Page 70 of Lady's Steed
“Of sorts. The mist is an exhalation of Zhos’ will. Those beguiled by the mist’s song have no choice but to make their way to Ultilina where they are trapped by Zhos’ presence, forced to obey its command.”
“This Zhos is making them work to set it free,” Avera surmised.
“Yes, which would mean the end of life as we know it, but there is still time to stop it from happening.”
“Can’t you tell the people to cease melting the lake?”
“Those people aren’t in control of their actions. They do Zhos’ bidding.”
“Break the spell, then.”
“It isn’t that simple.” At Avera’s pursed lips Opal sighed. “The compulsion binding them can be broken but it requires much effort on my part. I did it at first when only a few wandered into the pit, but as soon as I freed them, they returned, caught anew when the mist went seeking.”
“Meaning we need to stop the mist before the people can be released by this Zhos.”
“The only way to quash Zhos would be to replace the stolen rocks.”
“I take it we can’t just use any stones?” Avera asked hopefully.
“Correct. While I’m not sure why, I do know those rocks were special. Only they have the power needed.”
“And where are those rocks now?” Avera asked even as she feared she knew the answer. If Basil took them then…
“They’re in Verlora.”
“They might as well be at the bottom of the ocean then, since Verlora is impassable.”
“I’m aware.” Opal’s expression darkened. “In taking the seals, Basil tampered with things he shouldn’t have.”
“If you knew what would happen then you should have prevented it.” It seemed a simple solution. Stop a man determined to do wrong. Was the man her mother fondly remembered a villain?
“I would have, but your mother distracted me while he stole the stones. By the time I realized what had been done, he’d already fled and that was when my vision hit. The one that told me of your birth, but that also foretold that your mother’s choice, picking her lover over Daerva, would result in her death.”
“Couldn’t she have returned the rocks to avert that future?”
“Calixte mostly would have tried, only he abandoned her.”
“That can’t be right,” Avera said with a shake of her head. “My mother didn’t speak badly of Basil like a woman scorned would usually do.” The late queen had mentioned Basil’s strength and even kept the locket with their pictures in it. Didn’t that indicate a lingering affection?
“Because despite what he did, she loved him. Not to mention, no woman likes to think she’s been fooled. Needless to say, Basil Currosa of Verlora stole the very special stones keeping an ancient evil inert, and since their removal, its influence has been spreading.”
The mention of influence had her asking, “I don’t suppose this Zhos used to be called ‘master’ by those serving it.”
“Yes. How did you know?” Opal’s brow pinched.
“Benoit. He and those he conspired with mentioned releasing their master. At the time, I assumed they spoke of a person.”
“I didn’t realize its whispers and ability to enter dreams had grown so strong,” Opal murmured.
Avera rose and paced, wringing her hands. “I’m afraid I don’t have time to waste finding those rocks. Benoit must be stopped.”
“That pretender is the least of your worries. If what lies beneath this mountain is freed, then there will be no royalty, no kingdom, no Daerva.”
“Then why does Benoit think its release will benefit him?”
“I already told you Zhos lies. It lies and makes false promises,” Opal hissed. “And men are dumb enough to believe. If you want your throne back, then you must return the seals.”
“You’ve given me an impossible task. Assuming the stones even made the voyage intact, Verlora is inaccessible.”