"My magnificent beast, you can do it! I believe in you!" she cried, hoping to bolster it with praise.
The ground dropped away suddenly, giving the warhawk the respite it desperately needed. Slowly, but surely, it began to gain altitude. Danica had it level off about fifty feet above the highest trees, hoping to camouflage them from the mercenaries against the dark forest.
Cat suddenly gave Danica a crushing hug, "You saved my life. I'll never forget that."
Danica found herself, for once, without anything to say. She was still shaking from the ordeal, emotionally and physically exhausted. Glancing up, she tried to locate Helene and Claudia. She could see some distant warhawks wheeling high overhead, silhouetted against the clouds lit burnt orange by the last rays of a setting sun. They were disorganized and didn't seem to be acting hostile. Where the Vikon witches were, she didn't know.
"Are they dead?" Cat whispered in her ear.
"I don't know," she said. "I hope not."
The thought of Helene and Claudia selling their lives so she could catch Cat sent a lump up her throat. Every slight, every dark look she had sent Helene's way since that night of kinky sex came back to her. Now, she told herself that it was just Helene's way of having fun, that she had not purposely tried to publicly humiliate her. And Claudia, so uncomplicated and openly happy. So giving.
"I should've been kinder to Claudia," Cat said.
"We both made mistakes."
Cat nodded, and bent her head down. Danica corrected their course, heading for the mountain range. They should be able to find a clearing to land. Maybe, if they were lucky, they could find a spot to hide out for a day or two. A place they could hide a warhawk.
"Danica, watch out!" Cat said, pointing eastwardly.
Peering into the dark, Danica soon spotted the warhawk skimming the treetops as they were. It was bearing straight for them. Danica tensed, grinding her teeth together. They were in no position to defend themselves. Cat was unsecured, and the bird was exhausted. She started looking for a place to land. They could always melt into the forest, though the thought of giving up the warhawk upset her. And if Dame Falen knew they were in the forest, Danica wasn't so sure they could escape again.
"Fly steady," Danica ordered her bird. Looking around for her bow, "Cat do you think you could...where's my bow? Oh Gods, I've lost it."
Cat, squinting at the approaching Rider, said, "Wait. Were the mercenaries flying personal banners?"
Confused, Danica said, "I don't know...I don't remember seeing any. Why?"
"That Rider's flying a long one, and two smaller ones," Cat said. "Like we all were!"
Excited at the prospect, but still fearful, they waited for the warhawk to come close enough to see properly in the dim light. The bird was obviously dark — Perhaps black? Danica fervently prayed it was so. And then details of the Rider were able to be seen. Her fair skin glowed white in the dim light, contrasted by midnight dark clothes and armor that could only be Vikon. Within moments Helene flew up beside them, waving happily.
"Well met, Danica! That was beautiful!" she called.
"You're alive!" Danica called back happily. "Where is Claudia?"
"Up ahead a ways," she said. "I can feel her magic."
Danica almost cried she was so happy and relieved. Cat did tear up, and then balled like a baby. Danica wrapped a comforting arm around her, figuring that if anyone deserved a good cry, it was Cat.
Helene led them straight to a clearing in the night-shrouded mountains. The mountains were sheathed in a tall virgin hardwood forest. Claudia was already there, waiting nervously in a small clearing. Her joy at seeing both Danica and Cat even brought a bright smile to Cat's face. Upon landing, Cat quickly unfurled the rope ladder and scrambled down to embrace first Claudia, then Helene. Danica, still astride her warhawk, watched them all sobbing and hugging. Shaking her head, she wondered how such strong warriors could allow themselves to cry like children. And not be ashamed in the least!
After one last wary look up into the night sky, she climbed down. There was no sign of Dame Falen's troop, but she knew better than to think they'd departed the area. She understood now how tenaciously the Amazon knight was hunting them. That did not bode well for any of them.
"Why so glum?" Helene said, all smiles.
"They almost caught us," Danica said. "And I was feeling all too smug just before it happened. Thought I'd outsmarted and outmaneuvered them."
