by David Ekrut
The cooking odors made her stomach growl. Three small children played with wooden soldiers next to the hearth, where she could see a stew broiling.
“Have a seat,” the farmer said, gesturing to a short hallway.
At the other end, she could see a table built for a large family. A woman in a dress and apron looked at Zarah and Feffer with wide eyes. Her gaze fell on Feffer’s sword, and she paled.
“They only wish to trade,” the farmer said.
The woman nodded but said nothing.
Feffer pulled out a chair and plopped into it. Suppressing a sigh, Zarah sat next to him.
“They want new clothes,” the farmer said, pulling out a chair for his wife. “Something of Aidon’s might fit that one. And Abigayle might have a gown she’s outgrown for this one. You work out the details, I need to go see to the horses and talk to Liamor about his errands. When the stew is ready, I promised a meal and a bite to take away.”
“Aye. I can do that,” the woman said, easing herself into the chair.
The farmer left in haste. The woman stared after him for several seconds.
“We can take anything that fits,” Zarah said, gratefully.
“Yes,” she said. “Very good. And what do you have to trade?”
“This gown and my companion’s fine tunic and cloak for one change of clothing.”
The woman forced a smile and stood. “I know just the thing. Please. Come this way.”
Zarah and Feffer followed her to a set of stairs that led up two flights to a small room with no door. She opened a large chest at the back and pulled out a few plain gowns, handing them to Zarah.
“Try these on. You can change in that room across the hall, while I find something appropriate for your companion.”
“Thank you,” Zarah said, carrying her armload of clothing into the next room.
There was a bunk bed in the corner with a chest at its foot. Zarah sat on the wooden box to change. She picked the cotton one with the fewest frills. Without drawing her sword, she moved through a few attack forms, satisfied the dress would suffice in a battle.
Gathering and folding the remaining garments, she returned to the hall, where the farmer’s wife was waiting. Feffer emerged from the small room, frowning down at his new tunic. The sleeves did not quite cover his wrists, and the trousers were a bit short.
“You are a might tall,” the woman said. “Aidon is my tallest though, so I’m afraid this is the best I can do.”
“But he’s outgrown these right?” Feffer asked. “Which means he has to have something—”
“These will do,” Zarah said, ignoring Feffer’s scowl. She handed over the armload of gowns. “Thank you.”
The woman returned the garments to the chest and said, “Now let’s see to that stew, shall we?”
“You are most kind,” Zarah smiled. “That would be lovely.”
Once back to the dining hall, Zarah glanced out a window and saw phantoms of men moving through the trees. Each wore the crest of the guardians on their cloaks.
“What is this?” she asked.
All the phantoms of the farmer’s wife darted toward the hallway. Before the woman could move, Zarah blocked the way.
“What is it?” Feffer asked, gripping his sword hilt.
Zarah looked out the window. She could now see the men who had created all those phantom futures.
“We need to run,” Zarah said. “The guardians are coming.”
Following her gaze, Feffer drew his blade. “No. You go. I’ll stop them.”
“Do not be a fool. There are too many.”
“I don’t need to kill them. I just need them to follow me. Stop arguing for once, and let me do my job for Life’s sake. Go out the back. Now.”
He was right. She hated it when he was right. Zarah shoved past the farmer’s wife and into the fields. Running for the trees, she felt as though she was leaving Feffer to die. The pang at the thought almost made her turn back, but she forced herself onward.
Feffer was performing his duty, she would do hers.
Chapter 23
Perfectly Executed
Carpeci,
You have outdone yourself. The riot was exactly the right play. Where did you find the elementalists to sell to the guardians on such short notice?
Make haste to Iremine and ready the compound. Have you set the hunters to task? They must be ready to cast their wishes. And do not forget the horses.
~His Messenger, 2999 A.S.
~
Jax scaled the wall of the manor house and peeked over the rail of the lord’s balcony on the third floor. He looked back out to the yard. He could just see the hounds huddled in their respective corners of the compound, chewing on the leg steaks Jax had fed them. The guards had yet to make their rounds outside the estate but would soon enough.
Beyond the manor wall, Jax could see his inn and the backside of the Mountaineer. The streets were still empty. The crowd from the night’s riot had finally dispersed an hour before dawn. Aside from the few vendors setting up their wares in the market square, they’d seen few braving the outdoors.
Below, Daren hid behind the row of hedges hugging the side of the manor, waiting for the signal. Jax gave the wave and watched the big man climb up.
They’d planned every detail. So far, the map Jax had purchased had not been wrong. If the rest of his acquired information was correct, they would have an hour before the guards walked the grounds and found the hounds gnawing on their bones.
When Lord Wiltshire returned later today and found his prized artifact missing, he would demand a thorough investigation. The only witness was the kid they’d passed on their way here. He’d seemed agitated for some reason. Probably had coins taken off him at a table somewhere. Not that it mattered. By the time he was questioned, they’d be far from here. Just one more crime to add to the bounty posters.
Once Daren reached the rail, Jax helped him over. He turned and stalked toward the room, knowing Daren would follow.
