With the cool night air and clouds gathering overhead, the spell took less time than it would normally. Fog billowed out to fill the area in front of the house, drifting backwards. It would only last a short while before the night breezes shredded it. But the fire mages were rushing forward, Azara leading the charge.
Jin waited until he heard the front door slam open before he waved his group forward. They didn’t need encouragement, racing to catch up to the others, Jin at the forefront. The other half of the fire mages remained in the trees, with the carts and children, one of the fire mages already having been sent to collect their mounts.
Running into the entrance hall, Jin only had a quick impression of marble floors and expensive wallpaper before he headed after Azara. She was aiming towards the wide wooden staircase, while the others split off into groups of three and four. The orders they’d given had been simple. Don’t attack anyone who isn’t attacking you, accept surrenders especially from servants, and when you find the kitchen, secure it to gather supplies. A group of ten were searching the grounds for the stables, ready to take horses, feed and any carts they could find.
By the time he’d reached the second floor, Jin had caught up to Azara. She nodded at him, before silently directing the people to the doors. Their footsteps were muffled by the thick carpet. Below, they heard the sound of gunshots, a few cries and the sound of things breaking.
They ignored it, Jin and Azara separating from the others, heading to the far end of the hallways as they left the others to sweep towards them. The first door they opened held several women, including two children finely dressed, all huddled together. Terrified eyes looked up and one woman in servant’s garb waved a shaking white handkerchief. “Stay here,” Jin told them. “Don’t offer any violence and no violence will be offered to you. We don’t want to hurt anyone unnecessarily.”
Azara was turning towards the door across from them, while Jin acknowledged the trembling bow of the woman with one of his own. He shut the door behind him as Azara crossed to the next room. When she opened this door she was pushed back, as the distinct tinking sound of crystal being struck echoed out. Jin didn’t get a chance to think of a spell before she was lunging forward, the crystal lashing out and ripping through the throats of the two men with bayonets. They dropped with a thud. Two fire mages hurried towards them, but backed off when Jin shook his head.
A quick search of the room turned up nothing except that the window’s shutter had holes drilled into it to fit the bayonets. Jin heard Azara curse under her breath before striding towards the door next to the one they’d closed. She tried the handle, but a quick tug showed that it was locked.
A harsh grin lit her face as the crystal pooled in her hand. It was the work of a moment for her to unlock the door. Then she was shoving her way inside. Two blades struck out, only to be stopped by the shield-like form the crystal had taken to either side. It wrapped itself around the swords and yanked them out of the hands of their bearers. The two men stepped away, eyes wide and faces rapidly paling. Azara didn’t give them long to regret their decision.
Two sharp points of crystal shot out to slam into each man’s neck, half-severing each head before she pulled it back. The bodies dropped with thuds muffled by the carpet on the ground. No one else was in sight, but they checked the room. From the large desk, Jin assumed it was the study. It wasn’t until he pulled open the doors on a cabinet that held a jumble of books and curios that they found what they were looking for.
Jin offered a smile at the contorted figure hiding on the wide bottom shelf. “Good evening, My Lord Andor. It’s good to see you again.”
Azara came to stand beside him, glaring down at the man who shook as he looked at both of them, face going the colour of paper. “We believe it would be best for you to accompany us on our journey. And you’re in luck, we’ll be heading to where you can acquire more tea. Or you would, if you weren’t our prisoner.”
As they hauled him onto the floor, Jin was glad it was them who’d found him. Despite his and Rohan’s words, he doubted any of the others would have left him alive. The expression on Azara’s face said she didn’t want to let him live. She understood they needed to. Though Jin knew if Andor became a liability for even a moment, Azara would be the first to slit the baron’s throat.
* * *
Another bump jostled Jin, and inwardly he swore he would never ride in a farm cart again. He was going to have bruises despite the hay they’d laid in the bottom. Though he had to admit, this was far better than them all having tried to make their way on foot.
Beside him was Azara, scanning the darkened horizon, the faintest lightening in one direction telling them dawn wouldn’t be far off. In front of them sat Baron Andor, bound and gagged and kept close to them purportedly so they could keep him from escaping. It was really to keep fire mages from killing the noble before they crossed the border.
Glancing at their little cavalcade, Jin had to shake his head. He could only imagine what they’d look like to anyone who spotted them. Two large hay wagons were stuffed with fire mages, as was their little cart at the head of the procession. Rohan was driving the one filled with people from the second building.
What made them stand out was the enormous covered wagon that was currently filled with the children and several fire mages, as well as food. The van proudly proclaimed “Colley and Sons’ Fine Furnishings and Art” on the side in large gold letters against the dark green paint. They’d been lucky enough to have surprised the manor after they’d had an afternoon delivery. If not, they’d have had several people walking.
On the riding horses they’d picked up, they had those with experience encircling their vehicles and acting as additional guards. Having stolen livery, they’d ensure the riders had matching clothing. Just in case they were stopped or seen. It made them appear less like the escapees they were, and more like some kind of cavalcade or caravan.
