Now was not the time.
Tienn shifted and moaned as Sajiix half-dragged him down the twisting pathways of the warehouse district, away from the carnage of the river market. He followed Ayce, still carrying the flaccid form of Lynth, who, in turn, followed the three Magi as they all endeavored to place as much space between them and the ship.
The path opened up onto a broad street toward the west end of Fhaalvak. They were in a small business district near the west wall that was currently devoid of anyone but themselves. The Magi had paused near a small tailoring shop and Ayce took the incentive to kick the rounded door open, shouting for anyone who might be within. Hearing no answer, Ayce stepped into the small, yet tidy shop and gently laid Lynth upon a wide counter top lined with fine fabrics. Erak and Jordyn did the same, placing Margas next to the prone Zynnashan. Sajiix came next, helping Tienn to a red cushioned chair near a wide bay window. Myst and Tair stepped in, timidly gazing at the throng of heroes before them.
The Diamond Magi was examining Margas with a knowledgeable air, checking his body for any other wounds as yet undiscovered. Jordyn placed both hands on the Shadow Magi’s head and soon the diamond pendant he wore around his neck glowed softly, comfortingly. Margas groaned once as the aura faded and remained unconscious.
“You have the healing gift,” Sajiix confirmed. Some Diamond and Sapphire Magi were blessed with a weaker version of healing ability than those of the Seven Houses. It was a skill he secretly envied during times such as these.
Jordyn nodded, carefully placing a thick pad of cloth underneath Margas’ head. “He’ll recover from his head wound. He had two crates slam into the back of him when the warehouse imploded.”
“Can you take care of my friend?” Sajiix asked him urgently, gesturing to Tienn.
“No,” the Draaken said. “Lynth looks worse than I do…” He then fell into a fit of coughing.
Jordyn nodded, examining the Zynnashan with trepidation.
Ayce, now back in his normal form, leaned close to the Sajiix. “We need to get out there and help those people. You saw all the…”
“I saw them,” Sajiix replied tersely. “However, Havaas and his Fire Magi will be coming out of that metal beast to lay Fhaalvak to waste.”
“The wolves will be attacking one of the other gates,” Myst added.
Tienn winced in pain as he touched his side. “If they get through, they will shred everything near them. What they do not kill, the fires will finish.”
“We must leave this city,” Sajiix urged.
The Ruby Magi laughed, his sweat-domed head shaking in disgust. “The great Sajiix Mirhan is a simple coward. Perhaps you need to change the name of your famous Guild.”
Sajiix stepped up to the Fire Magi, his eyes boring holes of hatred into the heart of his red and orange robes. “Need necessitates fleeing, Erak. I have the Purestone. We cannot allow it to return to the Zynnashans until we are out of the city.”
“Refer to me as Dhama Karn, shadow-born,” he spat back to Sajiix.
“You have the diamond?” Ayce said suddenly. “Then use it! Use it like we did in Theenia! We can save these people by doing so!”
“Use your fur-addled brain!” Sajiix argued angrily. “Do you recall what happened to the boorsliig when the diamond was used? Do you?”
“They ran.”
“Not all of them,” interjected Tienn. “Some of them, a large part, went mad…berserk. You do not remember as you were wounded, but some of us had to hunt these creatures down weeks after the battle was won. They were stronger and smarter. Others went on a rampage, killing everything that came within their path. They had no fear…only madness.” Tienn shuddered at the memory.
“And you want to do that to the Zynnashans?” Sajiix demanded Ayce to answer.
“Fine,” Ayce conceded defeat with a powerful shrug of his shoulders. “Then what would you have us do?”
“We leave,” he said sourly.
“What about the people of Fhaalvak?” Tienn objected. “What of Cassius?”
What of Kaelyn? Sajiix thought to himself. She was out there somewhere, and the only person who knew was still in the shattered warehouse. For all his talk of fleeing the city, he knew he couldn’t leave her behind without knowing she was safe.
“Cassius went back for Baris and the Palidiamos,” Sajiix told him with a disdainful edge.
