by Ben Hale
“Your arrogance will get you killed, thief!”
Jack grinned but didn’t turn. “So I’ve been told.”
One of the guards grunted in disbelief. “Who is that?”
“A fool,” Thock said.
Jack grinned and continued his advance down the lightbridge. He wondered what past elves had thought as they took the long walk. Had any stepped off and chosen the Well over facing the reaver? Without rail or barrier, the narrow bridge would have allowed a terrified prisoner to simply disappear into the fathomless depths below. Apparently he was not the first to think it, as one of the spectators above shouted down to him.
“I’ve got ten silver that you jump!”
“Then you’re a fool!” Jack shouted back, eliciting a round of laughter from the other spectators.
He reached the labyrinth and came to a halt, his gaze drawn to the queen’s attendant standing on the balcony above. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted the reaver being fed his blood. Then the queen’s attendant raised a small yellow object and held it high, allowing the tension to build across the spectators. A flurry of last minute wagers were placed, and Jack saw new elves lining the balconies above.
A flicker of light drew his eye and he turned to see Lorelia standing beside Beauty and the others. The confusion, fear, and anger on their faces were almost comical. They had evidently never considered he would take the trial. The touch of betrayal on Beauty’s face caused him to raise his fingers to his lips and blow her a kiss.
Beauty snorted and shook her head, while Lorelia threw up her hands in disgust. Amusement flitted across the features of the others, while Ursana subtly tapped her crossbow. Jack recognized the offer but shook his head. Then the queen’s attendant released the corin, and the black reaver’s snarl forced him to focus.
Unlike his predecessor he didn’t run, and casually strode toward the reaver. On his way he picked up a shield while drawing the dagger from his back. In the distance he could hear the reaver’s claws scraping the stone as it charged for him, and a wall of stone shattered as it plowed through it. He watched the plume of dust and debris and shifted direction.
His unhurried advance drew a murmur from the spectators, and he spared a look to find that the crowd had grown since his appearance, with more shoving for a view on the balconies. He smirked, realizing that he’d sparked curiosity among the dark elves.
The reaver slowed as it drew close and set to hunting him, its snarl reverberating down the corridors of the labyrinth. He shifted direction again, angling to get behind where it had appeared. As if sensing his desires, the reaver turned, the spikes of its back scraping the stone walls.
Jack’s corridor opened into a small courtyard next to a short castle-like structure. As he entered the courtyard the reaver appeared across from him. It growled and caught a sword embedded in the stone. Rising up, it hurled the blade at Jack.
Jack sidestepped and the blade crashed into the wall behind him, sinking all the way to the hilt and cracking the stone. Then Jack reached the reaver and raised his shield, catching the reaver’s claws as they attempted to rake across his flesh.
He spun and twisted, deflecting the massive strength of the beast and striking back with his dagger. The creature leapt over him and came down at his back, and Jack whirled to strike across its face.
The reaver lowered its head and the weapon clanged off the steel spikes. It growled and surged forward. Jack stepped aside and leapt, twisting over its shoulder and landing closer to a building.
The beast reached to its back and snapped a spike free from its own flesh. It hurled the spike at Jack, nearly taking his head from his shoulders. The metal shard grazed his skin across his cheek, leaving a furrow of blood to drip down his jaw.
Jack winced and threw the beast an irritated look. “I hope that doesn’t scar.”
It snorted and came at him again, and for several seconds it sought to land a blow on Jack. The reaver’s sheer strength and speed made it impossible for Jack to strike back, but their matching agility made it difficult for the reaver to land a blow. Then it reared onto its hind legs and charged like a hulking, spiked barbarian.
Jack scrambled backward and raised his bent shield. The claws dug furrows in the steel barrier and sent him skidding toward the building. He struck back, swinging his dagger at the beast’s shoulder and finding a gap in the armor, cutting a thin line across the flesh.
