Nectar of War: The Song of Verity and Serenity (The Nectar of War Series Book 1)

ROANER KORSANA

XENATHI — QUAMFASI CITADEL

I would think the only reason Vallehes would assign Esme as the person to assist me with finding Levora would be to kill me. I can admit she would be the one person who could manage to bury me in my grave after successfully eradicating me.

I did extensive research on her after we met.

Every Quamfasian Game Esme has participated in, she has won. She has won all but two, she rang in second against a woman named Ivella Fondali, I know this woman is related to Maivena or her father, Naius. Possibly a mother or cousin.

The Quamfasian Games were once known as the Voschantai Games—when all realms were identified as one land and there was no separation. The games were permanently used to identify the strongest amongst us mentally and physically to become the greatest Warriors of all time. The games would last for days dependent upon the courses assigned.

After the war resulted in the split of Voschantai and sent us into individual realms, the games stayed, but everyone developed their own rules. Even death is allowed to win.

Vaigon is currently the only realm to not use the method of the games, but that is why some of our Warriors are weaker than most. We have tried to push Lorsius to instill the games so we are stronger as a continent, but for no reason at all, he will not. One day, we will suffer for it, and I fear that day is soon.

Esme stands before me, suited in Quamfasi red armor. The same sword and spear she used on me during war are crossed behind her back.

“Levora Apolla Arvenaldi, is it?” Esme asks as she walks away from the entrance of the border.

Warriors are sat upon their horses and Pegasi, they intently observe me as I follow her.

“Yes.”

“She is one of six. There are five people who went missing the exact same day and time as her. Phyv, Greyce, Levora, Finley, Jeddu, and Helena.” She veers off to the right—a long path that takes you through the woods and towards the city. “Phyv was taken from Provas, the Fae Realm. Helena, she is a Sorceress removed from Galitan. Finley, he is a Vampire from Misonva. Jeddu is a Banshee from Vosand. Lastly, Greyce, a Hybrid woman from Ramana.”

I finally catch her stride and her eyes are set forward.

“Do you have an indication of where they all have been sent to? There is no chance that this is purely coincidence that they all disappeared at once.”

“Of course they are together, or in the same place at least.” She speculates. “I have an inkling as to what method was used to confiscate them, but I do not want to speak too far ahead of myself before I know for sure.”

“And what method is that?”

Esme stops walking and looks up at me. “Portals.”

She grabs my arm, and we ascend from our current placement in the woods to a brothel located in the heart of New Quamfasi.

I raise my eyebrows as I glance at Esme after taking in my surroundings.

“Do not think so highly of yourself.” Esme warningly holds up a finger. “Follow me and keep your hands off of our women.”

Past me would argue with her about why I would never think of touching a woman here without having signed a contract first to be able to do so. Instead, I leave it and shadow her trail.

Bodies upon bodies. Each table and chair is occupied by a pair gently touching and caressing. The work up—the beginning stage before it leads to private chambers and suites then all you will hear is erratic moaning and headboards sounding as if they are about to break through the wall. But, it seems this brothel has the rooms sealed off to be soundproof, giving everyone their own piece of privacy.

“Esme,” a man says from a chair not far from where we are walking.

The young woman in his lap is only clothed in a white sheer shift. She moves from his lap as he nods his head for Esme to come over and she does.

He leans forward and his elbows rest on his knees as he looks up at her with dark orange eyes. “You brought a Vaigon boy here?”

“Not willingly,” Esme laughs. “We need the library. He and Val have a deal, I am helping him see it through.”

He looks me over before standing and stalking forward, stopping right before me.

“One shout,” he says. “One shout is all it will take for me or my brothers to be at her aid and pulling your tongue from your throat. Vallehes may not want any Vaigosian blood on his hands, but I do.”

“Ajax,” Esme calls his name, and he slowly recedes back to where he was; seated in the chair with the woman hoisted on his lap.

Whenever I am here, this is all I will be. A threat that becomes an open target.

I need to do more than just tread lightly.

Esme is fully capable of defending herself, but I doubt that would stop the men from protecting the Right Hand of their nation.

“Unfortunately, we cannot kill him. He is needed,” Esme looks at me over her shoulder with intense golden eyes. “He has a deal to seal.”

She walks away from Ajax, and I track behind her.

We move farther into the brothel, weaving through multitudes of couples before finding a double staircase that leads to separate hallways. Each hall is protected by a single guard, we go down the left that has a wall plastered with books.

Esme pulls on the corner of four different books in a specific order and the wall rotates, exposing a hidden library.

