DarkSkull Hall

by Lisa Cassidy

  “Do you think you know Dash well enough to enter his mind?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Get a message to him that the palace is under attack and that we need every Bluecoat he can muster. Let’s hope he’s at the barracks where he’s supposed to be and can raise the alarm.”

  Dawn pulled on breeches and shirt, then sat on the bed and concentrated for a few long moments. Eventually, her eyes snapped open.

  “I can’t reach him. Something is in the way.”

  “Damn,” Alyx muttered, thinking furiously. “What about Casta?”

  “I know him even less than Dashan.”

  “Try,” Alyx urged her.

  Dawn closed her eyes, again concentrating, this time for a painfully long while. Alyx could hear the faint sounds of fighting from below and Cayr was pacing anxiously in front of Tarrick and Finn. A moment later, Dawn’s eyes flew open.

  “I think I got to him!”

  “Thank goodness,” Alyx said in relief. “Now, let’s go.”

  “I’m going to make sure my father is okay,” Cayr said as soon as the girls reappeared from the bedroom.

  “We’ll come with you,” Alyx said.

  “No. Barricade yourself in here where it’s safe.”

  Tarrick gave Cayr a contemptuous glance. “She’s a mage, while you’re just a pretty princeling. Maybe you should barricade yourself in here and stay safe.”

  Cayr gaped at Tarrick, utterly floored both by Tarrick’s icy tone and their desire to leave the safety of his room. Alyx wondered herself why she wasn’t frozen with terror.

  “I don’t have my staff,” Dawn said.

  “Here.” Finn reached towards the fireplace and pulled two steel pokers out of the rack, tossing one to Dawn. He looked pale but composed.

  “Cayr, you should stay here and let us go to check on your father,” Alyx said. “You need to stay safe.”

  “No,” he said firmly, reaching to yank his own poker from the rack. “I’m going to see if my father and my friends are all right, and help them if I can.”

  “I’ll go first,” Tarrick said. He flicked his hands and a pearly glow appeared in a shimmer around his hands and forearms. “Dawn, stick close behind me and let me know if you hear someone coming.”

  “I have good hearing,” Cayr volunteered.

  “Dawn can hear the thoughts of people at a greater distance than your ears can,” Tarrick said. “We’ll make for the ballroom first. Stick close.”

  Alyx gripped her staff tightly, following Tarrick and Dawn out the door. Adrenalin seemed to have triggered Alyx’s magic, and this close to the telepath, she was absorbing her power, hearing the thoughts of those nearby flickering in and out. Tarrick was resolute and unafraid, Dawn nervous, Cayr feeling like he was in the middle of a horrible dream. Finn bought up the rear, his excitement tinged with fear. Alyx wasn’t sure how she felt; she just knew that the palace was under attack and the king, and her father, were in grave danger.

  They ran as silently as they could along the landing, emerging onto the first floor balcony over the ballroom. Tarrick led them to the top of a staircase. Both Dawn and Alyx called a warning at the same instant as they heard a cold whisper of thoughts in their minds.

  A group of darkly dressed warriors, swords drawn, were making their way up the stairs towards them. Alyx could tell instantly from their grace and features they were Shiven. Tarrick didn’t hesitate. He raised his right arm and tossed a ball of mage power straight towards them.

  Alyx put her hands over her ears as the concussive boom rang out, squeezing her chest in a vice before vanishing as quickly as it had come. The group of Shiven flew in all directions, dead or badly wounded. Cayr stumbled as the shockwave hit him; the only one of them not accustomed to Tarrick’s power.

  “What did you do?” He stared at Tarrick in consternation.

  “It’s his mage power,” Alyx explained tersely. “There’s no time to explain. Just go with it.”

  The way now clear, they ran down into the ballroom proper. Most of the lights were out and the space was a mass of dark shadows. Again, Tarrick raised an arm and sent a ball of light soaring towards the ceiling. This one didn’t explode, but simply hung there, lighting the ballroom in an eerie silver glow.

  Bodies littered the floor, mainly Bluecoats and a lesser number of Shiven dressed all in black. A great hole had been ripped in the southern wall, the source of the explosion Alyx and Cayr had felt upstairs. The sounds of fighting came from beyond the ballroom somewhere in the direction of the eastern wing.

