he had to demand it along with earn it.  He stared daggers at the spider.  It started to wail.

“Understand that I will not tolerate this ever again,” Kade growled, imagining that this was exactly what the queen had said to the spider she had pinned during their first meeting.

“Chosen, please forgive me,” Rakna translated.  The spider wailed and Kade knew it wanted to be anywhere but under his glare.  “I meant no disrespect,” the spider babbled quickly as it proffered itself before Kade and begged for forgiveness.  Rakna looked at Kade for a response.

              “I am certain he will not make this mistake again,” Kade said.  He looked at the spider queen and gave one slight nod.

Kade, again, thought back on how Rakna had addressed the spiders when they had first met and followed suit once more.  He slowly stood and stalked among the clutch with the queen in tow.  Any spider that appeared to challenge Kade got a glare that sent it to its knees.

              “I am Kade, second in line after Crayken,” Kade bellowed, making eye contact with each spider, challenging any to speak out.  “You will show me the respect due as second in line and as the vanquisher of the black leader,” he finished, moving to stand next to the royal couple.

             
“Your words are wise, Kade.”  Crayken said.  Kade could sense appreciation in the king’s tone.

             
“Are you sure you are not royalty born?” the queen asked.

             
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Kade said as he felt the weariness creeping in on him once more.  “We must talk.  I have news that I must share with you,” Kade said to the royal couple.

             
“Let us return to the great hall.  We shall feed and then we can talk,” Crayken said.

“And maybe some rest,” Kade added.

              “That was incredible,” Darcienna said as she wrapped her hands around his arm while they walked.

             
“When you said they treated you like a king, I did not know you meant they treated you
as
a king,” Doren said, impressed.  Before they could take even one step, the Master Chosen continued to speak.  It was clearly a tone that indicated that the Apprentice Chosen was to give the Master Chosen his full attention.  “Kade,” Doren said, as he moved to stand face to face with the Apprentice Chosen with all the confidence of a master taking charge.  “I would prefer if we were to see this doorway,” he said as he cast a glance around. 

Kade’s eyes turned toward the cave.  Doren saw where Kade’s eyes had gone and he quickly cast his eyes in that direction, too.  Kade felt weary beyond words but he was not going to be able to disengage himself from this tangled mess of danger until the Chosen was shown to the infamous doorway to the dead.  Kade looked at Darcienna who waved an agitated hand in the air as if to say, “Whatever.”

The king and queen both watched Kade for his decision.  Doren was becoming increasingly irritated at the delay.  When he realized that his decree was not followed immediately but was still waiting for the approval of the Apprentice Chosen, he started to lose his patience.  His eyes went from the king to the queen and then slid to Kade, who was watching him.  Kade quickly spared a glance for the king and queen.  If he did not do something quickly, Doren’s anger would soon turn into rage.  A Master Chosen was not used to being put off.

“The Master Doren needs to see the arch,” Kade said as he avoided catching Doren’s eye.  He was not sure how he should handle the displeasure he knew was still there.  Kade could feel the pompous man’s eyes boring into him.  He felt his own irritation start to rise when Darcienna wrapped her hands around his arm and gently lead him toward the tunnel.

“This way,” Darcienna said sweetly over her shoulder.

“I shall come along, also,” Crayken added ominously.  Kade spared a glance for the king but Crayken did not add anymore so Kade let it go.

Kade gave Crayken a smile and a nod of his head and then continued toward the cave.  He shuddered as the memories of his last visit to the arch sprang into his mind as if he were here just minutes before.  The smell of old, leather books came to him as if he were sitting in his master’s den.  He felt the swirl of emotions begin to build.  He closed his eyes and the face in the dark formed once again.  He could not help but feel for the presence of his master. 

Would Zayle attempt to contact me again?
Kade asked himself.  He forced his emotions to calm as he entered the cave.  He glanced over to see the Master Chosen studying him closely.  Most people would look away or make a gesture to smooth over the awkwardness of the moment but not Doren.  He would look away when he was ready and he was not about to apologize for any odd behavior.  He was the master.  He was the one that was to be deferred to…or so he believed.  Kade ground his teeth together in agitation as he attempted to control his ire.

“Kade,” Darcienna said, mirroring his own irritation but attempting to disarm the explosion that was just on the horizon, “we will be needing some light.” 

She was quickly coming to the conclusion that she cared very little for this arrogant, rotund man.  He may be a Master Chosen, but he was not
her
master.  She glanced at Kade and knew she had to keep her own temper under control for his sake.  She may not be subject to Doren’s whims but she was unsure how much Kade would be.  She took in a deep breath and let it out in a sigh.  Kade gave her a questioning look but she waved away his concern.  Nothing she said was going to make any of this any better.  As a matter of fact, she was sure it would only fuel Kade’s anger to know that she was feeling the same way.