“This library contains some of the most ancient books known to our world. But this is the only library that contains the novels on what I believe happened to not only Levora, but everyone else who went missing along with her.”

“Portals.”

She nods.

“I have not heard of the use of portals since–”

“The first Domestic War.” She speaks for me. “When we had to call upon Lorvithinan Universe to aid us, and the only way for them to get to us was through multiple portals from their universe to ours.”

The most epic war of our entire world. The war that had to be stopped or we all would end in ruin. Everyone was against everyone to have division so we could exist individually. Realm by realm. Even the Sea People had to participate in the war to protect their Waterland’s from one too many borders.

When I step into the library the wall concaves and closes off.

Three sets of candles sit above each shelving, lighting up the titles of the novels below it. The library is not large, but it is great in height. There are three levels above where we stand in the squared off room, and a glass dome ceiling that allows in a form of lighting along with the candles.

I cannot say it is relatively smart for there to be a glass ceiling in such a sacred room.

Esme sharply turns toward me, and I stand, waiting for something to be said.

“Come,” she demands before ascending to the second floor.

As I emerge from my ascension, she is reaching for a book from the shelf. There is not a title on it. It appears as just an old, tattered, black leather book concealed with consecrated magic.

“Use your powers to shrink it,” she says while placing the book in my hands. “We must take it with us.”

“Take it where?” I ask as I place my other hand atop the book, and it decreases in my palm.

“We are going to the woods where Levora was taken.”

“Wait,” I halt.

Esme turns.

“Why did you decide to be the one to help me?” I remember how she felt, and I remember how that spear felt moving through my body. Hatred such as hers does not change so easily.

For the first time, I see her falter. “Because I know how it feels to suddenly lose people you hold so dearly.”

VAIGON CITADEL — SOUTHERN WOODS

I stand in the South Woods with Heshy as we wait for Ezra to arrive. It did not take long for Heshy to locate him; after our first meeting, Ezra was found traveling with a message that Laven needed sent to all the leaders of our Courts. The message contained information about the passing of the Dragons to notify the Courts that we are to be held under observation until further notice and no one will be allowed to pass the shield. Given the severity of this message Heshy advised Ezra to complete the task assigned and that he will find him again to meet us here.

“The sun has set,” Heshy observes. “He will be arriving soon.”

“You may go, I will find you when we are done here.”

Heshy nods before ascending and as he fades I hear a soft brisk wind soar by. I sharply turn toward the direction it came from.

At a young age my mother taught me how to stop someone in ascension.

I rotate my hand in a small circle and a hue of blue appears as I draw a force field, pushing my palm outward, it ricochets the force field through the woods, and it bursts. Just after it erupts, it pushes Ezra out of ascension, and he falls from mid air and collides to the ground.

He swiftly stands and turns to me with large, dark eyes.

“Seems you found me before I found you.” Ezra says as he stands under the moonlight casting over his dark skin.

“I did.”

He walks forward and bows. “Ezra Harst.” He formally introduces.

“You are known for being a quick messenger and quiet in your path,” I say. “Have you ever considered furthering your placement as a messenger?”

“No,” he shakes his head. “I have never known how.”

“This is how, right now, by this conversation. If you wish to.”

He stands taller. “If I gain more coin than I do currently, I will do whatever I must.”

“You would have a great increase. Your job would be of an Emissary, my Emissary. You seem to be rather equipped for the role.” His eyes draw wide once more. “I need you to find someone, locate them, speak with them, and guide them here. Do it however you must but never disclose that you are being led by me and I will not have to kill you.”

“Me?” Ezra questions. “As your Emissary?”

“Yes.”

“And the result if I do not perform my job well or fail?”

I shrug. “The result will depend on how you ill performed and failed.”

Ezra’s arms cross over his black leather vest as he contemplates. “How much coin will I receive for my placement?”

“Twelve Vaigosian Gold coins a day.”

“I will do it.” He agrees.

I tilt my head observing him due to his sudden urgency after hearing the amounts he will receive daily, amounts that are not for someone of a commoner’s life. “This is very in-depth labor, Ezra. The pay matters, yes, but what this will consist of depends greatly on if you can handle it and the person involved that you must locate and bring here.”

Ezra steps closer. “I can give you my word that I will not fail at this. If you need it in writing I will provide that as well. And no, I have never in my life done labor as this, but I have dreamed of it, and in those dreams I do it well. Not only will this pay give miracles for myself and my family, I do not take this gently. I will do this job and do it well.”

“Good,” I hold my hand out to him and he firmly takes it. “Welcome to House Arvenaldi Ezra Harst.”

He smiles. “Who am I to find?”