  “The Blue Guard has a contingency plan for this,” Cayr said tightly. “To evacuate my father and I out through the east wing to the gardens. There’s an exit there that leads right to a dock, and a boat always crewed and ready to sail.”

  “My father will be with the king,” Alyx said.

  Tarrick looked at her and nodded. “We go east then. Prince Cayr, it will be best if you lead as you know the route.”

  Cayr nodded and headed off at a run for the other side of the ballroom. In her head, Alyx was praying that Dashan knew of the escape route and was bringing more of the Blue Guard to help. Cayr hit the exit hall at a run, not seeing the Shiven hiding in the shadows. Metal glinted as his sword swiped for Cayr’s neck.

  Cayr jerked sideways, barely avoiding the blade. Alyx, a step behind, swept out with her staff as she’d been taught, slamming it into the attacker’s head as he initiated another swing at Cayr. Cayr glanced at her in shock as the body crumpled to the ground, but Tarrick shouted for them to keep running.

  They sprinted down the dark hall. Cayr took two lefts and a right, then halted, pointing down towards the end of the corridor they were in.

  “That door leads out onto stone steps that take you into the garden. From there, it’s a quarter mile to the eastern palace wall and the exit gate.”

  “Right. Let’s go.” Tarrick took the lead again. This time he sent a concussion ball flying ahead of him, smashing through the windowed door and killing the Shiven standing guard just beyond it. As the ball exploded, adrenalin rushed through Alyx and her hands sparked white hot. Tarrick’s use of his power was triggering her own warrior magic.

  Tarrick shouldered through the remains of the door and they paused briefly on the top step. A pitched battle was going on in the gardens below them. Cayr’s father, along with Garan Egalion and two other lords, were being protected by a thin line of surviving Blue Guard. Black-clad Shiven were closing in on them in a semicircle, far outnumbering the king’s protectors.

  “Mages!” Finn shouted.

  Alyx swung to where he was pointing and saw three robed figures standing apart from the Shiven warriors. Both the king and Alyx’s father had swords drawn, but were being forced back against the trunk of a large tree by the line of Blue Guard in front of them. As Alyx watched, one of the robed figures sent fire lancing at one of the Bluecoats. With a scream the soldier dropped to the ground, flame licking over his body. More Bluecoats desperately tried to cover the gap but a group of Shiven warriors moved to cut them off, others aiming straight for Garan and the king. Fear for her father filled Alyx—no matter how angry she was, she loved him more than anything. If he died...forcing that thought aside, Alyx told herself to focus on how she could help.

  “One of them is a telepath,” Dawn said. “He’s trying to distract the Bluecoats, make them easier to fight.”

  “Father!” Cayr cried out, running down the steps. Tarrick swore and ran after him.

  The white-hot sensation seared through Alyx’s forearms again. She looked down and saw the green pearlescent shimmer surrounding her hands. Magic roped through her, hot and powerful.

  Dropping her staff, Alyx ran over to the railing, both arms raised. With a grunt of effort, she allowed the magic to explode out of her. An energy ball burst from her left and right hands, straight towards the three mages.

  Bright green-white light flashed across the garden and the concussion blasts exploded with enormous energy, far more th
an Tarrick’s had. For a moment everything was too bright to see and Alyx was thrown backwards from the railing by the force of the blasts. She landed heavily, ears ringing.

  When she scrambled to her feet, the three robed figures were down, motionless. She looked for her father—he was trying to stay in front of the king, protecting him with his body. Worry flared again, especially as the Shiven warriors pressed harder against the Bluecoat line. Below, Tarrick and Finn were trying to protect Cayr as he ran for his father, laying about with the steel poker.

  “Take them from the right flank, the mages are dead,” Alyx sent to both Tarrick and Finn. Her telepathic talent was surging as strongly as her other power, and her message reached them clearly.

  She saw them jerk as her words blasted into their heads, but Tarrick instantly saw what she meant and steered Cayr towards the right flank she’d just attacked.

