Empire Builder 2

by Dante King

  “Do you want me to interrogate Uzax?” Ben was struggling to understand the hawkwoman’s objections at this point.

  Her shoulders slumped, resigned. “I did. Maybe I’m ashamed that I never did it myself. Maybe I’m angry to be trapped here at your mercy when I should be flying free to help my people myself.”

  “Join me,” Ben said. “Help me defeat the mages in the town to the south, and we can start the war for your people’s freedom.”

  A faint light of hope glimmered in the cleric’s eyes. But she wasn’t quite done yet. Lexi was no fool, Ben could tell. And her mind was already at work trying to figure out all of the angles. “If I help you, you will grow so much more powerful, as you said.”

  “You’re worried you won’t be able to put the genie back in the bottle,” Ben said.

  Lexi gave him a puzzled look. He realized that she probably had no idea what a genie was.

  “You think you’ll be unleashing a monster, well, in a bad sense,” he said.

  Lexi nodded. “How can I trust that you won’t become as corrupt as so many others?”

  “Look at me, Lexi. I have a beastkin and three nymphs for wives. Willing wives, not slaves like what Uzax would have. I am a friend of your people.”

  “How can I trust you?” she asked again.

  Ben decided to negotiate tougher. After all, he was the one who decided whether she stayed a prisoner or was set free, whether she lived or died.

  “You can believe me and take a chance, or rot in a cell, while the Realm only grows stronger. I told you already they have my other towers. We are both growing in strength. You have to choose.”

  Lexi grimaced. “I…I don’t know what to do.”

  Ben remained silent. He’d said all he could. Now he had to wait. He could sense that Lexi felt torn in two, that she had no idea whether to trust him or not. Ben had some sympathy for her, understanding that she very well could be making the decision of a lifetime.

  After what felt like an eternity, Lexi spoke. “Alright then, I’ll trust you.” She paused, looking as if she wanted to add some threat about what she would do if he crossed her. But she seemed to realize her threats wouldn’t carry much weight.

  “What do you need to know about Brekmath?” she asked.

  “That’s the name of the outpost?”

  “Yes,” Lexi said. “What do you need to know of it?”

  “How well is the town defended?” Ben asked.

  “Brekmarth usually only has one mage present. He acts as the Realm’s representative in the north. There are many soldiers there though.”

  “More disciplined than Uzax’s soldiers?” Ben raised an eyebrow, remembering how the mage had incinerated his own troops when they got in his way.

  “Yes,” Lexi said. “You will find Brekmarth very difficult to attack directly.”

  “Can we enter the town? Do they attack all strangers on sight?”

  “Most likely. Governor Borax is a mage. He is a nasty man, and not hospitable to strangers. And he’s very powerful. You might consider options other than taking him on in a standing fight.”

  “What if I bring Melody with me as a prisoner? I can use one of the spare null locks on her to make it look as if I’m a bounty hunter turning her in.” It wasn’t a plan Ben liked, but he had to make do.

  Lexi shook her head. “Governor Borax is paranoid. If he sees you, a new mage he has never heard of, he will lock you up and have you sent back to the Realm. It sounds extreme, but it’s one of the only ways he can be certain.”

  “He’s probably right to be paranoid,” Ben acknowledged. “The forest doesn’t seem like the tamest area to rule over. Being too trustworthy sounds like an easy way to be killed. Or worse.”

  “That’s right,” Lexi said. “What’s more, he doesn’t take kindly to the inhabitants at all. He’s not a particularly accomplished mage, by the standards of the Realm, but he makes up for that with pompous arrogance.”

  “But you said he was powerful?”

  “He has power, to be sure. But the mages the Realm sends deeper into their territory make him look like an amateur.”

  “And he’s no friend of beastkin then, I take it?”

  Lexi shook her head. “He is not.”

  “I see,” Ben said. “And he’s too paranoid to let an unfamiliar bounty hunter through the gates of Brekmarth.”

