“The lamps emit enough of a hum to drown out a lot,” Burns nodded in agreement.
“Exactly,” I said hiding that fact that I didn’t know that. “A Dispel would be the best way to find any magic.”
Burns looked around. “Impressive. And if it isn’t a Mage that is the thief?”
“Then we are stuck using our eyes,” I answered crouching down to pretend to concentrate on the ground.
I looked back towards Burns and the workers still trying to figure out a way to get rid of him. With the workers in the area, everything could be compromised based on how they would react.
BUT... Cathy started. They would be able to get you Magnumese in return for that key to their bracers.
The good outweighs the bad.
Exactly, Cathy said as I noticed the worker’s curiosity drawing them closer to us.
“Mage Burns,” I started causally. “I was unaware that the workers were allowed to watch my investigation.”
Burns turned around quickly and the workers stepped back with fear in their eyes. I drew my sword as I stood up and approached Burns carefully. He was starting to insult the Evenawks when I plunged the short sword into his back. A small gasp of shocked escaped him and I pulled the sword out to let the Mage fall to the ground. The Evenawks froze in fear as they watched to see what I would do next.
“Chieftain Harkis sends his blessings,” I said to help them.
The vacant stares I received in return didn’t fill me with confidence.
“Ok, I need you to listen very carefully because this is important,” I started. “The rebellion is getting ready to attack The Mine.” The Evenawks looked at each other excitedly. “I am here to help and set you free but I need you to do two things. One, I need Magnumese, and a lot of it. Secondly, I need you to gather all the miners and organize an attack. You will hear my signal when it is time.” The Evenawks stared at me without saying anything. “Do you understand?”
One nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“Good, what’s your name?” I asked him.
“Ravik,” he answered.
“Come here,” I said.
He walked up to me and I grabbed his hand and placed the key into it. He looked up in shock as he recognized the key and I closed his hand around it.
“Don’t let the Mages see that. Gather everyone as quickly as possible in a safe place and free them,” I instructed as he nodded. I picked up a pick axe that had been dropped a handed it to him. “And be sure to keep these as weapons.” He looked at the axe confused. “It’s like mining, only into someone’s back. Now, where can I get a lot of Magnumese?”
“The storage shed near the foreman’s office,” Ravik said. “They refill all the containers there.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “Let me check ahead to make sure no one is coming before you leave.”
I travelled up the passage and looked around quickly. This section of the mine was still quiet and I motioned for the Evenawks to move. They quickly gathered up their pick axes and hurried deeper into the mine.
I headed back to the entrance of the mine while avoiding groups of workers and Mages. I was able to avoid a lot of attention by continuing the ‘I belong here’ attitude. Everyone was too busy with work to pay any real attention to me but if I ran into the foreman there would be some trouble. Sure enough, there he was at the entrance talking to a couple of Mages.
I reversed around the corner I came from, and watched the group. It looked like a simple conversation about duties until the foreman started flailing his arms.
Looks like you may have started a storm with your missing shipment stories, Cathy said.
The Mages left the foreman and headed into my direction. I ducked back around and stretched out with my mind. The only way to get past them was to trick them. I felt out for their minds and noticed they were too distraught by their previous conversation to notice me probing them. I planted my Illusion spell and walked around the corner and passed them. They continued on without a glance in my direction.
I dropped the spell and walked carefully towards the storage sheds while keeping an eye on the foreman. He was retreating back into his office and I walked quicker when the door closed.
There were three storage sheds to choose from and I opened all of them before finding a jug the right size for what I needed. With the jug in one hand, I crept towards the foreman’s office and reached out with my mind. The foreman’s mind was mildly protected but it wasn’t like Contee’s mind. I slipped in, planted my Illusion and walked quickly out of the mine.
So far so good, Cathy said.
Yeah, but that might have just been the easy part.
Next is the fun part! Cathy said excited. Blow up the building already!
I calmly walked towards the Mages' building. I counted the Mages that were outside as I walked. With two at the gate, and one in the guard tower, the destruction of the house would devastate them. They would have to rely on their colleagues in the mine and that would be if the free miners don’t get to them first.
I approached the front door and slowly opened it to peek in. A Mage disappeared up the stairs and I counted to three before opening the door wide to scan again. Everything looked clear so I opened the door and crept in quietly.
The area with the crates was still empty. I had probably scared the other Mages away for the rest of the day. I checked the area one more time before walking over and checking to see how the crates were sealed. There were no physical locks so I tried to remove the top by hand with no luck.
They’re Mages, you know, Cathy said.
I sighed and launched a Dispel at the crate. The crate glowed brightly for a second before returning to normal. I tried the top this time and it opened easily.
Inside, the crate was full to the brim with Ranix Dust, enough to probably help in the construction of a castle. But more importantly, enough to take care of this house. I opened the jug of Magnumese and poured the entire jug into the crate. The mixture started to hiss and bubble violently and I wasted no time leaving the building. The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs only made me move faster.