He squeezed his dagger between the small gap in the double-door and lifted. When the latch fell, he pushed into the darkened room. Light leaked beneath the door to the antechamber, revealing shapes enough to navigate past.
Jax stepped around a canopy bed to the door and placed his ear against the thick wood. After a twenty count, he unlocked the knob and stepped into the antechamber. The ever-torches were dark in their sconces, but light from the outer hall filled the small space. Lavish furnishings lined both sides. A portrait of a comely man, likely the lord, hung on one wall with a broad mirror across from it. The gilding was platinum. The gaudy display of wealth reminded Jax that this theft would not put the lord out in the least. With the exception of his lost pride.
Once more, Jax listened for movement beyond. When he could hear nothing, he opened the door enough to peek out.
The corridor opened to a balcony overlooking a grand hall. At the center was a dining table longer than most homes. Above it, the silver chandelier shimmered with the light from the ever-torches on each of the random branches. No one stirred in the immediate area.
Jax slipped out of the antechamber and around to the accordion staircase. He ran on the balls of his feet toward the dining hall with Daren close behind him. One of the steps creaked. The sound filled the room and seemed to echo beyond the door at the far end. Jax froze, heart thumping. He expected guards to rush in with weapons in hand.
After several minutes, no one came. He moved more slowly to the next step, then the next, until his feet were on the solid floor. Moving around the grand table, he stopped at the outer hall. There were other doors in the room, but they would lead to kitchens, maid chambers, and the like. Enough of his map had been correct for him to trust this was the right course. Also, the one ahead was the only double-door.
Turning the ornate latch, he opened the door
and looked into the long corridor. A green carpet with silver lining stretched down the halls in both directions and straight ahead, to yet another balcony a dozen paces away. The steps spiraled down on either side to the ground floor. The expansive common room could hold an army, but Jax only cared about the two guards standing in the entryway. Dragons take him, but they weren’t supposed to be up yet.
Their voices carried across the empty space.
Both men were well-muscled, but the larger of the two was shaking his head. “No, curse it all. You’re the commander of the guards. It’s your job to tell him.”
“I didn’t say to tell him. I just want you to soften him up for the news. You’ve been in his personal guard for almost two decades. Just tell him there was a riot and that I’ll bring an official report of the casualties. You’ll already be here to greet him, right?”
“You know I will—”
Jax stopped listening and slunk back out of sight of the lower floor. Satisfied they couldn’t see them, Jax ghosted to the door at the end of the west corridor, motioning for Daren to follow. He’d expected it to be locked, but it pushed open without a sound.
He and Daren exchanged a glance. Nothing like this ever went their way. Either there was a trap they didn’t know about or a guard patrolling inside the room .
But there were no lights.
Once the door was closed, Jax moved over to the window and pushed aside the curtain. Light filled the room.
“We need to hurry,” Daren whispered.
“Shh,” Jax said and turned back to the room.
Several mounted heads hung along the walls. In addition to regular game, there were a few monotooths, their large horns protruding far into the room. There was also an enormous panther above the mantel of a fireplace. Trinkets and jewels filled a myriad of glass cases. It took some effort to ignore them as Jax walked to the one he’d come for at the center of the room.
Inside was a thin rod covered in eloiglyphs. As he reached for the handle at the top, Daren grasped his wrist.
“Look.” Daren pointed to eloiglyphs etched into the glass.
Jax cursed beneath his breath and bit his knuckle to keep from screaming.
“I thumping knew it.”
“What do we do?” Daren asked.
“Let me think for a second.”
“They’ll find the hounds any minute.”
“Don’t you think I know that?”
As Daren opened his mouth to retort, Jax held up a hand. “Stop. This isn’t helping.”
Jax paced, ignoring Daren’s glowers. When this was over, he resolved to find a book on eloiglyphs. If he was destined to hunt for these artifacts, he needed to learn what they did. More importantly, he needed to know what sort of energy Elemental traps would release.
Or did he?
“Dragons take me,” Jax said. “I have an idea.”
“What is it?”
“It’s risky but, I just might work.”
As Jax pulled his saber, Daren raised an eyebrow. “You are not serious. Tell me you have something else.”
“There is nothing else.”
“Maybe there is a way to disable the wards.”
“How?” Jax asked. “I’m open to suggestions. Did you learn to read the eloiglyphs in your sleep last night? No? Right then. Lift the lid and get ready.”
“Me lift it? It was your idea.”
“Someone needs to catch the energy as it releases.”
Daren reached for his massive blade. “I’ll do it. You pull the lid.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There is no room to swing that thing about in here, and I’m quicker than you.”
“I might not need to swing it at all,” Daren protested. But he didn’t draw his weapon. “Depending on the energy source, it’s likely I just need to stand here and be ready to receive it.”
“We can’t take that risk and you know it. Can we do this already? Why are you stalling?”
“Because it is a terrible idea.”
Jax shrugged. “We could just strike the glass and fight our way free. At least that way it’ll be easier to absorb the energy.”
“I like that plan better.”
He stared at Daren for a second. The big man was serious. “What happened to all that talk about not hurting innocent guards?”
