by R A Lindo
With the stained-glass floor disappearing from view, Sianna gestures for us to follow her along the passageway, the shards of glass illuminated by the Quivvens glowing underneath our skin. We reach a wider space soon afterwards, opening out into an extension of the decorative feature of the passageway: shards of glass glimmering around us … each one offering insight into the different shades of The Royisin Heights.
All we have to do now is close our eyes and allow our Quivvens to go to work, mapping the territory hidden within the shards of glass, seeking out a Domitus on the run, hiding in plain sight: a cocktail of remedies transforming her features in the hope that freedom will last a little longer.
With my eyes closed, the surrounding space glitters into life … the glass shards spinning in the walls until one fragment catches my attention … a group moving on foot in the darkness … Drandok in the distance.
“Alice Aradel’s old mob,” I say, pointing to the fragment in question.
Conrad and Lucy huddle closer, turning their attention to the spinning glass shard illuminated by our Quivvens. Lucy isn’t familiar with Alice Aradel but Conrad is, pointing out Eschen Blin who leads the group. Eschen guides a figure who walks with his coat pulled over his head, protecting himself from the swirling wind. It’s his first mistake, the conditions not severe enough to require a cover for his face: Odin Blin.
Odin’s relying on his cousin, Eschen, to get him to the underground sanctuary of The Royisin Heights, assuming it to be a place where he can hide for a while — just as Alice Aradel had done quite successfully for some time. The Society wasn’t actively looking for Aradel, though, judging her crimes insignificant in contrast to those who had killed and maimed in war.
Odin and Neve’s crimes aren’t at that level, either, but Society rules are clear: any attack on another comrade has consequences, and the two Domitus who started this dance in Poridian Parlour are in for some bad news — about to discover their hideout can be viewed through a certain looking glass, courtesy of a witch with a gift for ghosting. The witch in question disappears moments after we’ve tracked down Odin.
“Where’s she gone?” Lucy asks, turning her attention away from the spinning glass shards.
I look down the passageway, seeing nothing but the blue light of my Quivven, realising that Sianna has done her duty, guiding us to the location of the two people we seek. We’re in danger of outstaying our welcome so we decide to move on.
We whistle for our Williynx, watching as they glide through the passageway, settling by our feet, about to take us back into the air on the track of a desperate Domitus. The only thing left to do is work out the best way of exiting Sianna’s home. A Cympgus is the obvious option, providing a portable Perium of light for us to step through, but it’s always fun to work out the unique transportation methods of new places.
“It’s probably an incantation only known to Sianna,” Conrad suggests, kneeling to stroke Erivan’s turquoise feathers.
“Sianna wouldn’t have left us if we needed that,” Lucy counters, rubbing her hands on her jeans. “It’ll be something straightforward.”
“Such as?”
“Tapping the shard of glass that showed us Odin’s position,” I reply, keeping my eyes closed as the Quivven floods the space with bright light.
“Well, let’s try it,” Conrad states, leading the three of us to step closer to the spinning fragment.
We reach out to tap the shard of glass, watching as it separates itself from the wall, floating above us.
“What if it tries to stab us?” Lucy asks, putting a hand over her face just in case.
I smile at the thought of this. “A killer glass shard; it would be a funny way to die.”
“You’ve got a morbid mind, Guppy.”
“And you need to lighten up.”
“Well, if it does attack us I’ll look out for your laughter.”
“Okay, ladies,” Conrad interrupts, itching to get back into the air, “let’s get on with it. We’ve got a Domitus to catch.”
I leave the little spat with Lucy, conscious she’s got Noah’s date on her mind. “I say we catch the glass fragment, like we caught our Quivven’s light. It fits to the method Sianna used to illuminate the stained-glass floor.”
“I’m in,” Conrad said, a look of urgency on his face.
“Let’s go,” Lucy adds, and we reach up together, slowly placing our hands around the spinning glass shard.
I feel the glass graze my palm until a blanket of light falls over us, covering our bodies at the same time our Williynx rise up towards the source of light, shape shifting into larger forms as they do.
