“Get down!” NezReth’s voice rose shrill against the night, cutting through the sounds of their pounding feet. Joel didn’t want to look back but couldn’t help himself. He turned just in time to watch a crimson bolt swipe the side of Liro’s face. His brother dropped motionless to the ground.
“Liro!”
Their procession came to an abrupt halt as Koal shoved his way through the others. Joel started to follow, but a grunt from Hasain reminded the mage to stay focused. They needed to keep the shield intact.
He watched as Koal took to one knee and examined Liro’s prone form. NezReth continued his counter attack, he alone standing between the seneschal and certain doom. Joel’s heart pounded. He’d never seen his brother so defenseless. Get up. Move. Please wake up.
The red bolts finally ceased, and the Blessed Mage turned back to the party, a fierce scowl on his face. “That’s all of them for now. Reserve your energy.” He knelt next to Koal and put a hand to Liro’s forehead. “We have to move on.”
Joel scurried over to them, bile rising up his throat. The worry lines on his father’s face were almost enough to undo him. “Da?”
“He’s alive.” Koal’s voice was hollow, on the brink of defeat. He swooped down low to take one of Liro’s arms. “Hasain, help me. Get his other arm.”
Hasain hesitated only a split second before he did as told, and together they hoisted Liro’s limp body from the ground and held him between the two of them. A trickle of blood ran from one temple down the side of Liro’s blanched face, but he was still breathing.
Shouts rang out through the night all around them, but Joel could barely hear the commotion through the pounding in his ears. The Imperial army was coming. Oh Goddesses, help us.
“What do we do?” Hasain asked, his voice a pitch below pure hysteria.
“Go!” Koal’s heavy tone was unwavering in the midst of the chaos. “Run! Quickly! Lead us out of here!”
Kirk jumped forward. “This way.”
They followed at the mage trainee’s heels with no regard for keeping quiet anymore. As they wove through the maze of houses and merchant shops, their boots slammed on the cobblestone pavers, ringing out through the night. The enraged shouts of the Imperial soldiers echoed around them, coming from every direction.
Joel could hear his own ragged breaths as he ran, and agonizing pain shot from his knees down the length of his legs with every step. Behind him, with Liro’s lifeless form slumped between them, Koal and Hasain struggled to keep up. Each time Joel glanced back, the distance between his father and cousin and the rest of the group continued to widen. A hopeless thought paralyzed his mind. They’re falling behind.
“Wait!” Joel called to the rest of the group. “Stop!”
Kirk hesitated but drew to a halt within the shadows of a towering stone mansion, waiting in tense silence for the remaining members of the party to catch up.
Hasain leaned heavily against the side of the building. His chest heaved with every sharp inhale, and even now, his grip around Liro’s torso was slipping. “We’re never going to make it like this. Not if we have to carry him.”
Joel narrowed his eyes. “We’re not leaving my brother behind to die!”
Hasain’s lip curled. “It’s him or all of us!”
“No!” Joel refused to believe the words. “There has to be another way.”
NezReth’s eyes were shut tight in concentration. He didn’t open them even when he spoke. “I can feel a great source of energy nearby.”
Kirk’s face lit up. Even through the darkness, Joel could see it. “It’s the portal! We’re close by.”
The portal. Renewed hope raced through Joel’s veins. He understood. If they could find the strength to activate the portal themselves, they wouldn’t need to outrun the Imperial army. He swung around to face his father. “Da! If we can make it to the portal, we have a chance!”
Koal redistributed Liro’s weight as he, too, leaned against the marble slab for support. “NezReth? Is it possible?”
The Blessed Mage sighed. “For us to do it alone—I–I do not know. It would be very difficult.”
“What choice do we have?” Hasain asked. “It’s too late to escape on foot.” Light from the Imperial torches flickered in his hollow eyes.
“They’re almost here!” Cenric warned, though there was no need. Everyone knew. The streets echoed with the sounds of clanging armor and boots scraping the ground as the enemy closed in.
Koal peered down the alley. “Take us there.”