At the door, I turned, forced a large amount of power into my hand and launched a Fire Ball at the now seething crate. I didn’t even wait for it to make contact, I just started running as far away from the building as possible. A cry of alarm was cut short by the sound of multiple explosions. I turned around in time to see the building get launched off its foundation by the explosion and hurled straight into the air.
Now THAT’S a signal, Cathy said excitedly.
Ah, damn! I forgot to grab the pie!
The building came crashing down into the ground as the two Mages from the gate ran up to me.
“What happened?” the one asked.
“Uh...” I started before raising my hands and hitting them with a Pulse then knocked them off their feet. “I’m getting sick of lying.”
I pulled my robe up over my head as my scales started to cover my skin. On the horizon, I could make out the rebel Evenawk troops getting closer.
I was worried the flying house would confuse them.
Well, you never specified what the signal would be, Cathy pointed out.
The two gate guards rose to their feet and raised their hands at the ready. Staring wide eyed at my scaly form, they hesitated before the one’s hand glowed bright with Fire. Before he could get the spell off, he was struck by an arrow from a flying Evenawk archer. The other turned around to see the attacker and I launched an Ice Bolt into his back. He dropped to the ground and I watched as the Evenawks landed and began their transformation.
The rebels surrounded the shattered house killing any Mage that tried to escape the wreckage while the Evenawk miners, who had been sleeping in the bunkhouse, joined those outside to watch what was happening. I could see why this would be a valuable target for the rebels. The mine or land itself wasn’t of any value; it was the fifty plus Evenawks that could join their army.
A screaming Evena
wk snapped my attention back to the house. One of the rebels was on fire and the others ran away from the house. From under the rubble Mage Contee stood up protected by an orb surrounding his body.
I guess it was too much to ask that he would be killed in the explosions.
He’s too crafty for that, Cathy replied as I started towards the destroyed house. Besides, this is more fun.
I wish I had Aaron, Natalie or Donkor to help.
Sometimes, you have to fight battles alone, Cathy said.
At least you’re here.
Where else would I be? Cathy chuckled.
The rebels moved out of my way quickly as they noticed my scaly form.
“Get to the mine,” I called out to them. “Leave this to me.”
The rebels retreated before I could finish my sentence. It was nice that I didn’t have to break it down word for word for them.
Contee looked at me and smirked. “I should have known you were a fake.”
“Yet, you let me walk around here freely,” I said raising my left hand to prepare for any attack.
“Do I dare asked what happened to Burns?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Nothing to say really. He slipped and my sword pierced his heart.”
“Why would you work with these creatures?” Contee asked.
“Because they deserve their freedom,” I answered.
Contee laughed. “Still just a boy. Don’t you know why we took them over in the first place?”
“To gain access to their resources,” I answered.
Contee laughed again. “Your ignorance will be your death.”
His hand grew dark and he launched dark goo from his hands. I stopped it with my hand and the goo wrapped itself around my hand and wrist. Pain raced up my hand as it felt like I had dipped it in a boiling cauldron. I grabbed at the goo with my other hand but it only caused the pain to spread to my other hand.
“I’ve studied Demonology,” Contee smirked. “Your Harden Skin spell isn't going to intimidate me. Even if you can cover your entire body.”
It’s unbearable.
But still just magic, Cathy said. Dispel it already!
I forced power through my arms and the goo hardened and fell off. My hands still trembled from the pain.
“Good,” Contee said. “You are not some one trick street magician.”
His hand grew dark and I dove out of the way as another shot of goo was launched at me. I scrambled to my feet and launched an Ice Bolt at him. Contee raised a scaled hand and batted it away before quickly launching another blast of goo at me. I wasn’t quick enough to dodge it completely as it smashed into my left shoulder. I brought my hand up and dispelled the goo before scrambling to my feet and running towards the destroyed house.
Do you know how to cast that spell?
What? She asked as I dove behind the house to escape another shot of goo.
It might be the only way to slow him down.
I’ve never seen this spell before, she answered. You have to knock him off balance and hit him with speed if you are going to succeed.
He’s too quick.
Then be quicker! Cathy said.
I jumped to my feet and launched a Dispel in anticipation. Contee’s latest goo attack hit my Dispel and dropped to the ground harmlessly. I quickly shot two Pulses into his direction which he batted away easily. He countered with more goo which I dispelled easily.
His hand brightened as he launched a Fire Ball at the broken house in front of me. The fire hit the wood and exploded. I covered my head with my scaly hands until wood stopped flying past me. When I lowered my hands, I noticed there was now a path through the debris and Contee was advancing on me.
I shot a Pulse which was easily deflected and dodged the incoming goo counter attack to launch another Pulse at Contee. This one caught him off guard and he was knocked over. He quickly scrambled back to his feet.
“We could do this all day but there is too much work for me to do so how about this, Keeper,” Contee started. “You said you brought a sword with you. No magic, one on one sword fight.”
“You expect both of us to follow the no magic rule?” I asked.
“I won’t need magic to defeat you,” he boasted.
