The Witch's City

by M. Gregg Roe

Hagen smiled at his old friend. “Thank you, Danj. I know we will.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  The note was in Gabriel’s neat handwriting, and it was brief. His father waited until he had read it, asked a single question, and then rushed out. Saxloc donned the padded clothing he normally wore under his chainmail and then pulled on his boots. He quickly stuffed some additional clothing in his backpack, simply grabbing what was close at hand. After taking the shortest route to the practice area downstairs, he donned his armor, his surcoat, and finally his sword belt. He drew the sword and inspected it briefly before sheathing it again. He glanced at his longbow and quiver but decided not to take them. He wasn’t all that skilled with them, and these days he used magic for his long range attacks.

  In the kitchen, he found Audrey and his parents. She was outfitted in her usual travel gear, including a light cloak. His parents looked concerned as they stood next to each other.

  “We’re going,” he said, nodding to his parents.

  “Take care, both of you.” His mother’s concern was evident in her voice.

  He departed via the east door, with Audrey wordlessly following. Making use of the ample moonlight, he led her to a location on the south wall. The concealed door opened promptly in response to his order. It wasn’t until they were heading east on the alley outside that Audrey finally spoke.

  “Hanna, Valwyn, and Petra were abducted?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s … just awful. Are we going to rescue them?”

  The question briefly irritated him, but then he realized that Audrey hadn’t seen the note. “No. They were taken from Tilda’s house in Rohoville and we don’t know where they are. Oljot is here in the city. He has a means to locate them, but it requires blood from each of their parents.” He suspected that it would also work with the girl’s blood, but that obviously wasn’t available.

  He gave Audrey a sidelong glance and saw that she was deep in thought. “It’s Petra’s mother, isn’t it?” she asked hesitantly. “I know she lives in Hard Rock City.”

  He was pleased that she had figured it out. The other five parents were either in Rohoville or the Witch’s City. “Yes. That’s where we are going. We need a sample of Sofia’s blood. Gabriel and Hankin will be meeting us at the docks.”

  “That makes sense. We’ll travel by ship to Rohoville, cross the North River by ferry, and then head there. I’ve always wanted to see it, a whole city full of dwarves.”

  “Actually, I haven’t been there either. I’ve just heard about it.”

  They passed the Witch’s Castle and soon come to South Street, which led directly to the south gate and the docks. As they passed the Novox building, Saxloc suddenly asked, “Why didn’t you bring your quarterstaff?”

  Audrey sighed. “Because I haven’t bought one yet. The one I have is borrowed, and I’m still not very good. I’ll just stick with what I know.”

  “You should still have brought it. It gives you greater reach.”

  “And there are some things I shouldn’t touch when I’m fighting. You’re right; I should have brought it. Sorry. I’m tired and not thinking straight.”

  That really wasn’t surprising given what was going on and that it was late. “If we have time, I’ll try to find one for you in Rohoville.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  “I found a book that described birth defects,” he volunteered. “One of them was very similar to what you described.”

  “Which means that there was no cure for Aldruth,” she said, sounding sad. “Is it hereditary?”

  He had known she would ask that. “It didn’t say, but it was described as a very uncommon defect. It also said that those afflicted with it don’t live long.”

  “So I shouldn’t worry about it?” she asked.

  “No. You obviously don’t have it.”

  Audrey shrugged. “Then I won’t worry about it. I don’t need any more worries.”

  “Neither do I,” he agreed.

  When they arrived at the docks, a Novox employee directed them to a small ship. The ship looked to be fully crewed and ready to leave, and both Hankin and Gabriel were already aboard. Audrey and Saxloc were shown to a small cabin and they dropped their backpacks there before going back up on deck. Audrey asked Hankin why the ship hadn’t left yet and he replied, “We’re waiting for one more person, and there’s no telling when he will appear. You might as well make yourselves comfortable.” Hankin walked away smiling secretively. Saxloc knew who Hankin meant, but he kept a straight face and went to sit with Gabriel. Audrey sat down next to him looking puzzled.

