by David Ekrut
“What about you?” Elwin asked, as Jax helped him climb atop the horse. “Why do you need so much gold? And don’t say it’s to repay Carpeci. That’s only part of it. You don’t strike me as the type of person who just wants to have a lot of wealth.”
“It’s a long story. Can you carry this?” Elwin had not even thought of his tome of incantations until seeing Jax hold his pack up for him.
He tried not to sound too desperate as he said, “Yes. I can hold it.” In truth, he did feel stronger now. When Jax handed it up to him, Elwin laid the bag across his lap.
Jax took the lead and guided the horse through the trees.
After a few minutes, Elwin realized Jax had rebuffed him and decided to try again. He needed to know Jax’s motivation. Maybe they could even work together, after stopping the dragons, of course.
“We have time,” Elwin prodded. “Maybe I can even help you with your quest.”
“I doubt it,” Jax said. “I need an army. Can’t get that without gold.”
“Any army? What in the abyss for?”
“You would not understand.”
“Right,” Elwin said, not hiding his annoyance. “Because I’m just a dumb kid.”
Jax opened his mouth as if to retort, but he paused. And sighed. “All kids are dumb, but I suppose you’re clever enough for your age.” Before Elwin could reply, Jax pressed on. “Most of my life has been privileged. Until a few months ago, I did not realize that my fineries had been purchased by the blood of slavas—slaves from Kalicodon—taken here against their will to work in my father’s mines. I discovered this while on an expedition to the desert nation with Brinnon Fliste, where I exposed the corruption of the saizor suprema of Eoiasis. My actions cost Eriden of the Ironclad his freedom and forced Brinnon to flee. My father lost his trade rights in Kalicodon, which cost him dearly. I’m not sure how, but he went around the laws to purchase Eriden. Together, they are raising an army to take back the desert kingdom. I aim to stop them from grabbing even more power.”
“Makes sense,” Elwin said. “That is why you need the army.”
“Yep,” Jax said. “This may sound trivial in comparison to saving the world from dragons, but I would argue my cause is more noble.”
Elwin raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“In Kalicodon, people live by a strict set of principles, called the Virastian Code. Many so-called infractions can land a person in chains. People like Brinnon and Eriden exploit the honor of these people for personal status and wealth. It isn’t right. They need to be stopped.”
“I agree,” Elwin said. “That sounds horrible. But the dragons threaten us all, even Kalicodon.”
“Not so. In truth, the least of us have no concern of the dragons, except where the elementalists tame. By all accounts, they leave common folk alone. Elementalists, who are called bedoine in Kalicodon, rule supreme there. The dragons returning places them all on even footing for the first time in their history. This could be their only chance to take back power and free themselves from the Virastian Code.”
“I don’t remember all of my lessons on Kalicodon,” Elwin admitted, “but it is my understanding that they willingly go into slavery. Is this not the case?”
“Some do. But only because they are ignorant of the corruption that rules them. I plan to expose their priests and saizors for what they really are.”
Elwin admired the passion in Jax’s tone. The man was not simply a thief after all. He was a champion for those desperately in need of one. If possible, Elwin would help him, but only after stopping the dragons.
“It is a noble cause,” Elwin said at last.
Jax only grunted, a far away look in his expression. Elwin let the conversation lapse into companionable silence. However, without the distraction, his aches were more apparent. No matter how he turned, nothing would ease his pains. He focused on his breathing and mentally rehearsed the incantations he knew.
The cool of the morning abated as the sun moved through the sky. Close to noon, Jax stopped the horse. Just as he opened his mouth, the roar of a bear echoed through the trees. The horse flinched. If not for Jax’s steady hand, it would have reared.
“Taego,” Elwin said.
Not far to the east, the sounds of clashing metal rang out.
“Curse it all,” Jax said, urging the horse back into motion.
Jax ran alongside the animal, cursing with every step. As the sounds neared, Elwin gripped the hilt of his sword, wondering if he would be any use with his injuries.
Across from a small creek, twenty men surrounded three figures. Aside from the bounty hunters, few carried better than pitchforks or cudgels. Still, Daki fought to keep the villagers from Taego, who laid on his side, an arrow in his flank.
Daren squared up with the three men wielding swords. His massive blade moved with incredible speed, but he was surrounded. In the rear of the crowd, the innkeeper crouched behind a tree, loading another bolt to his crossbow.
Throwing the lead to Elwin, Jax leapt onto the back of the horse and kicked the animal’s flanks. Elwin managed to grasp the halter as the horse’s hooves splashed into the shallow water. Pain drummed through him with ever step the horse took.
The innkeeper took aim. His crossbow moved from the downed bear to Daren and back, as if he couldn’t make a decision.
Holding on with his knees, Jax held a shaky dagger aloft. He whispered, “Last one.”
The innkeeper turned, seeing Elwin and Jax for the first time. He flinched in surprise. Then he aimed at the horse.
Jax stood and leapt. The dagger left his hand as the innkeeper shot.
The horse cried in pain. Elwin blinked and found himself suspended several feet from the ground. A tree rushed toward him.
