The Hunter's Gambit

by Nicholas McIntire

  He stood and quietly left the inn, pulling his hood back up as he stepped out into the street.

  The moment he began walking, Aleksei became aware of the person following him. The man was perhaps fifteen paces behind, but Aleksei could feel him there, tracking him. The Mantle across his shoulders tingled with anticipation.

  He sniffed at the air and caught the man’s scent, heavy tones of mildew and smoke mixed with the sourness of sweat. There was something else there, too.

  Determination.

  Aleksei weighed his options. He could confront the man, which would lead to a fight. But there was a great deal he was unable to tell about his pursuer at this distance. Too many unknowns. He would have to lose him instead.

  Aleksei ducked into a narrow alley and searched for anyone who might be watching.

  No one.

  He took a deep breath and looked upwards, where the two buildings were connected by a small plank walkway. If he could get up there he would be back at the inn by the time his tracker realized he’d lost his target.

  Aleksei inhaled deeply. He was going to have to concentrate, what with Jonas being so far away. The farther they were from one another, the more effort it took for Aleksei to draw on his bond with the Magus.

  His nose told him the man was drawing closer. If he was going to get out of there, he had better act fast.

  Aleksei pressed himself against the west wall of the alley, then leapt forward. Shift. His boots caught the stone of the opposite wall, and he pushed back and up, twisting in the air in time to push off from the west wall again. It took him matter of seconds, but it felt like an eternity of pushing and twisting, of shifting, until finally he caught the edge of the walkway and pulled himself up.

  He sat on the roof catching his breath, and sought out the scent of his pursuer. The man had gone several hundred paces away from the alley. His scent had changed from determination to desperation. Within moments the scent vanished into the confusion of rain.

  Aleksei sighed deeply and rested his head against the low wall at the edge of the roof. His headache had come to a rolling boil.

  The fire crackled in the hearth, casting uneven shadows across the room. Jonas sat in his armchair, staring blankly into the flames.

  Beside him on a small table were stacked several volumes, a pen and inkwell atop them. On the floor to the side were several pieces of parchment containing the notes he’d made during his research. The information on those sheets had long since been absorbed. Now it was simply a matter of interpreting it all.

  “There’s got to be more to this.” he muttered to himself, chewing at his lip in frustration. There were a great many pieces missing from the puzzle arrayed before him, yet it seemed beyond his abilities to divine what those pieces could be.

  A knock came from the door behind him, and Jonas turned irritably, “Come in.”

  Aya entered, treading softly across the intricate carpets before taking a seat across from the Prince.

  “I’m sorry to bother you so late, Jonas. It’s just…I’ve had a vision.”

  Jonas arched an eyebrow, “Another one? What did this one include?”

  Aya looked up at him with a very knowing look in her eyes, “I can’t tell you the contents of the vision.”

  Jonas felt the hair on the back of his neck stand out straight. He understood the implication of her words. Prophets were only allowed to disclose the subject matter of their visions if the person receiving the information was unaffected by it. Her silence meant that Jonas had been in her vision.

  “Is this the only vision you’ve had recently?” he asked after a long moment of silence.

  “Yes. It’s the first one since I saw the battle in Drava. Why?”

  Jonas shrugged, “I don’t know, I thought that you might have seen something else. I’ve been doing research on something that I discovered in Drava and it has me deeply worried. I was hoping you might have seen something in the Archanium relating to it.”

  Aya shook her head, “I’ve seen nothing else. Why, what have you discovered?”

  Jonas took a deep breath, “When I encountered Emelian Krasik and Bael at the edge of the Relvyn Wood, Bael referred to Krasik as the ‘Zra-Uul’. I remembered reading about it somewhere, but I couldn’t place it. When I returned from Relvyn, I searched the Vault for the name.”

  Aya leaned forward intently, “What did you find?”