The group dashed forward again, but Joel hung back. “Father, go ahead of me with Liro.” Koal grunted in protest, but Joel refused to budge. “If they attack from behind, I’ll hold them off.” Hasain lumbered on, and Koal was forced to move as well. Joel followed at their heels, throwing up a magic shield as he ran. It wouldn’t hold for long, but at least it was something.
Up ahead, cloaks billowed behind the others as they ran. Joel focused his attention onto the rustling fabric. If he could forget that he was fleeing for his life, the monumental task of lifting each foot and placing it in front of the other seemed easier.
Hasain tripped, losing his grip on Liro, and Koal was forced to bear all of the unconscious man’s weight.
“How much farther?” Koal called through gritted teeth.
Kirk didn’t even pause. “We’re almost there!”
Hasain picked himself up. His voice quivered as he took hold of Liro’s arm. “I can’t—can’t carry him anymore—”
Koal locked eyes with Hasain. “Yes, you can. We can do this. Together now.”
Hands shaking, Hasain struggled to sling the limp arm over his shoulder. “O–okay.”
Joel could hear footsteps on the adjacent street. Koal and Hasain were lurching forward once again, but Joel knew he needed to give them more time. He readied a ball of magic in his palm and waited, poised for attack.
The first sentinel marched around the corner, and Joel choked back a frightened gasp. The man’s eyes were like little black beads, cold and unforgiving as they glared out through the cracks in his helm. One hand grasped a sharpened broadsword, but even as the soldier raised the weapon and darted into the alley, Joel had already unleashed his magic, sending the fiery ball loose. It sailed through the static air, striking the soldier in the weakest part of his armor, near his throat.
The man howled and went down, writhing on the ground. The undeniable scent of burning flesh and hair filled the street. Joel would have gagged had he not been focused on summoning another sphere of power.
A second soldier came at Joel. This man bore a thick, metal shield. As he passed by his fallen comrade, the sentinel raised the shield to protect his chest and head. Joel aimed for his exposed legs instead, intending to disable him. The man collapsed with an anguished cry, blood spurting from his gashed thigh. Joel pooled a third crackling ball into his outstretched hand.
“Enough!”
A shiver ran up his spine as he recognized the strident voice calling from the depths of the alley. Archmage Adrian Titus, in his elegant golden robe and crimson sash, strolled into view. A dozen Imperial soldiers waited behind him. Joel took a tentative step back. Daya, help me.
Adrian raised a hand into the air. “Playtime is over.”
Joel tightened his defensive magic, wrapping the invisible shield in layers around his body. He knew he was no match for the Archmage, but he had to stall for the others as long as was possible. He had to give NezReth a chance to conjure the portal spell.
“Where are your traitorous friends, Lord Adelwijn?” Adrian asked. He lifted his chin, and in the moonlight, Joel caught a glimpse of a sinister smirk. It was the first and only time he’d ever seen the Archmage smile.
Joel refused to answer. He narrowed his eyes into slits and readied the magic resting in his palm.
Adrian laughed, an uncanny, baleful sound that resonated off the marble walls surrounding their space. “I wouldn’t try that if I were you.”
Joel swallowed.
“What does it matter? You’re going to try to kill me either way. I won’t go down without a fight, and neither will my friends.”
“You can fight, but it will all be for naught. None of you can escape the might of the Northern Empire. Every last one of you will perish before daybreak. You may even cry for a swift end when you realize how painful your deaths will be.” His eerie smile made Joel cringe. “It’s a dirty business, slaughtering traitors, but orders are orders.”
Adrian took another step, the faint aura of magic swirling around his slender form. His defensive shields were sturdy. Joel couldn’t hope to break through them with only one strike.
The Archmage opened his mouth to speak again but paused before he’d uttered even a single word. Confusion flicked across his face, and his steel blue eyes grew unfocused. Joel’s skin prickled as he too felt the power Adrian had undoubtedly sensed. It was the same power Joel had felt the day they first came to Teivel. It’s the portal! They’ve reached it! NezReth is beginning the spell!
“To the portal!” Adrian shrieked. “Don’t let them escape!”
