Third Power

by Robert Childs

  Haldorum struck first at the oncoming line of enemy soldiers, unleashing a blue bolt of energy from the tip of his staff that knocked a black-clad redcrest clear from his saddle and into the rider behind him. Twice more he lashed out and two more soldiers dropped before the engagement had even begun. The net effect panicked mounts and confused soldiers who did not expect to face the Resistance, let alone their magus. Then Haze hit their broken line and cleaved a man’s head clear of his shoulders in passing. As the two opposing sides met, three redcrests went down under the savage blade of the battle-hardened knight in the first eight seconds.

  Kayliss whirled around again in response to Steve’s command, but halted abruptly before he could charge into the ongoing fight when he heard that same mysterious voice in his head.

  No!

  “Why?” Steve demanded aloud. “This is what I’m here for.”

  There was no answer. Only silence. Before Steve could reach out to find that other presence, he saw Haldorum charge out of the midst of the battle toward him. He reined in beside Steve at nearly the same time Scott reined in from the opposite direction.

  “Everyone else has already returned to Shallows Crag,” he said quickly. “We only have a few minutes to rejoin them. I do not know why, but Azinon has even more soldiers yet to arrive. If we do not move now we will soon be overwhelmed.”

  “But if we run our guys will be cut down from behind!” Steve countered.

  Haldorum turned his mount to face the battle once again. “Do not be too sure of that.” The old wizard raised his hands slowly to either side of himself and a resonant surge of power charged the very air around them. Ahead the earth split asunder in a half dozen places as white worms reared up out of the ground as thick as great oaks. The creatures unleashed an acrid smell from their enormous mouths, and they attacked with long, diving lunges that carried them surprisingly far with each thrust.

  The redcrest soldiers reacted immediately to this new threat with panic. With ample chaos, the dark-clad warriors retreated from the battle at the calls of, “Regroup! Regroup!”, while the soldiers of the Resistance charged through them headlong, recognizing the creatures as not just illusion, but a prearranged signal to withdraw. Another portal appeared as they approached the First and Third Powers and they charged through without stopping.

  “What is it?” Steve asked.

  Scott peered intently into the dark, searching and listening for any sign of Kurella. “It’s nothing,” he replied. “I just thought—”

  “Enough time for thinking later,” Haldorum interrupted. “It will not take them long to realize those beasts are illusions. Quickly now! The last of us are nearly through.”

  With a nod from Steve, both he and Kayliss vanished into the portal. Haldorum himself was nearly through when he stopped to see Scott still motionless in the dark. “Come on, lad!” he urged.

  Scott’s eyes danced several times back and forth before he finally relented. Without another look back, he plunged his horse headlong into the portal, and was gone.

  Chapter XVI

  There was not a single moment to lose. Haldorum passed through the portal into Shallows Crag and then turned his mount in the direction of General Corbett’s quarters.

  Word spread through the chain of command like wildfire. In the brief span of only a few minutes, the once sleepy camp of freedom fighters came alive with activity. Orders were shouted, recalls commenced, and soldiers of all ranks moved like the sands on their very lives were counting down. Only a select few knew exactly the significance of the preparations being made, but all within Shallows Crag knew the situation was dire and immediate.

  Sonya looked about confused over the urgency but did not question they all had little time to accomplish their tasks. She moved expeditiously from horse to horse, helping to saddle each and seeing to the details of watering and making sure each carried a ration of feed. As she worked she could not help but ponder what would warrant such a reaction from the leadership. Then she began to feel a nagging fear kindle inside of her. All of this had to center around Steve somehow, and because of it he was soon to be in danger. She still did not know what had become of Scott and the thought of losing Steve as well threatened to break her heart. Oh, God, she prayed, keep him safe.

  Princess Vessla awakened several hours later to the sounds of drawn wagons rumbling across the grounds in front of her quarters. She rolled to her side in ill temper and saw Eegrin through half-lidded eyes standing at the window, looking down on all the activity below.

  “What on earth is happening down there?” Vessla demanded.

