Sanctuary

by Nally, Fergal F

  Using this technique, he saw a green luminescence centring around two of the spires. The signature of thrall magic. The Magisters were holed up there. How many? He did not know. Three, perhaps four? Formidable opponents. It was too dangerous to attack tonight. Still, he could leave a parting gift. Travin turned and stole back the way he had come.

  He stopped beside a barn. He opened the door and slipped inside. It was full of animal feed and straw. He reached into his cloak and pulled out flint and steel. After a few strikes, he set a bale of straw alight. It took hold quickly and the flames spread through the barn. This area of the city was full of wooden buildings. His fire would soon spread and give the Magisters some grief.

  He left the barn and entered the gardens. He watched the fire take hold and waited for a reaction. The barn quickly became a raging inferno. Already, nearby buildings were burning, their roofs ablaze. He could feel heat from the fire even though he was at some distance. The fire had gathered momentum and would be difficult to stop.

  Travin looked up. Shadows swooped down from the night sky and spat blue ice-flame at the fire. Travin looked on transfixed. Realisation dawned. Blood drinkers. They were battling his fire. Scores appeared, massing out of the darkness. They were having an effect on the flames.

  The icy blasts of blue flame countered the white-hot heat of the fire. They kept coming. Slowly they turned the tide. The roof of the barn let out a sickening groan and collapsed in on itself sending up a shower of sparks. The rest of the fire was brought under control. Travin had seen enough. He turned to run.

  "Where do you think you're going, pretty boy?"

  Travin stopped in his tracks and looked up. Crouching in the trees were three blood drinkers, watching him. Their faces twisted and covered in bony scale. Their muscles quivered in excitement as they sniffed the air eagerly. The smell of decay wafted down to him from their hairy bodies.

  Travin let out a snarl. "Unclean vermin. Why do you ally yourselves with the Magister filth? What possible advantage could it hold for your kind?"

  The words had no sooner left his mouth when the answer hit him between the eyes.

  Blood.

  The Magisters had struck a deal with the vampires. As much blood as they could drink from the enslaved populace in exchange for their services. A wave of nausea rose up within him, bile filled his throat.

  "Something wrong, cousin?" The nearest vampire spat.

  Travin glared. "You're no cousin of mine."

  "I'll enjoy feasting on your blood," another said.

  As one, the three blood drinkers dropped from the trees and launched themselves at Travin. In the same moment, Travin threw off his cloak and drew his blades. He rushed his attackers managing to shred the wings of the nearest. The vampire crumpled to the ground screaming in pain.

  The remaining two, both female, jumped Travin. He side stepped one and hit the other with his body. Her claws dug into his chest, he looked into her blood-crazed eyes. Without thinking, he gave a savage head butt and heard her skull fracture with the impact. He dropped his blades and used the moment to unfurl his wings and launch himself into the air.

  The other vampire had recovered and jumped up after him. It managed to grab his legs. Travin felt claws dig into his flesh and saw her bared fangs flash. He flew sideways and smashed the clinging vampire into a stone building.

  His stubborn enemy held on but was clearly stunned. Travin gained height, then fell back to the gardens onto a large fountain. His full weight landed on his enemy and at last, her grip failed.

  Travin lashed out with his boots and the beast's ribcage shattered under the water. Blood burst from her broken body. Travin looked up and saw more blood drinkers heading for him. They had seen the aerial battle and were coming to help their brethren.

  "Enough," Travin whispered. He took to the air and wheeled through the sky out and away from the gardens.

  The blood drinkers were smaller and more compact than him. They had speed and agility; he had stamina and power. He flew high, reaching the city walls. He could hear their pursuit behind but he did not look back. Once he had left the city, they did not follow.

  He had survived and with vital knowledge.

  CHAPTER 18

  Flight

  "Very good, General Kaur. I am pleased with your efforts."

  Magister Nix held the Raven Heart in her hands. "This is truly a great day. You will be rewarded. Your men can have the city of Eleanir; it is of no further use to me. You can take the best land for yourself and your lieutenants."