The Archmage’s attention had flitted elsewhere for a precious instant, and Joel took his chance. He flung his magic with all his strength. The ball exploded against the enemy’s shield, forcing Adrian and his men to step back. Joel whirled around and ran.
He ran faster and harder than ever before, barreling down the alley, hoping to put crucial distance between himself and the Imperials. He could hear Adrian screaming for the soldiers to kill Joel. Their snarling voices droned in his eardrums. Don’t look back. It will only slow you down—
A blast of magic crashed into his mage shield, searing the back of his robe and knocking him forward. Joel hit the stone pavement face first, the air deflating from his stomach in a violent whoosh. He could feel hot, wet liquid gushing from his nose even as he scrambled to his feet.
The attack completely shattered his shield. Hastily, Joel cast another one but knew it was even weaker than the first. One more powerful strike and he was done for. Don’t give up, he told himself. Keep running. Just keep running.
Koal and the others were no longer in sight. Joel wasn’t sure which way to go. No, no, no! I can’t lose them! As he staggered forward, blood began to drip from his chin. Somehow, despite the yells of the soldiers and his own wheezing gasps, Joel could hear each nauseating splatter as the crimson droplets hit his boots.
Focus. Find the portal. He extended his consciousness, reaching out with tendrils of his mind. He sought out the telltale magic he’d felt moments before—and found it. Straight ahead. I’m nearly there.
A dark object whizzed by his ear. What is that? A moment later, a second arrow skittered off the ground dangerously near his feet. Ducking low, Joel ran as fast as his legs would allow. He refused to look over his shoulder but could feel the enemy bearing down on him. He knew if he risked a glance back, the sight would undo him. He could only run for his life and pray to the heavens.
His skin prickled with growing intensity the closer he drew to the portal. He could sense the rippling waves of magic ahead and knew he had to be close. Rounding one final street corner, Joel let out a relieved cry at the sight of the courtyard—the one that had first welcomed him to the city six sennights ago. Shadows cast a dusky blanket across the lush shrubbery and flowerbeds, but he hardly noticed them in his dart toward the far side. Across the sprawling garden, Joel could see the outline of the portal, the flecked granite shimmering beneath the moon. Cenric reached out and grasped Joel’s hand as he stumbled to the base of the portal.
“Are you all right?” the ambassador asked.
Joel touched a hand to his bloody face and winced. “I’ll be fine.”
NezReth was already drawing energy. Joel could feel the heavy magic pooling around them. The Blessed Mage focused all his attention onto the empty space beneath the archway, never once glancing away. His eyes burned with such intensity that Joel unwittingly took a step back.
Tendrils of blue flame swirled around the stone arch as NezReth worked to build his spell, but Joel knew the portal wouldn’t be ready before the Imperials reached them. One glance over his shoulder confirmed the horrible thought. Scores of Imperial soldiers and mages piled into the garden, their angry cries and sharpened blades striking terror in Joel’s heart.
“We have to hold them back!” Kirk yelled.
Hasain left Koal’s side to take a stand beside Joel and the young Imperial trainee. “Shield the portal. We’ll give NezReth the time he needs!”
Joel reached with his consciousness, drawing magic from ley lines of energy buried deep below the ground, pooling it to his hands. He extended the magic outward. It spread from his palms to encircle first himself, before stretching farther yet to encompass the entire portal in a glowing, cerulean sphere. The barrier wavered despite his best efforts to stabilize it. He could feel his energy reserves draining. Fighting off the Imperial ambushers had already burnt through so much of his power.
A moment later, Hasain and Kirk joined him, lending their magic to the cause, and Joel felt an immediate lift in his energy. Together, they threaded the shield tight, sealing all holes, creating a shell of energy that visibly pulsated beneath the glow of the moon. Not a moment later, the onslaught began.
Joel braced himself as the Imperial mages began their attack. They fired crackling bolts of magic that ricocheted off the shield and sent sparks flying every which way. Again and again, the blows came, relentless and devastating. Each time a new bolt struck, the shield quivered and cracked in response. Joel and the others moved swiftly to reseal the weakened areas, but as more enemies piled into the courtyard and joined in the attack, the task became overwhelming. Joel could see the fissures in the shield. They were forming faster than he was able to mend them. Panic sprang to life in his chest. He wanted to scream at NezReth to hurry but knew it would do no good. The Blessed Mage needed more time. But time was running out.
