by David Ekrut
“She must be a groundskeeper,” Elwin said. “I bet the rest of them left, and she stayed behind to guard the place.”
“Magus or not,” Jax replied, “One person is a flimsy defense against burglars.”
“Aye,” Daren agreed, looking into the compound once more. “But, why else would she enter each home and shop?”
“She must be competent,” Elwin said. “In some ways, magi are stronger than elementalists.”
“In what ways?” Jax asked.
“Besides making blinding and force wards? They are responsible for placing the dragons in their slumber, and they may be the only ones with the secrets to setting the world to rights.”
“Wait,” Jax said, “Are you saying they caused the Awakening?”
“Who else?”
Jax had no answers to that. It didn’t matter. The kid was right. These magi could do damage without being around. The blinding flash had been proof of that.
“We need that book,” Jax said.
“I know,” Elwin said. “That’s why we are here.”
“Right,” Jax said, “I’m not sure I really believed you until now.”
“You didn’t? Then why did you follow me?”
“I’m a pragmatist,” Jax said. “I saw what you could do with that incantation, and we were being chased.”
“Still are,” Daren reminded them.
“Which is why we need to focus on the task at hand.”
“How do we get in?” Elwin asked.
“When she sleeps,” Daren said.
“No,” Jax said. “I think she is alone. If so, she could have traps she sets at night. I’d rather not be blinded again, or worse. We should go now.”
“In the full light of day?” Elwin asked. “Are you mad?”
“We would be mad to wait. Just because we can’t hear the hounds doesn’t mean the guardians have given up. They could be five hours or five minutes behind us. And you left Daki out there, remember?”
“Of course I remember, but, I mean, just busting in doesn’t seem like much of a plan.”
The kid wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t his wisest idea, but time was short. Besides, he’d planned every possible detail of the heist in Wiltshire, and it had gone horribly wrong. Eventually, Carpeci would come for him. Or those guardians would show up. The city guards would remember them. He couldn’t sit here for a tenday, plotting and planning, then come out of this place empty-handed. There was a good chance this book wasn’t even here.
“It is quite a risk,” Daren said, slowly. “There could be others inside.”
“There won’t be,” Jax argued. “Look at the lean-to. You can see from the patterns in the dirt around the firewood, they usually have quite a few logs, but there is only one log gone from when I glanced in here a few hours ago.”
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Daren said.
“But look there,” Elwin said, pointing to a barn. “There are only two cows. Their bale is gone and they are restless, as though they’ll be fed soon.”
“And the garden there,” Jax added, “is small enough for one person to manage. And it looks to have a day or two of neglect.”
Once more, the magus left a house and entered another. When she disappeared into the building, Jax stood and leapt for the wall, caught the top with ease, and pulled himself up.
“Now?” Daren asked with alarm.
“I just want to get a closer look.”
Elwin leapt up beside him. “You shouldn’t go alone.”
Daren landed on the other side.
Jax eased himself over, holding the ledge to get as low as possible. He loosed his grip and fell. When his feet touched, he rolled in the grass. Daren came next, then Elwin.
“Maybe, we should have left a rope to climb back up.”
“Thought of that,” Jax said, moving toward the red-bricked building. “But we couldn’t risk it being seen. At the moment, I’m more concerned with getting in there.”
“How do they get in and out of here?” Daren asked.
“Dimensional folding would be my guess.”
“Quiet,” Jax hissed. “Both of you. The kid can magick us out like he did before.”
Jax moved to the side and looked up to the window on an upper floor. The stones of the wall were far enough apart for him to scale. He climbed up to the next floor and looked into the window but was only able to see the thick curtains. He was not surprised to find a simple latch barring it closed. No glyphs or wards were etched into the frame or glass.
This was too easy.
Using his dagger, it lifted without any resistance. He shifted the drape enough to see inside an empty room. The furnishings were covered in tan sheets. Climbing in, he held the curtain aside for Daren, who turned and lowered a hand for Elwin.
Once they were inside, Jax closed the window.
“This does not look too promising,” Daren said.
Though he agreed, Jax held a finger to his lips then pointed to the outer door. It opened to a long hall with a dozen doors. The first room only held a small bed, storage chest and wash basin. The next two rooms were identical to the first. He walked past the rest to the door at the other end of the corridor and eased it open. Beyond was a grand entry hall with telescoping stairs leading up more stories than appeared possible for the building’s size. Ever-torches lined the handrail, but they were all off, save the ones on the fifth floor.
This place was much larger than it looked from the outside. Even if the woman was alone here, it wouldn’t take her long to notice them poking about.
“Wow,” Elwin breathed.
“How are we going to find this book?” Daren asked at the same time Elwin said, “Should we split up?”
“No,” Jax whispered. “There were seven or eight houses left for her to clean. If she keeps on at the same pace, we have just over an hour. Let’s check that room first.”
Stepping lightly, Jax climbed the stairs to the only floor with light. He rounded the corner, holding his sword hilt. But the room was not occupied.