  General Kaur bowed. "Most gracious, my lady. Thank you."

  "Oh and General?"

  "Yes, my lady?"

  "Ensure preparations are in hand for the razing of Numibar. Once the frost giants have done our work for us, we will destroy the city. There should be enough killed by then to satisfy the Raven Heart's need for blood sacrifice. Its power will then be unlocked."

  Kaur nodded. "Yes my lady. Preparations are almost complete. Numibar will be razed once the frost giants and their mammoths have taken the city. Their numbers will be depleted; nothing we can't handle."

  "Good. It's all good." Magister Nix waved Kaur away. Her thoughts were on the Raven Heart and its power to access the Rhapsody Spell deep within the thrall magic she already possessed. Once she had enough sacrifice through the bloodbath that would be Numibar, the Raven Heart would open its dark secrets to her. She would bring back Anurein, her beloved, from the afterlife; together they would rule the Erthe.

  Calim Dove stood off to one side. His eyes never left his mistress, Magister Nix. She beckoned and showed him the Raven Heart. He saw swirling mists within. His face remained impassive, detached.

  "Calim, what do you see here? What does the Raven Heart say to you? Does it speak of my union with Anurein? Does it show my power? What does your second sight say?" Nix whispered into his ear.

  Calim looked deep into the Raven Heart. He saw death, destruction and flames. He told the truth. "I see a great battle, you will be victorious. Your dream will be realised."

  "I knew it! I always knew it." Magister Nix clutched the Raven Heart to her chest. Her face contorted in a cruel smile. She waved Calim Dove away.

  He withdrew into a corner of the room. He had not told her of the other things he knew. He had not told her of the archangel Rafael and of the Seven returning from the other dimensions. He had not told her of Luana and her allies.

  He was concerned because he had not seen anything in the Raven Heart. He had lied, convincingly. His second sight had left him. He felt lost, bereft. Without his gift, he was nothing; he was not Calim Dove.

  He was free.

  He became aware of something inside, something he had not felt since a boy. He felt a tiny spark of emotion. He felt joy. He would keep up his subterfuge as long as possible. He would continue to mislead, providing misinformation to Magister Nix. That would be his contribution to the struggle and a worthy tribute to his past, to his parents.

  They would approve.

  ~

  Ducet's ship sailed into the hidden cove. There was no sign of her sister ship, the Skelter. Ducet was worried. She set her crew to repairs and sent men ashore for water and supplies. She held a short ceremony to honour her dead before their bodies were consigned to the sea.

  There would be no rum for the crew, not yet. Not until they were out of danger. Ducet's mind turned to those she had left in Stedfastgate. She knew they had wanted to fight; they had all lost loved ones under Magister rule. They knew they did not stand a chance. Still, better to leave this world fighting for freedom…

  "Ship ahoy!"

  Ducet turned. She put the spyglass to her eye and scanned the horizon. She found the vessel and traced its lines. It was the Skelter. She was limping badly, listing to port. But at least she was afloat and with no enemy in pursuit.

  Ducet's heart lifted. They still had one good vessel. She would be able to replenish her crew.

  The fight was not over.

  ~
>
  "How long will Rafael be gone?" Willow asked distractedly.

  "I don't know exactly. He said he had to scout the island and see what the Magister fleet were doing." Luana shifted uncomfortably on the cold marble of Angel's Landing.

  "I thought… I don't know what I thought. It's just that our job's over now, isn't it? I mean, we've found Rafael. You've found Rafael. He's been awoken or recalled, whatever it is. Can't we just leave everything to him now?" Willow looked confused.

  Moose grunted, smiling ruefully. "No lad, nothing's ever as simple as that."

  Willow scratched his mop of tousled hair and looked unhappy. He patted Rip who was snoozing beside him, unconcerned.

  "The cannon fire has stopped in Stedfastgate. I pity the people there. They'll be massacred or under the effect of thrall magic by know." Luana's thoughts turned to Elias.

