Angst Box Set 2

by David Pedersen

  Jintorich paced the length of her leg several times before stopping to look at her.

  “We have no choice,” she said, sitting up and pulling her hair to one side. “We need to break him free.”

  “That will be a challenge,” Jintorich said. “He is bound on the tallest hill at the center of camp.”

  “Can you create a distraction that will draw the others away?” she asked.

  “Several,” he said. “But we will have to be quick.”

  “Agreed,” she said. “Then where do we go?”

  “We find Angst,” Jintorich said, his long brows furrowing. “And we help him end this.”

  Bryymel smiled as he pulled back to the shadows of tree and brush. The Nordruaut and Meldusian’s simple escape plan would be easy to foil, and with Niihlu’s help, he may even be rid of Jintorich. That tiny aberration was far more dangerous than he’d anticipated. When so many of his plans had failed, it was a relief that this one finally worked to his liking.

  Tarness shifted in his restraints, rocking from side to side in an attempt to find some semblance of comfort. After sitting for hours with his arms bound behind him and his mouth gagged, everything itched. His full suit of plate armor was stifling in his stress and anxiety. Sweat dripping down his back felt like they had set him on an anthill. It almost angered him to the point of breaking free, just to strip naked and roll around in pine cones.

  But what would be the point? Niihlu would be here soon enough to ice him with that giant foci war axe. The ring Tarness had accepted from Magic was supposed to keep him alive, but hopefully, he wouldn’t live without a head or chopped into pieces. It may be funny at parties but would make it tough to eat.

  At times like this, right before facing the next big bad, Angst would cringeworthingly utter the words, “What could possibly go wrong?” If Angst were here, and Tarness could’ve spoken around the rope gag, he would’ve shouted, “This!” Tarness accepted that phrase as the darker side of Angst’s humor, but here and now, he wondered if there was more to it. It was like accepting that everything was going to go wrong and they’d have to face it anyway. That would be profound, even for Angst. He’d have loved to ask his friend, but that wasn’t going to happen now or two thousand years from now if he couldn't break free.

  “I’m sure you’re thinking of a way to escape,” Bryymel said as he crested the hill. “I would be.”

  Tarness looked away in a weak attempt to ignore the Nordruaut. Ever since he’d appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, Tarness had tried avoiding him. Gose’s younger brother was the runt of the litter with something to prove. He was the only bald Nordruaut Tarness had seen, shorter even than Maarja—though the only person this seemed to bother was Bryymel. The Nordruaut was capable enough on good days, but full of distrust and poisonous conspiracy on bad. His brother’s rise to power had emboldened his tongue, and on more than one occasion, Tarness had wanted to remove it.

  “But escape would be useless, wouldn’t it?” Bryymel said. “Even if you could fight through the horde of Nordruaut surrounding this hill, I’m sure you wouldn’t be hard to track.”

  Tarness looked at the man in surprise. Was he referring to their innate ability to track or the ruby ring that tethered him to Magic?

  “The knowledge of your transgressions has spread to the other camps like a leaf on the wind,” Bryymel said, reaching behind Tarness to remove the gag. “It will be nearly impossible to wash away your sins.”

  “Who are you?” Tarness asked. “I know you’re Gose’s brother, but he thought you’d died in battle.”

  “There’s nothing suspicious about surviving,” he said.

  “Right, but what you just said,” Tarness peered at him. “You don’t even talk like the other Nordruaut.”

  “You have other concerns, Tarness,” Bryymel said. “Your friends are coming to break you free tonight and don’t expect anyone to be here. They will be surprised.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” Tarness asked. “Are you just trying to torture me?”

  “Yes,” Bryymel said with a full-lipped smile. “And I want you to think on it. You have…what, four hours to ponder all the possible outcomes? If Rasaol and Niihlu were to catch Maarja and Jintorich, they would also be put to death.”

  “Don’t do this, Brymell,” Tarness pleaded. “They don’t need to die trying to save me. I’ll tell them to leave.”

