City Of Light

by Darren Deegan

  'It's okay to feel this way, my young friend.' Neesha said, as if knowing what Selene was thinking.

  'I'm not sure if I can do this. How do I ask these people to follow me into dangers they've never faced, lead them into death?'

  'Look at them,' Neesha began. 'They do not question, do not regret their being here. They are your friends, your family, and nothing, not the gods themselves could deter them from following you into this.'

  Neesha stared at Selene for too long a moment. “You remind me so much her. Your courage, strength, unwavering loyalty. All your mother’s traits.”

  “My Mother?”

  “You must understand, I never knew, never knew any of this.”

  “Any of what? What are you talking about?”

  “The child. You, your life. I knew none of it. There were many years your mother, and I were apart, she wanted time with her new love, your father I presume. He was mortal, and even if she’d wanted to spend his entire life apart from me, it would matter not, for ours is a long life. The tragedy of her death reached us, even in the Iron Mountains, but we were told there were complications, that both mother and child were lost.”

  Selene wasn’t sure if she was more taken aback by the idea that this stranger knew her mother, or that someone had lied to Neesha and her people about what had happened. Would her father have lied to her for all those years, did he know her mother was Zin and wanted to hide her away from them? If he did, did he know something about the Zin that would warrant this deception? Her mind raced with questions, most of which she may never have the answers to, at least not answers she could ever be sure were real.

  “How did you know my mother? And why would anyone lie to you about me?” She asked in haste.

  “Your mother and I were inseparable for over four hundred years.” Neesha said, before being interrupted.

  “Four hundred?” Selene blurted out.

  “As I said, even if she had spent the rest of your father’s life with him, it would have been a small passing in our years. I lost my family when I was young, just as you did. I never knew my parents, never knew what it was like to have a family, not until I met your mother. We met when still very young, both training in our military. Larisa was a gifted individual. Even at that age, she could wield magic better than those who had decades on her.”

  Neesha laughed to herself a little and continued.

  “It was in our melee training I first caught her attention. Your mother may have been a gifted magician, but a warrior she was not. My childhood had taught me to be tough, trained me the hard way in combat. By the time I had met your mother, I could defeat two or three of our classmates at a time. This was why she first approached me, she offered to train me in magic, if I would teach her to fight. It wasn’t long before we discovered a lot in each other we loved, and from there became inseparable.”

  “Her family were as kind, and as equally gifted as her. They took me in, made me part of their family, your family, without a second thought. It was only then I truly knew what it felt like to be loved, to be wanted, to be part of something bigger. For four hundred years we roamed the lands of Eitane, and further beyond, we even fought side by side in the last great war.” Neesha paused and lowered her head in reflection.

  “Neesha?” Selene said, quiet, but clear.

  “Forgive me. We all lost a lot of loved ones in that war, but your mother more than most. Your grandfather, and uncles all gave their lives in defence of this kingdom, a kingdom we’re no longer welcome in. After that devastation, your mother spent a long time looking for meaning, or a new purpose. It wasn’t until she met your father two decades ago that she found that. I only wish I hadn’t stayed away for so long, she was the only family I had left.”

  Something in Selene told her she could believe every single word that had come from Neesha’s mouth. Her face, her emotion, they told Selene everything she needed to know about this woman, about her story. Neesha had lost a family, just as Selene had, and now she knew they had lost the same family, for Neesha was part of hers, even if she had never known it.

  “Not the only family.” She said, meeting Neesha’s eyes.

  Neesha stared at Selene for a moment, but said nothing, there was a silent understanding between them, and there would be time to explore it all further, after everything was done. But for the moment, they both knew there was work to be done.

  She looked across at the thieves. Gareth stood before the twins and Tom, deep in conversation, but nothing on their faces told her that there was an ounce of fear, or regret. Perhaps Neesha was right, perhaps she worried for nothing, she wasn't asking them to follow, they followed because they were her family.

  'Thank you, Neesha.'

  'For what?' Neesha asked, looking confused.

  'For being here, for helping with everything. It goes against your orders, I wanted you to know it hasn't gone unappreciated.'

  Neesha smiled, resting in a defiant grin. 'Your mother and I were always firm believers, that it is better to ask forgiveness than permission.'

  Selene laughed, and the two of them moved to join the others.

  'Everyone ready?' Selene asked.

  'As ready as we'll ever be. I was hoping some of the others would have come, but I don't think they want to defy Vin.' Gareth said, adjusting one of his many daggers.

  They had gathered in an old boat house along the river, just within sight of the sewer entrance the scouts said led to the Magi. It would be a short walk, but Selene had been dreading it since they had arrived. With the moment upon them, her chest suddenly felt tight again. Breathe, she told herself.

  She stared at Gareth, reassurance, or permission for what they were about to do, she wasn't sure, but she needed something from him. He seemed to knowingly cross the space between them, resting close enough she could feel the warmth of his breath on her face.

  'We can do this, ' he said, brushing loose strands of hair back behind her ear.

  'I know. I'm not worried.' she said, not wanting to admit the tangled web of thoughts going through her mind.