The reaver paused and its great head looked down at the miniscule wound. It seemed amused, and then its lips curled in anger. Jack leapt to the side as it lunged, barely escaping the spikes as it flew past him and crashed into the building wall. Trapped, Jack raced up the steps and sought for an escape.
He reached the first level and leapt into a room. The reaver skidded into the opening, demolishing the roof’s supports and forced its way inside. Jack sprinted across the room and reached the stairs on the opposite end of the structure. Then he hurled himself up to the highest point on the structure, using it to leap to a neighboring building.
The reaver landed behind him but Jack kept going, sprinting across the tops of the buildings until he reached the highest point, a hill that overlooked the entire arena. Situated close to where the reaver had entered, it had rarely been touched by past conflicts. Spotting a balcony jutting out from a hill, he darted to the edge and turned to face the beast.
The reaver bypassed the steps entirely and leapt into a high flip onto the balcony. In spite of the circumstances Jack grinned at the display of agility, recognizing it as coming from his own blood. He retreated to the edge and looked down, and found himself staring into the Well of Shadow.
With his back to the Well he raised his shield and prepared himself to fight. He’d planned carefully but a current of apprehension tightened his jaw. Fleetingly he wondered if he would fail, but the thought left his mind as soon as it appeared.
“I can see why they never defeat you,” Jack said.
The reaver came to halt, its body low to the ground as it prepared to pounce. For the first time it spoke. How can you have such certainty in the face of death?
The voice was female rather than male, and carried enough curiosity to cause Jack to smile. “I trust what I know,” Jack said.
Your arrogance is going to get you killed, thief.
Annoyance caused Jack to frown. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
Perhaps you should listen.
He grinned and darted to the side, seeking to bypass the reaver and return to the tenuous safety of the arena. The reaver intercepted him and reached out to clasp the shield. Its claws wrapped around the edge of the barrier, reaching all the way to his arm. Jack yanked his arm out as the reaver ripped the shield free. It sent the shield spinning into the Well of Shadow with a flick of its claw.
Jack pointed the dagger toward the reaver as a hum of expectation filled the spectators. A glance revealed his friends trying to get closer but he knew they were too late to reach him. As the reaver stalked forward he knew he was out of time. Then a smiled played across his features.
And he sheathed his dagger.
The motion drew a shocked silence from the spectators but the reaver didn’t pause. Its great hand reached out and wrapped around his waist, digging into his flesh. Then the beast reared up on its hind legs and released a bellowing roar of triumph.
Jack’s vision filled with the reaver’s teeth and he knew it would be futile to attempt to escape. He was so close he could feel its breath on his face, and see the grey tongue coiling in its mouth. He clenched for what he knew was coming . . . and the reaver hurled him over the edge of the arena.
The force of the throw sent him soaring upward, all the way to the ledge the reaver had come from. He rolled to absorb the impact and rose to stand beside the rune that activated the lightbridge. He slammed his hand onto it and the lightbridge glowed to life, allowing the reaver to charge up to him. Reaching Jack, the beast passed him by and lunged for the guards just exiting the tunnel.
&nb
sp; They shrieked as they perished, and their bodies were tossed over the edge. Then Jack opened the gate that allowed them into the tunnel beyond. Without hesitation the reaver surged through and began to slaughter the guards that had chained it.
Jack turned to the tumultuous response from the spectators and raised a hand to them. “You have my gratitude for a fine Trial!” he shouted. “A pity I cannot stay to finish it!”
He offered a mock salute to the queen, and his smile could not be constrained. Amidst cheers from the crowd and shouts from the guards, he turned and streaked after the rampaging beast. Arrows clattered in his wake but his laughter lingered to echo throughout the city.
Chapter 29: Unlikely Allies
The black reaver plowed through the Reaver Guard in the tunnel, sending their bodies crashing into the wall. Blood from the impact touched the reaver’s tongue, and the spikes on its back began to glow with power. A pair of Silver Guard appeared but the reaver slammed into them before they could form weapons. Silver splashed on the tunnel and struggled to coagulate.
