“Where do you think you three are going?” The gate guard asked.
“The quarry,” Natalie answered.
“No, you’re not,” he replied. “Road Dogg said no one leaves.”
“Not even a paying customer?” Natalie asked tossing the bag of coins to the guard.
The gate guard grinned as he caught it. “Well, that’s an exception to the rule.”
He pulled open the gate and shouted up to the archer in the tower that we were heading out. Out in the quarry the door was slammed behind us and Aaron and I jogged after Natalie as she took off without warning.
“We have to be quick,” Natalie explained in her normal voice. “As long as it is still dinner time patrols will be light. Afterwards this place will be crawling with raiders from both sides.”
“I’ll keep us hidden,” I said. “Just get us out of here quickly.
Jogging at a comfortable pace, I focused on picking up any mental activity. Drained from all the mental exertion of the day, my mind didn’t have the same focus that it had earlier but I was still able to pick up a couple of patrols and steer us clear of them.
We made it to the old mining camp and used their lift to get to the top of the quarry. At the top, I stopped to look back over the ground we had covered. It was hard not to be impressed with the progress we had made in just one day.
The sun was low in the sky and the horizon was turning red, a symbol of the blood that had been spilt and the blood still to be spilt before we could call it quits for the day. Natalie removed her headdress and scarf and Aaron and I removed our bandanas.
“Not too far now,” Natalie said catching her breath. “How’s everyone holding up?”
“I could stop for dinner,” Aaron answered.
“I could sleep for a few hundred years,” I added.
Natalie laughed. “I’ll agree to dinner but we have to strike tonight. Chester will know we are coming. I’d rather not be surprised by his thugs in the middle of the night.”
“This old mining camp must have a few hiding spots that would keep us protected,” Aaron pitched.
Natalie shook her head. “I’d rather not delay this.”
“I agree,” I added. “If Chester is holding the Nesqian Princess, the sooner we get to her the better our chances of a successful rescue.”
“Let’s see if a shove is working in one of these abandoned crew quarters,” Natalie said. “We’ll leave at sunset.”
Chapter 18
With some food in the stomach and a chance to rest the shoulders and back, I was feeling more energized but the task of assaulting a bandit stronghold was still too much to contemplate. Natalie said to take it one person at a time but that was easier said then done. Natalie was still the only one of us with real battle experience.
Shouldering our packs once more we left the old mining camp as the last light of the sun disappeared over the horizon. The dark blue hue of dusk made visibility tough as we entered the mountainside forest that led down to the city of Malkia. A rock formation slowly came into view in the distance and Natalie warned us to keep our noise down and for Aaron to ready his bow. I searched ahead with my mind but I could only feel the faint humming of something I couldn’t identify. Whatever it was, it wasn't alive and couldn’t hurt us.
“There’s no one in the area,” I whispered ahead to Aaron and Natalie. “But I can feel a weird energy disturbance.”
“That’s comforting,” Natalie whispered back.
“Weird how?” Aaron asked.
I struggled to find the right word before just saying the only thing that came to mind. “Unnatural.”
“Oh, Chester,” Natalie sighed. “What did you do now?”
“I’ll scout up ahead and let you know if I see anything,” Aaron whispered already moving forward.
You just said that there was nothing, Cathy said. What is he hoping to find?
Something to impress Natalie?
Quite possible, Cathy agreed. He’s been all googly eyes since meeting her.
How haven’t I noticed that?
Because you don’t notice anything until I tell you? Cathy asked jokingly.
I chuckled and Natalie turned and gave me a weird look.
“What’s funny?” she asked.
“Your boyfriend is trying to impress you,” I answered.
“I’ve noticed,” she said turning back to watch Aaron creep.
Oooo, Cathy exclaimed excited. She didn’t comment on the ‘boyfriend’ part.
“And he’s not my boyfriend,” Natalie added.
HA! She waited too long to say that! Cathy exclaimed. I think there is a love interest going on.
I just laughed and shook my head.
The figure of Aaron motioned to get our attention and we headed towards him staying quiet. As we drew closer to the rock formation the humming grew louder. I switched from searching with my mind to shielding it from the power.
What the hell is it?
Whatever it is, it is powerful, Cathy answered. Give me a second.
“Come on,” Aaron said when we were close enough. “There’s something you need to see.”
Leading us closer to the rock formation, I noticed that the entrance to the mine was protected by a large wooden door and the entire area was lit by a lantern on a post. Then I noticed the two mummified corpses on their knees next to the door and immediately wished for things to return to the blackness of night.
“Chester’s redecorated since I’ve last been here,” Natalie said failing to disguise her shock with humour.
“Unnatural you said,” Aaron said looking at me.
“That’s the word,” I replied scanning the door.
Anything?
Yes, I believe that the energy you’re reading is coming from a magical barrier created by the life force of those two mummies, Cathy explained. Hit it with a simple Dispel and let’s see how strong it is.
I gathered some energy into my hand and launched a Dispel at the door. The area in front of the door glowed bright white as it absorbed the spell before turning translucent again.
