Vosper's Revenge

by Kristian Alva

  Thorin paused, listening intently. The sound of male voices drifted down. He cupped his hand to his ear, and the conversation became clear.

  “Can you believe how long we've been stuck here? I hope our relief comes soon. I'm hungry,” said one man.

  “You're always hungry, Masheck. Stop complaining. Be thankful we don't have to be down there in the streets with all the riff-raff,” said another. “Goodness, how I hate Ironport! This city is disgusting. Full of beggars and garbage. It's no better than an outhouse.”

  “Those necros are pretty scary, eh? Did you know they never sleep? During the day, they just stand in a corner, floating in place. Brrr! They give me the chills,” the man said.

  “Yeah, me too. The necros make my skin crawl. Just avoid them. I hope we find that spellcaster soon. I'd like to leave this filthy city and get back to the capital tomorrow. I'm wagering on the races tomorrow, and I want to watch my horse win.”

  “Fah! When was the last time your horse won a race? More likely, you'll be watching your horse lose!” The sound of laughter drifted down.

  Thorin relayed the conversation to Sela. “There's two men upstairs, both empire soldiers. They sound pretty relaxed. If we're careful, we can prob'ly take 'em by surprise.”

  Sela nodded, drawing her short sword. The sword rasped quietly against the scabbard; the sound made Sela's heart beat faster. It had been years since she'd experienced hand-to-hand combat.

  Thorin grasped his ax with his right hand and a short dagger in the other. They tiptoed up the stairs, stopping just before the top step. Sela peered around the corner. Both soldiers stood with their backs to them, watching the city.

  One pointed down at the city and laughed, amused by something in the street. “Masheck! Come 'ere and look at this! The captain is roundin' up the governor's lackeys in the center square. What a bunch of misfits!” The other man came over and peered over the side. He starting laughing as well.

  “Now!” whispered Sela, and they ran toward the unwitting soldiers.

  Thorin jumped up, slicing open the neck of the first man, who fell instantly to his knees. The man clawed speechlessly at the air, blood spurting from his neck like a fountain. He coughed once, then collapsed.

  “What?” said the other man, his eyes widening with alarm. He tried to draw his sword, but it was too late. Sela thrust her blade under his chest plate, jamming the point directly into his heart. The man gurgled blood and sank to the floor.

  Sela searched the man and was lucky enough to find a printed map of the city. She wiped her sword on her tattered cloak and returned the sword to its scabbard. “Nice job, Thorin,” said Sela. “It's a pleasure fighting by your side.”

  Thorin's face was flushed. “That's champion, Mistress Sela. The pleasure's all mine.” Thorin cleaned his ax and his dagger on the dead man's tunic and tucked them back into his belt. “It's been a while since I've seen battle, but some things ye just never forget.”

  Thorin stepped over to the wall and looked down. “There's a lot more than forty soldiers in the city right now. Just on the streets, I'm seein' at least a hundred.”

  “Do you see the necromancers?”

  “Nay, I don't see them. They might be indoors. They dislike sunlight, ye know.”

  “I know, but I still think the necromancers are down there somewhere. Why would Vosper send both of his deadrats here, only to have them hide all day? No… they may dislike sunlight, but necros don't sleep, so they're probably out looking.”

  “At least we know that they're lookin' for Islar. That boy did a shoddy job concealin' his exit from Morholt.”

  “Either that, or Islar did it on purpose,” said Sela. “We still don't know if we can trust him.”

  “Aye, that's true,” said Thorin, looking down again on the city. “Wait-I see my cousin Floki!”

  “Where is he?” said Sela, crouching by the wall. Thorin pointed down toward the street, by a saloon. There were dozens of men milling around the entrance, and the sound of rowdy music drifted up toward them. Even at a distance, Thorin could hear it.

  “Look there-by the entrance of the Whale's Head Pub. He's not inside; he's back in the alleyway. He's the one wearin' a brown cloak. Ye caint see 'is face; he just pulled up 'is hood.”

  “Are you sure it's him?”

  “Positive. It's Floki, all right.”

  “Is Vosper's mage with him?”

  “No… I don't think so. He's standin' alone. Islar might be waitin' somewhere else.”