  The three of them sat in silence for a while. A few minutes later, he heard a commotion and looked over to see what looked like an old homeless man boarding the ship. His hair and beard were speckled with gray and poorly trimmed. His clothes were stained and torn and it was impossible to even tell what color they had originally been—now it was just shades of gray. The man walked over to them and roughly said, “I’m going to Rohoville with you. Adrian and Asria have all the supplies I need.” He went over to an empty bench, laid down, and closed his eyes.

  Saxloc saw the look of consternation on Audrey’s face and smiled. “That’s Oljot,” he said in a low voice.

  “That’s the powerful wizard Oljot?” she asked, looking perplexed. “He’s not at all what I pictured.” Saxloc was amused by her reaction, and Gabriel clearly was too. “You could have warned me,” she said in an annoyed tone.

  “What?” said Saxloc. “And miss seeing your reaction? That’s one of the perks of knowing Oljot.” Gabriel and Hankin were both grinning now. Audrey just sighed and glared at them. Soon they all went below to their cabins and tried to get some sleep on the trip downriver.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Medea simply endured the pain as her daughter beat on her back with her fists. She hugged Marryn tightly with her left arm while stroking the back of her head with her right hand. “Why can’t we go?” wailed Marryn as her tears wet Medea’s left shoulder.

  “Because Ermizad said no. We will go after they’ve all been rescued.”

  The refusal had actually surprised her, but there was no arguing with Ermizad. And there had been no explanation. Her guess was that it had been Marryn’s inclusion. She herself might be able to do something useful, but Marryn would simply be a hindrance, especially in her current state.

  Marryn relaxed, stepped back, and then sniffed. She looked utterly miserable. “Do you promise that they’ll be rescued?” she asked, sounding distraught.

  Medea couldn’t possibly promise that, but once again it was better to lie. “Of course. Powerful people are looking for them even now, and the gods will watch over them.”

  “Can we go and pray? At a temple?”

  It was a surprising request, but a welcome one. “Yes. Wash your face and we will go to the Temple of Dukane.” Marryn flashed a slight smile and rushed off.

  Medea would also pray, for the girl’s safety, and for that of her son and his companions. With Oljot’s assistance, they should be able to locate all three of the girls. But she feared that it was already too late.

  45

  ‡ Found ‡

  When Valwyn woke, the sun was barely up and the air was cold. Her front was pressed against Hanna’s back, and she was thankful for that small amount of warmth. As she started to raise up, Hanna complained, “I’m cold and hungry and thirsty.”

  Valwyn sat up and found her shoulders to be stiff and aching. “I am too,” she said as she tried to loosen them up.

  Hanna sat up, looking disheveled, dirty, and miserable. “Do you think that the men made their camp by a stream?” she asked.

  Valwyn was puzzled by the question. Did Hanna want to go back there? “I don’t know.”

  “If they did, then it might head south to the river. We didn’t pass it yesterday, so maybe it’s still to our west.”

  Valwyn was surprised to hear Hanna make such a long speech, but she had a good point. “Okay. Let’
s head southwest and see if we can find it. That’s a good idea, Hanna.”

  Hanna smiled and slowly rose to her feet. Valwyn imitated her; it wouldn’t hurt to keep treading lightly. She did her best to estimate the direction from the sun and began pushing through the grass with Hanna following. After less than a hundred yards, she could hear something. Minutes later the two of them were noisily drinking from a brook barely a yard wide. It didn’t look terribly clean, but Valwyn didn’t care at all. The water tasted wonderful.

  When they had both drunk their fill, she smiled at her friend and said, “Good job, Hanna.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Should we follow the stream or go back to the path?”

  Hanna pursed her lips and frowned. “Stream. Unless it goes too far west.”

  “That’s what I think too. Let’s go.”

  Valwyn followed the stream, wondering if any of the small plants growing by it were edible. The stream starting to veer east and she wondered if it would actually intersect the path.