  “The soldiers would shoot you before you even reached them,” Lexi assured him.

  “How can I get close enough to this mage then? I’m not strong enough to attack a walled town from the outside.”

  “Why do you have to attack this town?” Lexi asked. “Surely they pose no threat to you.”

  “There is a host of monsterkin being herded toward Brekmarth as slaves right now,” Ben said. “I don’t want to let them all be taken south as slaves.”

  She nodded slowly, giving herself a moment to process this information.

  “That does make things more urgent,” Lexi said. “You have only one option then.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Take me with you. As a bounty hunter. I am known, and I can vouch for you.”

  “But you said Governor Borax despises beastkin.”

  “That’s true,” Lexi agreed. “But he has always had somewhat of a soft spot for me. He believes I’m better than most other beastkin. Once we’re inside, then you can begin your attack. That will surely be simpler than assaulting from the outside. There is one thing though.”

  “Yes?”

  Lexi extended her leg, showing Ben the null lock still attached to her ankle. “You would have to remove the null lock. It would give me away instantly.”

  Seeing the lock gave Ben pause. The basis of their negotiations, up to that point, had been whether Lexi could trust him. But now it was the other way around. Once the null lock was off, he’d be faced with the possibility of her betraying him. It was a risk—and one that might prove to be fatal.

  Ben rose to his feet and paced in the small cell. Could he really consider freeing this mage? After all, she had come here with the others to enslave his wives. The nymphs appeared to understand the hawkwoman’s plight, and had forgiven her, but could he trust her?

  At worst, this woman could pose a threat to him and his followers on their journey. She was a beastkin with the spells of a mage. Taking the null lock off meant she could use Healing Touch, which would make her fearless in a fight. And Ben didn’t know what other spells she had access to on top of that.

  “There is only one way I can consent to doing this,” Ben announced.

  Lexi gazed up at him, waiting for him to continue.

  “I have to drain you of all your magical ability.”

  The hawkwoman blanched. “You can do that?” There was disbelief in her voice.

  “I acquired your spell through draining it from you,” Ben explained. “I’m not sure if I can drain it further and remove it from you, but after what I did to Uzax, I suspect I can.”

  “What did you do to Uzax?” Lexi was shaking by now, fearing what Ben might do with this power.

  “Not something I plan to do to you,” Ben assured her. “If this goes well, I should be able to take the spell from you without causing you any harm.”

  “And what if I refuse?”

  Ben almost laughed. “I hadn’t expected you to say that. I can compel you to do what I want if I have to. I could keep draining you of strength and weaken you until you have no choice but to do what I want.”

  “Would you do that to me?” Fear hung from her words.

  “I would certainly prefer not to,” Ben said. “The more important question is, what will you do to save the people of the north from the regime that slaughtered your family? What would you do for revenge?”

  “You want me to give up all my power and you call it an opportunity for revenge?”

  “I simply cannot have you on the road with us while you are so well armed.” Ben’s tone was gentle but implacable.

  “So much for tru
st,” she said, a touch of scorn in her voice.

  “Trust is earned, not freely given. And we’re going to have to earn it from one another. For now, however, I’m going to play things cautiously. And surely you can’t tell me you wouldn’t do the same in my position?”

  Lexi glanced aside, considering his words for a moment before nodding.

  “And if I aid you in this matter, will you return my power to me?” she asked.

  “I can’t promise you that I would be able to give it back.” Ben saw no reason to lie, since he’d already threatened to take the power by force. If Lexi agreed to this, she would have to know what she was in for.

  “But if you do help me,” Ben continued, “and if you prove your loyalty to my domain, I promise to do what is in my power to give you back your magical ability. And I promise you a place in my empire. One where you will be free from the clutches of the Xurian Realm.”

  After a lengthy pause, Lexi rose to her feet. Ben turned to face her.

