Mastering the Elements: Elwin Escari Chronicles: Volume 2

by David Ekrut

  “Will they even let us in at this hour?” Elwin pressed.

  “Aye. And if we hurry, there will even be time to scout out this magi sanctum.”

  Daren and Daki both nodded their agreement.

  “Perhaps Daki and Daren should stay here,” Elwin said. “If we need to make another expeditious retreat, we won’t all be trapped in there.”

  “That is a mistake,” Jax said. “We should abandon that bear and all of us could go. Cursed thing smells and does nothing but grunt and growl at people.”

  Taego stood, baring his teeth at Jax.

  “See,” Jax said, pointing.

  “You growled at him first,” Daki said. “He merely defended himself.”

  “Can we stop arguing, please?” Elwin asked.

  “Fine.” Jax waved a dismissive hand. “But Daki is the one who knows where this magi order is. He needs to come.”

  “He told me how to find it,” Elwin said.

  “And you are sure you can?” Jax asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Go,” Daki said. “I will break the camp.”

  “No,” Jax said, annoyance still in his voice. “We need him to come, but people will likely recognize a Chai Tu Naruo. How would you feel about wearing more clothing? You could pass for a small Kalicodian if not for that loin cloth.”

  Daki flinched as if slapped.

  “He is fine the way he is,” Elwin said, giving Jax a scowl.

  “All right,” Jax said. “He is the only one of us without a bounty. It might serve us to have people take note of him instead of us. This will work.”

  “I am not leaving Taego alone with those guardians coming,” Daki said.

  “I can stay,” Elwin offered.

  “Out of the question,” Jax said. “You can whisk us out of there when the dung hits our boots. We all need to go.”

  “Or,” Elwin said, “we can let Daki scout it out first, while the rest of us wait with Taego. No one will recognize him.”

  Jax was shaking his head long before Elwin finished his thought. “Can’t wait. Schematics take time to build.”

  Tired of arguing, Elwin shoved the incantia into his pack atop his spare tunic. “We’ll be back, Daki. Be ready for us to come in quickly.”

  “I will.”

  Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he moved south toward the road. Once he reached the cobblestones, Elwin turned east.

  “What in the abyss?” Jax demanded at his back. “We weren’t finished discussing this.”

  After Jax and Daren caught up to him, Elwin said, “Daki shouldn’t even be here. He could be safe away from all of this with his own people. Instead, he is here with us. Would you please not ask him to give up his heritage?”

  “What? Leaving him behind is dumb, and the thumping bear can’t come.”

  “Not that,” Elwin said. “You asked him to wear our clothing.”

  “I was just being practical. When I was in Kalicodon, I dressed as the Kalicodians. Sometimes, you do what you must for survival.”

  “Leave him be. Please.”

  “Fine. The Seeker take me, I didn’t realize it was a sensitive issue. It’s just clothing.”

  Daren frowned at Jax but said nothing.

  “And leaving him behind is a mistake.”

  Elwin did not refute the statement, and they marched the rest of the way in silence. With only the quarter-moon lighting their way, the city was like a beacon at the top of the hill. Torchlight danced across the ramparts and in front of the gate. At least six guards stood out front of the narrow gate, instead of the usual two.

  As they approached, those atop the wall converged on the front. Dozens of crossbows clicked as if being set, points aimed at them.

  “Hold!” a woman called from atop the gate.

  Elwin stopped, as did Jax and Daren.

  “State your name and business.”

  “We are just travelers seeking refuge and mead,” Jax called. “We have coins.”

  “Decent folks travel by the light of day.”

  “Aye,” Jax agreed. “Had we not been so close, we would have camped for another night.”

  “What is your business here?”

  “We seek to purchase supplies and book passage on the river.”

  “Where to?”

  “Delcoa.”

  “And where did you hail from?”

  “Wiltshire,” Jax answered.

  “Is it true the guardians control the city now?”