  Jonas regarded her gravely, “The Zra-Uul is a host for a very specific type of magic. Kholod magic.” Aya’s eyes widened, but Jonas continued, “I’m still unclear on a great many things, but it seems the magic of the Zra-Uul works through some manner of vibration. When the Zra-Uul directs his power into another person he can see into their thoughts. Or, in the case of what I witnessed Krasik do to Bael, he can cause varying levels of pain in the person.”

  Aya frowned, “This sounds like a constructed magic, and an unusually complicated one at that. Why would the Kholodym create such a thing?”

  “That’s one of the pieces I’m missing.” Jonas admitted unhappily.

  “Was there any mention of his powers being limited somehow? Any sort of weakness?”

  Jonas shook his head, “Not that I could find, no. And it seems that since he can see other people’s thoughts, he also possesses the ability to control them. He can alter perception in the minds of his victims. I’m not sure exactly what use Emelian Krasik will make of such talents, but considering his history, I think it goes without saying that few people would be more dangerous with such power.”

  “But how could something like this perpetuate itself for one thousand years? I mean, why wasn’t the Zra-Uul destroyed during the purge after the Kholod Wars with all the other terrors they created?”

  Jonas sighed, “I wish I knew. There were several allusions to the passing of the magic, but none of them made any sense to me. I’m afraid my formal education has been rather lacking in terms of theory.”

  “Is it possible that more thorough documentation might exist somewhere else?”

  Jonas considered a moment, “Not in Ilyar, certainly. The Voralla is by far the oldest structure. The Ri-Vhan are a possibility, I suppose. They had documents that dated back to the War detailing aspects of the Hunter’s Mantle.

  “If not them, I would say the only other likely place would be the Basilica in Dalita. The angels keep scrupulous records and histories. If they encountered the Zra-Uul during the War, it would certainly be documented.”

  “I think we need to find out as much about this as we can.” Aya said, “We don’t want to assume anything about the nature of Krasik’s abilities.”

  “I need to speak with Aleksei first. I don’t want to make a move without consulting him.” Jonas said, looking back to the other Magus.

  Aya shrugged, “As you wish. Is he still in Mornj?”

  Jonas nodded, “He hasn’t moved in a few days now.”

  Aya frowned, “I wonder what he’s doing down there.”

  Jonas smiled, “I’m going to find out tonight. I haven’t contacted him through dreamspeak in quite a while, but I think it’s necessary given the circumstances.”

  Aya looked alarmed at the suggestion, “Jonas, do you remember how difficult that was for you before? There was a time or two when I wasn’t sure you’d wake up.”

  Jonas waved aside her concerns, “I need to know what he’s up to, what he’s planning. Honestly, it’s worth the risk involved. If he’s discovered something in Mornj.…”

  Aya sighed, “And if you don’t survive the encounter it won’t matter, will it?”

  Jonas frowned, “Aya, that was a year ago. I’d like to think that I’ve managed a bit more control over the Archanium in the time since.”

  “Well you had probably better get to it, then. It’s getting late, and if you haven’t done this in a while it might take you longer than you expect to find him.”

  Jonas stifled a yawn, “Very well. Get some sleep yourself and I�
��ll tell you what I find out in the morning.”

  She managed a smile, “Good night, Jonas. And tell Aleksei I wish him well.”

  Once she was gone, he quenched the fire in the hearth and walked into his bedchamber, pulling off his shirt and boots. He kicked his trousers into a pile in the corner and climbed into bed, waving his hand casually at the door. It shut and locked itself.

  He laid down and closed his eyes, breathing deeply and concentrating on their bond. In his mind he saw it as a rope of burning gold disappearing over the horizon and to the south. Jonas took another deep breath and immersed himself in the Archanium.

  The world faded away as he began to search for his Knight.

  CHAPTER 30

  A Soldier's Redemption

  ALEKSEI LAY IN his bed, staring up at the ceiling. It had been a long day and he was exhausted, yet he didn’t dare sleep. His head pounded enough to make even the thought of sleep seem depressingly hopeless. There were enough tiny details running through his mind that he knew the headache wouldn’t be leaving any time soon.