  “I cannot be certain,” he replied, “but whatever it is, it has them moving as the though death itself were coming for them.”

  Princess Vessla sat up and slipped a robe over her nightgown. “Have you seen Steven among them?”

  Eegrin nodded without turning. “Both Haldorum and he convened in General Corbett’s quarters with seven other high-ranking officers. After that he left on his own. As I said, Your Highness, I cannot be certain but I would wager they are expecting a fight.”

  “Meet me downstairs,” Princess Vessla said flying from her bed and rushing to her closet.

  There came a knock on the door. Steve did not turn, for he already knew who paid him a visit. “Come in,” he said.

  Scott turned the latch and stepped inside. He was somewhat surprised when his friend finally turned about to face him. Instead of the usual khaki breeches and red tunic he now wore polished leather boots, belted dark trousers and white, long-sleeved shirt tucked in at the waist. Hanging from his belt, the sword Mr. Martin had given him…and golden eagles pinned on either of his shoulders.

  Scott’s eyes grew wide. “They didn’t!”

  “They did,” Steve replied without much enthusiasm. “Steven Walker, barely more than eighteen years old and already a commanding officer in the military. At least now when I screw up it will be an official one.”

  Scott looked about to say more but his friend’s words, dripping with sullen sarcasm, gave him pause. “Are you okay?” he asked finally. “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

  Steve motioned to a chair. “Have a seat.” Scott did so and he seated himself opposite his friend on the bed. “They’re getting ready to move out.”

  Scott nodded. “I figured as much. Hard to miss all the activity going on. No one seems to know much more than there’s likely to be a battle – only this time it’s major.”

  Steve managed a half smile saying, “You don’t know the half of it.” He fell quiet and the silence hung tense between them both. Finally, “Scott, I’m going to level with you – but you’ve got to keep it quiet. And more importantly, I need a favor.”

  “You know me,” Scott replied.

  “General Corbett commissioned me tonight because there might not be time for it later. The main force of the Resistance is going to take up position outside of Rajasthan.”

  Scott blanched. “The Imperial city? There had better be something up Corbett’s sleeve I don’t know about because these people can’t win a straight out fight. Azinon’s army is five times their size—never mind how much he’d love to catch you out there in the middle of it.”

  “That’s just it,” Steve explained, “I’m not going to be out there.”

  “Well, that’s a relief.”

  “I’m going into the palace.” Scott looked incredulous, sputtering for his lack of words, and Steve patted the air with both hands. “Now just be quiet for a minute and let me explain. Beneath the palace is a maze—catacombs that go around in circles and only certain men of the time knew the way in or out. General Corbett was the Emperor’s right hand before Azinon came, and he’s probably the only one we have left that still knows the way.”

  Scott ran a hand through his hair and nodded his understanding. “And the rest of the Resistance is going to run interference for you,” he deduced.

  “Exactly.”

  “But why do you want to get into the palace in th
e first place? You said yourself you don’t know enough about your powers to face that sorcerer head on.”

  “You’re right,” Steve agreed. “I don’t want to fight Azinon yet. But while we were looking for you in the Granar, I had a vision that proved my theory from before. The Emperor is alive; held in the dungeons. The problem is he’ll be executed in less than two days.”

  Steve watched a slow smile spread across Scott’s face as he seemed to put everything into place. “Azinon thinks if he kills the last remaining member of the royal family he’ll have stopped the prophecy dead in its tracks.” He mulled this over a while and then asked, “But what about the Emperor’s daughter?”

  “As near as I can tell she’s been missing for the last eighteen years, and has probably been dead since the day she vanished. If the prophecy is to be believed, I’m destined to restore the bloodline, and that leaves the Emperor as the only candidate I have left to do that with.”

  Scott puckered his lips and exhaled at the enormity of it all. “So you’re going to play a shell game and try to steal His Imperial Majesty right out from under Azinon’s nose. I like it. Count me in.”

  “No, that’s where I need your favor.”