  As if reading her mind, Moose spoke. "Don't worry about Elias. He'll be fine. He's a survivor that one. He's gotten himself out of some tough scrapes in his time."

  Luana looked away and stared at the horizon. She was concerned about Elias. She missed him. She wanted him badly. She felt alone, more alone than she had ever felt. After a few minutes, she looked back at Moose.

  "I have some news."

  Moose looked up. "Tell me," he said simply.

  "You too, Willow." Luana looked at them both.

  "Rafael is the key to all of this. But he alone is no match for the Magisters. He told me before he left. He has to gather more of his kindred; seven more archangels. Then he'll have a fighting chance. Well, that's an army by angel standards. They'll know what to do I'm sure."

  "So?" Willow said.

  "So. What I'm trying to say is Rafael wants me to go with him to the Dragon Perches, down in the southern territories." Luana stopped to let her words sink in.

  "What d'you mean?" Moose said.

  "She's leaving us." Willow declared.

  Moose gave Luana a look. "We said we'd see this through to the end, together. For us, for the others."

  Luana looked uncomfortable. "I know Moose. I know. That was then. This is now. Rafael intends to carry me to the Dragon Perches. He can't take all of us. We're…connected now, him and me."

  "So, we'll have to stay here, and fight the Magisters?" Willow objected.

  "I don't know. I really don't know. Up to this point, it's been simple. Find the archangel and let everything unfold after that. Well I guess it's unfolding." Luana looked unhappy.

  They sat in silence for the next few minutes.

  "We could always hide in the forest. I know where Ducet keeps cashes of supplies scattered throughout the island. She's clever, is Ducet, always planning ahead. I think she knew Stedfastgate was finished. She was never the same after they took her brother's spirit."

  "Took his spirit?" Luana looked interested. "What d'you mean?"

  Willow felt uncomfortable. "Well it's just what I think. I knew Fingal before and I saw him after their thrall magic had its way with him. His spirit was gone. I could see it in his eyes. The others thought he was sick. But I knew. His spirit was gone."

  Luana looked at Moose. "Maybe something like that's happened to us?"

  "Look! He's back…" Willow's voice interrupted.

  Rafael dropped out of the sky and landed in a flourish of silver feathers. He was flushed and excited.

  "They've taken Stedfastgate. There are five of their ships in the bay. One looks battered, Ducet's work maybe? The streets are empty. There's no sign of fighting; the place looks deserted."

  "That's how it should be," Willow declared. "Ducet ordered that the men should split; half underground and half inland. We have tunnels connecting the town to the forest. The plan was to attack by surprise come nightfall."

  "A good plan… for a conventional enemy," Rafael said. "Well, the fate of Stedfastgate is sealed now. They've provided us with a welcome diversion. The Magisters will have their hands full. We'll make good our escape."

  "I've told Moose and Willow of the plan," Luana said.

  Rafael looked serious. "I spotted two ships in a cove north east of here. They look damaged. They're not Magister ships. I suspect it's Ducet. If Moose and Willow could make it to her…"

  "We could get off the island." Willow became animated. "There's a cash of food and weapons near that cove. She'll be making repairs and resupplying. We could be there in a few hours."

  Moose stood up. "What're we waiting for? Let's go."

  Luana hugged Moose and Willow and wished them luck. Rip ran around their legs barking with excitement. Rafael nodded for Luana to follow him to the edge of Angel's Landing.

  "I need you to hold on tight to my back. It'll feel dangerous but it is safe. Are you ready?"

  Luana nodded. She did not look at the drop below. She jumped up on Rafael's back and he carried her to the edge. He stretched out his wings; the feathers ruffled in the breeze. Luana held her breath and closed her eyes. She was aware of Rafael's muscles tensing, then she felt him jump. She screamed and opened her eyes. She saw sky above and silver feathers around her. She closed her eyes again and held onto Rafael with all her strength.

  His wings swung in an arc and bit into the air. He caught an updraft and beat his wings in a steady rhythm. Their fall turned into a controlled ascent; soon they were soaring above the treetops and towards the sea. Luana only opened her eyes once she felt Rafael relax.