  He had but to remember an order he had made or wonder about the execution of some such command and the pain would flare up yet again, like he was putting a fan to a flame.

  He was just beginning to wonder how long it would take for the kettles from the kitchens to be patched when a sudden wave of exhaustion drowned out his thoughts, concerns, and even the blaring trumpet of the ache in his head. His vision swam and the ceiling twisted at insane angles before he closed his eyes and succumbed to sleep.

  The darkness lasted only moments, and then he was standing in a very familiar room. He looked to his immediate left and saw Jonas sitting in an armchair, his green eyes twinkling merrily.

  “There you are.” he said.

  Aleksei smiled, but his eyes dulled quickly under the returning pain of his headache, “It’s been a long time since you’ve used our bond like this.”

  Jonas sighed, “I know, and I apologize. I know how this can tire you, but I’m afraid it’s rather urgent.”

  “I’d a feeling it would be.”

  The Magus frowned, “What’s wrong?”

  Aleksei waved a hand dismissively as he sank into the chair opposite the prince, “I just have a headache, that’s all. I’ve got a lot going on down here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I had to excuse the commanding officer of the garrison. It seems no one’s paid much attention this far south in quite a while because the man was a bare step above a criminal. I’ve spent the last several days trying to attain some semblance of order.”

  “How’s it coming?”

  “Better than you might think. The men in Mornj are eager to follow orders and turn this place back into a respectable operation. It just takes time.”

  Jonas nodded his understanding, “Have you sent troops to Drava yet?”

  “Yesterday. I haven’t seen Ilyana or Marrik yet, and I’m hoping that they’ll encounter the troops on their way here and turn around. At the pace my men were planning to set, I think lumber production should resume in the next two or three weeks.”

  “Did you figure out why your orders were being ignored?” Jonas asked.

  Aleksei’s face darkened, “As a matter of fact I did. It seems—”

  He was in mid-sentence when Jonas' bedchamber melted away. His eyes snapped open, staring once again at the ceiling. The Mantle was writhing across his shoulders in agitation. Aleksei sat up.

  There was someone else in the room.

  His eyes adjusted instantly to the darkness. He could make out the figure standing by the door. Whoever it was had obviously expected Aleksei to be asleep. The shadow stood there uncertainly for a moment, then began to creep forward.

  “Who’s there?” Aleksei demanded.

  In response, a gout of flame rushed towards him.

  Aleksei dove forward, tangling himself in his blankets as he did so. He felt the heat from the fire as it rushed above his head and set his mattress ablaze.

  He twisted savagely to free himself from the wool blanket, then leapt to his feet and saw the Magus turning towards him. He rolled to the side as a thunderbolt blasted the air where he’d been standing. Aleksei landed on his hands, then pushed himself back to his feet and ran towards the door. His sword was with his shirt on the other side of the room, and he didn’t think he could keep dodging the Magus long enough to get it.

  Instead he threw himself out into the hall and ran towards the stairway leading towards the street. He could feel the Magus paces behind him. There was a rush of fire, but Aleksei managed to turn down another hall a moment before it reached him.

  He realized as he ran that the men who had been standing guard were dead, lying limp in the hallway. Whoever was pursuing him had wasted no effort on stealth.

  Aleksei burst through the main door of the garrison and out into the cool night air. He glanced from right to left, then sprinted up the hill and towards the market. If he could lose the Magus in the sprawl of the city, he might be able to hunt the man and take him by surprise. But first he had to escape.

  He rounded a corner and darted into an alleyway. As he ran, he searched the air for the man’s scent. It came to him heavy and strong. The Magus was very close.

  He so consumed with the proximity of the Magus that he didn’t see the body until it was too late. Aleksei’s foot caught on the corpse and he was thrown to the street. The hard cobble of the alley split his right knee and he inhaled sharply. He rolled onto his back and started as he caught sight of the dead man he had tripped over.

  It was Colonel Balwick.

