The Icon Unbound

Chapter Twenty-Two, Part B - The Icon

Are you mad yet? Here begins the final crisis. This one runs a little long, so strap in.And, as always, please vote and comment if you like what you read. There was a lot going on in this chapter, most of it personal. Thank you for sticking with me, lovelies! --Elizabeth, UPDATED 07/06/2017

Ru'a threw her silver head back and laughed. "The Chosen was right about one thing. You do have remarkable power and control for someone untrained. Absolutely... remarkable."

Honor folded her arms. "Mother, you leave the Icon out of this..."

"She's here now. She's a part of it. And a drakys...if I could have written these events myself they would not have been so pleasing. Makes me believe... almost...in the impossible. I have not prayed to the Saints in years, but after all this, I might revisit their shrine."

Honor shook her head as she crossed her arms. "If the Saints were real, they would have struck you by now. I will not let you use my family for your lunacy."

The Icon regarded Ru'a with growing irritation. "I was trained in the old ways. What has happened to the Order of the Chosen while Waterwall has been secluded? That they would let... trash like this into their ranks proves that they have let themselves slide into complacency. I know you believe your family has been chosen, for what I do not know, nor do I care. I am interested only in preserving the living from the dark water."

Lady Ru'a stared at Bithia, still sprawled on the floor. "I agree with you, and I think... I think I will honor your request for your people. I will not detain them against your wishes. Including my wayward daughter, who has indeed much to answer for, perhaps more than you know. This is just the latest in a long line of interesting events. I have received reports of a strange beast roaming at odd times in the city, near the bone palace. I sent orders for all my family and heirs to come to me, and so they have. This is cause for celebration, not resurrection of petty family squabbles." Honor made a choking sound, that Ru'a ignored. "All I ask in return, is that you to pass along anything you may find about my... little problem."

Little problem? Family squabble? This woman had a gift for understatement. "The blight over your lands. It's almost as if it's deliberate. You are the Arbiter of this land, you should know who has the motive and means to do such a thing."

"Arbiter is so archaic. My title is Queen."

"Regardless of your title, you need your Icon to sort this mess out. But you don't have one. You have a school of... Apprentices." She glanced down at Bithia, who hadn't twitched since she had been put down.

"Which is why I would ask you to share with me anything you might find; I know someone of your caliber will have no trouble sorting this out. You? Chosen? Will you see to your Sister Bithia please?"

"I am Chosen Corwin, my Queen. And I will gladly assist my sister." The Icon frowned as he rushed a little too eagerly to Bithia's side.

"Your pet will wake up in a few hours. I did no permanent damage."

"Regardless, she should be looked after by her own. Go with my blessings...Icon. Go and find what it is you seek."

They all turned to go, leaving Corwin behind. Their pace was brisk. She could tell that Nadir wanted to run. He kept bumping into her, like a child seeking reassurance that a parent was nearby. More than a thousand years ago, he had abandoned this part of the world, because everyone here wanted to kill him. Apparently, nothing had changed.