"It was a fluke, had to be," Claudia said, not looking all that confident.
The distant roar of several warhawks floated in on the gentle south wind. All eyes shot to their own birds, breaths held fearfully, but none of their warhawks had the wind or will to answer the challenges.
"We need to quickly hide them in the trees," Danica said. "Can you cast some kind of spell to keep them quiet?"
"No problem," Helene said with a casual wave of the hand. "Animals are even more susceptible to magic than people."
Danica had them cast their spells, then they all cajoled and coerced the warhawks well into the tree line. The thick, leafy hardwood canopy would do well at hiding the birds from searchers overhead. The birds squawked and flapped their wings in protest at being forced into a place they naturally feared. Hemmed in by the tightly-packed, thick-trunked trees left them all but helpless against forest predators. It took a good hour, and left the women exhausted. Forgoing food, they decided on guard rotation before bedding down.
Danica, on first guard, watched the others, wrapped up in blankets on the ground, quickly drop off to sleep. She stood just inside the moon-shadowed tree line, alternating between watching the starry sky and her companions. She couldn't shake the belief that all their troubles were her fault. Her vanity. If she was just able to accept her fate and go on with her life, none of them would be facing possible death.
She thought seriously about just slipping off into the forest and leaving them behind. She would still have to rescue Talar's sister, but at least her friends would be safe. In the end, she concluded that they would just come looking for her, and likely give themselves away in their efforts.
* * * * *
Maeve carefully locked her door. With a gesture and Word of Power, she set the small room's single oil lamp alight. She scowled at the room, little bigger than the stall her mount rested in. It was all she could afford. Dirusa's temple refused her request for funds, saying haughtily that servants of their Divine Mistress forsworn all worldly possessions and wealth.
The Split Keel Inn was the cheapest place she could find, and then she'd been forced to pay for her room and board with magic. The spell to rid the structure of vermin was simple enough, but it irked her to be forced into doing it. It gave the innkeeper power over her.
"I ought to place an aversion spell on the front door," Maeve said, eyes glinting at the thought.
Forcing such pleasant thoughts aside, she pulled out a piece of enchanted chalk and knelt in one corner. Oh so carefully, she drew the pentacle and runes she needed. Even the slightest mistake could be her last. Usually, the thought of facing such danger thrilled her, but after her meeting with Dirusa and Ayesha, she was bone weary, and scared.
Maeve's search of the city, both magical and mundane, had not produced Danica or Cat. Or any sign of them. Her mistresses would not be pleased. She would have to act fast and decisively if she was to keep her head, or more likely her heart, in place.
The pentacle complete, she began her chants. Soon the little crimson-skinned, golden-horned demon appeared, screaming in anger and frustration. Maeve quickly warned him against making the mistake of trying her patience today.
"Then tell me what you want now then leave me be," he demanded.
"Can you locate Danica or Cat in this city, or between here and Dahlys?"
He paused, extending himself. Nothing.
"If they are here, then they are protected by wards. But I remind you — "
"I know demon. You can't locate elves, only humans," she said, then sighed gu
stily. Then she had a disturbing thought, "Has Dame Falen found them?"
The pause this time was short.
"Yes."
Maeve was fully alert. "Where? How?"
"They caught up with them this evening, on warhawks near the village of Pyrchaun."
"Then Falen is taking them to Rebecca as we speak."
The demon scowled, obviously disappointed. "No. Puma Troop failed to capture them. They are being assisted by two Vikon witches."
Maeve relaxed, though the news wasn't good by any measure. Danica was at least a full day ahead of her, though she wasn't quite sure where this village of Pyrchaun was located. Though she knew full well the speed that a warhawk could maintain for sustained periods.
"Demon, can you determine where Cat or these witches are located now that you know of this?"
"No. It has been many hours since the battle, so they could have flown quite a long distance in any direction."
"Yes, and Danica wouldn't be fool enough to head straight for Dahlys now. She will take a more circumspect route."