“They attacked first,” blurted Jordyn as he hovered over Lynth, using his magic to heal the Zynnashan’s wounds. “One of them used their power to place a holding spell over me before the fighting even started.”
“It matters very little what happened first,” said Tienn softly. “What matters is what we do now to help.”
Sajiix sighed. “Ayce, Jordyn, Dhama Karn…come with me. Tienn – can you watch the wounded?”
A sudden outcry of questions and demands came from those around him. The two females demanding to know what they should do; Karn insisting that Sajiix stop commanding him; Tienn questioning his decision to leave – it all pushed Sajiix to the breaking point.
“Enough!!”
They all fell silent, matching the strangely serene and hushed atmosphere of the market outside. Sajiix eyed them all, throwing open his cloak in exasperation. He pointed at Myst and Tair. “You two may go or stay as you wish. I do not care as long as you do not get in my way. All of you look to me for answers; look to me to lead, and then you question me when I do. I am going back to the warehouse to find Cassius and to find the thief that started this mess. Come with me or stay. I assumed that at least Karn would want a chance to fight Zynnashan Fire Magi.”
“You assumed correctly,” Erak grinned.
“Very well,” nodded Sajiix. “The rest of you do as you wish. Once I have found Cassius and Malagotta, I am leaving this city.”
Sajiix marched out of the building with Erak and Jordyn following.
“I am going with them,” Myst said to Tair.
“I had a feeling you would,” Tair responded with a sad shake of her head.
Myst adjusted her weapons and gear and then turned to Tienn, who was watching them with interest. “Thank you for your help,” she told him.
Tienn could only nod as the two young women slipped through the door. Ayce was at his side, examining his wounds. “Looks to me like a few ribs are broken,” he said to the Draaken.
“I will heal,” Tienn assured him. “You need to go with him.”
“Will you be alright?”
Tienn nodded. “Close the door behind you. With any luck, Lynth will awaken and assist us with any further needs.”
Ayce clasped his friend’s hand and then quickly ran out the door, shutting it firmly behind him.
***
Sajiix and the others reached the warehouse district once more. Smoke from nearby fires caused by the beaching of the Zynnashan ship curled along the empty pathways before them. Muffled screams and shouts for aid came from seemingly far away as the six made their way down the narrow path. Sajiix could feel the wood underneath his feet shuddering from the damage taken by the vessel. For a moment, the Amethyst Magi wondered if the entire district would soon drop into the violent lake waters below it.
“Someone approaches,” Erak announced.
Behind him, Sajiix could hear the women draw their weapons. Before him, shadowy figures came running out of the smoke. A group of eight townsfolk – bloodied and battered – came scrambling before them and just as quickly past them without a second glance. Sajiix and the others had to press themselves against the wall of a warehouse to allow the frightened people by. The Amethyst Magi was held snug between Erak in front of him and the annoying brunette female behind.
“Must you get so close?” complained Sajiix.
“Believe me, I don’t enjoy it any more than you,” Tair snapped back as the last of the townsfolk edged through.
Adjusting his cloak, Sajiix moved on to Malagotta’s warehouse, pausing only when he heard the clank of armor approaching through the thickening sm
oke. He summoned a part of his magic, ready to use it if need be. He breathed a sigh of relief as Cassius appeared with a member of the Palidiamos. Between them was a wounded paladin, his armor stained red along his left leg. The unharmed paladin seemed unsure how to react to three Magi before him. His free hand twitched toward his sword
“Stop,” Cassius commanded. “They will not harm you.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” hissed Erak, his hand suddenly flashing red.
Sajiix placed a hand on the Fire Magi’s shoulder, pulling him backward and away from the paladins. “Follow this path further until you reach a small marketplace on the west end. You can find shelter at a small tailor’s shop.”
Cassius ducked under the wounded Paladin, putting the full weight of the man on his comrade. “Take him there, heal him. Do what is right by the will of Diathanos and assist the people of this town.”
That paladin gave a scathing stare to everyone before him, resting his angry eyes on Cassius as he adjusted his companion’s weight. “You will suffer for the death of Protector D’ghelle.”
Cassius’s jaw twitched as the two paladins hobbled away using Sajiix’s directions.