“Grab on,” Conrad urges, reaching for Erivan as his feathered companion glides towards the high ceiling, squawking to signal our impending exit.
I jump onto Laieya, checking to make sure Lucy is behind me — the three of us exiting The Sianna’s secret chamber, ready to blast into action once more.
We appear in the sky above The Royisin Heights, using the Verum Veras charm to hide our movements. Odin and his crew will be looking out for danger, probably firing desperate charms into the air if they spot us, so caution is necessary. There’s no plan for another fire fight but this could be unavoidable, depending on Odin’s reaction. One thing is certain: he isn’t going to make it to The Royisin Heights.
Conrad hands me a vial of white liquid called Semphul: a remedy for hunger on busy evenings of Night Ranging. Gulping it down in one go, I keep my eyes on the terrain below, waiting for Odin to appear. There’s nothing to say he isn’t using an invisibility charm as well now, possibly catching a glimpse of us appearing in the air before I suggested stealth was necessary.
It’s possible although we’re still some distance from his location, according to Sianna’s unique surveillance device buried in her walls. It’s more likely he’s using the darkness to stay out of sight or, less promising, has found another way to accelerate his journey. The Disira charm is always an option, allowing you to vanish to your chosen location, but it would be dangerous under the circumstances.
Odin knows he’s being tracked and is skilled enough in battle strategy to know the flaws of the Disira charm. It’s a quick means of escape but you don’t know who you’re going to bump into on the other side, so he’s stuck with natural travel for now, and I wonder if he’s regretting his visit to Poridian Parlour a few nights ago, calling out a young crew of wizards who don’t back down from a challenge.
We finally catch sight of Odin less than a mile from The Royisin Heights, walking with Alice Aradel’s old mob who do their best to provide cover. Odin walks in the middle of the group, his coat no longer lifted over his head. Instead, he’s used a disfigurement charm to mark the left side of his face — nothing extreme but enough to pass without being spotted, particularly to recluses largely uninterested in the movements of Society members.
We’ve got a vested interest, of course, so formulate the plan of attack, agreeing on the element of surprise. We’re still hidden behind the Verum Veras charm, the glittering interior curtain of light hiding us from view until we decide to reacquaint ourselves with Odin.
I doubt he’s going to react well so I whisper to Laieya, her powder-blue feathers lifting in recognition of my plan. I’ve got fire and Laieya’s got ice, meaning Odin doesn’t stand a chance. That’s what you get when you mess with The Fire Witch.
Conrad signals for us to go lower, descending slowly on our target while we ready our surprise. Flight is Conrad’s trusted mode of engagement, rarely activating defensive charms unless the situation becomes critical. He’s an elusive target in the air, having a particular affinity with Erivan — his turquoise Williynx who darts in and out of the rhythms he orchestrates.
Lucy combines charms at speed, usually relying on the Promesiun charm before adding water or fire to her blasts of light and energy. Together, we’re a pretty formidable force, surrounding the target on all sides until they submit or fire back, which is when things get interesting.
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We’ll soon find out how desperate Odin is, aware the Domitus are proud soldiers. Damaged, yes, but proud, so it’s unlikely Odin’s going to submit without a fight.
“I’ll take care of Aradel’s mob,” Conrad says as we descend lower, “You and Lucy make sure Odin doesn’t get away.”
I nod as the wind lifts suddenly, whipping my long, brown hair back. Lucy’s cropped black hair gives her fewer problems, yellow ribbons of light spinning around her arms in preparation for contact with the target.
“And if they fire back?” Lucy asks, her hands placed around her Williynx’s neck.
“A prison of ice bullets,” I reply, already envisioning the cage to trap Odin and his crew in. Ice makes the enemy scatter, but ice bullets are something else altogether. It’s the weapon to end all arguments although serious injury hasn’t been authorised, meaning Odin’s about to step into a taming range of a different kind.