  The hawkwoman looked into Ben’s eyes with her own, fierce yellow ones. “I will do this, Benzhameen. I will give up my power in order to help you free the monsterkin and overthrow the Xurian slavers.”

  Ben stared deeply into Lexi’s eyes. He was frightened by the responsibility he held. He had to look this woman in the eye and make promises to her, right before crippling her. But he wouldn’t shy away from that responsibility. To take her power without even having the courage to look at her would be .

  “I won’t forget your sacrifice,” Ben said.

  He took her hands in his. She was shaking like a leaf. He summoned his mana and channeled it into his Drain spell.

  The purple strand in Lexi’s body was still bright, though Ben could see where the null lock interrupted its flow, preventing her from accessing it. It was like a vein was pinched, blocking the blood. Her mana pool was full and untapped, the liquid shimmering blue, in between her other organs in her torso. Ben would have to be careful to drain it without destroying it. He didn’t want to harm the hawkwoman, after all. So far, she’d given him no reason to think she deserved such a fate.

  Draining Lexi’s magical strand was simpler this time, as he wasn’t trying to dodge fireballs and flying knives. He could feel his own magical energy swelling as her power flowed into him. This time, like last time, he gained another spell.

  He raised an eyebrow as he read the description.

  Transform: Hawk

  “You didn’t mention another spell,” he said.

  “You never asked,” Lexi replied.

  “Planning to fly out of here?” Of course, the null lock would have prevented that in any case. Ben wondered if he would be able to use that spell or not. He wasn’t a beastkin, but it might still be possible.

  Ben kept on draining Lexi’s magical energy. He felt his power grow as hers faded. And as he took her mana he realized what a powerful mage he was dealing with. She was trembling, which was understandable. Ben was like a surgeon now. One slip and he might sear her insides forever, leaving her magically crippled—or worse.

  All the magic in her body came out, then the mana pool began draining. The level dipped, but Ben kept going. If she simply regenerated all that power, he would have achieved nothing.

  As Ben sucked the last drop of mana out of Lexi’s pool, the organ wilted and shriveled in on itself. Ben couldn’t exactly see this with his eyes. It was more of a sense provided by the Drain spell. But he could tell precisely what was happening.

  Lexi gasped, all the color fading out of her face. She bent over double, trying to suck in air.

  Ben cut off the Drain spell. He watched as the hawkwoman tried to recover. There was nothing he could do to help her, aside from giving her back her power, which would have defeated the entire purpose of what he’d just done.

  Lexi forced herself to stand again. “Did that work?”

  “Let’s find out.” Ben knelt in front of Lexi, pulling the keys from his belt. He undid the null lock and took it off her ankle. Stepping back, he watched.

  Lexi held her breath, waiting. Finally, she shook her head. “I don’t think it’s coming back. Normally, I can feel the mana replenish. But now, there’s nothing.”

  Ben focused on her body, using Drain to look for any magical energy. Her mana pool remained withered, and not a drop of purple energy was visible.

  “It looks like it’s permanent,” he said.

  Tears welled up in the cleric’s yellow eyes. She dropped onto the bed, a faraway look on her face. Ben made sure to give himself a moment to appreciate the gravity of what he’d done. Destroying the mana of a mage was no different than breaking the legs of a runner, or cutting off a pianist’s fingers. He’d taken something dear from her, something she might never be able to get back.

  “I won’t forget this, Lexi,” Ben said. “Be true to your word, and I will be true to mine.”

  “I understand,” she said, tears in her eyes.

  “Looks like you won’t be needing this anymore.” Ben held up the null lock. “Be ready to leave early tomorrow morning.”

  Ben left. It was hard to do. After what he’d just put the hawkwoman through, seeing the distraught look on her face, he almost wanted to comfort her. But he knew he needed to send a message of implacable strength right now. He could comfort her later if she proved herself.

  She was still a formidable warrior, despite losing all her magic. If she put that strength in his service, he would be sure to reward her.