  “Now hold on, Steve. What do you think I’m doing here? I came because I want to help you and that is exactly what I’m going to do. If you think staying behind and out of danger is your big favor, you can forget it. I am more than capable of taking care of myself.”

  Steve shook his head saying, “That isn’t what I want you for. Scott, the danger involved here is so great that I don’t even want to think about it. There is a chance we might not make it back–any of us. If this whole thing turns into a shit sandwich on me, I need you here to look after Sonya. If you come with us, and we both end up dead, then she’s alone. Please, Scott, you’ve got to do this—not for me, or for yourself, but for her.”

  Scott looked cross and at war with himself. Steve was well aware his friend knew what he wanted to do; and he knew what he should do; and hated the dichotomy all at the same time.

  Finally, he threw up his hands and said the words aloud before he could convince himself to swallow them. “All right.”

  Steve gave a genuine smile of thanks and reached over to clap his friend on the shoulder. “I knew I could count on you.”

  “Yeah, yeah, right. Whatever.” He pointed a finger accusingly. “You just make sure you get your ass back here in one piece. Got it?”

  Steve smiled again. “Got it.”

  Scott stood and then turned to go but stopped. “Do you want Sonya to know anything about this?”

  “Just tell her what she needs to know,” he replied.

  Scott nodded and crossed the room to the door. Just as he stepped out Princess Vessla stepped in, followed by a reluctant-looking Eegrin.

  “Forgive our intrusion,” he said. “Her Highness felt a great urgency to see you.”

  Steve nodded in understanding. “So what is a little intruding among friends? I’ve been kind of busy lately, but I’m glad you could drop by.”

  “Eegrin, wait for me outside,” Princess Vessla said flatly, her tone speaking volumes to her level of vexation.

  “As Your Highness commands,” Eegrin replied. He gave Steve a meaningful look, bowed to his princess, and then turned to go.

  “We’ll talk later,” Steve said as his winged friend left. When he had gone, he said to the princess, “I wouldn’t have expected you to be up quite this early.”

  “Do not play coy with me,” she retorted. “What are you and that doddering old wizard up to now—and do not dare lie to me or I will never forgive you.”

  “I wouldn’t lie to you, princess. But I can’t tell you anything more than what most already know, either. Tomorrow night were going to hit the imperial palace with an attack from two directions.”

  “But why?” Vessla insisted. “What is it you hope to accomplish? These people are outnumbered, and I don’t like the idea of you getting yourself into something that might possibly get you killed.”

  “It’s why I’m here,” Steve replied.

  “To get killed? I hardly think so! You were brought here to fulfill a destiny foretold a thousand years ago, not create your own.”

  Steve rolled his eyes helplessly. “That isn’t what I meant.”

  “Well, you are certainly behaving as though it were. In case you have forgotten, you and I are betrothed. A lot of good it would do me for you to die even before we could fulfill a single part of the prophecy.”

  Steve’s eyes narrowed at this. “Nice to know where your priorities lie, princess.” He then turned and stalked away from her.

  “Oh, Steven, I’m sorry!” she said running up behind him. When he would not face her, she threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. “Now it is I who do not mean what I say. That came out all wrong! Please forgive me.”

  Steve ignored her, but she had not yet hit him with her best. The moment he heard the slight sob escape her lips his resolve crumbled and he cursed himself for his own weakness. “It’s okay,” he said turning to face her in her embrace. “I’m not angry with you.”

  “I honestly did not mean it that way,” Vessla sniffed. “I am just so confused and frightened right now.”

  “I know, I know, it’s all right.” He placed his hands on her arms and eased her to a sitting position on the edge of the bed, then kneeled before her. “Look, I know I haven’t exactly been the most perfect fiancé a woman could hope for, but what I have to do should only take a couple of days. When it’s all over I’m sure it will earn me at least a little time, and I promise to spend every moment of it with you.”

  A single tear had managed to run down Vessla’s cheek. Steve wiped it away and she smiled. “That would be nice.”