Joel’s vision began to cloud as he felt the last of his reserves being pulled from his weary body. The siege continued, vicious and driven. The enemy knew the shield was buckling beneath their attack. They knew their opponents weakened even as they battered harder. Joel reached farther, tapping deeper into the ley lines, drawing the energy to his fingertips. The raw, untamed magic coursed through Joel’s veins, but his body cried in agony as it struggled to hold the faltering shield steady. He was nearly spent.
Joel could feel the portal swelling behind him and a final rush of hope fluttered in his chest. If only he could hold out a few moments longer—
Suddenly, the tendrils of magic binding the portal spell to the granite archway began to fragment. He could feel the energy fizzling, threatening to fade completely. No! What’s happening? Why is the portal dying?
‘It’s not enough. NezReth can’t do it alone!’ Kirk’s lips didn’t move, but his voice came from all around—inside Joel’s head. The internal dialogue was so jarring Joel nearly lost his focus. ‘I’m going to help him. You have to hold the shield without me!’
Joel wanted to scream in protest, but he couldn’t do anything except meet the trainee’s gaze with wide, frightened eyes. Hasain and Joel couldn’t possibly hold off the enemy alone. They could barely maintain the defense with three people. The Imperials would break through if Kirk abandoned them—
Again, the wispy voice shot through his mind. ‘You can do this. You have to.’
Joel gritted his teeth. The burden of responsibility was difficult to bear. He would have to hold out or all of them would be lost.
A hand gripped his shoulder. Cenric. “Use my strength as you would,” the ambassador said. Koal had left Liro’s body slumped near the archway and now stood beside Hasain, offering support as well. The seneschal kept one hand wrapped around the base of his blade, but with the other, he reached out to grasp Hasain’s forearm. Though neither man possessed magic, they could still lend their strength.
Joel hesitated only a moment before tapping into Cenric’s life force,
guiding the energy from his body to Joel’s own, using it to further fuel the spell. The shield buckled as Kirk redistributed his focus to the portal, but Hasain’s power lifted a moment later to take up the slack. Together, they braced against the attack.
Out of the corner of his eye, Joel saw Kenisha kneel beside her brother, aiding him with energy. The gateway flared with renewed vigor as Kirk’s magic joined with NezReth’s, giving the Blessed Mage the extra burst of power he so desperately needed. The tendrils locked into place and spread to engulf the entire arch. Joel could feel the magic pooling in the center of the structure. They only needed a few more precious moments before they could pass through.
A blast of arcane energy burst against the shield, sending shards of magic careening down onto them. Joel cried out as the debris scorched his skin and hair, but he could do nothing more. Adrian Titus stood just beyond the barricade, eyes fierce and maniacal. Joel watched in horror as the Archmage summoned a second crackling globule.
“Joel!” Hasain screeched in warning.
Both of them scrambled to repair the damaged section of the shield, but they weren’t fast enough. Adrian hurled the sphere directly at the weak spot. The explosion sent Joel sprawling to his knees. He whimpered in pain but found himself unable to stand or even move from where he’d fallen. All his energy was tied into the shield—the shield that was rapidly eroding before his eyes.
Blood drained from his face at the sight of the gaping hole in the shield where Adrian’s bolt had struck. He raised a shaking hand, directing what little remained of his energy in an attempt to patch the breach, but his reaction was too sluggish.
The snap of an Imperial bowstring cut through the night. Time came to a sudden, grinding halt. Joel saw the arrow gleaming as it floated, deft as a feather, through the air. He observed Hasain’s eyes widen in an abject horror that rivaled Joel’s own. He felt the grip tighten on his shoulder, each fingertip pressing into his flesh like blunted needles. He could even hear his own scream as he watched, completely helpless, as the deadly weapon found its mark.
Nightfall: Book Two of the Chronicles of Arden Page 34