  Alyx glanced down and saw that her hands and forearms still glowed strongly. Not allowing herself to stop and think, she harnessed the power flowing through her and loosed another two energy bolts at the attackers closest to her father and the king.

  They exploded with as much force as the first had, tearing into the Shiven. Tarrick, Finn and Cayr were forced backwards, dropping to their knees as the concussive wave swept over them. When the bright flash of light faded, it was clear the Shiven line was decimated.

  Alyx took a step towards her fallen staff, stumbling and then almost collapsing as sudden weakness flooded her. Dawn grabbed her arm.

  “Are you all right?”

  Alyx nodded, panting. “Yes. Just a little… tired.”

  “I’m going to help Finn. I can distract the Shiven like those mages were doing,” Dawn shouted, hefting her poker and running down the steps.

  Alyx dragged herself to her feet and followed. The Shiven were still pressing their attack on the dwindling Blue Guard, but both the king and her father were still alive.

  She ran across the garden behind Dawn, making for where Tarrick and Cayr were battling the right flank of Shiven. Finn had dropped beside one of the Bluecoats who’d taken a sword thrust to his leg, trying to use his power to get him back on his feet.

  The two girls were halfway across the garden when the sound of trumpets and shouts blasted through the sound of fighting. Horses galloped towards them from the north end of the garden, all carrying armed and fierce-looking Bluecoats.

  Dashan rode in the lead, sword drawn. He leaned down from the saddle, cut down the first Shiven he came to, then another. Clear for a second, he reined his horse in and barked an order as Bluecoats streamed around him.

  Four Bluecoats forced their horses through the semi-circle of attacking Shiven towards the king. One leaned down out of the saddle to grab the king’s wrist and haul him up. In under ten seconds, all four were riding at full gallop towards the eastern gate, the king safely with them.

  Dashan called another order and four more Blue Guards converged on Cayr, breaking through the Shiven around him and carrying him off to safety. Dashan shouted again and the remaining Bluecoats set about killing the Shiven. Dashan turned his horse and rode for Alyx and Dawn, dismounting mid-stride. The sword in his right hand dripped blood.

  “You’re all okay?” he spoke directly to Alyx.

  “We’re fine,” Alyx said. “Nice timing.”

  “If Dawn hadn’t been able to let Casta know what was happening…” Dashan didn’t finish the sentence.

  “I think we’ve got them now,” Tarrick said, running up.

  “Stay with Alyx for me?” Dashan looked at Tarrick, waited for his nod, then re-mounted and rode towards the fighting.

  The Shiven warriors, no matter how skilled they were on foot, were no match for trained cavalry. Dashan’s unit of Blue Guard tore through them, killing them, and then chasing down those that tried to escape.

  Alyx, Tarrick and the twins watched from the top of the steps. During the fighting, she’d not realised how much danger they were putting themselves in. Her hands had gone back to normal temperature and the pearly glow had vanished. Her whole body trembled in exhaustion and her thoughts were slow, as if she could sleep for a week. The other three initiate mages looked the same way.

  Dashan rode up below them once the fighting was over. Blood spattered his jacket and white shirt but he looked whole and unharmed. Garan Egalion was a few strides behind, and he came up the steps to wrap Alyx in his arms. She hugged him back fiercely, all her anger at him fading in the sheer relief that he was whole and unharmed.

  “You all right, Aly-girl?”

  “I’m fine.” She nodded against his chest.

  “I’d suggest you send Alyx with the twins back to the A’ndreas home to spend the night. I don’t know if any more of these Shiven are inside the palace, Lord Egalion,” Dashan spoke. “I can send a unit to escort them. The king and Cayr won’t be brought back until we’ve ascertained it’s safe inside the palace.”

  “That sounds reasonable.” Garan nodded, leaning back. “You stay safe, Aly-girl. Don’t leave until I come to fetch you.”

  “Will you be all right?” she asked him.

  “I’ll be fine, but I need to stay here to lead the search.” He kissed her cheek. “I love you.”

  She watched her father go, then turned her eyes to Dashan. “Thanks, Dash.”

  He tipped his hat and rode off. The promised escort appeared minutes later, and they clambered up behind the Bluecoats as they set off for the city.

