Heading in the opposite direction of the main entrance, I dropped the Illusion on the front door guards as soon as I was out of sight. The stairs to the next level waited for me and I stretched my mind to see what was on the next floor. I felt three more minds and reached out and planted my spell.
I walked up the stairs and turned into a long hallway that stretched the length of the building. On the other side were the stairs to the next level. Only a single Evenawk patrolled the hallway but I could feel the other two in a room on this level. Most of the doors were closed except a couple half ways down the hallway. I couldn’t make out any energy from those rooms.
I waited until the guard was on my side of the hallway then followed him as he walked back to the other side. I couldn’t resist mimicking the almost waddling way the Evenawks walked.
The first opened door revealed a bedroom with nobody in it. The second open door was an empty meeting room so I slipped in and waited for the guard to return walking the other way. Once he passed, I exited the room and walked the remaining distance to the stairs.
I dropped the Illusion spell for the two Evenawks in the room and checked the top floor. There was a single Evenawk guard near the top and the massive energy reading that could only be Desroche. I planted the Illusion spell on the Evenawk and slowing climbed the stairs. When I was able to peek up onto the next floor, I noticed that Spencer was still missing.
Perhaps he is leading the defences.
Don’t fool yourself, Cathy said. Stay sharp.
I entered the top floor and crept up to the guard. He stared through me with a bored expression on his face. I placed my hand above his chest and force power through it. The Ice Bolt pierced his heart and a small gasp escaped him as he looked surprised. I grabbed him and slowly lowered him to the ground.
With the guard on the ground, I opened the door slowly and peeked in. The ‘Great’ Desroche was holding onto my Staff and looking out the window. The light shining in meant the sun was starting to rise. He was going to watch the destruction of the Evenawks like it was a game.
I checked around for Spencer but still couldn’t find him. Luckily there wasn’t anywhere in this room he could hide. I opened the door enough so I could slip in. I left the door sort of open so I wouldn’t risk it making a sound.
My possessions were stacked on a table along the far wall. I slowly crept over to them looking for my short sword. It was buried under too much stuff to move quietly so I went with the next best thing.
I picked up the frying pan.
No way, Cathy said. Leader of the Mages in the capital of the Evenawks and you’re going to smack him with a frying pan?
It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it.
I crept slowly towards Desroche, watching both him and the floor. A groove in the floor looked like it would squeak if I walked on it so I avoided it completely to be safe. As I drew near Desroche, I raised the frying pan. He turned around, I guess heading back to the table, and almost walked into me.
“You...” he started before the frying pan connected with his face.
I immediately attack him again and again, the sounds of the frying pan ringing out into the morning. Desroche collapsed unconscious onto the ground.
Cathy chuckled. Only you could get away with defeating someone with a frying pan.
I’ll take that as a complement.
The floor squeaked behind me and I immediately turned the skin under my robe into scales and waited for the strike. A hand squeezed my shoulder and the area grew warm. I turned to look at Mage Spencer. He looked at my shoulder in shock before looking at me.
I hit him in the face with the frying pan.
Chapter 34
Mage Spencer and the ‘Great’ Desroche lay unconscious on the floor while my frying pan was sporting a more distorted look then when I first picked it up.
I think its frying days are over, Cathy said.
It could still fry up a little...justice.
...Wow that was terrible! Cathy said. I mean, where do you get those? I’m in your head and even I don’t know where that came from.
So comedy isn’t my thing.
And you should stop trying, Cathy finished. You’ve been strange since I freed from the Binds. You have to snap out of it, the sun has risen.
Sure enough as I looked out the window the rising sun was clearing the horizon. The Evenawks would be flying to battle and would have to face the two, fully aware, defence towers. I needed to get to them quickly and try to disable them.
First, we need to take care of Desroche and Spencer here, Cathy said.
Hmm. How about binding them with the Red Jacket Honey? The Evenawks can take care of them after they win.
Works for me, she said. Hurry.
I grabbed Desroche and dragged him over to Spencer’s body. I looked around the room for the first time and noticed things I didn’t before, a bed, dresser, lots of windows and a small room off to the far side with a toilet. This must have been the Chieftain’s old personal quarters.
This could work out in my favour.
I grabbed the sheets from the bed and some shirts from the dresser and brought them over to the bodies. I went to my personal items and grabbed my short sword. Cutting the sheets and shirts into strips I prepared to bind their hands and heads.
Don’t forget to scale your hands for protection, Cathy said.
I stopped and laughed softly. I would have totally forgotten.
Seriously, you might have to take a couple of days off to get your head on straight, Cathy said.
I took out the container of Red Jacket Honey and covered both my hands in scales. Smearing the honey over the strips, I bound the hands of Desroche and Spencer before wrapping their heads. Hopefully, the honey would be enough to keep them disoriented long enough for the Evenawks to take back the city. With a large bed sheet, I wrapped both of them together for added reassurance. Content with the restraints, I gathered my belongings.
I couldn’t find my hat amongst my belongings and sighed as I looked for a garbage can. Most likely it would be on the top of the pile. To my surprise it was being used AS a garbage can. I picked it up and dumped out the scrap parchments while Cathy’s laughter filled my head. With the hat on my head, and pack on my back, it was time to head out.