After thinking on her problem a moment, she sent the little demon away. Chanting a new spell, she opened a communication spell to High Mage Rebecca. Soon the wary face of the Amazon High Mage appeared, demanding Maeve declare herself.
"I am Maeve Snapdragon, servant of our Goddess Dirusa," she said.
"Maeve? I thought you were Ayesha's agent?"
"I now serve the Divine Goddess."
Rebecca's look became cautious. "How may I serve the Divine Goddess?"
"Your agent, Dame Falen, has bungled her attempt to capture the elfmaid today. Danica and Cat are astride warhawks, and could be in Dahlys within days. I would come straight to you via portal, saving myself the time and effort of prolonged flight, if you but drop your wards and offer a bit of assistance."
A predatory look came over Rebecca as she contemplated this new development. Maeve fought the urge to fidget. She did not have the power needed to create a portal to Dahlys without the High Mage's assistance. If Rebecca denied her, she would have no recourse but to steal a warhawk and fly to Dahlys. Where she'd likely find Danica already in Rebecca's hands or what was left of her anyway. Dirusa might not look favorably on her if someone else killed the elfmaid and her companion.
"What are your plans?"
"I will capture and sacrifice them to Dirusa, as ordered."
Rebecca's smile was quick and disquieting.
"Excellent. I welcome you, Sorceress Maeve."
Maeve suddenly felt like the fly, just as he hit the spider's web.
Chapter 13
Danica squinted into the same chilly wind thundering in her ears. It amazed her how cold the wind could be this far south, deep in the subtropics. They were flying high above a patchwork of pasture, cropland, and forests. On the horizon lay Dahlys, greatest of all Amazon cites, on the eastern banks of the mighty Tybor.
Dahlys, at last. They should've reached the city at least three days earlier, but Dame Falen forced them to take an extended layover in their mountain hideout. We're lucky to still be together and alive.
Still, they had arrived, together and in one piece. Hopefully, she and Cat would soon be on their way back to Allaria with Talar's sister. Them maybe, finally, she could get her body back from a grateful sorceress turned wizard.
Finding the prospects of that happening dim, Danica drove the thoughts from her mind. Turning her attention downward, she gazed upon lands she’d never dreamed of seeing. From the air, the Empire looked much like any other land, with patchwork croplands surrounding cities, and dense emerald forests surrounding the croplands. Below her gentle hills rolled for as far as she could see. Beautiful country with two large rivers meeting at Dahlys.
Dahlys sprawled before them in all its pride and glory. Danica was impressed despite herself. Coming from Dakkor, she measured all cities against its legendary beauty. Until now, she had never seen even one city come close to Dakkor's breathtaking splendor. She found herself strangely hesitant, as if afraid Dahlys might truly be more beautiful than her home city. The other Amazon cities she’d seen along the Tybor seemed quite beautiful from high above, and Dahlys was reputed to be the most glorious city of all.
Almost upon the great city of whitewash and marble, she strained to see it more clearly. To judge. Scattered about like gemstones on a white cloth, massive temple and palace domes glinted silver and gold. Other domes glistened red, green, blue, and every other color of the rainbow. She marveled at the sight of countless thin, soaring towers jutted high over the city. She could see parks and wide boulevards, and brightly decorated party barges on the smaller Tegar River winding its way through the heart of the city.
The huge piebald warhawk she rode roared at the sight, knowing rest and food were soon to come. Danica, taken by surprise, jumped with a yelp. Then laughed at herself.
Petting its massive neck, "Patience, my pet."
The bird gave her a golden-eyed glance, roared again, and returned her attention back toward Dahlys. Helene's bird returned the roar. Danica never heard Claudia's bird make a single sound, not even during their recent air battle. She suspected magic was involved, knowing the big Vikon witch didn't care for warhawks any more than Cat, and preferred to travel by horseback.
Gods, even majestic beasts are corrupted by magic!
Danica was beginning to believe nothing was sacred to spellcasters. Reluctantly, she admitted to herself that it was magic that had saved them from Dame Falen's tender mercies, and afterwards kept their warhawks from answering the challenges of Puma Troops' warhawks. Probably the same spell kept Claudia's bird quiet now.