  “It is likely,” Jax said. “We left right as the attempted-coup began.”

  There was a long pause, but Elwin could hear muffled voices debating above. In the corner of his eye, he could see Jax’s calm face and hoped he looked half as poised.

  “Open the gates,” she called down. “Let them in and hold them. We have a few questions they need to answer.”

  The six guards surrounded them, each gripping their hilts as though they might use them. A woman with several stripes on the shoulder of her cloak stepped forward.

  She studied Elwin’s face for several seconds. “I know you from somewhere.”

  Chapter 44

  Midnight Outings

  Partial Spending, Day 553 of experimentation.

  Subject 13 was eager to accept Abaddon’s consciousness. Abaddon took possession of Subject 13 for 4 minutes, then he collapsed, writhing in pain for 2 minutes 5 seconds, then became unresponsive. Unlike the other tests, this body did not decay. Autopsy revealed the blood has thickened as if boiled from the inside. Using an incantation of clairvoyance, I have divined an important ingredient to Abaddon’s return. He will require the body of a blood relative as a vessel. After revealing this fact to Abaddon, he admitted that he had known the body would only sustain his life for minutes but allowed my experimentation to “feel the sun on his face for a time.”

  Aside from the deception, acquiring one of his descendants would be a daunting if not impossible task, so I will promptly push all of my efforts into my previous studies. In large thanks to Abaddon’s aid, I believe I can sever the link between Abaddon and the dragons, albeit, one dragon at a time. Eleandarinius has volunteered as the first dragon subject, but she is too valuable. If testing is successful, she will be the second to rise.

  ~Ricaria Beratum, 2996 A.S.

  ~

  Bain dropped the bag of coins in the captain’s outstretched hands as he walked down the gangplank. It was perfectly safe on the speedway, but Bain still had been forced to bribe the captain to journey through the nights. But they were here at last.

  Several soldiers stood along the pier, dressed in Alcoa’s colors. He breathed easier as he moved past them. Bain had not forgiven his old king of his sins, but he could admit that Thirod Alcoa’s men were far preferable to the guardians. Though misguided, they would not torture elementalists upon discovery.

  As much as he wished to defeat the guardians, the battle in Disputon had been fierce, and he did not wish to repeat the debacle. All had been going well against the guardians until his savants had joined the battle and tamed. Now they were all gone. Of the dozens who’d began this journey, Lana and Ferious were all that remained.

  They followed him to the main road, which led west. The estate he sought was near the main foot entrance. This tome had better aid in his quest, or to the abyss with immortality. He would spend his final moments destroying the guardians before facing Abaddon with his failures.

  Once the west gate was in sight, he motioned for Lana and Ferious to wait in an alley as he crossed the intersection and turned onto Lords Road. The front gates were opened. A dozen figures surrounded three travelers as they entered Iremine. They would certainly be headed this way. The guardhouse was up the road behind him.

  At the sign of moving torchlight bouncing toward him, Bain slipped into a narrow side street. Each
guard in the patrol carried a crossbow at the ready. At the center of the procession were three men. One, the largest Kalicodian Bain had ever seen, walked as though being escorted by armed guards was commonplace. The sword strapped to his back was taller than most men with a long hilt made of monotooth ivory. The man with the saber faced straight ahead, but his eyes scanned every nook and side street, searching for some angle for an escape. He knew Daren of the Ironclad from dealings with his father in Eoiasis. Daren was a noble and competent warrior. The other man, Jaxton, he only knew by reputation. Brinnon Fliste was supposed to have groomed his son for this war, instead the man had turned Jaxton into an enemy.

  The youngest of three was unknown to him, but his face was very familiar. Bain had the distinct feeling, the boy was an elementalist, but he was too far away to sense his essence.

  On principle, he considered aiding them. The enemy of his enemy deserved a chance to fight another day, but he couldn’t take on so many guards without taming. And if he was wrong, and the boy was not an elementalist, he would be risking himself for two men who were more likely to expose rather than thank him.