  Steve smiled back and reached up to kiss her forehead but Princess Vessla met his kiss full on the lips. A full minute passed before their lips parted. She rose to her feet then, Steve following suit a stunned moment behind her.

  “I should go,” Vessla said in a near whisper.

  Steve cleared his throat uneasily and nodded. “Sure. Right. Did you—I mean, do you want me to walk you back?”

  “That is sweet of you, but Eegrin his waiting for me and I’m sure you have other matters to attend to. You will spend time with me on your return?”

  “I promise.”

  “Then hurry back.” Princess Vessla kissed him again, but briefly, and then left without another word.

  Steve could still smell the slightest trace of her perfume on the air. He told himself again he should be counted lucky to have her; the woman is indeed beautiful—and wily at that.

  But something in the back of his mind still made him nervous about the whole thing.

  From where he lay, Kayliss’s head rose up at the sound of footsteps at the door. The latch turned quietly and in stepped an aged man with a long, flowing beard. “Are you awake, Steven?” he asked.

  The young man sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed to touch the floor. He had not been sleeping, for he was much too apprehensive and thoughtful for that. Instead, he laid there, resting his body for a few hours as his thoughts whirled about, one in particular repeatedly coming to the fore. Of all the things he had learned since coming here, of all the things he had discovered about himself, he still could not find a solution to the plague. It remained a problem and was beginning to frustrate him to extremes. Every day he failed to discover the secret, more of the innocent died.

  “It is time to leave,” Haldorum said “Our main forces are only a half-day’s ride from the palace, and we need to be inside the walls of the city by mid-morning.”

  Steve reached down and stroked Kayliss’s massive head and the great cat growled contentedly, pawing at his hand in play. “Azinon must really hate you, Haldorum.”

  “Yes, he does,” the old wizard agreed. “Hates me, and fears you. But aside from the obvious, what makes you say that?”

  “The fact you can teleport the
bulk of an entire army anytime, anywhere you’ve ever been.”

  Haldorum chuckled at this and said, “Yes, I suppose you could say I am a bit of a thorn in that sorcerer’s side.”

  Steve stood and crossed the room, donning a green cloak hanging on a hook there. Drawing the hood over his head he said, “Let’s go.”

  Together they left with Kayliss following close behind. Outside were the familiar faces of Haze, Lurin and General Corbett, and the not-so-familiar faces of the warriors Lojur and Rabal, and the assassin, Kamarine. Unknown to him though they were, Steve knew each of these newcomers had been handpicked by Haze and, therefore, were more than capable of holding their own. Lojur and Rabal, half-brothers to one another, shared the same father, an influence easily seen in their rock-solid features and brooding eyes. Their longswords they carried on their hips, but the mixed plate and chain of their armor was packed and stowed on their horses. Under the Dark One’s rule, no one but the elite guard could wear such protection within the walls of Rajasthan. The assassin, Kamarine, smiled from handsome features and a slender, muscular frame. His dark skin and hair, and green eyes gave him an exotic look every bit as useful in his trade as the ring of daggers belted around his waist or the slender saber on his hip. Beneath his green cloak, similar to Steve’s own, he wore black leather moccasin boots and matching soft leather jerkin over his black cotton shirt and pants.

  “It is an honor to serve the Third Power of Mithal,” Kamarine said with a nod. “Success to our mission.”

  “Success to our mission,” Steve returned. Looking to Haldorum he said, “Shall we?”

  Haldorum climbed into the saddle of his waiting mount and then opened a portal to their destination. The glowing doorway grew brighter for a moment as Lurin passed through, repeating the effect as, one by one, each disappeared to the other side.

  Sonya stood not more than a hundred feet away as she watched them go, her intuition telling her one thing, her mind another. Despite her instincts, she knew nothing she could say would change her friend’s mind about leaving; after all, a mission of such obvious importance wouldn’t be aborted because of her gut feeling. No, there was nothing she could do now but try and get some sleep. A sad smile creased her lips as a single tear crept down her cheek. She wiped it away with the back of her hand and admonished herself for her selfishness. How can you even think of sleeping when someone you…