She considered nudging Cat, who dozed comfortably behind her. They devised a restraining strap to secure her back to back with Danica on the other side of the high cantle. Cat categorically refused any suggestion she ride with anyone but Danica. She privately claimed Claudia would drive her insane with constant chatter, and found the prospect of being "tied" to the back of Helene's saddle unsettling.
Helene, in the lead and to Danica's right, began the descent. They were flying fast, trying to get to Dahlys before nightfall. Danica estimated an hour of light left. It might give them time to scout out the Imperial Palace before dark, but they would at least get a bird's-eye view of the palace complex before landing.
As they neared the city, Danica was surprised that no one came out to challenge them. It wasn't from any lack of personnel. The sky was full of crimson-clad Riders, most in military formations. She could only assume they felt safe this deep within their own territory.
Dahlys appeared to be like the other Amazon cities they’d flown over, only on a larger scale. Massive palaces and government buildings of white marble seemed to be the rule. Only their red terra cotta roofs, the multicolored temples of the Arisen Gods, and the occasional parks broke up the whitewashed monotony. Danica marveled at the Amazon love of whitewash and awe-inspiring edifices. Though she thought the soaring, spiky towers and glimmering domes a nice touch. As were the small parks sprinkled about.
Helene banked hard to the right, and the others followed. She had warned Danica earlier that the city officials frowned on joyrides over and through their city. However, it was permissible to fly around the city, outside its walls, as long as air traffic wasn't disrupted. That in itself wasn't surprising. Riders and Hawkers alike were known to swoop down and snatch up men and women as slaves or hostages.
Dahlys lay astride the Tegar River, where it emptied into the wide Tybor. From high above, Danica could see the many concentric rings of defensive works surrounding the legendary "Seven Hills of Dahlys." Though, surprisingly, she could count ten hills within the city's walls. The many rings of defensive walls told the story of the city's growth over the centuries. The newest, and most impressive, were a pair of sparkling white walls behind deep river-fed moats. The inner wall was somewhat higher, giving it an overview of the fields beyond and the wall before it. Danica wouldn't want to be one of the luckless soldiers to take that o
uter wall. Narrow, flimsy looking rope and plank bridges could be seen connecting the top of the two walls.
Numerous stone bridges arched over the Tegar River and connected the two halves of the city. Only it was the lone bridge over the Tybor which took her breath away. In Danica’s eyes, it was even more impressive than the Tyborian Way. Until then, she had thought it impossible to span such a wide, deep river. It had to be Galletine, no one but them would have considered it, much less have the balls to attempt such a feat. Besides, if the Amazons had built it they would have bragged about their deed. Their silence was the strongest evidence in Danica's mind that the builders were the Galletine Empire. The bridge was wide and gently arching across the river. Ships had no trouble passing beneath it under full sail. The sides of the bridge were lined with tall statues of heroines of the Amazon Empire.
Gods, how they could build!
Tearing her gaze away from the bridge as they flew past, it having no part in her schemes, she began studying the city. The streets and boulevards were mostly straight and wide, many lined with flowering trees. Straight streets were an Amazon trait she wasn't sure she approved of. It made it too easy for any invading force. Massed cavalry could just sweep down the streets, routing any defenders. Random, twisting streets confused invaders and allowed defenders many chances for ambushes and bottling up maneuvers. The only part of the city to have twisting streets was cradled north of the Tegar where it emptied into the Tybor. She had learned that it was the Old City, built during the Galletine Empire. Everything else was built by Amazons, after the capital was moved here from Vallusa by their first ruler, Empress Jasmine.
From above, she could see the squalor hidden behind the glorious facades on the streets. The huge tenements of the common folk were enormous square or rectangular structures with large central courtyards. That was where the poverty could be seen, but only from above. As always, outward appearances were deceiving. Despite that, Danica reluctantly concluded that poverty seemed the exception within the Empire.
Into Lands Forbidden (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 2) Page 19