“Take out one of Aradel’s mob first,” Conrad adds, a natural leader in the sky, “Send them running for cover, creating the panic we need. The rest will be easy. Let’s go.”
With that, we tap our ankles against our Williynx and accelerate towards the small crew of malevs, their hopes increasing as they close in on The Royisin Heights. That’s until they see a blast of colour in the sky above them … too shocked to react quickly enough, scrambling to fire a volley of charms to distract us from our mission.
Lucy and I veer off in opposite directions, drawing the attention of Odin’s crew who scatter as streaks of light explode into the soil around their feet. An avalanche of water follows, sending the hapless crew careering along on a water slide that threatens to submerge them.
With Odin’s mob taken care of, Conrad adds the finishing touches to our evening, whispering for Erivan to expand into a colossal form, the turquoise creature spreading its wings to signal the fury it’s about to unleash.
Erivan’s roar is enough to snap Odin into action, the frightened look on his face turning to surprise as Conrad falls from his Williynx, spinning towards the stranded Domitus with no protective curtain or active charm: a blatant statement of superiority designed to test the level of venom buried in Odin.
Domitus are soldiers haunted by war, after all, recuperating in Drandok until they recover or falter, Odin’s raised arm putting him in the latter category. He’s fallen into Conrad’s trap, yelling in fury as he shouts ‘SALIX’: the first and last time he’ll use an unauthorised curse on active duty.
As the energy changes around us, I whip the Leverin charm into a more furious rhythm, ensuring the two malevs in my grasp get the most out of the unforgiving waterfall they’re trapped in. They’ll live to tell the tale in The Velynx.
With Lucy doing the same, I glance back to see Conrad vanishing in the air … a step ahead of Odin who tries to catch his disappearing figure, but he’s trapped in ways he doesn’t understand yet, too consumed by his anger to notice Erivan shape-shifting above him … the turquoise Williynx breathing flumes of white mist that signal the conclusion to this dance.
As Odin spins around, shouting for Conrad to show himself, Erivan flutters into a tiny form, releasing a flurry of feathers nears the Domitus’s feet … feathers that turn into spirals of light, wrapping around Odin’s body. He tries to whip out the curse again, realising he’s instigated his own demise seconds later … the Salix curse rebounding and ripping through his body, sending him collapsing to the earth.
Erivan releases a second flurry of feathers, guiding them over the gaping wound almost detaching Odin’s right shoulder from his body. With his crew floating unconscious in the surge of water, I watch as Odin’s wound heals: another touch of magic from our feathered friends.
As Odin grunts in pain, I fire a Promesiun charm into the air, twisting my wrist as it rises to ensure the blue light washes the sky: a call to the sleeping soldiers tasked with transporting targets to The Velynx.
Thankfully, crossing Quibbs Causeway isn’t part of our remit, meaning we can leave a party with the Mantzils to our comrades — comrades conditioned to cope with the mind-piercing screech of the Mantzils: one Society creature I don’t miss.
25
Healing Visits
We return to The Society Sphere after a group of sleeping soldiers arrive to take care of Odin and his crew. Our duty as Night Rangers is done so it’s time to squeeze the final bit of life out of the evening, my thoughts returning to Noah’s date with Zoe. Part of me hopes it’s gone well with the other part still uncertain of Zoe’s motives.
From never giving Noah any signs of interest to suddenly agreeing to go on a date still seems a bit odd, but people can be odd, including me. I also need to remember that it took me a while to recognise my bond with Conrad was more than friendship, so this could be what’s playing out between Noah and Zoe.
If we fly past The Winter Quarter, we’ll know how the date’s gone, but I don’t want to bring this up. I’ve grown out of my impulsive phase, realising where it can lead, which doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with a desire to jump into things without thinking them through.
Surprisingly, it’s Lucy who brings up the idea of flying over The Winter Quarter, suggesting we should check on Noah. We all know what ‘checking on Noah’ means but I see it as a good sign: at least she’s not out for Zoe’s blood.
“If Noah’s had any luck, they should be on The Sinking Bridge by now,” Conrad says, moving his attention from Lucy’s needs to Noah’s.