  “I hope so,” said Sela, stepping over the dead soldiers. “May Golka watch over us. I pray we're not stepping into a trap.”

  They walked swiftly down the stairs and carefully out the door, locking it behind them. The same beggar extended his hand to Sela. Both of the man's legs were severed at the knee, and he was missing several fingers on each hand. Sela pulled a coin from her purse and dropped it into the beggar's hand.

  “You never saw us, understood?” she said.

  The man smiled and nodded, displaying a toothless grin. He gleefully accepted the coin, tucking it into his pocket.

  Sela and Thorin crept around the circumference of the watch tower and then walked slowly in the direction of the pub. Soon they were directly across the street from the Whale's Head. As the boy had said, there was a painted sign of a whale hanging near the doorway. The whale in the picture was smiling and drinking an enormous flagon of ale.

  “Over there,” said Thorin, jerking his chin toward a short man standing outside. “That's Floki.” Thorin coughed loudly, and Floki looked up. A shadow of recognition crossed his face, and he grinned. As Floki stepped off the curb to approach them, three soldiers exited the pub with their swords drawn.

  “Stop! Stay where you are!” ordered one of the men.

  “It's a trap!” hissed Sela. She grabbed Thorin by the collar and yanked him toward into the street. She pointed at Floki, “You! Get over here now!” she ordered. Startled, Floki jumped and ran over to them.

  As soon as Floki got to the middle of the street, Sela grabbed his collar, too. “Hud-leyna!” she said, casting a concealment spell around them. The air shimmered, and the three of them disappeared. A gasp went up from the crowd. “She's a mage!” said one of the onlookers.

  “Sound the alarm!” said one of the soldiers.

  “Run!” said Sela, and they sprinted down the street. Sela struggled to concentrate as they moved forward, hidden inside the protective bubble of her spell.

  “This is a neat trick,” said Floki. “They can't see us?”

  “No, they can't see us,” said Sela, “but they can still hear us, so keep quiet. We're far from safe. I don't know how long I'll be able to maintain this concealment spell around us. These types of spells aren't my strong suit, and Brinsop isn't here to help me. The sooner we get out of sight, the better.”

  “I've got an idea,” said Thorin, while struggling to keep up. “I remember an old building at the edge of town. There's an underground escape route that will take us out of the city.”

  “Yes,” said Floki, “I remember it, too. It's the old governor's lodge.”

  “How far away is it?” asked Sela, still running.

  “It's at the city's edge. We still have a ways to go,” said Floki. They continued to run for several minutes, zigzagging through the streets, while trying to stay off the main roads. In the distance, they heard the deep sound of a sholvar. It was a war trumpet, made from a ram's horn.

  “There goes the alarm,” said Sela. “Soldiers are being alerted throughout the city.”

  A few times, empire soldiers rode right past them and Floki jumped, forgetting that he was concealed by Sela's magic.

  Finally, a large structure came into view in the distance. It was overgrown with grass and weeds. A few other abandoned houses stood nearby. “Is that it?” asked Sela, squinting into the sunlight. Her face was flushed and streaked with dirt and sweat.

  “Aye,” said Thorin who was falling behind. “That's it. It's abandoned. Y
ears ago, Vosper killed the former governor when he was discovered harboring mageborns. Vosper slaughtered his entire family-his wife and the children. Not even the servants were spared. Nobody lives there now. They say the building is haunted.”

  They continued until they reached the abandoned house. Then they carefully stepped through the brush and walked to the back of the building. Once they were hidden from the street, Sela released the spell. “Letta-hud-leyna!” she said, exhaling deeply. She paused for a few moments, gathering her strength.

  “We were lucky to get this far,” said Sela. “Floki, how did Vosper's men know your location?”

  “I have no idea,” said Floki. “I arrived here two days ago. I counted at least a dozen empire soldiers when I arrived, but I've tried to stay out of sight. Islar stole that dragon stone-that one you wanted. Maybe Vosper discovered the theft.”

  “But how would he know that Ironport is where we chose to meet?” said Sela. “It's more likely that Vosper allowed both of you to escape in order to set a trap for all of us.”

  “Vosper couldn't have known about our plan,” said Floki. “Our messages weren't intercepted.”