  By the time they reached the front of the A’ndreas residence, Alyx was half asleep, prevented from falling only by the arm of the soldier riding behind her. The twins’ parents came out worriedly, having heard the palace alarm bells ringing. At seeing that everybody was all right, they calmed and made up a room for Alyx. She thanked them briefly, then trudged upstairs and fell instantly asleep.

  Chapter 36

  “Alyx?”

  She shifted under the warm covers, feeling sleep tugging her back under. Dawn’s voice came again and she reluctantly cracked open her eyelids.

  “What time is it?”

  “Just before sunrise.” Dawn sat on the bed beside Alyx. “Finn says you overextended yourself last night, and will sleep for a few days, but after that you’ll be fine. Your father sent a message to say he’s sending a carriage to take you home. Apparently the palace is safe now.”

  “Tired,” Alyx mumbled, trying to keep her eyes from closing.

  “Finn used his powers to wake you so I could say goodbye. We’re leaving in a few minutes.”

  That brought Alyx more fully awake, and she sat up a little, rubbing at her eyes. “You’re leaving now?”

  Dawn nodded. “I’m so sorry, but the ship we’re booked on is leaving with the dawn tide. After what happened last night with the attack, and with Cayr…”

  “It’s okay. You have to go,” Alyx said. “I’m going to miss you, though. A lot.”

  “You too,” Dawn said, tears in her eyes. “Promise you’ll write to me? I’m not sure if apprentices are allowed letters, but if they are, I want lots of them.”

  “Only if you write back.” Alyx mustered a smile.

  “It’s a deal. Finn and Tarrick said to say goodbye. Finn didn’t want too many people in here bothering you. They say they’ll miss you, and Tarrick ordered you to stay safe until he returns to protect you.”

  “You stay safe too, especially with Galien around,” Alyx mumbled. “And don’t trust Romas. And be careful. I don’t want any of you becoming one of the missing mages.”

  “We’ll do our best to avoid that.” She chuckled.

  “All right then.”

  “Lord-Mage Casovar was here asking questions just now. Finn told him Tarrick was the one to destroy the Shiven attack on the king. In all the fighting, I don’t think anybody saw what you did, not even Prince Cayr.”

  “Okay,” Alyx said, her mind still muddled with sleep.

  “Tarrick thought it best nobody finds out about you being a mage of the higher order.”
r />   Alyx yawned widely. “Probably a good idea.”

  “Tarrick’s very impressed with you, by the way. You killed three mages.”

  She would be upset about that, Alyx thought groggily, if she were awake enough to think about it. “Mm-hmm.”

  Dawn nodded, then leaned forward and hugged her tightly. “Goodbye, Alyx Egalion.”

  “Bye Dawn.”

  Alyx was fast asleep before the door had even closed behind her friend.

  When Alyx finally awoke properly, it was to the sound of birds singing outside her bedroom window and the warmth of early morning sunlight filling the room. Her head was still a little groggy, but she no longer felt the irresistible pull of sleep tugging at her.

  Alyx glanced down at her hands. They looked completely normal now, but she could easily summon the memory of the burning heat of mage power that had surrounded them.

  She’d killed again. Her stomach lurched and she took deep breaths until the nausea faded. It wasn’t as bad this time, knowing she’d killed again—still awful, but not as distressing as it had been after the night at the tower. She hoped she wasn’t getting accustomed to it.

  Rising with a sigh, Alyx put on a robe and made her way down to the dining room. Her father was eating a bowl of porridge at the table, his eyes scanning papers arranged around his bowl. He looked up at her entrance and an expression of great relief crossed his face.

  “Aly-girl.”

  “I’m all right. You don’t need to look so worried.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Some of your porridge would be nice. How long have I been asleep?”

  “Three days.” Garan passed her an extra spoon, and she scooped up a mouthful from his bowl. “Lord-Mage Casovar came to check on you two days ago. I told him that you were upset and in shock from what happened, and needed rest.”

  “Thanks, Papa.”

  “Was I telling the truth?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Shock doesn’t cause someone to sleep for three days straight.”

  “I’m fine, truly. I was tired and upset, but I’m feeling better now.”