  His throat had been cut savagely, and one eye was missing. Aleksei gritted his teeth. If he allowed himself the luxury of time right then, the Magus would have him.

  He forced himself to his feet. His right leg refused to support his weight, but still he tried to lunge forward. He had to get away. If the Magus managed to kill him, he would kill Jonas in that same instant. Aleksei could not allow that to happen.

  The Magus appeared in the alleyway and Aleksei bit back a curse. Instead, he reached back to Balwick’s corpse and groped around at the man’s belt. His hands found the man’s knife and he pulled it free. The balance was poor, but Aleksei thought it would do the job.

  “Enough running, Lord Captain.” the Magus said coolly. “I’ll try to make this quick. My apologies to the Prince.”

  Aleksei didn’t respond, hefting the knife and praying to the gods that his aim would be true. He looked up and felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end as the Magus summoned the Archanium around him.

  Time slowed.

  Aleksei brought his hand back to hurl the knife, even as the air began to spark with the power of conjured lightning.

  And then everything shifted.

  The light that was gathering around the Magus vanished. At the same moment the man lurched a pace off the ground. Aleksei watched it all through confused eyes, his exhausted mind not comprehending the events unfolding before him. The Magus flew to the right and struck the wall. His body crumpled to the ground.

  A man was standing over the still form of the Magus. He stepped back, drawing a sword with him that glittered crimson in the lamplight from the street. In the dim light Aleksei’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “Rysun?”

  The Major swiftly wiped his sword on the body of the Magus, then rushed to Aleksei’s side, “Lord Captain, are you alright?”

  “I'm alive, Major. But my right leg’s a bloody mess.”

  Rysun slipped himself under Aleksei’s right arm and lifted the Knight from the cobbles, “We need to get you to the infirmary so they can set that knee. You don’t want that to heal wrong.”

  Aleksei tried to nod his agreement, but found himself overwhelmed by his exhaustion. He tried to thank Rysun, but was unconscious before he had the chance.

  Ilyana hurried through the halls of the garrison, Marrik a pace behind her.

/>   They had arrived in Mornj only an hour before, and upon hearing that Aleksei was at the garrison they had made their way there as fast as possible, only to be informed that he was recovering in his quarters from an attack.

  She stopped as a healer turned the corner and started at seeing a Magus and her Knight appear so unexpectedly. “Can I help you?” the woman asked.

  “I’m looking for Lord Captain Drago.” Ilyana said breathlessly.

  “He’s in his room, the one with the large iron-bound door on the right side of the hall. But please, if he’s sleeping don’t wake him. He needs his strength.”

  Ilyana thanked the woman and moved down the hall with a touch more grace, knocking once on the door before pushing it open.

  Aleksei sat in his bed, his legs covered by a quilt. Maps and papers were scattered across his lap. He looked up irritably when the door opened, but a smile overtook his scowl when he saw her.

  “I was wondering when you’d arrive.”

  Ilyana smiled warmly, “We met your soldiers about halfway here and they said they’d escort the villagers back to Drava. Their commander said you were still in Mornj getting things straightened out, so we thought we’d come lend a hand.”

  Aleksei nodded thoughtfully, “I can use the help, I assure you.”

  “What happened?”

  Aleksei’s face darkened, “I was attacked by a Magus. One steeped in the Nagavor. He nearly killed me, but Major Rysun managed to sneak up on him from behind. If he hadn’t been there….” He let the silence hang. “When I was running, I tripped and split my knee. I can’t walk very well at present, and I’ve been told to limit my movement as much as possible.”

  “Can you ride?”

  He nodded, “Fortunately, I’m allowed to do that much. I was actually about to leave the garrison to Rysun and head back to Kalinor. I’m just about finished here, but I didn’t want to travel north alone. If you and Marrik aren’t too tired from your journey here, we can leave tomorrow.”

  Ilyana glanced back to her Knight, who nodded his assent. She turned to Aleksei, “If we can get a meal and a good night’s sleep, we can be ready at dawn.”