Corridors and doors blurred past them as they sprinted through the upper levels of the prison. Shouts and orders echoed around them and guards appeared on all sides. One raised a crossbow and aimed at Jack but he activated his hand crossbow and fired first, sending a bolt into the dark elf’s knee. He cried out and collapsed, his bolt going wide.
Soldiers appeared ahead but the reaver did not slow. They scattered like pebbles before a tumbling boulder, with weapons, helms, and shields clattering off the walls. Jack leapt their groaning forms without pause.
They reached a set of wide stairs and sprinted up them. A quartet of Reaver Guards appeared at the end of the corridor and skidded to a halt. They formed a rank and a burst of brown light cascaded from their forms, striking the reaver. It slowed, whining as the animal magic sought to subdue it.
Jack slipped past the reaver and raised his crossbow, firing a bolt into their midst. It exploded on the wall, knocking them sprawling in a cloud of dust and bits of stone. The reaver’s claws dug into the floor as it accelerated once more. They leapt the downed soldiers and ascended upward.
“If I were ever to have a partner,” Jack said with a laugh, “it would be you.”
The reaver released a rumbling snarl that carried a tinge of humor. If there were ever a human I would not kill, it would be you.
They reached another set of stairs and charged up them into a broad courtyard. Battlements ringed the space with barracks beneath them. The ceiling contained runes and glyphs that illuminated the chaos.
A portcullis was halfway shut and guards massed on the battlements above it, aiming crossbows and gathering magic. The reaver charged the gate and slammed into it, releasing a clang so loud that everyone in the vicinity winced. But the gate held and continued to lower.
“Watch my back!” Jack shouted.
He dived under the portcullis and stood in the midst of the guards. They turned on him in astonishment, but he was too fast. He caught one man by his armor and knocked him into another, kicking his legs so they both went down.
An elf lunged for him but Jack slipped to the side, catching his wrist and yanking him from his feet. Jack took advantage of the space to raise his crossbow and fire ice bolts into the remaining soldiers. Frost exploded around them, freezing them together in a comical pose.
Growling and straining to free themselves, the soldiers tipped to the side and slid down the wall, putting one soldier’s face on the ground. Jack heard his muffled curses and laughed as he jumped over him to the guardhouse door.
The reaver released the portcullis and turned around, its bone-chilling snarls forcing the soldiers to gather into a single unit. Jack kicked the locked door from its hinges and leapt inside. Three guards rose to face him but he slipped past their swords and yanked the lever that raised the portcullis. Then he sidestepped a sword thrust and yanked the weapon free, jamming it into the workings. Dodging their furious attempts to stop him, he leapt out the window and rolled to his feet.
And found a Silver Guard gliding toward him.
“You can’t stop it!” A guard snarled, and Jack looked down at the frozen soldier.
“I don’t intend to,” Jack said, and thumbed the rune for exploding bolts. As quick as he could pull the trigger he sent four into the Silver Guard. He ducked behind the pile of frozen soldiers as the bolts detonated, sending sizzling silver into the wall.
He patted the soldier on the head and leapt to the opening portcullis. There he found Captain Sinder stepping in front of the black reaver. He screamed at the beast and uncoiled a whip of pure light.
“You are mine, beast!”
He whipped her across the face, drawing blood. Then he reared back to strike again—but the reaver caught the whip and pulled it close, dragging the screaming captain with it.
I WAS NEVER YOURS!
The mental roar thundered in the minds of everyone present. The dark elves clasped their heads and fell to their knees, while Jack instinctively shut out the sound. Then the reaver grasped the dark elf and raked its claws across him, launching the corpse into the wall. Its primal roar boomed across the courtyard, causing even the Silver Guard to hesitate.
“Done?” Jack asked, striding to the reaver’s side.
The reaver snorted and surged past him, its spikes scrapping against the portcullis. Jack followed and together they burst onto a city street filled with dark elves. Jack grinned as they scattered, then glanced at the reaver.
“Don’t forget our deal.”