  “I don’t think so,” Bryymel said, replacing the gag. “Their treachery must be revealed.”

  Tarness shouted through the gag, attracting two Nordruaut guards from the bottom of the hill.

  “What’s going on here?” a towering woman asked.

  “He was trying to free himself,” Bryymel said. “You should check the restraints.”

  “I’ll get more rope,” another guard said, lumbering back down the hill.

  Tarness could do nothing but glare as the Nordruaut woman lifted him to check the ropes. She dropped him roughly onto his side, and Bryymel kneeled beside him.

  “I told you to stop trying to remove the ring,” Bryymel whispered. “You should never have gone to the Mendahir.”

  Tarness’s eyes went wide, and his blood ran as cold as a Nordruaut winter.

  39

  “This can’t be right,” Angst said as they approached their destination.

  “What do you mean?” Alloria asked. “I can see the foci from here. Angst, we found it.”

  They had, indeed, found the horn. The foci rested on a four-foot tall pedestal, light from Angst’s makeshift sun reflecting off its silver bell like a sign that said, “I’m right here. Just pick me up.” The excitement of the discovery was tarnished by the enormous pile of bones that led to the horn. The skeletal hill stretched out for fifty yards in all directions with no clear path to the center.

  “Yeah, but how do I get there?” he asked. “This has to be some sort of trap.”

  “Can’t you turn them to sand like you do with metal doors?” she asked. “Or maybe brush them away to make a path?”

  He should’ve thought of that. Like bad hair dye he would never admit to using, the insanity cure at the obelisk was fading. Fortunately, the reason that dripped out of his mind seemed to pour into Alloria’s.

  Willing the bones into dust didn’t work. With an effort, he drew in power from his foci and pushed. The pile didn’t budge. He kicked the nearest rib cage and was grateful for steel-toed armor, even though it still stung.

  “I don’t know if it’s me, or this place,” he said with a discouraged sigh. “These bones aren’t going anywhere.”

  “What about rushing in and out?” she asked, her voice filled with encouragement. “Like a blur.”

  “Yeah, I guess,” he said, removing his swords and setting them beside her.

  “You’re leaving both to protect me?” she asked. “I don’t think there are any monsters here to eat me, honey. Maybe just leave one to keep watch.”

  “Sure,” Angst said, struggling to understand. “Wait, no. I don’t know what will happen if I hold the horn and another foci.”

  “What are you going to do after you grab the horn?” she asked. “How will you carry all three?”

  “I dunno. I’m still working on that,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll get along. I’ll ask when I get back.”

  He warily placed a foot on the first skull. To his surprise, he didn’t burst into flames, the dome didn’t collapse, and Ehrde didn’t explode. Alloria pulled him back before he could take another and gently kissed his cheek.

  “For luck,” she said.

  He nodded his thanks and pressed forward. Blurring there and back sounded great, but there was no telling if all the bones were as sturdy as the one he’d kicked. After fifteen sweaty, ankle-twisting minutes, he found a rib cage intact enough to balance on. The horn foci was only ten yards away. Behind him, Alloria violently tugged a lock of honey-blond hair while wearing a fake princess-smile. She looked more nervous than he felt.

  “Almost there,” he s
aid. “I’ll grab it and blur back like you suggested.”

  “Be careful,” she said.

  He turned around and took a gentle step forward. The ground beneath him fell, and darkness swallowed him.

  Dallow’s guiding orbs led Victoria and the others on a path as logical as their caster. They followed a pathway without vines before stair-stepping up rubble to end up on an enormous vine that crossed a sinkhole. It would’ve been nearly impossible to cross this labyrinth of terrors without his guidance.

  “How powerful is this guy?” Jaden asked, assisting Victoria with a hand.

  “Angst once told me that Dallow knew so many spells, he probably didn’t require a foci,” Tori said, shuffling down the large vine back to solid ground.

  “Glad I didn’t fight him,” Jaden said. “I’ve treated Dallow poorly. I’m used to defending myself and standing out in battle. It’s tough to change, but you’re right, we’re on the same side.”