  Ben took the elevator back up to the crown. He needed to collect provisions, prepare the women, and lock down the tower for their absence. Tomorrow, he’d face his second battle against a trained mage.

  The thought of the coming conflict made him nervous. But the idea of testing his powers once more, gaining new spells, and freeing a small army of monsterkin, filled him with an excitement he could hardly contain.

  Chapter 7

  Ben stood outside the outpost town of Brekmarth in the forest, his women and children beside him, along with Sir Gallant the Younger and Elder, and Lexi.

  The settlement was surrounded by a wooden palisade made of skinny, crooked tree trunks. Perhaps the mage didn’t have skilled enough woodsmen to prepare anything more formidable. But Ben knew not to underestimate this mage, or his defenses, in the slightest.

  The glorified fence looked like it would keep out an attack from ogres or wild beasts, or maybe a band of robbers, but not qa well-equipped army. Ben was reminded of the ancient mottes he’d learned about in his history classes back on Earth. Most were simple hills, and any sort of wall was a luxury. Still, it was enough to keep Ben and his followers out, so they needed Lexi’s help to get inside without a full-on attack.

  Parts of the palisade were decorated with animal hides, skulls, or whole skeletons draped from the pointed spikes. A few of the bones glistened with blood, some with other viscera, suggesting they had been hung there recently.

  A sickening realization hit Ben. “Those aren’t animal skeletons, are they?”

  Lexi shook her head. “Those are dead slaves. Any that didn’t survive the journey here. Any who died along the way would be simply left to rot where they dropped. But these are the remains of the slaves who finally died of exhaustion upon arriving.”

  Ben observed the guards who patrolled the walls here and there, wondering if any of them were responsible for hanging the skeletons. Did they take pleasure in counting their victims on their rounds?

  Red banners hung on the walls, flapping in a lazy breeze. In the center of each banner was a depiction of a soldier stamping his foot down on the head of some indistinct monster, perhaps a reptile of some sort, or a dragon. A poignant symbol of the way these soldiers treated the monsterkin.

  A gate made of the same tree trunks as the palisade stood open. The rough road that led from the north entered Brekmarth through this gate. On either side of the town, the forest was dense and home to a great number of wild beasts. Travelers were obliged to pass through the town and pay a hea
vy fee, or brave the wilds on the outside.

  Fortunately, Sir Gallant the Younger had shown Ben a small stash of gold coins—all curiously blank, without any kind of imprint upon them, as though they were freshly minted. These coins ought to be sufficient to get them through the gates. If genuine currency was required, they might have some difficulty, but Lexi assured them that that would not be the case this far north.

  You either paid your way to enter this town, Ben thought, or you entered for free as a slave.

  A light but steady stream of traffic passed along this road, the highway of the north. Most of the travelers were ogres or equally unsavory looking rogues and thugs. They carried hides, tusks, bones, and other wares they had harvested in the north to trade. Ben didn’t want to think how these wares were acquired, or what races they might be harvested from. Part of him wanted to tear the outpost apart piece by piece. Nothing that happened here seemed to be of good repute. Perhaps it would be better gone.

  Others brought slaves with them, though none in the quantity that Sir Gallant the Elder had seen from the top of his tower. The distinction between the slavers and the slaves was not always entirely clear. Many of the slavers seemed as monstrous as their victims. Evidently some monstrous races in the north were the haves, and they were able to enslave and sell the have-nots.

  Ben and his followers had kept a certain distance from the road. It had taken longer to journey through the forest, but with Melody’s expertise, they were able to make their way through untouched wilderness with much more ease than Ben had expected.

  “You did leave enough food and water for Uzax, didn’t you?” Ben asked Sir Gallant the Younger.

  The small stone knight, perched on his elder companion’s shoulders, nodded.

  “Of course I left enough water for him. What kind of jailor do you think I am?”

  “A sadistic one,” said Sir Gallant the Elder without a moment’s hesitation. “One who would take sick pleasure in knowing you were letting a prisoner go parched.”