  He let the guards pass.

  Once they were far enough up the road, Bain moved back into the street and followed it to the large estate on the right. No guards stood out front, and the manor home beyond the wall was dark. By all appearances, Theron Argyle had abandoned this place.

  Bain looked both ways to make sure no one was coming. The street was empty with no patrols in sight. He ran up the wall and leapt. Grabbing the top, he pulled himself up. Once more, he glanced about before turning toward the alley where Lana and Ferious waited. He waved both hands high, signaling the all-clear.

  Both sprinted to him. While Lana leapt up on her own, Bain lowered his hand to give Ferious a boost. Since taking his burns during a botched mission in Kalicodon, the man had not moved with as much grace as before.

  Once they were on the other side, Ferious said, “We are too late.”

  “Perhaps,” Bain agreed. “But he might have left something behind of use to us.”

  “Did you see those prisoners?” Lana asked.

  “Of course,” Bain said. “How could I not?”

  “The young one had a large essence, and he is not yet fully grown.”

  “Aye,” Ferious said. “He was powerful. I was sure you would have freed him.”

  “I considered it,” he admitted. “But the elementalist will have to wait. The Alcoan guards will treat him humanely. Let’s move.”

  Pivoting, he stalked to the front of the manor. There were no lights, and the gardens had not been tended in over a month.

  Bain went to the front door. It was locked. Pulling his sword, he wedged it into the frame and heaved. After a few seconds, the wood cracked and the door pushed inward. Once beyond the entryway, Bain pulled out his ever-torch and blinked, adjusting his vision to the sudden brightness.

  A short hall led to a grand chamber. White sheets covered the furnishings. Drapes hid the paintings, and the tapestries were missing from their hooks. At the end of a long corridor, Bain saw spiral stairs leading to the higher levels.

  “Ferious, you check this floor. Lana, you go to the next. I’m going up to the master suite on the third story.”

  “What are we looking for?” Ferious asked.

  Lana answered, “Anything that speaks of artifacts or Abadaria.”

  Bain strode from the room. There were several doors on the way to the spiral staircase, which would keep Ferious busy. He was not likely to find anything of use down here. Most lords kept their valued possessions closer to where they slept, but it would be best to be thorough.

  The top of the stairs opened to an antechamber. Beyond a wide doorway was the master’s rooms. Furniture and décor were also covered and draped for protection against dust and mold.

  Bain stripped the desk of its sheet and rifled through the drawers, carefully reading the papers. There was nothing of use beyond a ledger with a list of minor artifacts, alongside a value for each. None of the items would aid in his own quest.

  He walked into a side room, which appeared to be a vast study. Empty shelves covered the walls. At the center were several protective cases, which also held nothing.

  Bain reached for the hilt of his sword at the sound of heavy boots running up the steps, but relaxed when Ferious entered.

  “You’ll want to see this, sire.”

  He followed Ferious down to the first floor. In the kitchen, a false wall had been opened. It led down to what looked like a cellar. Only, instead of wine, there were parchments and notes on every surface. Despite the multitude of tables, there was a single chair. It had been overturned as if the occupant had left in a hurry. Bain perused the notes on that table.

  Every one spoke of an ancient artifact, an orb called the Blade of Incantus. From the scrawls on several different parchments, Bain ascertained the item was precisely what he’d been seeking. According to this, it would allow any wielder, even those not born to the gift, to tame the Elements. Those with the ability would hold the power to sever nations from Arinth. With this, nothing, not even dragons, could stop him.

  And what was this? There were symbols, similar to eloiglyphs, only different. Next to each were descriptions, such as, “Neutralizes lava traps” and “Reverses flesh rot.” The phonetic annunciation sounded similar to the ritual Abaddon had given Bain, the one that would allow the Father to return to this world. Had the Seeker given this to Theron Argyle or was this from the tome Ricaria Beratum had sold him?

