Another two Bellatis approached him as humans. Nikolai arched his neck and bared his teeth at them, but bound as he was, the Bellatis subdued his rebellion without effort.
His guards joined the newcomers, and despite Nikolai’s efforts to spear them, they managed to wind straps over his head and around his barrel, then connected the two until they cranked his nose to his chest. Nikolai’s fury broke through his mental fog, but he was powerless to stop them from disabling his teeth and horn.
The four harnessed Bellatis stepped forward. Two lined up so that they each had a hind leg along his forelegs, the other two oriented themselves so their forelegs lined up with his hind. And then they attached chains between themselves and him—some directly to his legs, others connecting their bodies to his.
Only once they were securely fastened did they release the other chains from him.
Nikolai exploded, lunging against the new, more mobile restraints. They ignored his efforts, striding forward and yanking his limbs and body along with them.
Don’t waste your energy, my son. Save it for what is truly important. We have found the perfect first strike in our effort to heal the realms.
Nicolai glanced at Sebastian. The Bellati matched his gaze for only a moment before he looked away, as though seeing Nikolai bound bothered him.
Didn’t bother him enough to object, though.
A shudder passed through Nikolai, but Galeran merely turned his back and led the way out of the cave. The harnessed Bellatis brought their unwilling puppet with them.
They traveled along a tunnel to the cavern’s center, which was huge and glittering with crystals. Although it sat among snow-clad cliffs, the cave was warm. Nikolai sensed the mammoth, sleeping giant below them—the volcano wasn’t as inert as it seemed, but for now, it rested semi-peaceably.
A large formation of Bellatis stood as humans within the cave. Each one was dressed in clothing made of shining gray hair, with their spiral horns hanging at their belt. Their expressions were stoic, but their eyes gleamed.
Galeran passed by them and paused before a stone archway that framed nothing but rock. He raised his hands.
Nikolai stiffened as the rune at his throat burned. He marshaled his life energy and tried to form a wall.
Galeran forged through Nikolai’s mental resistance as though it didn’t exist, and it hurt like hell.Wouldn’t hurt like that if you yielded,his father pointed out.
Nikolai’s wordless denial hissed through their link.
Very well. If you desire pain, then that is what you will achieve.
Galeran plunged his presence deep into Nikolai, yanking the energy free. As Nikolai gasped in agony, his father’s hands glowed, and the gate snapped into existence.
The troop of Bellatis stepped up, never breaking formation as they walked through the gate. A few hung back to let Galeran pass, and Nikolai’s puppet masters took him through right afterward.
A stiff wind lifted Nikolai’s mane off his sweaty neck. They emerged on top of a steep cliff overlooking water that stretched to the horizon. He smelled salt. Below them was a port filled with vessels of all sizes. Some were truly huge—floating manufacturing plants designed to harvest the ocean’s bounty.
Elandriel had shown him what equilibrium felt like—the incredible richness of life and death. And now, Nikolai sensed the imbalance of this place. This realm was sick, teetering on a collapse that was coming far faster than any of the residents believed.
Galeran spread his arms to encompass the busy city below. “Welcome to Meiros. A thousand years ago, the locals—the dominant race here known as Sartorians—were working with us to make their harvest of the oceans sustainable. But since then, they have done nothing to curtail their efforts. By their own estimates, the oceans will be stripped bare within ten years. Yet their answer is to open up the few remaining oceanic preserves to their fleets.” Galeran grimaced, and Nikolai sensed the current of rage running through the other Bellatis. “We are going to show them the error of their ways.”
Nikolai caught the merest hint of what was to come, and the knot within him twisted.Surely you can work with them.His mindvoice reflected his desperation.They cannot be held responsible for having lost our guidance for a thousand years.
They are beyond guidance.Galeran’s mindvoice reflected his scorn.Even if they stopped fishing right now—which they won’t—the oceans will never fully recover. Not without the assistance of the Liberis.
Nikolai’s mind reeled as he grasped the only positive.You intend to heal the oceans?
Not I. The Bellatis pave the way. Afterward, the Elders can send the Watchers in to heal.
Nikolai’s panic rose.What are you going to do?
Galeran smiled. A purely evil expression.I intend to finish it.He turned to the waiting Bellatis. “We will wipe the slate clean so this realm can start again.”
A ripple ran through the waiting group, and Sebastian stiffened. But no one spoke against Galeran, and he gestured to the women.
“Form the circle. You will all have to work together to divert the core power away from us, while I direct it elsewhere.”
The Bellatis broke formation, bunching closer so that their bodies touched, and all were linked to the female Liberi. Two stood with Nikolai’s controllers, laying hands on the sleek hides, and one stood between Galeran and Sebastian.