“I said we would not kill any of the guards. Injuries come with their duties.”
“You are serious.”
“Aye.”
“All right then,” Jax said. “Go stand behind that pillar there. And get ready.”
Once Daren was in position behind a marble column blocking him from view of the door and shielding him from whatever abyss might be released from its breaking, Jax pivoted back to the case. He took his saber in both hands and took a few steadying breaths. He’d never used the touched weapon as he currently intended, but he’d absorbed plenty of errant tamings that had been hurtled his way. Surely, he could do that from a trap.
He breathed out and swung.
As the edge of his steel struck the glass, Jax considered the colossal stupidity of his actions. At least he still had that surprise waiting in the alley. If they could make it there, he could secure their escape.
The glass shattered.
Fire, Air, and Earth coalesced atop the podium. Jax lunged. He stabbed the tip of his blade into the source of energy. He willed the power into his weapon.
A jolt ran up his arm as the lightning that had been about to strike out surged into his saber. A brief stream of fire lanced out. Jax raised his blade in a high arc, intercepting the molten flame. The energy filled his weapon. As the power of Earth trembled into the floor. Jax stabbed down, knowing his touched saber would hold no more of the Elemental energies. But Daren was beside him. His two-handed blade struck into the floor. The energy dampened out.
A few of the podiums shook, but nothing fell.
He and Daren exchanged a glance. The big man’s eyes were wide. He looked around as if expecting more Elemental attacks. After a few heartbeats, none came.
“Get back to your place,” Jax said. “Be ready.”
As the Kalicodian turned, Jax snatched the rod from its place. He centered himself in front of the door and readied for the guards. If they’d not heard the breaking glass, they would have certainly felt that quake. They would find the dogs and know something was out of sorts.
A full minute passed. Then another. And another. After ten minutes, he turned to Daren.
“What gives?” Jax asked in a loud whisper.
Daren came to stand beside him, still holding his blade. “Maybe they are waiting in the hall?”
Jax put his ear to the door. “I can’t hear anything.”
“Take a look.”
Slowly, Jax pulled the handle and peeked into the hall. Seeing it empty, he opened the door the rest of the way. No one leapt out.
“Some guards,” Jax whispered.
As he stepped into the hall, Daren grabbed his arm. “Let me go first.”
“What? Why?”
“If you die, my honor dies with you. I go first.”
“Don’t be—”
Daren shoved ahead, holding his blade in an aggressive form. He stalked down the hall, leaving Jax no choice but to follow. The big man moved with the stealth of a tiger hunting a monotooth. Daren slowed as they returned to the balcony. The two guards were no longer in the entry, but they didn’t slow to investigate their whereabouts.
When they reached the dining hall, Daren ran up the stairs, skipping the creaky step. Jax followed, glancing over his shoulder. The table and chairs were still empty. No shadows moved in the corners of the room.
No one pursued them.
Shaking his head, Jax moved back into the lord’s antechamber and shut the door behind him. Light now came into the sleeping quar
ters, shimmering off the multitude of riches. As tempting as it was to rifle through the items, Jax forced himself to follow Daren toward the balcony.
It had gone too perfectly to botch the job now. If the guards had not yet discovered the docile hounds, they would soon.
Jax glanced over his shoulder one last time while Daren climbed down from the balcony. The lavish rooms belonged to the Lord of Wiltshire. Too bad there wasn’t more time to stop and peruse the amulets on those dressers and shelves. Most appeared to be made of real silver or gold laden with precious stones. But there was no time, and he could only carry so much.
He and Daren needed to be long gone before one of those guards walked by the trophy room to see the missing artifact. It was more of a rod than a staff with eloiglyphs covering every piece. Despite looking and feeling like stone, it was very light.
“Jax,” Daren whispered. “Come on!”
As he hopped over the rail, Jax dropped the artifact toward Daren’s outstretched hand and said, “Catch.”
The moment the priceless object left his fingers, Jax saw a young man crouched down behind the hedges. His fine clothes and blonde hair were somewhat disheveled, and he was breathing hard. Judging from the wide-eyed stare, the boy had merely stumbled upon his and Daren’s well-planned heist by unfortunate happenstance and not for the intention of hindering their escape. The boy clung to the two tents in his arms as though they were tower shields. He recognized the kid from earlier.
“What in the abyss?” Jax said to no one.
Then he heard the shouts somewhere down the hall behind him.
“Alarm! Alarm! We have intruders!”
Chapter 24
Infamous
Partial Spending, Day 337 of experimentation.
Subject 11 has a strong essence, 359 Berats. Transmutations of stones are more costly with her essence than with those of the previous subjects. After some prodding, I have discovered she has an affinity for Air tamings. Using Air as a material and her essence as a source, transmutations cost half to acquire the same objects as those created by the Berats spent from Subjects 8 and 9. Likewise, Subject 7 has an affinity for Water. Transmuting water spends fewer Berats. For completeness, I will need an essence attuned to Fire, but it is safe to theorize that affinity is a definitive factor in transmutation of essences as a power source.