“What was that?” Natalie asked.
“A test,” I answered. “We’re dealing with a magical barrier and a powerful one at that.”
“So disable it,” she said.
“It’s not quite that easy,” I said as I dropped my pack off my shoulder and starting to dig around. “Just a second.”
I pulled out my ritual book hoping I was smart enough to write something that could disable the magical barrier. I quickly flipped through the pages and found only one. I had added it because it looked like it would be simple enough for me to cast. It called for only two ingredients: Pine Needles and Red Jacket Wasp Honey.
“Okay, good news, bad news,” I said without looking up. “I have something that can help but we need to find a couple of things.”
“Ok,” Aaron said.
“Pine Needles and Red Jacket Wasp Honey,” I said. “Pine Needles are easy; they’re everywhere in this forest but for the honey we will have to go to town.”
“Not necessarily,” Natalie said reaching into a pouch on her armour. “I keep a tin with me. It’s good for keeping stab wounds from getting infected. How can something that heals help us here?”
“Um,” I said trying to remember. “Just a second, I have a terrible memory.”
Can you find it?
Two steps ahead of you, Cathy chuckled as the memory flashed through my head.
“Ah yes,” I continued. “Red Jacket Wasps have magically properties. They can be controlled to sap the magic out of Mages and their honey when applied to a bond around a Mage's wrist prevents the Mage from casting magic. I’m guessing in this situation the honey disrupts the barriers magic and destroys it.”
“Are you telling me,” Natalie started as she held up the tin of honey. “That if I had put this on your wrists while you slept, you would be completely useless.”
“Not completely useless,” I smiled. “I have a sword.�
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“And what would happen if I poured it on your head?” she asked.
“We could style my hair into many crazy shapes?” I shrugged as I turned to Aaron. “Grab me a bunch of pine needles still on the branch.”
Aaron nodded and headed back up the way we came as I continued to read the ritual. It seemed simple enough, dip the needles in the honey, magically light the honey needles and shoot it at the barrier. Should be a piece of cake.
Last time you said that, you and I ended up bound together, Cathy pointed out.
Good point.
I closed the book and put it back into my pack as Aaron returned with a small branch with a bunch of needles on it. I took the branch from him and pulled the needles out quickly so they all rested in my hand. Natalie unscrewed the top of the tin and held it out to me. I levitated the needles out of hand and dipped them into the honey.
“Now, that’s cool,” Natalie smiled as she watched.
Holding my hands out with the palms facing each other, I lined up the pine needles between them and focused energy into each honey covered tip. One by one they burst into fire and when they were ready I made sure I was aimed at the door properly. I brought my hands closer to my body while still keeping the palms facing the pine needles. When my hands were close to touching in front of me, I sent out a Pulse and launched the burning needles.
One by one they struck the magical barrier causing it to ripple and turn white. The barrier shimmered and as the last of the needles made contact, the barrier exploded sending a blast of energy and air in all directions. The two mummies on their knees fell forward and exploded into dust.
“Now, why didn’t they teach THAT at school,” I smiled.
“Nice one, Andy,” Aaron said stunned.
“So, we can go through now?” Natalie asked unsure.
“Yeah, the energy hum is gone,” I answered. “But we should be careful in there. I think it is safe to assume that you friend Chester has a Mage working for him.”
“Make him regret crossing you then,” Natalie smiled. “We’ll hide our packs up here so we won’t be weighed down for this fight.”
Natalie found a great spot to hide our packs within the rocks and Aaron opened the wooden door to the mines. The passageway down was well lit by the torches on the wall and the support beams for the ceiling was well maintained.
“Don’t let that fool you,” Natalie said as she started down. “It’s pretty open in the main chambers.”
The blade from Natalie’s gauntlet extended as she disappeared further into the mine. Aaron nodded, grabbed an arrow and readied his bow as he followed. I removed the short sword from my hip and took a deep breath before entering.
You are actually going to use it? Cathy asked.
If I have to.
Aim for the heart! Cathy exclaimed excited.
There’s a revolting thought.
Thought and the real thing are very different, she explained. You can think of anything. What will happen, can only happen one way.
At the bottom of the passageway the mine opened up into what would have been a main staging area for the miners. A cart on a track that led into a dark passageway was all that remained of the old mining days. Now, it looked like it was used as an area for the bandits to dump the goods they’ve stolen.
A group of three stood at the back of the room unmoving. They showed no signs of hostility though it was obvious they knew we were here.
“Chester,” Natalie said unsurprised.
Chapter 19
The man known as Chester the Mongoose stepped out from the middle of the two other bandits. He was about as average looking as anyone that could be average looking.
Probably how he has been so successful, Cathy pointed out. Not an easy face to describe.
“Good to see you again so soon, Natalie,” Chester smiled.
“I’m here for what is mine,” Natalie said as we stopped in front of Chester.
We stopped, or maybe he stopped us, close to the dark passageway into which the old cart tracks disappeared. I looked down the passageway but couldn’t see anything. It did nothing to ease my mind though.