  He said nothing more, just smiled and gave her arm a gentle squeeze, before turning to the others.

  'Let’s get this done.' An air of authority, a leader's order.

  THIRTY

  The cumulation of waste from the district flowed past Selene and the others, before going straight to the River Bán, through the grated sewer exit twenty feet from them. It took only moments before the penetrating odour threatened an all-out onslaught upon the group; forcing each of them to scavenge their pockets for strong balms, or scraps of cloth to block their nostrils. It was folly however, as the stench had seeped into every inch of their senses, and nothing would take that away in a hurry.

  ‘Well, this is a pleasant odour, glad I didn’t eat breakfast.’ Eric said, still stuffing his nostrils with the cloth.

  ‘Oh, stop your complaining, you’ve smelled worse than this sewer, on more than one occasion.’ Marisa said, thumping him in the arm.

  The group laughed a little before the gravity of their current predicament closed in around them again. They each looked at the other, ensuring everyone was present, and ready for what was to come, and then Gareth moved forward without a word.

  The sewer was much larger than the one they had used to enter the Upper Quarter weeks before, and a good thing too, as the water level here was much higher, carrying far more waste. Stone banks of the river of waste offered plenty of space to accommodate them moving two abreast, but the grease and dirt made it dangerous, and slippery, forcing a cautious pace. The light from the sewer’s exit behind them lit the passage enough that they saw the tunnel forking ahead of them.

  ‘Neesha, do you know which way we need to go?’ Gareth asked, from the front of the group.

  ‘My scouts didn’t venture forth, they felt it best not to alert the Magi to our presence.’

  Gareth stared down each passage as the group reached the fork. He said nothing for a full minute before turning back t
o the group.

  ‘We’ve no choice but to split up. It’s not ideal, given the fact that we have no idea how many there are, but these sewers could go on for leagues beneath the district.’ He said, pausing for a moment.

  ‘I’ll take Neesha and Tom, you and the twins should stick together.’ Selene said, before Gareth continued.

  The look on his face told her everything she needed to know, he wasn’t pleased, but this was the best split for the group. There was no way Neesha would leave her, and having Gareth and Neesha in the same group would be overkill, and leave the others more vulnerable. Gareth pulled her to the back of the group, out of earshot of the others.

  ‘What are you playing at? I’m not leaving you in here.’ He said, angry.

  ‘You know as well as I do, that you and Neesha are the best fighters we have, by a lot. Having you both with me, just means the twins and Tom might be in danger. Do you think I want to leave you? This is for the best, Gareth, you know that.’

  He lowered his head, contemplating her words. She would never leave him, not if there was a better choice, but for once, she thought with her head, not her heart.

  Gareth leaned in and kissed her deeply, not another word said, before returning to this place at the head of the group.

  ‘Marisa, Eric, you’re with me, we go left. The others will go right.’ He began, turning to the others. ‘No heroes today. You find something, you get the rest of us, no one goes it alone.’

  There it was, that air of authority again, the leader in him able to evaluate the needs of the mission, and give orders as necessary. Selene loved that about him, she saw him leading the guild one day, taking over from Vin, and making it greater than he ever did. The groups gave each other firm nods as they parted ways and headed in opposite directions in search of their targets.

  Selene removed a small torch from her pack and rummaged around for some fire steel to light it.

  ‘Allow me.’ Neesha said, holding her hands around the head of the torch.

  The torch smoked, and then awoke in a blaze that turned blue for a moment, before settling in a warm red and orange glow. Selene was taken aback by the display, Neesha had yet to show her magic, save for the bright light she had used to knock out the Commander the first night they had met.

  With everything that had been happening, she never had time to consider magic much, and what Neesha might be capable of. While she knew the fire was a small display of power, only a parlour trick, the thought of what might be possible, wasn’t frightening to her, but intriguing.

  She nodded to Neesha and turned to continue down the lit passage. The water was lower and narrower along that tunnel, being a smaller sewer that fed into the other one before exiting into the river. As they moved further ahead, they passed several small rooms, remnants of something long gone, barely wide enough to accommodate two large men. Those were not rooms that would have been of any use to the Magi, she pushed on.

  Ahead of her, Selene saw the sewer turning left, and not another junction to her satisfaction. She continued at a comfortable pace, allowing for the slippery rock they passed over, but just before they reached the turn, a hand moved to her shoulder.

  ‘Halt,’ a whisper from Neesha.

  Neesha moved around Selene, slowly inching forward, stopping short of the turn. She appeared to be concentrating on something beyond, her eyes closed, as if reaching out with her other senses. They snapped open, and she turned back to Selene.

  ‘There are several Magi up ahead, stay behind me. If I feel like we will not be victorious, we will leave and retrieve the others, but I do not believe there are more than three or four.’ She said, staring at Selene and Tom.

  Selene turned to Tom, who was already nodding, it was clear he had no hesitation because of the idea Robert could be around that corner, and home safe with him soon. She smiled and returned an understanding nod.

  ‘Lead the way.’ She said to Neesha.