The blankets they’d distributed throughout the wagons, a larger share having gone to the children. The bottoms of the wagons were filled with hay, to soften the inevitable bumps as well as feed for the horses.
Jin looked over at the riders, more than one of them drooping. A few people in their cart had somehow managed to fall asleep. He glanced at the sky that was turning a very dark blue only barely distinguishable from the black. “We should find somewhere to camp soon,” he told Azara quietly. “I don’t know how much longer everyone will be able to keep up. And we should get ourselves either hidden away or set up so as not to arouse suspicion before it gets too bright out.”
She nodded, shifting over so their legs were touching. Jin would normally have considered that something if he couldn’t see the set of her face from this close distance. She was looking around the rolling hills. Most of what they’d seen once they’d exited the forest had been farmland. Fields, pastures, and once, a small village. The road they were on was pitted and empty enough that Jin thought they were well away from the major trade lines. That might draw more attention to them as strangers. It wasn’t as if they could pretend to be merchants.
There were too many of them and no goods, so no one would believe they were a caravan up close. They could hope to pretend to be refugees of some sort. Maybe say their village had been destroyed by flooding or some such, and they’d taken whatever vehicles they could find along with what they could. It would explain their mix of ages and general look of desperation. Jin hoped no one got close enough to actually question them.
Azara’s voice broke through his musings. “There.” She pointed towards a darker smudge ahead, different from the hedges they’d seen. As they got closer, Jin realized it was a small patch of woods, something you would have a great deal of difficulty getting lost in, but that would hide them from view.
“That will work well. The clouds have cleared, so there is little risk of rain, for now at least.”
She nodded. “We
should leave the little ones in the wagon to sleep. It will be quieter and darker there. And warmer. We’ll have to set watches.”
“I can take the first. There is subtle magic I can set up, that will warn us of approach as well as anyone trying to view us from a distance. Done correctly, I can make it appear to be a much lower level magic, the kind someone in the countryside would do to protect their fields from pests. We may want to try and cook something warm. I think everyone is more than a few meals short.”
“We have enough salted meat and potatoes to do something like a stew. If we can forage some herbs or vegetables, that would make it all the better. I think several of the people here are better cooks than either of us, and they can make something quite good.”
“That’s what we’ll do.” Feeling bold, Jin reached out to touch her cheek with two fingers. He could feel heat instantly swamp his face but kept his voice even. “You should sleep and take a later watch. You fought more than anyone else. You must be exhausted.”
She reached up and caught his hand, squeezing it. “I am tired, but there are others that need sleep more. Many pushed themselves to their limits. I can join you for the first watch, but then I promise, I will sleep.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
That got a smile out of her. “If you behave yourself, I may consider sharing my blanket with you.”
Jin choked slightly, drawing soft chuckles out of Azara. His face might burn, but it was good to hear her laugh. After everything, she needed it, and with what lay ahead of them, who knew when they’d get the chance again.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Followers
Sleeping in shifts until well past noon, Azara thought everyone looked the better for it. That and the fire mages getting a solid meal for the first time in she didn’t know how long. The sunlight having gone dark gold, they were packing up their makeshift camp and getting ready to set out.
She’d discussed it with her father and Jin, and despite the fact the horses wouldn’t like it, had decided to do most of their travelling at night. They would set out in the early evening each day and spend their days sleeping somewhere they could hide. Pursuit was only a matter of time.
Azara glanced over to where Jin was circling their camp, breaking the little protections he’d set up. He’d left a few on their vehicles, subtle things hidden with more mundane spells for reinforcement or theft protection. He said they’d make the wagons less vulnerable to magic.
From the maps he’d memorized, Jin guessed they were about a week’s ride at their current pace from the border. He wasn’t certain what road they were on, but thought it was one of the lesser-used ones, so he had hope wherever it crossed wouldn’t be guarded or would have only a small unit. It would only be a problem if the crossing was near one of the towns, where there would be a stronger presence and more guards. They could probably deal with them, but that would put the children at risk. Worst case, they could abandon the vehicles and cross the border somewhere other than the road, but that had its own set of challenges.
Her father came to stand beside her and noted the direction of her gaze. “He’s a good man.”
Azara glanced up, frowning. “I know he is.”
Rohan gave her a little smile. “I take it you’re looking to bring him into the family?”
That had Azara blushing for the first time in she didn’t know how long. “That is not currently a consideration,” she said, keeping her voice even. “Besides, Jin’s first loyalty is to the emperor. And I’m not sure the Empire is the place for us.”
“But if it is?”
Azara watched Jin bend over to pick something up and admired the way his pants outlined his backside. “That is something I’ll discuss with him when that time comes. For now, until everyone is safe, he is my partner and that’s all I can ask for.”
Her father nodded. “I don’t think you’re wrong, but be careful you don’t miss something important because you don’t want to make a decision. Sometimes jumping forward and trusting someone else is the best course.”