Noah’s one of Conrad’s closest friends so it’s natural for him to hope for the best, choosing his words carefully to avoid upsetting Lucy.
“Or they could still be in Velerin’s,” I add, patting Laieya in recognition of her tiredness.
“I’ve never seen Zoe out after midnight,” Lucy comments, “so they’ll be on The Sinking Bridge or heading back to The Singing Quarter.”
“Well, let’s go and find out,” I add, tapping my ankles to signal a need for speed.
I’m keen to end the night with a bit of fun, wishing Sianna Follygrin well in her hideaway in The Royisin Heights. Maybe that will be me one day, checking out quieter realms, but there’s way too much fun to still be had, starting with the lowdown on Noah’s date and whether he’s managed to sneak in the long-hoped for kiss.
We find Noah on The Sinking Bridge but not in the company of Zoe who, he says, had to leave early.
“What do you mean early?” Conrad asks, checking on his friend as Lucy and I give them some space.
“Straight after the meal,” Noah replies, looking handsome in his purple suit, the gold pocket watch open in his hand.
He’s using the watch to avoid eye contact with us — a sign he’s struggling with his emotions. Noah’s not much of a crier but goes silent when he’s upset, meaning we need to tread carefully.
“Did it go well?” I ask, sensing the answer.
“It went fine,” Noah replies, but his tone suggests it didn’t. “We mainly talked about night ranging. You know, what we get up to.”
“Did you talk about you?” Lucy asks. “I mean, the two of you.”
Noah shakes his head, rubbing the edges of the gold pocket watch. “I’ve been an idiot.”
“Easy, Noah,” Conrad offers, placing an arm around his friend’s shoulder. “You still got your date.”
“Yeah, the only one I’m going to get.”
“Did Zoe say that?”
“She didn’t have to …”
Conrad looks over to us, gesturing for help which I leave to Lucy, sensing she needs some alone time with Noah now.
“He looks a bit a crushed,” I say as Conrad reaches me.
“He is. He really likes her.”
“I know.”
“Making it harder for Lucy who really likes him.”
“If only he could see that.”
“He’s sort of lost in the idea of Zoe, I think,” Conrad adds, keeping a watchful eye over Noah who offers a sad smile as Lucy perches alongside him. “He’ll need time to realise that
the idea and the reality don’t match. Zoe’s cold … not cruel but removed … definitely not what Noah needs.”
It’s rare for Conrad to comment negatively on others. Having lost both parents, he always looks for the positive in relationships, acutely aware of how quickly they can expire. He’s right, though, Zoe has a detached quality, making her a perfect barmaid but not girlfriend material — at least not for Noah who needs to feel wanted.
Like my brother Jacob, Noah didn’t have the best start in the S.P.M.A. and has had to work to prove himself, most importantly to his dad who’s got his own superiority complex. It’s possible Zoe reminds Noah of his dad, subconsciously at least, which is something he’ll hopefully work through in time.
The glimmer of light is the first sign of a closer bond between Lucy and Noah … each of them placing their penchants on the bridge, decorating it in their combined colours. I watch as a vision of yellow and green illuminate the bridge, lighting up the quiet streets of The Winter Quarter.
The bridge shimmers in the way Noah hoped it would with Zoe, but instead he’s got the love of the friend to complete his date: a friend who suggests stronger feelings through gestures rather than words. There’s no doubt letting your guard down is scary — I’ll be the first to admit that — so I stand with Conrad, smiling as Lucy finally gets a laugh out of Noah, hoping they’ll give each other a chance of love one day.
The glittering colour decorating the bridge doesn’t extend to the water: a sign they’ll only ever be friends or that Noah’s love for Zoe hasn’t yet ignited. Time will tell, either way. The final touch of colour appears in the sky: a vision of red arriving with healing powers only a Williynx can offer. Noah looks up in surprise at the sight of his fire-red companion descending from the night sky, arriving to offer reassurance and comfort.