There was no door to the wide opening. Square tables filled the foyer just beyond the entryway. Beyond, there was a lectern atop a small platform. Along the walls were more books and tomes than he thought could ever have existed. Several wooden staircases on wheels were pushed off to the sides. Along the center aisle, there were books in glass cases.
Jax ran to the first one. A sign read: Do not remove without permission of the masters.
As he reached for it, Elwin said, “Wait!”
Jax jerked his hands back. “What is it?”
He pointed to a symbol at the base of the glass. “Sorry. It’s nothing. Just an eloiglyph. There are tamings set to preserve against book mites.”
“It’s safe to open then?”
“As far as I can tell.”
Still, he braced himself as he removed the glass case. Nothing happened. He thumbed through the large tome, searching for the word Abadaria or treasure. Either would serve his purposes.
“I’ll check the others,” Elwin said.
“You too,” Jax told Daren. “Look for anything about aeries or the ruined city.”
Daren and Elwin ran to other podiums. Jax tried to keep track of the passing minutes as he searched through the text, but he lost count several times. To be safe, he added a few minutes to his mental clock and resumed the count.
This tome spoke of the art of incantrix, a combat style for countering incantations thrown in battle. Though fascinating, it held nothing on Abadaria. After his approximated hour passed, he cursed and closed the tome. He almost walked away but stopped. Maybe it would have value still.
Grabbing the book he said, “We need to go. We will just have to come back.”
“Wait,” Elwin said. “I think this is it.”
Jax replaced his case a
nd ran to Elwin’s podium. He was studying a map of a colossal city. There were hundreds of caves, each numbered. In the margin, there was script alongside the corresponding numbers.
“Does it discuss the traps?” he asked.
“Aye. On the following pages,” Elwin glanced up, eyes settling on the book Jax held. “What’s that?”
“Talks about battle incantations. Maybe you can use it.”
Elwin’s eyes gleamed with need and desire. This would definitely be a nice bargaining chip for later.
“We need to —”
“Well,” a female voice said. “Hello, Jaxton.”
Jax spun, drawing his saber on reflex. A woman blocked the entry to the library. The only entry, he suddenly realized. Several robed figures stood behind her, their faces hidden behind impractically large cowls.
“Tessaryn,” Jax said. “What are you doing here?”
She took a few slow steps into the room. “You are the clever one. You tell me.”
“She is a magus,” Elwin said.
“And you are Elwin Solsec, come to steal our secrets. You’ve made a habit of that, haven’t you? Where is Daki? I judged a high probability he would be with you.”
Elwin flinched. His eyes searched for an exit and came to the same conclusion Jax had.
“No, my dear boy. There is no way out. But do not fret. We do not wish to collect the bounty on your head. The guardians would not make use of you the way we intend.”
“Curse it all,” Jax said. “What do you want?”
“You owe me quite a sum, Jaxton. How do you intend to pay?”
“We were working on that.” He gestured to the tome. “Speaking of, how does your father feel about you having two masters? Surely, he doesn’t like sharing you with the magi.”
She gave a mirthful laugh. “Oh, Jaxton. In most of the futures I’ve seen, you had already figured it out. I’m a bit disappointed in you.”
In the futures. Plural. “Dragons take me. You aren’t Carpeci’s daughter. You’re … what?”
“Carpeci is one of many faces I wear when circumstances necessitate doing so. Every action I take is for the good of the Farseers. And now, you will work for me.”
Elwin leaned toward Jax and whispered, “She belongs to an order of clairvoyants, meaning—”
“She can see the future,” Jax finished. “Yes, you told me. I just didn’t believe you. Still not sure if I do.”
“It means,” Tessaryn said, “I can divine possible futures, which any magus with the proper words can do. But it takes a special talent to understand the nature of people well enough to find the most probable one, which is how we have come to this place. A few nudges in the proper place, and you came to me. Are you ready to hear why I herded you here? My offer is more than generous.”
“Why make the offer at all? You know what we are going to do, right?”
She smiled pleasantly. “I know what you are likely to try and fail to do. Put the saber away, Jaxton. Let us discuss your wildly successful future under my employment.”
A way out, that was what he needed. Jax hadn’t wanted to work for Carpeci when he thought the man, er woman, was just a criminal overlord. Now, he wasn’t quite sure what she was. From his periphery, he saw Elwin edging toward the book, still on the podium.
“I wouldn’t,” Tessaryn said to Elwin.
“Get closer,” Elwin said without moving his lips.
Both he and Daren complied. Elwin began to speak in a foreign tongue. The words were rough and precise.
Tessaryn gave an exaggerated sigh. “Have it your w—”
Jax’s stomach lurched. Darkness swallowed him, and a strange sensation of cold then heat overwhelmed all senses. It felt as though a gong struck him from all directions, then he found himself standing in a forest. Not more than fifty paces away, he could see Daki sitting next to the bear. Daren and Elwin were to either side of Jax. Daren’s cheeks were ashen. The large warrior dropped to his knees.
“What in the abyss did you do?” Jax demanded. “That felt different than before.”