Chapter 40
Carnage
Galivant,
Once more, you have made accusations against us without provocation. Was it not our conclave who constructed the temporal plane for you to pass these three thousand years without aging? In exchange, we were allowed to govern ourselves, apart from your war with the elementalists. This was our accord, and we have not violated the terms all of us agreed upon. We are not your enemy, nor are we your ally. Our path is our own. We will not join your crusade in any way.
Further, you have spent your last favor from me. Alongside Nimbar, I sacrificed my own natural life to maintain the stasis for your highest ranking magi. I now care for the descendants of those I once loved. You have your vengeance. We owe you nothing. Continue to press me, and you will find yourself with another enemy. That is not what I would wish, but I will not allow you to come here. You are not welcome amongst my order.
Consider your futures wisely.
~Yarnia, Grand Magus of the Order of the Sun and Stars, 2999 A.S.
~
Bain watched the four dragons descend. He did not tame.
His savants surged forward. Their Elemental power ripped through the guardians faster than he could follow. Within seconds, hundreds of the enemy’s ranks were reduced to smoldering bodies and severed parts. The few guardians remaining fled through alleys or toward the wharf.
Two buildings collapsed as a dragon dove between them for a flying savant. His screams cut short to the sound of ripping flesh. The dragon raised the dying man in a claw. It was Arithosan, Bain realized, a lesser savant with great potential. It spoke the incantation and breathed in Arithosan’s essence. Delight spread across its reptilian face. It shuddered, not unlike an addict drinking wyvern juice. It spread its wings, heedless of the roof it struck. Tiles and wood broke as it leaned on a second building to right itself. Its black scales were tinged with copper. Its blunt face ended with tusks. Orange-red eyes looked about for more prey.
Screams and shouts echoed from deeper within the city. The ground shook beneath him. Dust plumes filled the sky. There were no signs of his remaining savants. Alcoan g
uards huddled together against buildings and beneath awnings as if such structures would offer any protection.
Bain stood in the open. If it came at him, he would do as he must. He had only wanted to kill a few guardians, help turn the tide in Alcoa’s favor. He should have warned his savants.
The dragon’s gaze swept past him. It leapt high, beating its great wings, and flew from sight.
An Alcoan officer stumbled from his alley. He turned a full circle, surveilling the carnage. The casualty of his enemies far outweighed his own losses. Still, his face was pale. One of his men fell to his knees and wretched.
A guardian leapt from behind a crate. The fool ran directly at Bain, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. He held no weapon. Bain lifted his sword intent upon cutting the guardian down. But he lowered his weapon and let the man pass.
None of the Alcoans pursued the man either. A few watched as the guardian reached the street running parallel to the river. He cast a frantic look in both directions. He took several strides one way, then turned to the other.
An arrow struck the man’s back. He cried out in pain, then fell.
Bain turned to see the Alcoan officer reloading a crossbow. Once it was cocked, he handed it to a subordinate and said, “Go get him. If he doesn’t die, put him in a cell.”
The guard saluted and ran to take care of the guardian.
“You,” a man called.
Bain turned to see a guard pointing at him. Several others stood with him, all still holding their weapons as if wanting to spill more blood.
“Why are you armed?”
“I was defending Alcoa against the guardians,” he said, honestly.
The officer joined his men. “Is that so?”
“Aye,” he said, flicking the blood from his blade. He sheathed the sword. “It is.”
Walking toward him, the officer assessed Bain. “I am Lord Captain Commander Gariath Disputon. I am charged with the defense of this city. What is your name, citizen?”
Bain allowed the three guards to move behind him without shifting his stance. If they attacked, he would have no choice but to tame. Killing them would be too much of an inconvenience. He needed to find whatever remained of his savants, but he would not be captured by these men.
“My name is Mardic of house Mansworth.”
“What is your business in the city?”
“I am passing through to Iremine.”
“Why?”
“That is my business, Lord Disputon. Do Alcoan citizens no longer have rights?”
Disputon regarded him for several seconds. “They do. In times of war, we cannot allow just anyone to roam our streets armed. How do I know that is guardian blood on your sleeves and not from my fallen men?”
“My lord?” One of the men said.
“What is it soldier?”
“I saw him come at them from the rear. He took down several before those elementalists came.”
“He did, did he?” The lord mused.
The soldier nodded at the rhetorical question. “Aye, my lord.”
“Tell me, Mardic. Do you know why those elementalists attacked?”
“I do not,” Bain said, “but I would venture to guess that they find life far more tolerable under the rule of King Alcoa than that of the guardians.”
“Why would you think so?”
“I have come far since the dragons have returned. This is not the only city warring with itself. The guardians are the invaders in your midst, Lord Disputon. Many towns and villages are controlled by their priests. They are cruel masters, turning neighbors against one another. Elementalists living beneath their thumb live in sewers. They are hanged and burned for the crime of existing. When faced with the choice to fight alongside you and die or stand aside and allow the guardians to defeat you, they have chosen to fight. What would you choose?”