I grabbed the short sword from my hip and got myself into position. Contee’s arm started to glow orange as two blades emerged from the skin of his closed fists.
Wow, I haven’t seen that spell in a long time, Cathy said.
What do I do?
Break the no magic rule, of course, Cathy answered. Wait for your chance.
Contee rushed at me and I meant his flurry of attacks with a desperate defence. Staying in the stance I learnt, I met all of his attacks with my sword hoping to find a chance to knock him off balance. Seeing a small opening, I broke the no magic rule and shoved him back with a Pulse. He staggered back but charged forward again so quickly it knocked me off my feet.
“You broke the no magic rule,” he smirked as he pointed the two blades down at me.
“Well technically so did you,” I replied pointing to the two blades.
“That’s because I already knew you would break the rules,” he replied.
“What?” I asked confused before waving dismissively. “Never mind. I’d rather you kill me then try and explain what you meant by that.”
“With a mouth like that, I surprised someone hasn’t already killed you,” Contee said as a pick axe rose behind him. “It just means I get the pleasure.”
The pickaxe dropped and Contee’s expression changed to one of shock. I saw the pickaxe rise, drop again and Contee fell to his knees. The Evenawk holding the pick axe removed it from Contee’s back and kicked him over.
“’It’s like mining, only into someone’s back’,” The Evenawk quoted.
I couldn’t help but smile at the young miner I had freed earlier. “Looks like I was right to trust you with the key. How’s everyone doing?”
“Mission accomplished, sir,” Ravik smiled. “We’re regrouping to discuss the next move.”
I picked up myself up off the ground and scooped up my sword. Ravik led the way back to the main group who were happily talking amongst each other. The fact that there were dead Mages all around them didn’t stop their celebration. When I joined the group, they cheered me and Bak approached me holding my robes.
“When you said watch the sky, I wasn’t expecting you to send up a house!” he exclaimed as everyone laughed. “Neat trick with the scales. Are you also a Daison?”
“I am assuming that means Demon,” I said as I put on my robe. “No, I’m not, it is just a spell. How are the causalities?”
“Couple of our brothers will be missed but they died to bring us victory!” Bak exclaimed to draw more cheer from the group.
“Incoming messenger,” an Evenawk said as he pointed to the sky.
“Good,” Bak said excitedly. “Nerrilok’s group must have found victory as well.”
The messenger hovered above the ground close to the group.
“Warlord Nerrilok needs assistance,” the messenger said. “The Mages are over running the place.”
“Good,” Bak exclaimed. “More for us to kill. Come on boys, the day isn’t over yet.”
The group of rebels and miners began their transformation process and took off into the air. Morale was certainly not going to be an issue with this group as everyone was still pumped from the easy victory.
Let’s hope their enthusiasm is enough to make up for their inexperience, Cathy said.
Agreed I-
My feet left the ground as an Evenawk grabbed me from behind.
“Come on, Daison,” Garoks said. “You don’t want to miss any of the action.”
Chapter 31
The excitement in the air was infectious. It had been some time since the Evenawks had cause to celebrate and with the minor victory at the Mine they could feel that bigger things were yet to come.
The sight of stray magic in the distance showed just how close to
the Valley we were. Dangling like a piece of meat in Garoks’ talons, I strained my eyes to see the battlefield. It looks like we are coming in along the side of the valley which would join us up with Narrilok’s troops.
The smart maneuver would be to come from behind them, Cathy suggested. Sandwich the Mages in the opening.
I was thinking the same thing.
I knew you were, Cathy said playfully. That’s why I stole your idea.
Bitch.
I patted Garoks’ leg. “I need to talk to Bak. We need to change direction,” I shouted.
“Why?” he shouted back.
“If we come in from behind we can trap the Mages easier,” I answered.
I looked up to see him nod then let loose a loud squawking sound. The squawk was returned from somewhere up ahead and the Evenawks slowed to a hover as Bak approached me.
“What’s this about, Diason,” he asked.
“If we attack them head on, they will only overpower us,” I answered getting uncomfortable with the dangling feeling. “We need to circle around to behind their buildings. We can charge them from behind and hit the buildings freeing the Evenawk workers.”
Bak nodded slowly then turned towards the group and squawked. We changed our direction, circling around the battlefield. We were still a good enough distance that the Mages wouldn’t spot us but we would have to be careful landing near the buildings.
Bak changed the group’s direction and we approached the buildings from behind. Lowering ourselves closer and closer to the ground, the group landed just before a break in the trees to the Valley. The buildings stood on the other side of a large clearing and with the battle in front of the building we would be able to sneak up without problems.
I’ll be using my Illusion spell to make us invisible as well for added comfort.
With the transformation complete the Evenawk army of rebels and miners broke from the forest edge into the clearing. I stretched out my mind as I ran with them. The buildings didn’t hold very many Magical minds and I waited for an opening to plant an Illusion spell. The spell wasn’t needed as we crossed the distance quickly.
The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 Page 25