“I took us farther,” Elwin said. His face was more pallid than just a few moments ago.
“Good job, kid. You saved us back there, but we need to move before—”
“No one is going anywhere. Try that again, and I will kill all of you.”
Jax turned to see Tessaryn through the trees. She had followed somehow, and all of her companions had come with her.
Chapter 48
The Seeker’s Voice
Dear Anetia and whomever else is reading this,
I received a correspondence claiming to be from Anetia, but there are simple incantations to mimic the writing from another’s hand. By all appearances, she is still under guard in the Maker’s compound—yes, I can pierce your attempts to block my scrying. Her treatment is unacceptable. I will need further proof of Anetia’s freedom. But to answer your question, I have no intentions of surrendering myself for “judgement.” As much as I appreciate the euphemism, I have no desire to be executed on the brink of our victory.
Further, I have informed my superiors of the Makers intentions toward me. With the exception of Anetia, know that if you come here, there will not be a kind reception at the gates. The war has begun, and you must choose sides.
~Ricaria Beratum, High Magus of the Keepers of the Dragonkin, 2996 A.S.
~
Bain stood on the deck of the small ship, looking outward. He sensed Lana and Ferious in their shared cabin. The sailors bustled at their posts. Hours were still left of the day, but he’d felt compelled to come here.
There could only be one reason for such a compulsion. He would not deny the call, especially after his recent failures.
He felt himself pulled away.
~
He smelled the vellum and old leather before he saw the rows of books. The Father was already there, dark fog leaking from his eyes. Abaddon adjusted the cuff of his silk sleeve before turning his gaze on Bain. He fell to his knees and bowed his head, awaiting the judgement he had earned.
Abaddon’s voice was cold. “You did not heed my warning, now they are all gone. Was it worth it?”
Bain did not give the answer in his heart. After all he had seen, he would pay nearly any cost to destroy the guardians. The truth would only doom him.
“No.” He whispered the word. “Can you forgive me?”
“It is not forgiveness you seek.” Pressure surrounded him. The pain increased with every word. “Do you think I cannot see inside your spirit? I formed you. I own you. Tell me what I should do with a broken sword? Should I continue to sharpen its shattered edge? Should I take it into battle? Tell me, Bain. What would you do with a weapon you no longer trusted?”
Breathing became difficult. He pushed each word out. “I would destroy it.”
The pressure vanished. Bain fell onto his hands, gasping for breath.
“Is that what you desire? Do you no longer wish to have the immortality I have offered?”
“I do wish it,” he admitted. “I fear my desire for vengeance is greater.”
“Your vengeful spirit is why I chose you. I need that anger, that privation of peace beyond the understanding of those around you. Have you lost it?”
Bain met Abaddon’s dark gaze. The Seeker had been a handsome man. His face was now ageless and perfect. The same had been promised to him. He cared little for the appearance of youth, but he yearned for the vitality he had lost. He needed the strength to hunt down the guardians and end them.
“I have lost nothing.”
Abaddon studied him for several seconds. Bain did not flinch away from his black eyes. Let the Seeker see his heart laid bare. He would not fail again.
“I believe you,” he said at last. “This is your final chance. You have the secrets of traversing Abadaria. Do not take part
in the battle in Delcoa. Go to the ruins. And free me.”
~
Bain stood upon the deck, once more. The foggy haze of the shadow realm surrounded him. High mountains sped by as the schooner rode the rushing current of the speedway.
He would obey Abaddon this time. Soon, he would reach Delcoa. Then, he would journey to Abadaria. He would retrieve the artifact of power and return Abaddon to this realm.
Then he would have his vengeance.
Chapter 49
A Dragon’s Call
Anetia,
I am glad you are safe. Would you prefer to move here? I know you do not agree with our research, but you do not have to take part. I have spoken of your work at length with the council, and they will triple your funding and provide your own manor. You will be given care of a dragon’s aerie. Think of it, you will become a part in history!
In other news, the only stumbling block for raising the dragons faster is the lack of essences available. But I have been working to increase the efficiency of each Spending. Strides are being made. This will be over very soon.
The enclosed letter is to my former benefactor. I have scried his movements and see that he has moved into Trammel. To that point, why do you frequent his compound? Surely, you see him for the scoundrel he is? He did, after all, place you on trial for the crime of simply knowing me.
Best regards,
~Ricaria Beratum, 2996 A.S.
~
Elwin’s heart raced. He looked at Jax and Daren. Both had already drawn their weapons. Elwin yanked his own sword free of its scabbard and held tightly to the tome he’d stolen.
The magi walked through the trees, positioning themselves to surround them. Elwin knew he was far out of his depth to match incantations with these magi, but he had no other choice.
“Can we just speak like civilized people?” Tessaryn asked, voice imploring.
“What do you want from me?” Jax asked.
“Many people have been searching for this one.” She smiled at Elwin. “That amulet he has defies scrying. Imagine my surprise when I looked into the future and saw an ex-lordling would lead me to him with only the slightest of urging.”