"Fae Song" by Mark Adams

Mark's second story, Fae Song, tells the story of the Emperor's death. This is a huge event in the world of Baeg Tobar, one that really needed a great story - and boy, did it get one! Mark totally knocked this one out of the park.

Here's a quick peek:

I watch her, as ever, the bastion of light in the darkness, as Lani and Pileaus have a small meal brought to them and dine. I know that my brother, Baelic, the Shadivengen bound to Pileaus, is undoubtedly in the room as well, but I can only guess where he has stationed himself. Not a true brother, of course, but in some ways the few Shadivengen that remain are tied together by bonds far greater than those created by blood.

“Sing for me, Lani,” comes Pileaus’ tired voice. “Something to ease my thoughts.”

“I would be happy to,” she replies with a smile. I watch as she takes a long drink from her water, clearly sorting through her repertoire. She rises, her voice rising in a clear, strong tone. I follow behind her, never far from her side. The song she has chosen is familiar to me, one of the songs she sings to her unborn. I grimace, for it is one of the songs Cordellon taught her. The man grates at me, far too knowledgeable in illicit Fae material. How did he come by so many Fae songs? I cannot bring myself to trust him, despite Lani’s vain attempts to bring her two closest confidants together. Lani forbids me to take any action against Cordellon, however, and I abide by her wishes. For now. To his credit, Cordellon does appear to have Lani’s best interest in mind, so it is easier for me to tolerate him.

Lani moves behind Pileaus, running her hand across his head as she sings. She rubs his shoulders, easing the tension out of him with her voice and hands, and the Emperor’s face relaxes. She ends the song, continuing to massage his shoulders, and starts another.

“I have heard these,” he says, stopping her. “Sing me something new. Something I have not heard before. Something that you don’t sing to my son.”

She smiles and kisses the top of his head. “Alright. I have one that was taught to me not all that long ago. I have not tried to sing it for you.” She retrieves her water and drinks again before facing him. “It is an old song, taught to me by Cordellon last summer,” she explains. I notice that Pileaus’s face pinches slightly at the eyes upon the mention of the teacher, but it quickly smoothes away. That bothers me, and my hackles rise in warning.

I reach up and loosen my blades in their sheaths as she begins again, her voice strong and clear, the tone unwavering. The words are beyond my understanding, but I have never been able to grasp the old languages, despite Lani’s attempts to educate me. My ears do not hear the words, just a string of melodic sounds that run together in a pleasant fashion. It does seem to have a calming effect, however, and I realize with a start that I have closed my eyes.

Suddenly alert, I shake my head to clear it of the drowsiness. The bond I share with Lani suddenly tightens, and I know instinctively that she is coming under duress. A quick look at her face tells me that my fears are correct. Her lips, still moving with the words of the song, have drained of blood, and her eyes have gone wide, the pupils dilating. I start to take a step to her side when the floor tiles of the chamber begin to vibrate with the growing power of the song.

Baelic shifts into view, dressed very much like myself, and kneels next to Pileaus. A quick glance at the Emperor confirms that the man is definitely feeling some ill effects as well.

“What is happening?” Baelic shouts at Pileaus, but the emperor makes no sound, a trickle of blood beginning to run from his nose. Baelic looks up, staring directly at Lani. “What are you doing!” he shouts at her.

Lani does not answer, her eyes flicking wildly about the room. Her hands have risen to her throat, but the song continues to issue forth, her pure voice straining against the words but unable to stop. Baelic stands, reaching up to draw his matched blades in a single, smooth motion. The firelight turns the edge of one of his blades crimson as he points it at her. Like me, Baelic seems to feel the force of the song, but its power fails to keep him rooted in place.

“End this, Lani, or you give me no choice.”