  The three moved forward, rounding the corner. Selene could see an entrance to a room up head, torch light spilling out into the passageway, leaving no need for her own. She placed the torch against the wall, and they moved ahead to the edge of the entrance.

  Neesha’s hand shot up, and she peered around for a better view of the room. When she returned her gaze to Selene and Tom, she raised her hand and mouthed five. Selene didn’t know if they could take five Magi, but she knew Tom wouldn’t leave to get the others, and she wasn’t sure she could either. She nodded in the affirmative to Neesha, and the three of them darted around the corner.

  A dagger flew from Neesha’s hand before Selene could even see where it had come from. A Magi dropped to the ground, the others oblivious to what was happening. Four. Tom lunged forward, striking one with a blackjack, a deafening crack split the air as the Magi male went head first into the wall, Tom following to continue the attack. Selene turned to face the others, to find Neesha charging forward, daggers out, taking two of the Magi head on. That leaves one.

  She spun, searching the area from her spot. Nothing. The fifth Magi was no where to be seen, then she heard it, a half step behind her. Selene whipped around, just in time to parry the blade coming straight for her chest, a Magi had somehow gotten behind her. Another parry, one step back after another, then she lunged, dagger aimed at his neck, she hit nothing but shadow and stone.

  A glint of torch light on steel was all she saw, as a blade, followed by the Magi holding it emerged from the shadow of a pillar to her left. She rolled forward, missing the point of his long sword, recovering just enough to block the next blow that followed almost instantly.

  Again she attacked. Block, evade, block, the Magi was good, but she wouldn’t, couldn’t allow herself to think he was better. Selene feigned an attack, rolled left, and lunged up with her dagger to the man’s kidney, only to find her blade continuing up far too much. He’d vanished into the long shadow being cast against the wall.

  Startled, panic set in, she wasn’t sure how she could best a man who could melt into shadow, and reappear anywhere. Calm yourself, be mindful, take in the whole board, Gareth’s voice filled her head. Endless lessons, not just in combat, but strategy, how to out-think your opponent. He used an old board game he’d picked up on a mission for Vin, to teach her to think strategically.

  He would tell her not to rush in, but to observe her opponent. Take in the entire board, he would say. See all of its pieces, and don’t just imagine your next move, but your opponent’s move, and the one after that.

  He attacked again, blade first, just visible before it was close enough to almost penetrate her armour, the armour she was now very thankful for. Selene feigned left, went right and struck at his head with the hilt of her dagger. Gone again. She waited, observing every shadow within reach of her. It was only a moment before the glint of torch light on steel appeared again, block, side step, strike, vanish. He appeared again, to her left, she repeated her move, not to inflict injury, but enough to force him to melt away into shadow.

  I see it.

  Both daggers out, she threw every ounce of strength she had behind them, and moved forward towards the shadow of a pillar in front of her. The sword glided up and past her head like she’d intended, her daggers sunk deep, slicing through leather and cloth, right through until the guard of her daggers pressed hard against his armour.

  She had seen his pattern, thought not just about her next move or his, but the one after that, and as she gazed upon the look of horror on his face, blood loosed from his mouth. She wasn’t pleased at having taken a life, just pleased that it wasn’t hers that was taken.

  ‘It’s okay.’ A voice at the edge of her mind.

  She realised it wasn’t in her mind, it was Neesha, standing next to her, hand resting on her arm.

  ‘He would have taken your life without a second thought. Never wish to be like him, but do not grieve for his passing.’

  Selene removed her daggers from the man’s chest and placed them back into their sheaths. Neesha was right, t
hat was not the time to dwell on what she’d done, the Magi would have killed them all, and the rest of the Magi would attempt the same. She would need her wits about her if she was to survive the encounter and free Robert and the others.

  ‘Nice work. I wasn’t sure if we could take five of them, guess I underestimated our sheer brilliance.’ Tom, said, lightening the mood as always.

  The room they were in was large, squared, and had two pillars at its centre, spaced several paces apart. There were no doors, or entrances, save for the one they’d come through, no where for the Magi to have hidden the children. Three, narrow, shallow bottomed boats were stacked on wooden racks against each side wall, six boats enough to transport two dozen people, if not more. Selene knew Neesha had been correct about how the Magi would move the children when the time came.

  ‘If this is where they’re storing the boats, the children can’t be far?’ She said, looking for confirmation.

  ‘If I were to guess, I would say you were correct. There must be another chamber, if not several, where they are holding the children. I would imagine there will be many more Magi guarding them, however, it would be wise to get the others when we find these other chambers.’ Neesha said, placing her own daggers away.

  A loud explosion erupted not too far in the distance, the sound filled their ears, almost painful given the enclosed space. There was a short silence, with everyone recovering from the disorientating effects of the blast.

  Selene looked at Neesha, panic filled her. ‘Gareth.’ She shouted, leaping towards the room’s exit.

  THIRTY ONE

  A lit torch spun in the air, caught again by Eric, who’d been juggling it for a few minutes out of boredom, to Gareth’s annoyance.

  ‘Can you stop that, I already don’t like having a torch, never mind you performing tricks while we walk into the lion’s den.’ Gareth said, as quietly as his mood would allow.