I stopped at the door to the Desroche’s personal quarters. It would take a long time to sneak through the house and city, tricking the guards with my Illusion spells. Fighting also wasn't a viable approach because of the time constraint. I headed to the window facing away from the city and looked down. The branches looked sturdy enough to hold my weight and I climbed out of the window onto the first branch.
Slowly and steady, I dropped down from branch to branch until I was on the lowest one. I was still too high to jump to the ground so searched around for another way. An idea came to mind and I hid it from Cathy.
Now why would you do that, she said as she tried to probe around in my mind. How are you doing this?
Hold onto something.
Is that a joke because I don’t have hands? She asked.
I rearranged my pack and pulled out my short sword. Driving the short sword into the tree with both hands, I stepped off the branch. The sword skipped against the bark and I pushed all my strength into keeping it into the bark. I fell too quickly and the sword shot out of my hands as I fell backwards. I landed hard on the pack and rolled quickly out of the way as the sword struck the ground into my hat.
Bravo, Cathy said sarcastically.
I know, I know.
My only advice was to NOT fall out of the trees, Cathy said.
We’re on the ground, aren’t we?
Did you break anything? She asked.
I slipped out of my pack’s straps and opened it up. Everything looked in order and the Staff and Demon’s Bane were in one piece. I stood up and groaned as my back felt stiff. I reached round with my hand and fed power through it to heal the muscles. I picked up the pack, sword and hat and headed for the fron
t gates.
Ahead of me, I could make out the beginning of the battle. The Evenawk flying archers swarmed the towers trying to shoot the Mages inside. The towers launched massive Fire Balls that engulfed any Evenawk unlucky enough to be caught in its path. I pushed myself to go faster. The figure of the old lady gatekeeper grew larger and she turned around and smiled at me. I immediately covered my whole body in scales. I wasn’t going to trust Grandma Smiley again.
Unusually quick for her age, she raised her hand and launched a steady stream of Ice at me. I stopped and threw my scaled hands over my face as the icy feeling covered my whole body. The ice was starting to accumulate on my body and I focused power into my hands as I turned my palms towards her. Fire erupted from my hands and I pressed the power towards her as my fire melted her ice attack.
We continued to push but despite Grandma Smiley’s power, she grew tired and my fire reached her. She screamed out as the flames engulfed her body. Her screams alerted two Mages who were operating the front gate mechanism. They abandoned their post and approached me. I straightened my hat and brushed some of the ice chunks off my robe before pulling out my sword. The Mages hesitated but stretched out their hands towards me as they came to a stop.
I guess I’ll have to do all the moving.
Keep attacking one to keep his shield up, Cathy said. Save you from having to block two separate attacks.
I stretched out my left hand and sent a Pulse at the closest Mage. He blocked it with a Ward and the other Mage shot an Ice Bolt at me. It was directed at my chest and I didn’t react as it shattered painlessly on my chest.
My focus remained on the first Mage and he started to back up as I launched another Pulse at him. He blocked it again and kept his shield up. As I closed in, I send another Pulse and drove my sword forward. He managed to successfully block the Pulse as my sword plunged into his chest. I quickly spun him around towards the other Mage in time to block an incoming Ice Bolt. The Ice pierced the Mage in the back and I dropped him to the ground. The second Mage’s face wrinkled as he tried to figure out how to beat my Harden Skin spell.
He should aim for the head. It’s pretty much wide up, Cathy said.
I’m SO glad you don’t have the power to talk. Is it necessary for him to know the weakness?
I’m just shocked nobody has figured this out sooner, Cathy mused. The easiest way to beat you is to attack your face then charge you when you block their attack with your hands. You’d be dead if anyone had any sword skills around here.
Comforting!
I’m just saying, Cathy said as Wrinkles started to circle me looking for a chance to strike. Besides, it is better to learn your weakness now, instead of when someone shoves a sword through your chest.
Good point.
I launched a Pulse at him and he blocked it easily. I used the opportunity to move closer. He started to back up and I launched a Dispel at him. He dodged it and I charged at him. He sent a Pulse at me that I blocked with my hand before he launched a stream of lightning at my sword. The sword acted as a conductor and pain shot through my hand. I dropped the sword and staggered back. He hit me with another Pulse and I was pushed off my feet and onto my back.
I struggled to get to my feet with the pack and Wrinkles picked up my sword and advanced towards me. Every time I tried to back away, he would shoot a Pulse at me to keep me off balance. I finally got fed up and threw up a Ward so I could get back to me feet. Wrinkles smiled in his wrinkly way but all that changed as an arrow struck him in the shoulder. He dropped the sword and I dropped the Ward. I stretched out and launched an Ice Bolt that pierced him in the heart.
He dropped to the ground and I looked around for the shooter and saw a tall Evenawk hovering above the ground close by.
“I figure that makes us even,” Nerrilok called out as he transformed and touched the ground.
“I thought we weren’t counting,” I said as walked over to him. “How’d you get in?”