  She saw the sea far below. Glancing behind she saw nothing of the island, just thick fog. Her thoughts were for her friends and for Elias. She reached out to him with her heart, sending him all the love and light she could muster.

  She looked ahead and in the distance, she saw the mainland as a thin line on the horizon. Into the belly of the beast, she thought ruefully. What would they find in the Dragon Perches? Why had Rafael insisted on taking her? Then she remembered; she was the link to the guardian angel; the watcher.

  She put her trust in the archangel, closed her eyes and concentrated on holding on.

  ~

  Magister Loth stood in Stedfastgate. He smelt a trap. He knew the pirates were nearby. He sent out tendrils of thrall magic deep into the ground and forest. He felt them, hiding there like frightened rabbits. This would be easy. He continued his search; for the girl he had encountered through Fingal Rake.

  The girl with the death shadow.

  He reached out for her. There was no trace. He concentrated, throwing his net wider over the whole island. Nothing, no sign of her. She was gone. He sighed; he had looked forward to a challenge. He returned to the task in hand and infused the ground beneath his feet and the forest beyond Stedfastgate with wave upon wave of thrall magic.

  Magister Loth felt the familiar rush fill his blood as he claimed the spirits of those below ground and those hiding in the forest. He licked his lips as their life force entered him and bent to his will.

  Deep down a small sense of doubt refused to be denied. The girl was trouble. She would bring revelation. She would bring light.

  Luana.

  Her name spelt disaster.

  ~

  Elias had spent the night at the pool and had fallen into an uneasy sleep. He was exhausted and did not understand what had happened. His face was healed; his scars gone. By some miracle, he was whole again. He was confused and for once, frightened. Finally, fatigue and the lulling sound of the waterfall had taken him into an uneasy sleep.

  He awoke to a cool dawn. His muscles ached; he did not feel refreshed from his sleep. He needed to think. He set off through the forest heading deeper into the interior. How could this have happened? Who could have done this to him?

  No answers came. He noticed the absence of cannon fire. All was ominously quiet. Even the birds had stopped singing.

  Then he heard a dog. The dog was barking excitedly. Elias looked around, listening. He followed the barking and after a few minutes came to a clearing. He saw a huge rock face with a layer of white at its summit.

  He looked carefully and saw two people and a dog w
eaving their way down a gully in the side of the rock wall. He ran, crouched, to a better vantage point and watched them descend. There was something familiar about one of the figures. A big bear of a man, back stooped, long, tied back hair.

  Moose!

  Elias stood, ran out into the clearing and shouted up at the two figures.

  "Moose! Moose, it's me, Elias!"

  The big man looked up and paused; his frame suddenly tense. A few uneasy seconds passed, then his arm rose and waved slowly at Elias. The two figures continued their descent. Elias waited for them.

  Rip arrived first at Elias's feet and barked in greeting, his tail wagging furiously. Elias patted the dog and ruffled his ears. Moose came next and stood panting in front of Elias.

  "Elias? Is that you? I recognise your voice… but your face?" Moose held back, suspicious.

  "It's me Moose. Really. I don't know what's happened but last night, in the forest. My face was cured. It's…I don't know."

  Moose's face contorted in disbelief. Then his expression changed. "Last night you say?"

  Willow arrived panting. "That's when Luana vanished and was with Rafael. She said a lot of weird things happened."

  Moose nodded looking thoughtful. "Maybe. Willow this is Elias. Elias meet Willow…and Rip," he said, indicating the dog.

  Moose seemed to make a decision and took a few steps over to Elias. He opened his arms and gave the highwayman a bear hug.

  "Glad you made it friend. We're finding a way off this godforsaken island. Willow here has a plan; we're to follow him. I've got a lot to tell you along the way."

  Elias nodded looking around for Luana. "Where is she?"

  "Luana? Oh, she's in good hands. Or wings, I should say. She's with the archangel Rafael as we speak, probably somewhere over the Storm Sea."