  Victoria stopped and kissed him full on the mouth. Everyone around them did a poor job of pretending not to notice. She pulled away and smiled.

  “What…what was that for?” he asked, touching his lips.

  “For growing to be the person I know you can be,” she said with a mischievous smile. “And for telling me I’m right. I like to encourage good habits.”

  Jaden smiled dumbly, nodding in agreement.

  Sean and Simon were the last to arrive, and the brothers held each other for dear life.

  “Are you two okay?” Victoria asked.

  They looked at each other before coming to some unheard agreement. “Simon isn’t well,” Sean finally said, his voice quiet and dry as if he’d spent a lifetime inhaling campfire.

  “Sean?” she asked, looking between them. “Simon?”

  Simon looked down as though ashamed.

  “We don’t have long,” Sean urged.

  “Do you hear that?” Captain Mirim asked, holding up a hand to quiet everyone.

  Distant shouts for help reached them.

  “My cousin,” Victoria said, unable to keep the disgust from her voice. All eyes fell on her. “We spent a lot of time together growing up. She was always calling for some boy to save her. I’m guessing just so the little tramp could reward—”

  “It sounds like she’s calling for Angst, Your Highness,” Mirim said, adulting the young woman with a steady gaze. “Either she’s in trouble, or he is.”

  “You’re right, Captain,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Aside from being manipulative, my cousin is either the sweetest person you’ll meet or one of the most dangerous. Be prepared for anything. She’s crazier than this place, so don’t turn your back on her.”

  The blue orb directly beside them popped out of existence and the five rushed forward as carefully as they could. Alloria stood atop a pile of bones, leaning over and calling after Angst. They stopped beside his two giant foci at the base of the hill, and Victoria drew her sword.

  “Hello, cousin,” Alloria said, turning around. “You’re just in time.”

  Her face was calm and cool as a mountain lake, making Victoria grit her teeth as everyone else took a step back. She really wanted to race up the hill of bones, behead her cousin in a fit of rage, then giggle it off as curse madness. Angry, bitter, resentful Victoria might do that on a bad day. A queen would probably have someone else do it. Since there were no mercenaries nearby, she let it go with a shudder.

  “Where’s Angst?” Victoria asked. “Did you kill him?”

  “Don’t be foolish. He’s the only one who can save us,” Alloria said, waving them up. “He fell down a pit and isn’t moving. Come to me, and hurry. None of the bones will give way.”

  “She seems saner than I feel,” Jaden said, rubbing his temple.

  “You said expect anything,” Mirim said. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

  “Sean, Simon, stay by the swords,” Victoria said.

  They both collapsed to the ground. Sean leaned against the giant blade and held Simon close.

  Alloria hadn’t lied. The footing was stable, and they reached her quickly. Victoria stared at her cousin in awe. Aside from the gray leather hooker outfit that filled her with jealousy and rage, Alloria had an air of serene calm about her. Someone had poured a pitcher of awareness into her eyes, followed by a shot glass of regret.

  “I have too much to apologize for in the time we have here,” Alloria said. “But I suppose there isn’t enough time to make up for all I’ve done. If I could go back and undo it all, I would,” she said, tears welling in her eyes. “I believe Angst can, so I’m helping him save everyone and undo my own mistakes.”

  In all their time together, Victoria had never seen this side of Alloria. The young woman was regal beyond measure. If it had been possible for this Alloria to escape Gyldorane, she would make a fine queen.

  “Where is Angst?” Mirim interrupted.

  “He fell into that pit,” Alloria said, pointing to the nearby ledge. “He’s lying still on a pile of bones. I can’t tell if he’s alive—”

  “He’s alive,” Victoria said. “His swords won’t let him die.”

  Victoria, Jaden, and Mirim leaned over the edge for a peek. The light Angst had created cast a small spotlight on his still body. Jaden uttered something and reached out. A focused beam of light shot from his clawed hand, revealing the great bone pile Angst lay on and some of the interior around him.

  “I think he’s moving,” Victoria said.

