Free The Harp of Aleth by Kira Morgana Page B

around you and her.”
    Loriel raised one elegantly shaped eyebrow.
    “I seriously doubt that. Liana and Aranok were far too into each other to risk such a battle. I believe they left me to die and I will take my recompense soon.”
    Virrinel moved across in front of Julissa as Loriel moved closer.
    “Come no closer, ghoul.”
    Loriel laughed.
    “I am no Ghoul. Do you think I am here to kill your precious charge?” she shook her head. “My Master has commanded me to allow you to leave unharmed. So as long as you leave now and take nothing with you except that harp, I shall do as I am ordered.”
    Julissa frowned.
    “Princess Loriel, you should come home with us. Your strength, eloquence and charm would end the border war with Franier swiftly.” She stretched one hand out, entreatingly.
    “I think not. Chaos in Franier is what my master wished and Chaos is what I shall gift him with. Leave now and I shall cause no harm to you and your autochthon guard.” The woman tilted her head and gazed intently at Joran, smiling. “Leave this one to me, however. Adherents of Kaela Mensha are welcome to my Lord’s service and I shall be happy to take such a handsome… distraction off your hands.”
    Joran took a deep breath as she licked her lips provocatively.
    “I must decline your offer. I am bound to Lady Julissa through vows stronger than those which bind me to Kaela Mensha.”
    “Would you dare the wrath of the Dark Gods by breaking those vows?” Loriel asked, waving one hand toward the back of the temple where the red steel symbol of the Dark Gods shone with an oily sheen in Joran’s magic light.
    Joran smiled.
    “The vow I took on the altar of the Temple of Fiörna negates all others. I wear these robes as a way to remain undisturbed.”
    Loriel gasped and moved backward rapidly.
    “You are …” her voice failed as Joran stretched his arms out at shoulder height.
    “I call upon the Father to cleanse this place.” A white glow built around him. “I call upon the Mother to heal all wrongs done within these walls. I call upon the Deities of Light to bring just and swift punishment upon the Aracan Katuvana and his armies that threaten the peace and sanity of the Realm of Quargard…”
    Qin-Dar appeared behind him, her white coat and mane glowing brightly.
    “…In the name of the Mother and those whom I serve. I shall bring a cleansing such as you have never seen.” She shook her head, the magic light surrounding Joran shattering into a thousand rainbows as it hit her spiralling metallic horn.
    Virrinel growled, “As the Guardian Champion of the Hero of Keiliare, I say this to you now, Ghoul. You have one chance to flee with your life, I suggest you take it.”
    Loriel screamed out a single word, vanishing in an instant.
    Joran and Qin-Dar exchanged a sad look.
    “She was such a beautiful, peaceful child once,” the unicorn mourned.
    “We were friends and I never quite recovered from her loss. I’m not sure what’s worse; knowing that she’s still alive like that or that she has completely rejected her upbringing.” Julissa sniffed and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “I must return to her mother with the harp and tell her what has become of her daughter.”
    “Virrinel, you and Joran accompany her. I shall find out what became of Tavia and cleanse this dungeon.” The Unicorn touched her greying muzzle to the Harp. For a second, rainbow light played over her white coat and she exhaled noisily with relief.
    Virrinel nodded. “Of course.”
    Joran snapped his fingers and the globe of light floated softly down to land in his palm.
    “It will be my pleasure. I am to offer my services to the Queen of Alethdariel as Liaison between herself and Empress Freya of Elysia.”
    “That’s the mission you kept a secret?” Julissa gasped. “Imperial Liaison?”
    “When the High King of Franier secured my services for this mission, the message from the Empress had only just arrived,” Joran said, shrugging.