  “Well, Vosper knows something, or else he wouldn't have sent his necromancers here,” said Sela.

  Floki's eyes opened wide. “N-necromancers?” “Vosper's deadrats are in the city right now?”

  “Yes,” said Sela. “They're here. We overheard two soldiers talking earlier today-they're searching for you and for Vosper's renegade spellcaster. Where is he?”

  “Islar was so scared, I told him to wait outside the city,” said Floki. “He's just a kid. I left him in that wooded area a few leagues away from the city. He's got Hanko's dragon stone with him.”

  “Brinsop is out there, too, waiting for us,” said Sela. “We have to find a way out of here. Thorin, where's that hidden passage?”

  “Not exactly sure, but I believe it's underneath this house. It's a shaft that leads outside th' city. It was used by the old gov'nor to smuggle mageborn children out of Ironport during the war. We just have to find it.”

  “How do you know about the passageway?” asked Sela.

  “Because I was on the receivin' end. I helped transport the mageborns through the forest, and then into Mount Velik. From there, they were taken to Miklagard. Most of 'em were children. It didn't last long. Vosper found out, and the gov'nor was executed, along with 'is entire family. I nev'r discovered who betrayed us.”

  “It could have been anyone,” said Sela. “Vosper has spies everywhere, even in Miklagard. Vosper's two necros escaped from Miklagard earlier this year, and I'm pretty sure they had assistance. I have my suspicions about who was responsible for helping those two deadrats escape.”

  “There's a traitor at Miklagard?” asked Floki.

  “Prob'ly more than one,” said Thorin. “Last time I was there, I met some shady folks on the High Council.”

  “All right, you two,” said Sela. “Let's look for that passageway. The faster, the better. The soldiers already know that I'm a spellcaster, but if they discover that it's me, we're all in much bigger trouble. Vosper will do almost anything to get his hands on a dragon rider.”

  They began searching for the passageway, lifting rotting boards and pushing aside overgrown bushes. Blackberry brambles grew everywhere. After a few minutes, they were covered in scrapes and cuts from the thorns. The horn blared again.

  “The sound is getting closer,” said Floki. “The soldiers are coming in this direction.”

  “You're right,” said Sela grimly. Just then, she felt the touch of Brinsop's mind on her own. “Wait-Brinsop is calling me.” She stood up and touched her dragon stone. The ruddy stone began to glow, and Brinsop's voice echoed in her mind.

  Sela! Good news. I've found Vosper's little renegade spellcaster. I almost fried him to a crisp before I realized who he really was. He's just a youngling! I frightened him nearly out of his wits. I think the poor boy may have actually wet himself. Do you want to communicate with him through me? The wretched little thing is crouching on the ground now, trembling like a leaf. He doesn't speak dragon tongue, so you better talk fast, before he attempts some little spell and I have to knock the spit out of him.

  “Bless you; this is the first good news I've heard all day,” said Sela. She tried to remember the spell that would allow her to speak through her dragon. It had been so long since she'd used it. The communication was done through their dragon stone link, so it wasn't nearly as exhausting as regular telepathic speech.

  “Tala-Pekkja,” she said, and her body began to glow bluish-white. Her outline wavered like a heat haze and then stabilized. In the forest, over a league away, a glowing image of Sela's body materialized, reflecting outwards like a prism from Brinsop's dragon stone. “Islar! Calm yourself-Brinsop is a friend. My dragon will not harm you.”

  Islar, still crouched in a defensive position on the ground, stared with wonder. “Who are you?” he asked. The vision sharpened, and Sela was able to see the young spellcaster through Brinsop's eyes.

  “My name is Sela. I'm the leader of the dragon riders. Don't be afraid. I'm here to save you.”

  Islar stood up and approached. He touched the vision with his fingers; they trailed through Sela's image like smoke.

  Sela continued. “Floki, Thorin, and I are trapped inside Ironport; we're trying to leave the city. They're watching the gates, and there's two necromancers searching for us.”

  Islar swallowed hard. “Vosper's necros are here?”

  “Yes. To make matters worse, we were ambushed at the Whale's Head by empire soldiers. The whole city's on alert; we're trying to get out of here without being killed.”

  “Can I do anything to help?” said Islar.