Disputon was nodding long before Bain finished. “I see your point. Men, sheath your weapons. We have dallied here long enough. It sounds as though the dragons have cleared out. Farban, organize regimens and help those trapped in rubble. Start with our barracks. I saw it go down. Tarsiton, gather our healers. If the infirmary is no longer intact, set up tents on the wharf.”
The two he called out saluted and ran to their duties.
“How can I be of assistance?” Bain asked.
“You have done enough, civilian. Find an inn still standing and get some rest. I will be somewhere along the pier on the morrow. Come here at first light. I have more questions for you.”
Bain gave the man a stately bow. Disputon pivoted and marched away, calling orders to his men.
“He is a good soldier,” Lana said, stepping up beside him.
“Yes,” Bain said. “This city will do well. Have you seen any of the others?”
“No, but I saw several who did not make it.”
“As did I,” Bain said. “We will seek out the survivors in the shadow realm. Come. We must be gone from here before the sun goes down.”
Chapter 41
Hunted
Anetia,
I have not yet played with the Wakening pieces you’ve sent, but I do keep them out where I can see them to remind me that I need to find someone willing to learn. Of the few hundred magi here, none play the game. Can you believe that?
In other news, I do not relent to your arguments, but you will be glad to know that I will no longer be working with Abaddon to create a construct. Details are included in the copy of the attached log.
~R., 2996 A.S.
~
Elwin twisted just in time to avoid braining himself on the tree. His damaged shoulder slammed into the trunk. He bounced and rolled to a stop.
For several seconds, he stared at the canopy of leaves above, unable to move. Pain wracked his shoulder. His leg screamed in agony. Breathing hurt.
Movement flashed through the trees around him. Steel and fleshy clunks followed shouts and grunts. He heard Daren bellow. A bear roared.
Elwin forced his legs to kick. He pushed to a tree and pulled himself upright. He no longer saw Jax, but he recognized the two bounty hunters walking toward him. His instincts told him to seize Air and Fire. He ignored the primal urge to hurl lightning at them and save himself.
Instead, he would use the incantation. The one he could do well. Only now, he would turn it into a weapon. If it worked. According to the incantia, he only needed to change a few words.
He fixed the fountain of Wishing Well in his mind. Then he placed these two men next to it. No, in the water.
“Should we kill ‘em?” one of the men asked.
“Boss said to avoid it. But if he tames, stab ‘em.”
Elwin incanted the dimensional force, letting his will settle on the two men walking toward him. They were less than three paces away.
“What’s he saying?”
“Don’t know,” he said, pulling out his shackles. “Don’t care. Keep that sword on him. Listen here, boy. You tame a tr—”
Elwin repelled them as he spoke the last syllable of his incantation. He felt them vanish and hover somewhere nearby. They were in that place between, he realized, like Daki had tried to explain. He held them there. He focused on the fountain and pushed them toward it. He was suddenly aware of Wishing Well and the distance to the hamlet. The farther they moved from him, the more difficult it became to keep their images in his mind. Should he bring them back? What would happen if—
He felt them pop, like bubbles.
They were gone from his mind. He knew with absolute certainty, they were dead. He felt so weak, he could not lift his arms. Battles still rang out around him, but he could not see. Were they winning or losing? He needed to help. But he was so tired.
He wanted to call out, but that could draw friend or foe down upon him. He took several deep breaths and threw himself over, falling on
to his side. He grunted as he hit. Agony shot through his arm. His vision turned white. For several seconds, he could only lie there. When the pain lessoned, he wormed his way along the ground until he could see his companions.
Daren and Daki fought against five armed men.
Daren’s sword sliced into one man’s midsection, cutting through to his navel. The man fell. Daki flipped to the side, both his blades flashing. One of his two opponents fell, clutching the gashes in his chest. Daren darted around Daki with a sweeping blow. His massive blade cut through one man and into another. Their final opponent stumbled back, raising his hands as if to surrender.
His eyes widened then he fell forward, a dagger buried in the back of his skull. Jax bent down and retrieved his weapon.
Several villagers with hoes and makeshift weapons stood farther back in the trees. One threw down his rake, holding up trembling hands.
“Retreat!” someone called.
A dozen pairs of boots ran away. None of his companions moved to follow. Neither did they sheath their weapons. Everyone remained alert until the nearest enemy moved beyond seeing.
“Help,” Elwin called in a weak voice.
Daki’s eyes widened as he turned to regard Elwin.
“Right,” Jax said, flicking a hand toward Elwin, “You might want to heal him. He’s been shot a few times.”
Daki knelt next to Elwin and studied the wounds. “These are too great for me to heal at once. I am not a Life bound elementalist.”
“Do what you can,” Jax said. “Then we need to move. The bounty hunters may have been rebuffed, but there’s no way the guardians will miss our passing after this. They’ll come in greater numbers. We cannot stay here.”
Daki’s face twisted as if he would protest, but he stopped when Elwin placed a hand on his forearm.
“Jax is right,” Elwin whispered. “We must move. Do what you can.”
Taego groaned.
“So now you are speaking to me?” Daki said. “I will heal you next.”
The pain in his shoulder lessened at Daki’s touch, but it did nothing for his side, head, or back. By the time Daki stepped away, sweat covered his forehead.