“You killed D’ghelle?” Sajiix asked with an arched eyebrow.
The former knight shook his head. “It was a regrettable accident.”
“An accident, perhaps,” Sajiix remarked. “Regrettable? That remains to be seen. Where is Baris? Did you find him?”
“No,” Cassius answered. “All that remains are the bodies of Diathanos clergy.”
Panic gripped Sajiix as the thought of Baris alive and free entered his mind. The rogue knew Kaelyn’s location. His apprentice could be dead or wounded with Malagotta coming to finish his work out of revenge.
All Sajiix could recall was that Kaelyn said she would lure him somewhere away from the warehouse district. The most logical choice would have been the Golden Harvest Inn. It was far enough away; it was closed for business; and they would have been alone. A squirmy feeling crawled inside his stomach at the thought of that encounter, followed by a slow burning rage at the idea of Baris’s hands on her. The Golden Harvest was near the main exit of Fhaalvak. He would check on her at the inn and then the two of them could slip out of town with the diamond.
Sajiix jogged east to the next intersection and then turned left, heading north toward the main gate. A strong hand jerked him to a stop, spinning him around to face Cassius, Ayce, and the two Magi behind them.
“Where are you going?”
“The Golden Harvest Inn,” Sajiix answered feverishly. “Kaelyn may be there. Once I know she is well, we will leave Fhaalvak.”
“We need to help those people trapped by the Zynnashan vessel!” cried Cassius.
“The Zynnashans can sense the Purestone!” Sajiix shot back. “They are going to burn this city down just for it being here. If we can get it out, perhaps they will follow it before the entire area is blackened to nothing!”
Cassius thought about it for a moment. “And you have the diamond?”
“I have it right here,” Sajiix patted the inner pocket he had placed it in and froze.
It was gone.
With a cry of rage, the Magi suddenly noticed that Tair and Myst had conveniently disappeared.
32
Tair dragged Myst along the narrow path, skirting the destroyed buildings of the warehouse district. She couldn’t believe what she had done. When the refugees of Fhaalvak had pressed her against the Magi, she could feel the diamond within his robes. It was just second nature for her to reach in through the velvety fabric and retrieve the object Myst wanted. These fools continued to argue over what to do with it while Myst had a very simple solution: run. Yes, the Magi had the same idea, but Tair could tell that his friends weren’t going to allow him to get away with it so easily. On their own, she and Myst could easily outdistance the Zynnashans now that their ship was sitting in Fhaalvak’s marketplace.
Myst pulled against her at first until she showed her what she had in her cloak. Myst’s teary-eyed look of surprise was all she needed for a thank you and then they were running. They were heedless of the smoke, the screams, and the shouts for assistance. They emerged into a scene of horror.
Half of the river market was gone, now underneath the bulk of the listing vessel. The gate that opened onto the lake was now a jagged hole of stone and wood; the docks beyond it now wreckage under the turbulent waves. Shops and homes were crushed; some ripped halfway open to expose the world to their privacy. Bodies were strewn everywhere. Limbs jutted out from the debris like cadaverous tulips on a spring day. One portion of the market place was on fire, a dutiful crowd of men and women were forming a water line to try to extinguish the flames before they spread further.
Up ahead, a single female officer of Fhaalvak’s garrisoned army desperately tried to herd the remaining people north or west – away from the ship. A few foot soldiers were there, their long pikes set aside as they helped the wounded away from the damned vessel that was now making continuous rattling noises. The female officer pulled on people, pleaded with them to leave their fallen loved ones, to flee for their own lives. She begged because she knew what was to come next – because Myst had told her.
“It’s Kreena,” she coughed.
Tair squinted in the smoke. “Yeah, and she’s doing the right thing by them. Let’s go.”
Myst felt a pull on her heart; a merciful desire to help these poor people. Tair saw the look in her friend’s eyes and immediately shook her to snap her out of it.
“We can’t help them!” she shouted. “Not this way!”
Myst saw children crying for their parents, wandering the streets alone.