“If I remember correctly, it was mine first,” Chester smiled as I felt around the area with my mind.
“In our business it isn’t who had it first but who sold it first,” Natalie replied.
“True, but that can’t be the only reason you are here,” Chester said. He slowly looked into my direction. “Or that you brought a Mage to my doorstep.”
I stopped searching with my mind and waited to see if that was a cue to attack. With everyone unmoving I continued my search. There was a strange undertone in this cave that was making it hard to focus on anything.
“Word has it you’ve been kidnapping people you shouldn’t have,” Natalie said as if the idea was normal.
“Just a favour for an old friend,” Chester replied in good humour.
Finally my search revealed two minds advancing on our position from within the dark passageway. I looked at Aaron who was still focused on the conversation. Hiding my hand, I sent a small little Pulse of energy at him to get his attention.
When he turned and looked at me confused, I held up two fingers from my hidden hand. I motioned towards my hidden hand and Aaron looked down then back up at my face more confused. I looked behind him into the passage and motioned subtly with my head. He turned his head slightly then back to me and thought for a second before realization crossed his face.
Finally, Cathy said. I thought that boy would take forever to figure it out.
He nodded slightly and we refocused on the conversation.
“-And you think that’s a good idea?” Natalie asked.
“Money is money love,” Chester answered. “So what now? She isn’t here and I have the Falcon. What are you going to do now?”
Wait, what did I miss? Cathy asked.
“It stays the same, Chester,” Natalie answered. “I kill you and take the Falcon.”
“It’s going to be a shame to kill someone as wild as you were,” he smirked.
Aaron aimed his bow down the passageway and shot an arrow. A cry of surprise echoed from the passageway as Aaron reached for another arrow. A flood of power erupted from my hand as a created a magical wall protecting Natalie and Aaron. An arrow flew out of the darkness, striking the wall and landed on the ground harmlessly.
I dropped the wall and Aaron let another arrow fly. Only the sound of the arrow hitting the ground echoed throughout the passageway. Aaron and I backed up out of sight of the passageway while Natalie was focused solely on Chester. The two bandits at the other end of the room started to advance on Natalie.
“Get the other two,” he hissed at them. “I can handle this.”
“Yeah,” Natalie chuckled. “I’m only a girl.”
Natalie fought with the fury of a tornado, quickly striking and dodging anything Chester could throw at her with his short sword. The two bandits left them alone as they turned their attention to us.
“Wait for the archer in the passageway to come out,” I said to Aaron holding the short sword in front of me with my right hand and left hand up and ready for whatever spell I need. “I’ll hold off these two.”
“I can take one now,” he replied.
“Then you won’t be ready for the archer,” I said. “I’d rather not get an arrow in the butt.”
“Ditto,” he chuckled as he quickly backed up.
I advanced towards the bandits hoping my display with the wall would have been enough to intimidate them a bit. They didn’t look the least bit fazed and I searched my mind for a decent spell.
What? Your Illusion spell won’t work here? Cathy mocked.
You’re not helping.
Hit them with fire, Cathy said.
The two bandits spaced themselves apart to try and flank me. My hand grew warm as power started to form in my hand. When the bandit on my left made his move, I launched a Fire Ball at him. It exploded on his armour but it wasn’t
powerful enough to kill him. Just make his armour uncomfortably warm. The bandit began screaming and smacking his armour.
The second bandit swung his sword at me and I raised mine into a defensive position. The sword was nearly knocked out of my hand by the force of the bandit’s attack. I sent a small Pulse out with my left hand which unbalanced my attacker allowing me to get back into a ready stance.
Frustrated, the bandit lunged at me with another swing of his sword and I was more prepared to parry his attack with my own. I even managed to block his second attack before using a Pulse to knock him onto his back. He jumped back to his feet and screamed at me in rage until he was abruptly silenced by one of Aaron’s arrows.
The first bandit was advancing on me again having removed the top portion of his armour to escape the burning pain. I sent a Pulse at him and Aaron caught him square in the bare chest with an arrow.
“I could do that all day,” Aaron chuckled as he joined me.
“You got the archer?” I asked.
“Yup,” he answered as we headed towards Natalie and Chester. “It didn’t take long for him to show his face.”
Having seen that he was alone, Chester parried one of the Natalie’s attacks and kicked her in the stomach to drop her to the ground. He backed up quickly and fled down a side passage. Aaron sent an arrow in his direction but it hit the wall nowhere near its mark.
Natalie coughed as she slowly stood back up and seemed ready to charge after him. Aaron and I dropped our weapons and ran up and to stop her before she could do anything.
“Let me go,” she hissed. “I had him.”
“He’ll have traps prepared,” I said struggling to hold on.
“You run ahead alone, you’ll die alone,” Aaron said. “Our best chance is to stay together. It’s what got us this far.”
Natalie stopped struggling and took a deep breath. “You’re right. I don’t want to see him escape but he has nowhere to go. I’ll hunt him down by the night’s end. Can you feel if there is an ambush around the next corner, Andy?”
The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 Page 15