“You are correct,” Kade said as he disengaged her hands from his arm.  He felt a momentary regret at the absence of those soft, gentle hands as they slipped from his arm.  Without a thought, he started to perform the Fire Calling and then stopped.  No need for protection.  It was obvious that there was no danger.  The spiders had control of the cave and Kade doubted that anything was coming through the gate so he decided on the simple Illumination Calling.  He grinned slightly to himself as he raised his hands, as if to light the way for Doren, and called on light…maybe a little too much light.  Darcienna had her hands wrapped around his arm once again but this time she was squeezing in disapproval.  Kade gave her what was supposed to be an innocent look but she only glared back until the light lessened.  The Apprentice Chosen glanced at Doren and found the Master Chosen studying the light with his eyes narrowed as his mind worked.

He is trying to figure out what I did to call on the light,
Kade thought in surprise.  Doren had his left hand hanging at his side as he focused on the light coming from the apprentice.  His fingers formed the shape of a bowl just like Kade’s. 
Is he actually going to attempt to make light?
Kade asked himself incredulously.  He watched Doren, his curiosity growing as he waited.  Kade felt Doren draw in the Divine as he studied the apprentice’s hand.  Kade focused to make sure he gave nothing away.  The Master Chosen should have clearly known that it was not okay to attempt to learn a calling without being taught.  But, the simple calling was too tempting for the man to pass on trying.  There was one small exception that all Chosen allowed when trying to learn a calling without a book or being taught.  It was called, The Taking in Plain Sight.  Kade waited, almost eager to see the Master Chosen attempt the calling without learning it the proper way.  Doren half raised his hand as he studied the light.  Kade forgot everything else in the world as he focused on Doren.

This was important because even a simple calling could cause issue for those around the caster.  But, Kade knew that Doren was trying to cast this calling without performing any moves at all.  This should make it virtually harmless.  At least, that was what Kade was hoping.  A type of thrill went through him as he waited.  It was something the Chosen did.  When one Chosen thought he had learned the secret of another without being taught…well…it was like a type of game.  It was a game that all Chosen desperately wanted to win.  If a Chosen could learn a calling without being taught, it was like winning that game.  It was rare but it did happen once in a great while, and of course, it was with the simplest of callings that were attempted.  No matter how small the new skill that was procured, it was still one more calling than was known before.  Both men knew the game and the challenge was on.  Kade could not help but to grin as Doren focused hard and raised his hand.  The Apprentice Chosen thought he was going to see sweat start to appear on the man’s forehead with how intent he was.  The Master Chosen was determined, as all Chosen were when taking this challenge. 

Give it your best,
Kade thought in amusement. 
Trying to learn without a book or being taught is almost impossible. 

Doren filled himself with the Divine and looked at his hand, waiting for light to shoot forth.  His fingers formed the shape of a bowl, but still, nothing.  He even flexed his fingers as if turning them into claws, and yet, darkness.  He even jabbed his hand out as if to shake the light from his palm.  Still, nothing.  Doren returned his gaze to Kade’s outstretched hand and studied it hard.  His eyes lost focus as he tried to recall anything he was missing.  Kade waited, excitement flowing through him.

“Kade…,” Darcienna started to say but he quickly shushed her without taking his eyes of Doren.  She folded her arms in frustration but did not say another word.  She could see something was happening, even if she could not understand what.  The royal couple waited, knowing that this had to be something important.  For the two Chosen, it was.

A simple calling such as this was still beyond the reach of even a master if the Chosen did not know the moves involved…even if they appeared simple, as this one was.  No Chosen, Master or Apprentice, ever tried to emulate a calling without being taught or learning it from a book, except with the Taking in Plain Sight.  It was normally just too dangerous to try to replicate.  One wrong hand gesture and everything could go horribly wrong.  Even a simple calling like this could cause something undesirable like making your hair fall out.  Generally, the fewer the moves, the less dangerous the consequences, but still, who would want to go through life with no hair on their body? 

After just a moment, Doren took a deep breath and let it out, completely giving up.  He shrugged his shoulders, and with that, it was over.  As much as he wanted to know how this was done, he knew that Chosen did not share callings on a whim…even an Apprentice Chosen.  It was just the way of things.

Kade let slip a slight grin as he caught the look in Darcienna’s eyes.  He held his hand closer to her to make his point… the point that this was the prize.  He let the light disappear and dropped his hand.  Darcienna was none the wiser with his explanation.  Doren turned to watch and Kade knew the man was watching him like a hawk once again.  It might be a simple calling, but if Doren’s only ability to create light was from the sparks dancing on his fingers, a calling like this could be invaluable. 
Every calling was critical, even the simple ones
, Kade thought to himself.  His eyes came open wide at his own thoughts.  He recalled there was a time when he dismissed simple callings as if they were worthless, but now, he felt himself starting to covet even ones such as this.  He wished he would have been wise enough to understand what his teacher was always trying to get him to realize.  But, every time Zayle tried, Kade just would not hear or internalize what the Master Chosen was trying to get his apprentice to learn.

Kade let his hands fall to his side as he turned slightly away from the Master Chosen as if not paying attention.  But, Kade was quickly becoming very versed in this game.  The way he positioned his body was no mistake.  His right hand hung just barely out of Doren’s view so his fingers could not be seen.

“Apprentice, we should be moving on,” Doren said.  He finished and was almost not breathing as he watched closely.