The reaver snorted and tossed its head. Then it surged into a sprint across a bridge to a neighboring spine. The soldiers and Silver Guard hurled their weapons, and Jack ducked behind the reaver as arrows and spears clattered off the creature’s armor. Enraged and empowered, the reaver could not be stopped, and it plowed through their ranks.
Dark elves and liquid silver were tossed aside but the beast did not go for the kill. Instead it accelerated toward a bridge that would take them to Enzoar, the spine closest to an exit. Jack followed the reaver as it continued its unchecked rampage. Dark elves crowded balconies and higher buildings, shouting and screaming as the pair raced by, but few braved the streets. Those that did were knots of soldiers intent on stopping their escape.
A group of mages stepped in front and cast a shield charm. Jack recognized the shimmering barrier as crafted from animal magic and realized it would sap the reaver’s energy. Since the light was dim he cast his shadowhook, catching the face of the dark elf in the center. He came to a halt and yanked, pulling him from the line and disrupting the spell.
The black reaver shattered what remained of the shield and blasted through them, charging across another bridge. It reached a shimmering golden portcullis just as it lowered. The impact echoed across the underground city, and the metal bent inward. The enchantment flickered and weakened, allowing Jack to slip through the gap.
“One moment,” he called to the reaver.
Hundreds of guards were in the courtyard and they started at his sudden appearance. Knowing he had only seconds before they would swarm him, he leapt to the guardhouse and grabbed the uniform of a dark elf at the winch controls. The elf sought to draw a blade but Jack heaved him out the door and yanked the lever that would raise the portcullis.
Shouts of dismay erupted in the courtyard and the soldiers rushed to the portcullis on the opposite side of the spine. A Silver Guard appeared in the guardhouse doorway with sword in hand, so Jack drew his dagger and deflected the strike. The Silver Guard struck from all sides, its blade turning into two, and then a spear.
Jack dodged and leapt, twisting to avoid a sudden javelin. Then he leapt to the ropes and kicked off the wall, twirling into a flip that carried him over the Silver Guard to the door. The Silver Guard’s sword cleaved the door in two but Jack rolled and streaked away.
He sprinted across the courtyard as the reaver burst from beneath the portcullis. By sheer momentum the reaver scattered the hasty attempts to sto
p it. Together, they crossed the spine and reached the final gate when it was several feet off the ground. Bellowing in defiance, the reaver lowered its head and charged under it.
The gate groaned and rent as the reaver’s spikes crashed through it, jamming it into the wall. Leaving the mangled portcullis behind, they raced across the bridge and through the archway that led to the wilds. The guards made a token attempt to stop them, but Jack spotted the fear on their faces.
The sounds of pursuit faded quickly as they left Elsurund behind. Shortly after, they came to a halt in a cavern shaped like a crescent moon. Illuminated by the glowing purple and green stones common in the Deep, the space branched into numerous side paths and corridors.
Abruptly the power of blood faded and the reaver slowed. It came to a halt and seemed to wilt. Jack’s chest heaved from the flight and he began to laugh. Loud and laced with delight, the sound echoed off the stone walls and came back distorted.
Our escape amuses you?
Jack could hear the fatigue in the reaver’s mental voice, but it also sounded like it was smiling. Abruptly he decided it was no beast, and deserved to be spoken to as a woman. He grinned when her great head turned to face him.
“How could it not?” he asked. “Did you see the shock on their faces?”
I’ve performed for their pleasure enough, she replied, her tone darkening.
“They were cheering for our escape,” Jack said.
The reaver settled onto her haunches and regarded him with curiosity in her green eyes. The motion made her look like a dog—a huge dog with metal spikes and jaws like a lion. He grinned at the mental image.
I cannot forgive them.
“Your tormentors have received their recompense,” Jack said. “They tortured you and paid with their lives. I doubt the rest of the dark elves knew the truth.”
They will continue to hunt my kind for the Trial, she said with a snarl.
“Perhaps,” Jack said, “but they regard you as a dangerous beast. It will take time to capture another.”