  “Remain where you are, but stay alert. Thorin knows of a secret tunnel out of the city, and we're searching for it now. Be prepared for anything. If you see something suspicious, tell Brinsop and she'll contact me telepathically. She understands human speech. Can you defend yourself, if necessary?”

  “Yes. I don't have much practical experience, but I'm an eighth-degree mage. I just completed my Master's training last month. I wouldn't be able to defeat a necromancer, but I can certainly defend myself against a regular soldier.”

  “Good, because it's likely that you'll need to use your powers today. Keep your mind unguarded, just in case I need to contact you again.”

  “I will,” said Islar.

  Sela ended the spell, but remained in contact with her dragon.

  In the forest, Brinsop stood up, and Islar jumped back, afraid. My, my… you're a skittish little thing, aren't you? she said. Then Brinsop looked off into the distance, her stone glowing on her chest. Sela, do you need me to come to the city?

  “No, not yet,” said Sela. “I don't want to risk you being seen. Don't break contact, though, just in case.”

  Agreed, said Brinsop, silently maintaining their connection.

  “I found something!” said Floki excitedly. “Look at this!” He pointed to a stone slab near the dilapidated fence. “Look at this rock. There's two holes at the top. They aren't natural-they're man-made.”

  “Aye,” said Thorin happily. “Those bore holes are how they lifted the block, usin' a pulley system. This is it!”

  “But this stone is huge-it would take six men to lift it, at least. We can't lift this alone,” said Floki.

  “Move out of the way,” said Sela, positioning herself near the stone. Floki and Thorin moved back a few paces. Sela looked over her shoulder, mildly exasperated. “Further back!” she commanded firmly.

  Startled, Floki and Thorin jogged back to the fence line. The war horn sounded again. The sound was very close now.

  “Mistress Sela, I hear horses,” said Thorin. “They'll be here in minutes.”

  “I know,” she said, raising her hands. “Let me concentrate.” Sela drew a deep breath and closed her eyes. A nimbus of blue flame developed around her. The dead grass near her feet started to burn. The flames gr
ew higher and higher; there was no way to hide it now-her glowing body was like a beacon.

  Floki raised his hand, covering his face from the intense heat. “What's she doing?” he said.

  Sela clenched her right hand and dropped to one knee. “Hniga-rof!” she shouted, dropping her fist onto the slab. The rock shattered, exploding upward like a geyser. The hot pebbles rained down everywhere, pelting Thorin and Floki even as they tried to avoid them.

  “Look out! Owww!” said Floki.

  Thorin didn't move. The old dwarf's breath caught in his throat. “What a woman!” he whispered.

  Sela spun around, her face flushed. “Done,” she said, “and not a moment too soon!”

  Seconds later, four soldiers on horseback appeared at the property's edge. “Stop! By order of the emperor!” ordered the first soldier, pointing his broadsword.

  “Time to go!” said Thorin, yanking Floki's sleeve. The dwarves ran toward the opening and hopped in, disappearing down the hole. They landed with a thud.

  Sela stood her ground, a glowing fireball in each hand. She stared at the soldiers, who approached her on horseback. “Stay back-if you want to live.”

  “Don't let her escape!” said one soldier, spurring his horse. They surrounded her with swords drawn, but did not attempt to engage her in combat. They're not attacking me-they're waiting for the necromancers to arrive, thought Sela.

  Five more soldiers appeared, and behind them, a short distance away, Sela saw a cloaked figure. It had milky-white hands and black nails.

  Sela heard Brinsop's distressed voice in her mind. Sela! Get out of there!

  “I'm going,” she said, dropping backwards into the opening. She twisted in the air, landing on her feet like a cat. Thorin and Floki stood waiting for her inside the tunnel.

  “What are you two doing just standing there?” she said. “Run!” Floki and Thorin jumped and started running single-file down the narrow passageway.

  The soldiers shouted from above. Sela heard them dismounting. Then she heard the hissing voice of the necromancer shouting orders. Sela pointed one hand at the opening. “Skellr-Bresta-Elta!” she said. A blast of energy erupted from her palm, jerking her back with the recoil. The opening collapsed, dirt filling the chamber. The passage went completely dark.