“Harik’s leading the front, I’m leading the Special Forces,” he said with a smirk. “My troops are already working their way through the city to help the citizens overthrow the Mages. Snuck in under cover of darkness. What happened here? The towers too much for you?”
“They were waiting for me,” I replied. “Had to break my way out of jail and take Desroche down with a frying pan in his private quarters.”
Nerrilok laughed. “Bludgeoned to death by cookware. Not the greatest story told.”
“He’s only knocked out,” I said. “Just tell everyone I subdued him with my ‘Diason’ magic skills. I have to be the proper folk hero after all.”
“Way ahead of you, kid,” Nerrilok replied. “Pick a tower to start with.”
“The one on the right,” I pointed.
“What’s the plan?” he asked.
“To figure out what they are doing and stop it,” I answered with a shrug. “We’ll enter through the bottom and clean it out.”
Nerrilok picked up my sword from where Wrinkles lay. “Do you mind? I don’t think the bow will help in there.”
“Take it,” I said.
Nerrilok and I headed for the tower. The war in the air was still raging so we were able to approach it from behind without incident. Nerrilok looked nervously towards the sky as if searching for any sign of the young Chieftain.
“He’ll be fine,” I said as we reached the door.
“He better be, everything rides on his young shoulders,” Nerrilok said sternly.
Nerrilok opened the door while I stood with my hand up. The entrance was empty and I signalled Nerrilok in. He quickly headed for the stairs and I followed him up. The stone stairs echoed loudly as we marched up the tower. Louder than expected, actually.
The Mages must have enchanted the stairs to alert them of trespassers, Cathy suggested.
Sure enough, a couple of Mages appeared from around the bend and shouted out in alarm as we approached.
“Come on, you spark shooting pixies,” Nerrilok growled picking up speed. “It’s time you tasted vengeance.”
He shoulder charged into the two Mages before they could even raise their hands. Plunging the sword into the first’s chest, the second tried to scramble up and I launched an Ice Bolt into his chest. Nerrilok climbed over the bodies and continued up the stairs in a blood rage. I struggled over the bodies and hurried to catch up. Another Mage was unlucky enough to get in the way and was felled without Nerrilok breaking stride.
When we reached the top, all the Mages turned to our direction in anticipation. Nerrilok didn’t waste any time and immediately charged the nearest Mage near the opening. The Mages were leaning outside to ensure no Evenawks tried to climb in and Nerrilok shoved one of them out of the tower. The remaining four Mages turned at one towards him and I sent out a Pulse with both hands to throw them off balance.
“You get two, I get two,” Nerrilok shouted as he charged at the next Mage near the opening.
My two were near a strange device in centre of the room. Finally realizing I was a hostile, they raised their hands and I unleashed a wave of fire at them. I felt them quickly change to a Ward and I pushed the attack walking towards them. Their shields grew weak but they held on. Feeling their shields break and then hearing them starting to scream, I stopped the power and took a deep breath.
They collapsed to the ground and Nerrilok walked over. “Nasty way to go,” he chuckled.
“Takes a lot out of you though,” I said taking another deep breath.
“Time to destroy this blasted machine,” Nerrilok said as he walked over to the strange device.
The device was tall and pedestal-like. A crystal sat in the middle with a hood covering it except for a small section. A circle with a cross through it sat on the hood and the body of the pedestal held an opening where a glowing Staff was visible.
“Have you seen anything like this before?” Nerrilok asked.
I shook my head. You?
Never, Cathy answered.
I reached into the ope
ning and felt power radiating from the staff. With a scaled hand, I grabbed the staff but nothing happened.
Try without the scales, Cathy suggested.
The scales returned to skin. I felt a connection form between me and the staff. I pushed power through the connection and the staff glowed brighter.
“The crystal is glowing brighter,” Nerrilok said moving away from the opening. “I don’t like it.”
I continued to push power through the bond until I felt the power release and saw a stream of fire shoot out of the crystal section. The fire travelled out towards the Evenawks and I released the staff.
“HA!” Nerrilok exclaimed. “Can we use this against them?”
“Can’t imagine why not,” I said looking for a way to rotate the pedestal.
Nerrilok grabbed the hood protecting the crystal and it slid from side to side.
“Good, aim for the other tower,” I said.
“Is it going to do any good?” Nerrilok asked.
“It will for what I have planned,” I answered with a smirk. “I’m going to do what I did in Nesqa.”
Nerrilok rotated the hood and looked through the little circle on the top. I could feel the power pulsing from the staff.
“Alright, you are lined up,” he said.
“Stand back,” I said as I seized the staff.
The staff glowed slightly and I started gathering my power inside myself. I closed my eyes and focused on the building pressure.
Can I borrow some of yours?
Don’t go crazy, she replied as more power surged through me.
I forced all the power through the bond and the staff started to shake. I opened my eyes and immediately looked away from the brightness of the staff. Power erupted out of the crystal as a massive ball of fire exploded the pedestal and wall, knocking me and Nerrilok back. The ball hit the other tower and the top of it exploded into a ball of flames. Stone rained down in every direction.
Did you see that? Cathy asked excited.
The Tower Of The Watchful Eye: The Legend Of Kairu Book 1 Page 28