  “What were those men going to do with us?” asked Hanna suddenly. “Make us their servants?”

  Valwyn glanced over and saw that Hanna was serious. “More like their whores. If those things hadn’t attacked, we would both have been raped yesterday.” She felt ill just thinking about it.

  “But I’m too young,” protested Hanna.

  Valwyn rolled her eyes. “No, you’re not. All that matters to men like that is that you have … female parts.”

  “That’s horrible!” Hanna had paled and was beginning to cry.

  Great. Now she’s traumatized. “Maybe I’m wrong, Hanna. And besides, they’re all dead.” Their raping days were over.

  As they continued walking along, it seemed to Valwyn that the stream was heading south again. Her stomach still ached with hunger, but at least the walking was warming her up. The sun felt good too.

  Hanna halted and pointed to the southeast. “There’s someone there. Four people, I think.”

  Valwyn squinted and could vaguely see a group of people about two hundred yards away from them heading north. Rescuers or more bad men? Should we hide?

  Hanna used her right hand to shield her eyes. “We’re saved! It’s my father! And Danj! Let’s go!”

  Valwyn grabbed Hanna’s shoulder. “Wait. There could still be creatures underground. I’ll signal them. Close your eyes.” Hanna dutifully obeyed. Valwyn closed her eyes, raised her right arm, and concentrated on casting the spell in a specific manner. “Illumination!” There was a single bright flash that still managed to dazzle her through her eyelids.

  She opened her eyes and saw that the four people were all looking at the two of them. And the two in back were her parents! All four of them had weapons at the ready, but the men didn’t have shields as she would have expected. Valwyn starting waving and pointing at the ground to try to warn them. Hanna saw what she was doing and began to do the same.

  Valwyn wasn’t at all surprised when Danj started running straight toward the two of them. Danj has no conception of danger, and he probably didn’t understand our warning. Hagen and her father were walking slowly forward, looking wary. Valwyn saw her mother rise into the air and fly after Danj. Levitation. I can’t wait until I can learn something that powerful.

  The ground beneath Danj suddenly erupted as a bulette burst forth in a spray of dirt. He was thrown to the side but was quickly back on his feet with his sword still in hand. The brown-and-green scaled creature approached warily as Danj started feinting strikes at it. Valwyn quickly glanced around. Her father was running toward Danj and her mother was flying the same way.

  Valwyn felt Hanna take hold of her right hand, and she squeezed her friend’s hand in response as she turned her attention to Hanna’s father. Hagen was standing perfectly still with his sword at the ready as he stared intently off to his left. He suddenly took several steps backward and moments later a bulette burst out from where he had been standing. He promptly charged it and delivered a powerful slash to its side before it could turn to face him.

  The explosive arrival of a third bulette caused Valwyn to turn her attention back to the other fight. Her father was now battling the first one along with Danj, and the new one had appeared right behind him. But a dazzling line of fire that Branwyn shot down from above caused it to turn away. I think that was Flare Lance. Go, Mom! Valwyn’s stomach clenched as her mother landed about fifteen yards from the creature, clearly taunting it. As it began to run toward her, Branwyn held out her left hand and fired a searing lance of purple energy that blew the creature into flaming chunks. What was that? That was amazing!

  Valwyn was watching Danj and Milric finish off their opponent when Hanna suddenly squeezed her hand hard. Hagen was now bleeding from several wounds as he struggled to fend off the bulette’s attacks. Branwyn flew up directly behind him and Valwyn could tell that she was using healing magic. His bleeding staunched and energy restored, Hagen went back on the offensive even as Danj and Milric arrived to help. The now-surrounded creature tried to retreat underground, but the three of them all darted forward and stabbed downward with their swords. From their reactions, she could tell that they had succeeded in killing it before it could escape.

  As her mother flew toward them, Valwyn hugged Hanna tightly. “We did it! We escaped. We’re safe.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Branwyn kept a careful eye out for additional bulettes as she flew up to where the two girls were now hugging each other. The sight of Valwyn and Hanna alive had been an incredible relief, but Petra’s absence was alarming. She landed gently in front of the girls and returned their happy smiles.

