Free Soul of Skulls (Book 6) by Jonathan Moeller Page B

Mazael will not stop me."
    "You said that," said Malaric, "the last time. And look what happened." 
    Lucan's eyes narrowed. 
    "Malaric Chalsain speaks wisdom," said Skalatan. "Let us join forces, my lord Lucan, to defeat our common foes. Then we can go our separate ways. If we come into conflict later, well...we shall resolve the matter then. But for now, there is no cause for enmity."
    Lucan fell silent again. Surely he would see the value of an alliance. Skalatan had considerable magical power, and all the resources of the San-keth at his command. He would make a potent ally. And perhaps in exchange for the death of Mazael Cravenlock, Skalatan would aid Malaric in Barellion.
    "No," said Lucan.
    Malaric blinked in astonishment. 
    "No?" said Skalatan. 
    "Are you deaf?" said Lucan. "I will rid the world of the Demonsouled, but not to hand it over to you. The Demonsouled have blighted mankind for millennia, but your kind are almost as bad. You have lurked in the shadows for centuries, making kings and lords dance to your puppet strings. I will not ally with you, and if you get in my way, I will destroy you."
    Malaric scowled. Had Lucan lost his wits? 
    "Ah," said Skalatan. The green runes upon his scales flared brighter. "Then we shall come to blows? I am not certain if I can overcome you...but nor am I certain that you will overcome me." 
    "I would kill you, here and now," said Lucan, "but I have greater goals. So I suggest we part ways. Yet if you try to interfere with me, I will destroy you." 
    "Very well," said Skalatan. "You may proceed. But I warn you that if we see each other again, I will destroy you." 
    "So be it," said Lucan, turning. "Come, Malaric."
    Malaric hesitated, then stepped forward. 
    "Lord Lucan may be unwilling to ally with the San-keth," said Malaric, "but not all of us are burdened with such...scruples."
    Lucan stopped, frowning at Malaric. 
    "Oh?" said Skalatan, tongue flicking the air in Malaric's direction. 
    "And I am a better choice to kill Lord Mazael," said Malaric. 
    "Why is that?" said Skalatan. "You do not have Lucan's power."
    "No," said Malaric, "but I have considerably more experience killing people. I was a member of the Skulls, Barellion's brotherhood of assassins."
    "Yes, I know," said Skalatan. "Very well. Should you succeed, I shall reward you with an appropriate amount of gold."
    Malaric grinned. "I was hoping for payment in kind." 
    "Indeed?" said Skalatan. "What do you want?"
    "Barellion," said Malaric, "and all of the princedom of Greycoast."
    Skalatan made a long hissing noise, the San-keth equivalent of laughter. 
    "Ambitious!" said Skalatan. "Very well, Malaric Chalsain of Barellion. We shall discuss the possibility of an accord. Assuming, of course, Lord Lucan makes no objection." 
    "I trust you do not?" said Malaric. "The time has come for an amicable parting of the ways. I helped you reach your goals, and you helped me reach mine."
    Lucan said nothing, and Malaric felt sweat trickle down his back. Skalatan was ancient, with centuries of experience wielding necromancy. But Lucan possessed the Glamdaigyr and the Banurdem, along with numerous other powers. 
    "Very well," said Lucan. "Do as you will, Malaric. But if you ever cross me, you will regret it."
    Malaric opened his mouth to answer, and Lucan strode away without another word. 
    "Come," said Skalatan. "We have business to discuss, do we not?"

    ###

    They stopped within the woods, out of sight of the road. 
    "My plan is simple enough," said Malaric. “Mazael is too dangerous to engage alone, and he has the aid of powerful allies. Therefore, with the aid of your calibah, I will launch an attack upon him.” Perhaps ambushing Mazael at Cravenlock Town would be the best course of action. “Then, while he is distracted, I will stab him in the back with your poisoned dagger.”
    Escaping would be simple enough. With his ability to walk through the shadows, Malaric could escape the vengeance of Mazael’s