  “What is it?” Lana asked. Bain had not heard her approach.

  “This is what we’ve been searching for. The question is, why did Argyle leave this behind? Clearly he covets these secrets.”

  “Also,” Lana added. “How did Treadfor ever learn of this tome? Argyle went to such great lengths to keep the knowledge it contained to himself.”

  “A magi named Ricaria sold it to him. She was the one who told Treadfor of its existence. Gather these and meet me at Ever Song Inn near the docks. As we journey to the ruins, we will study these.”

  As he turned to go, Lana said, “Wait.”

  He cast a look of caution over his shoulder.

  “Sorry, my liege, but are you going after the elementalist?”

  Bain nodded. “Though I cannot place him, I am certain I have seen the boy somewhere. I would like to get a closer look.”

  Lana and Ferious exchanged worried glances.

  “I understand your fears,” Bain said, “but I will not tame this time. I promise.”

  “How then,” Ferious asked, “will you free him?”

  “I do not know that I will. I merely wish to assess the situation. If it is possible to help him, I will do so. Another elementalist, especially one with any amount of power, might be of use to us. Trust me.”

  Ferious nodded, but Lana was slower to acquiesce.

  “I will not jeopardize our quest,” Bain promised. “Not when we are this close. Once we free Abaddon, he will right Arinth, and we will free all of our kind from the guardians.”

  She bowed in deference. “Of course. Thank you for having patience with me. I only fear for your safety, but I live to serve. Please, forgive my doubts.”

  “There is nothing to forgive. I keep your counsel for good reason. I will see you soon.”

  Bain left them to gather the papers.

  Before exiting, he extinguished his ever-torch and gave his eyes a few minutes to adjust to the absence of light once more. The quiet darkness reminded him of his first time in the shadow realm after binding himself to the Father. So many years had passed, but he would never forget the feeling of being completely at the mercy of the Seeker.

  But Abaddon had been kind, gentle even. He missed those times with his mentor and liege. Abaddon came to him far less often now. Bain had sought out the Seeker for guidance mor
e than once since leaving for this quest, but so far, the Father had remained silent. More than likely, Abaddon was upset with Bain for moving against the guardians those few times.

  He exited the manor house and peeked through the gate for any patrols. Seeing it clear, he climbed over the wall and walked to the crossroads. Far to the right, he saw the front gate.

  He stopped there for several moments, looking straight, which would take him to the guardhouse, then left down the road that would take him to the inn.

  Bain went straight, through the intersection. Maybe Daren would not remember him. It had been long ago when he had last visited Eriden of the Ironclad at their palatial home in Eoiasis. Daren had been in his teenage years. Most of the young warrior’s time had been filled with training.

  Besides, he would not take any avoidable risks. He would see this elementalist freed. Only if it was possible.

  Surely, Abaddon would understand.

  Chapter 45

  A Gambler’s Designs

  Dear Lendantis,

  I am aware of the trial against me and have heard of your treatment of Anetia Melcoa. Her only crimes are that of friendship to me. I give you this one chance to release her. If any harm befalls her, I will exact vengeance upon you like Arinth has never seen. Tell her of my successes and allow her to reply to this, or there will be consequences.

  Further, you should know that my research—the work you refused to fund—has been successful. As proof, please see copies of my logs on the following pages. Recently, my research has experienced the most remarkable breakthrough. Soon, all of Arinth will know the truth of these words. The first of them has risen.

  ~Ricaria Beratum, High Magus of the Keepers of the Dragonkin, 2996 A.S.

  ~

  “I know you from somewhere.”

  “This is my first time through here,” Elwin said, heart racing.

  “Are you from Churwood?”

  “Never been there either.”

  “It’s late,” Jax said with obvious irritation. “Can we go?”

  “I know your face.” The guard shrugged. “It’ll come to me. This way.”