Constantine (Daughter of War #1)

Chapter 56: The Weeks After

Music is Nightsong from the World of Warcraft soundtrack. Play it!

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I approach the sacred bowl in the centre of the scrinaius with a wariness to my footsteps. Just over a week ago, I'd fought Diomedes here. Fought against what was supposed to be impossible odds, and won.

Until now, I can scarcely believe that I'd managed to defeat the greatest necromancer of all time. Of course, I did have help from Abner, but still.

Over the past week, we've been hard at work, struggling to repair the damage Diomedes had done. We'd only been under siege for a week, yet our losses were already devastating. It'll take us a long time before we can recover from the onslaught.

At least we managed to recover about ten thousand soldiers. I remember the relief that had coursed through me once I'd seen the men still alive, taken prisoners in the dungeons. That relief had quickly turned into horror, once I'd saw the state those men were in.

Underfed, malnourished, cramped and bleeding, all dressed in filthy loincloths. Hollow eyes, devoid of any hope for rescue. The stench of urine had clung in the air; the utter darkness had swallowed them whole. The vermin had even fought with them for the meagre food splattered all over the floor. They're all in the wards now, working the Galenni to death. I suppress a shudder, refusing to imagine what would happen if we hadn't defeated Diomedes.

I shake my head vigorously, forcing myself to focus on the task at present. I peer into the alatrigne—the crack I'd made with my shadows is still there. That single, devastating droplet of my blood sits in the centre, gleaming like a dangerous red pearl.

The memory of the last time I'd been down here surges through my head. Diomedes, evil and powerful, gloating over me. Gilbert, slumped against the wall, leg crushed and useless. Me, shaking, cowering, trying my best to not burst into tears of anguish.

Then the light. Beautiful, uplifting—bringing hope into a moment of desolation. My light. The light I'd created with Abner. The light that destroyed Diomedes.

I see that you're still troubled, Abner's voice rings in my head.

A faint smile tinges my lips. At first, I'd been dubious of Abner being a constant advisor in my head. Gradually though, it'd become something natural, a reflex to ask for his opinion before doing anything. A blessing too, considering that I had to wade through the numerous council meetings; plans have been carefully laid to put Perinus upon its legs again. Despite the fact that Diomedes is gone, I have to endure the burdens due to the absence of the higher-ranked officers, who are still recovering from their ordeal. Thank the Pietists, Sir Kendrick, Captain Eldric and all of their assistants had survived. I suspect that Diomedes had only kept them alive as leverage against me.

What is it? Abner continues to press.

It's nothing. It's just...Even after all this time, I still hesitate to reveal my deepest thoughts to Abner. Back there, when I poured our light into Diomedes, there were black threads trying to bind him together. And when his body disintegrated, a voice screamed in my head: "This is just the beginning."

Abner doesn't respond. I bite my lower lip nervously. Is it true? That that was just the beginning? I continue. I—I only pushed back Diomedes for a while there, didn't I? He'll be back.

More silence. I begin to shift on my feet. That's right. Abner's voice comes so suddenly that I nearly tumble forwards in shock. However, you have me and the blessing of the Pietists. For now, that will be enough. He will not be back for a long while yet, so go to sleep every night assured that your abilities will only grow stronger, and you will be able to defeat him one day. Once and for all.