  “Everything is going to be fine now,” she told them. “Where is Petra?”

  Their smiles vanished. “We don’t know,” said Valwyn. “She was taken away earlier before we escaped.”

  Branwyn struggled to keep smiling. “All right. You can tell us all about it later. Let me see to your injuries. You first, Hanna.” She could tell that the girl was desperate to go to her father.

  Hanna stood passively as Branwyn used magic to heal the injuries to her wrists, hand, and ankles. I will never again criticize Tilda for tying up her daughter and making her practice escaping.

  “I’m through now, Hanna.”

  “Thank you,” she said, before taking off at a dead run.

  Valwyn had been trying to maintain a brave front, but she suddenly burst into tears. Branwyn took her daughter into her arms and hugged her tightly. “I was so scared,” Valwyn confessed.

  Branwyn stroked the back of Valwyn’s head. “You did just fine. I’m amazed that you two managed to escape your captors. Did they … do anything to you?”

  Valwyn stepped back and shook her head. “No, they were killed by bulettes before they got around to anything like that.”

  What a relief! “Good. Stand still and let me heal your injuries.” Valwyn briefly described how the two of them had escaped as Branwyn worked. It was clear that Valwyn would never have escaped by herself. They owed a huge debt of gratitude to Hanna and her mother.

  When Branwyn finished, Valwyn smiled. “Thanks, Mom. Do you have anything to eat?”

  “Yes, but I didn’t bring any sweets. How about an apple and some cheese?”

  Valwyn pretended to be disappointed. “I suppose, but I want sweets as soon as we get back. Loads of sweets.”

  Branwyn chuckled before pulling the promised food from her belt pouch and handing it to her daughter. “Eat slowly or you’ll get sick,” she instructed. “I have water as well.”

  Valwyn nodded and began taking small bites from the apple and chewing them. Branwyn glanced around and saw Milric headed their way, walking softly and alertly glancing around. Hanna was clinging to her father with Danj standing nearby also looking alert.

  She turned back to Valwyn, who was now alternating small bites of cheese and apple. “We need you to take us to where you were held. We still need to find Petra. All right?”

  Valwyn didn’t look happy, bu
t she nodded once and then resumed eating.

  “I’m going to speak with your father. Stay right here.”

  Branwyn walked up to meet her husband. “Valwyn is fine,” she said in a low voice. “She said that Petra was taken away from them before bulettes killed their abductors.” She could tell from her husband’s expression that he understood her perfectly.

  “These might be the same ones,” he stated, also speaking quietly. “We will cut them open and see what they have eaten.”

  “Petra was wearing a light green dress.” And I pray you find no sign of her inside these creatures.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Hagen surveyed the remains of the camp where the girls had been held. There had been at least two large tents, but now all that remained were ragged scraps of canvas and broken wooden poles. The ground had been violently disturbed in a number of places. They estimated that there had been at least four bulettes involved in the attack. The creatures had been thorough, leaving nothing behind of their victims save for bits of torn clothing and a great deal of blood.

  Hanna and Valwyn had been very upset when they realized just why Danj and Milric were cutting open the creatures that had attacked them, but they were relieved by the news that no human remains were found inside. The two of them were now standing about a hundred yards away accompanied by Branwyn and Danj.

  Seeing his daughter alive and apparently unharmed had been one of the happiest moments of Hagen’s life. He was generally an optimistic person, but even he had feared the worst. There was still the matter of Petra’s fate, but they had found three sets of tracks that both arrived and departed from the northeast. Hagen felt certain that those were left by the men who had taken Petra.

  Hagen and Milric walked back to the others. Hanna promptly ran up and took hold of his right arm, smiling happily. He marveled that his twelve-year-old daughter was already so tall. “We found the tracks of the men who took Petra,” he told her. “We’re going to follow them now.” Hanna looked at him earnestly and nodded.