“We have to leave before the damn Zynnashans…”
Tair’s warning was drowned out by the sudden groan of the ship as it righted itself. Wood and stone cracked as black metal forced it to conform to its own shape. Timbers of torn lumber fell from the rounded dome as four rectangular doors slid open with a jarring clang of metal upon metal. From the four dark recesses came the Zynnashan Fire Magi, their orange and black fur covered by thin robes of red. They walked solemnly to four points that surrounded the dome, looking to the horizon instead of below.
Behind them came Havaas.
“By Ethaea’s Grace,” Myst whispered. “These people are going to die.”
“HEAR ME, WRETCHED HUMANS OF VASALIUS!”
Myst ran. She ran toward Kreena, toward the people who were still fumbling about near the bow of the vessel. She shouted to Kreena, screamed to get the people out.
Havaas began his speech. “For centuries, we have endured the plague of man with stoic benevolence. We have shared this world and our lands in peace. And yet, a grave injustice has been committed against the Zynnashan race. Humans have crept into our lands, snuck into our most beloved city of Sirif’Teel and stolen the Purestone from our own temple to Diathanos. The stink of humans is strong, but the blessed radiance of the Purestone is greater still.
“We have searched long and followed its trail, punishing your towns for harboring our lost glory, and now, at last, we have the Purestone near and we have those that are responsible within the walls of your town. Fire will purge this injustice. Then, only then, will we take what is ours and return to our homeland.
“Now, feel the flames of retribution!”
With a flick of his giant paw, Havaas signaled his Fire Magi. The four tiger men raised their own muscular arms, the rubies on their bodies gleaming brighter than the sun. They pointed ebony-tipped claws and fire rained down upon the river market place.
***
Captain Longvaale watched as the smoke and dust rose like a storm cloud and spread over the southern sections of Fhaalvak. He watched only briefly, wishing he could tell his signal man to convey a message to the knights at the main gate to evacuate those affected by the Zynnashan ship. Sadly, his signal man was dead; his torn body still on the overrun garrison gate.
Mikhail and his knights now defended th
e small portcullis that led into the city. The battlements here were not as strong as the gate they had lost, but the narrow bottleneck allowed only a few wolf Zyn Beasts through to attack. It was how they had breached the garrison – their sheer numbers allowed them to rush the gate and practically climb over it. His archers had time enough to send only two volleys before they came surging over the gate like a black wave of death. Some of the Zynnashans fell, but for every one of them defeated, six of his men fell with them. They fought like mad dogs; frothing at the mouth, their eyes gleaming white in the autumn sun. They used sword, mace, staff, and hammer; they swung their scythe-like claws, biting with their slavering jaws. They were a nightmare fighting to reach the city. And then the booming voice echoed through the streets of Fhaalvak, a voice promising them fire and retribution.
Mikhail could see the sudden burst of firelight in the south. But his attention was soon drawn to the two Zynnashan wolves that leapt from the throng gathered at the portcullis. He swung his sword, battered with his shield, and wondered which would take him first: the wolves or the flames?
***
A wall of fire rose around the base of the metal hull of the Zynnashan ship, burning those still trapped around it. The screams of the dying were short-lived as man-like shapes emerged from the gout of flame. In hands of blue fire they held weapons of searing pain; elemental swords and hammers. They had no faces; no eyes held emotion of hatred or glee at what they brought.
Their mission was to murder and burn.
Myst instinctively pulled Kreena away as the wall of fire erupted before them. Those townsfolk that had milled about, trying to aid those trapped, now ran, stampeding in any and every direction just to get away from the fire elementals.
“Way over our heads,” Tair muttered as she moved quickly backward, keeping an eye on Myst and the figure of fire moving slowly toward them.
Kreena attacked angrily, still hearing the screams of those dying in the flames. The creature raised its own sword of fire and the blades met with a crackling of orange energy. She swung again at its mid-section and it parried once more, but Kreena moved faster for her next attack, twisting her entire body until her blackened blade lopped the elemental’s head clean off. She stepped back, smiling grimly at her handiwork. Her smile evaporated as a new head grew from the elemental’s body. The removed head also began to swell with a new form.
Rage of the Diamond's Eye (The Guildsmen Series Book 1) Page 37