  “How do we get him out?” Captain Mirim asked. “This pit is like a hollowed pumpkin.”

  “We could cut one of the smaller vines and lower it to him,” Alloria said.

  “On it,” Jaden said, looking around.

  “Alloria?” Mirim asked. “Where is your shadow?”

  While Victoria, Mirim, and Jaden’s shadows took turns slap-fighting and playing patty-cake, Alloria’s was entirely missing. She lifted a foot, revealing a brighter light beneath it.

  “I think my shadow is afraid of me,” Alloria said, blushing prettily.

  “I know I am,” Mirim said with a shudder.

  “Ugh,” Angst moaned. “Who hit me? Was that Magic, or another dragon? Are they dead? I might be dead.”

  Victoria’s eyes met Alloria’s, and they smiled in relief. Then she realized who she was smiling at and looked at her cousin sternly. Gray leather? Really?

  “I’m here, Angst,” she called out.

  “Tori?” he asked, pushing himself up to stand. “You’re really here?”

  “Every brave knight needs a princess to save them once in a while,” she said.

  “You’ve been saving me for a long time,” he said. “I don’t feel well.”

  “We don’t either,” she said, her heart swelling.

  “Isn’t he wonderful?” Alloria said.

  “Shut up,” Victoria snapped over her shoulder. She turned back to Angst. “Jaden is looking for a vine we can drop down to pull you out.”

  “Are there any vines along the walls you could use?” Mirim asked.

  “Plenty,” he said. “But I can’t get to them.”

  “Why not?” she asked.

  “Because,” he said after a long pause. “I’m not alone.”

  40

  Dallow and Nikkola followed a second path of floating balls. These glowed with a gentle red hue so they could be easily distinguished from the blue path. The trail was more efficient than he’d expected, leading them around obstacles and down clear pathways.

  He was grateful for the time to glimpse the wonder of these ruins. The five pyramids were surrounded by squat, rectangular buildings—each 150 to 200 yards wide. Thanks to the perpetual white light from Angst’s spell, even the obscene overgrowth of vines couldn’t completely hide the interconnecting highways. Like uptight mathematicians, the architects had labored to create a city of 90-degree angles and straight lines. It was logic in design he’d never seen and would have to take note to research one day. To think that—

  “Ouch,” Dal
low said, jerking back the hand Nikkola had been squeezing.

  “Sorry.” She stopped and covered her mouth, the white light almost masking her blush. “You weren’t replying to me, and I was getting scared.”

  It was his turn to blush. The mage city had absorbed so much of his attention that he’d ignored her. This place may have been an archeologist’s dream, but it was also an adventurer’s nightmare. Her shadow was slightly larger than his and hopped around more. Hopefully, that was her fear and not something worse. Either way, he had to calm her.

  “It’s okay to be scared. I am,” he said, stretching his fingers until blood and feeling returned.

  “Really?” she asked. “But you’ve been to mage cities before.”

  “I’ve been fortunate enough to visit four,” Dallow said. “I believe there were five at one time, maybe more. My history books at the library didn’t have much to say about them. I’m hoping the books I’ve been able to collect from the cities will teach us more. I just need more time to translate them.”

  “Oh,” she said with the interest of a student on the last day of school.

  Boring also seemed to be calming, and the erratic movement of her shadow began to subside.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you,” Dallow said, offering his hand, which was only a little numb.

  She took it and gave him a full-lipped smile so genuine he was taken off guard. This thirty-something wielder with unkempt black velvet hair, high cheeks, and piercing dark eyes was quite pretty. Her dusky zyn’ight armor hinted at a demure figure. While trying to decide if she was taller than five feet without the metal boots, he realized that she’d been sizing him up too.

  The red ball beside them popped out of existence, and he jerked his head toward their destination. She nodded, and they walked, hand in vice-locked hand.

  “So, you and Rose are…” Nikkola said, waiting for Dallow to fill in the blank.

  “Something,” he said. “You’re direct.”

  “Is there time for anything else?” she asked. “We can talk more about this place if you prefer.”