A few months ago she might have argued with him, but not now. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”
He reached out and ruffled her hair, making her feel like a child. “I’m still your father, and I have years’ worth of advice that I haven’t been able to give you. I intend to start now.”
His smile was as soft as hers before he moved away to help with chivvying the children into the wagon. More than one protested not being able to see, and two were crying. Azara shook her head and left them to people who knew how to care and reason with children.
Jin joined her. “Everything is set on my end. There is something I would like to discuss.” His tone was serious. “I think we would benefit from a map or, some kind of verbal directions as to where we are. We’re heading in the general direction of the border, but there’s every likelihood that we could run along it for longer than necessary. I would like to send someone or go myself to a nearby town and gather that information. It would be easy enough to send a single rider out one morning. If we choose someone who is from Nalbin or can counterfeit the accent, that would be all to the better. I would insist on going myself, but I’m afraid I stand out more than most.”
Azara grimaced but thought that he had an important point. The trouble would be getting one of the fire mages to agree to do it, since several of them were understandably nervy. They’d also need to come up with a plausible story. “Are there any towns near the border that you remember the name of? And if we got the approximate distance to that, would you be able to guess at where the border is? I don’t want to draw attention by asking about it directly.”
“I had similar thoughts. The closest to us now, based on my guess of where we are, would be Boracom. It is a large town near the border, and the kind of place a merchant would be aiming towards.”
She saw where he was going. “And a merchant who has gotten lost would send one of his guards or assistants out to ask for proper directions while waiting so as not to waste time. In fact, he could be a foreign merchant who is not as familiar with Nalbin as he should be, and that is how he’s gotten turned around.”
Jin frowned a little. “That is a good idea, but I think anyone who isn’t native will arouse more suspicion and talk.”
Azara considered that. “You’re right. I’ll ask Father to check with the fire mages and see if anyone is willing to go. I’d prefer if you didn’t go. Our descriptions may already have been circulated, and yours would be the one most would remember. As well, you’re the only mage we have capable of seeing magic and using any type except fire. Our defense will be weakened without you.”
“I know. I’ll act only as a last resort. And it would be better that I go than you. Even without Nalbinian prejudices being what they are, your skills are far more suited to protecting everyone than mine.”
She felt a little heat return to her cheeks. Jin had an almost preternatural ability to find ways to praise her that bordered on embarrassing. It made her feel awkward, like she needed to protest it. “We’ll do what we can to find one of the others willing to make the attempt. Now, let’s finishing packing and head out.”
Jin fell into step beside her as Azara turned her attention to the few blankets and pots they’d taken from the manor, and other things that had somehow gotten scattered across their camp. The fewer signs they left behind, the harder they would be to track.
* * *
After another night of travelling and a day spent sleeping, Jin was glad to sit at camp. He was using his time to memorize as much of the papers he’d stolen from the fort as he could. There was no guarantee they’d survive, and while he was taking care, they were also surrounded by fire mages.
Azara sat beside him, hands busy peeling the burdock roots she’d found earlier, both leaning against the same boulder. There were more scattered throughout the area,
most centred around the one end of the tiny valley between the hill and small mountain. It blocked that entrance, and with the visible cuts into the mountain’s face as well as the signs on the rocks that indicated flooding was a real issue, he didn’t think they’d see anyone.
The rhythmic pound of hoofbeats had both of them looking up, eyes going to the only entrance. The two of them stood, hurriedly stowing their respective tasks and moving to the gap between the two hills. Rohan was already there, and they were joined by a few fire mages, while the rest drew back, some leading the children into the van, others stowing the more valuable gear.
Jin focused on the narrow trail ahead of them, wondering if he could set a spell quickly enough to take out whoever was approaching. Then the rider came into view and all of them relaxed. Leax, one of the fire mages, rode well, the livery they’d made him wear making him appear like he was some merchant’s assistant.
He reined up only when he was almost on top of them. He didn’t wait for a greeting, immediately dismounting and facing them. “We’re being pursued.”
The words sent a chill through Jin, though he’d known it would happen sooner or later. Rohan didn’t look bothered, only nodded. “Can you explain things to us in order? Unless the pursuers will be on us immediately?”
The younger man shook his head, green eyes wide. “They weren’t moving that quickly and they’ll have to pick up our trail here.” At Rohan’s gesture, he continued. “I was able to find a village not too far off the road, and the two men I met outside of it accepted my story. They were friendly and told me that Boracom is northeast of here as the crow flies. To reach it by road, we need to continue and follow the fork that heads right. That road runs parallel to the border, while the one we’re on heads straight there.”
That was some good luck for them, though with pursuers, Jin wasn’t sure it was enough. Then Leax was talking again. “I saw the riders behind me after I left the village. There were a dozen of them, well-armoured and well-mounted. They seemed to be studying our tracks in the road. Rather than get caught, I hurried back here.”
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