by Deck Davis
Still, he needed to check.
Jakub approached the barman. “Have you seen my friend? The guy with black hair?”
“I’m getting that question a lot lately. How should I know who your friend is?”
“We stayed at your fucking tavern last night.”
“It’s better for my business that I don’t remember faces.”
“Well, you might remember the fact that he was missing an arm.”
“I don’t keep a book of comings and goings.”
“Damn it,” said Jakub.
A boy stood up from a table. He was two years younger than Jakub, and he wore academy robes. “I saw him; he was headed to the academy. Say, aren’t you the guy who-”?
“The guy who got expelled? Yeah, that’s me. Thanks.”
After checking that their room was empty, Jakub felt somewhat reassured. Studs was gone, all their things were gone, and that meant Witas had understood why he had left Studs there tied up – he had to take him to the academy.
Now, that was the only place left for him to go, too.
CHAPTER 94
He wanted to take the Path of Returning to get to the academy, since his return from his first assignment had been such a rush, and it’d feel good to walk up it just once.
As well as that, he also knew he needed to get into the academy without causing a fuss. If anyone who knew him saw him there, they’d either start hammering him with questions about his expulsion, or they’d start spreading rumors about him being back. Right now, he needed the academy to go on as normal.
Reluctantly, he entered the academy through an entrance on the side where quartermaster Tomkins used to take deliveries.
He peeped into the quartermaster’s store, but his heart sunk a little when Tomkins wasn’t there. He thought that would be a perk of coming back – getting to see his old friend, maybe having a careless chat for a few minutes before he had to face everything else.
It wasn’t to be. There was no break, no way of delaying everything for a while.
Ahead of him and far down the corridor, he saw a few novices from his old necromancy class. There was Florin, a guy who used to stick his hand up like it was on fire every time an instructor asked a question, and Gasputon, who came from the Feriloux Isles and who all the girls in the group fluttered their eyelashes at.
Jakub had put his collar up and tried to duck away, when Gasputon held up his hand and started running.
“Jakey!” he said in his Feriloux accent.
Gasputon reached him before he could get away, and Florin followed. Gasputon, wearing a beard that was annoyingly perfect for his age, pulled Jakub into a hug.
Honestly, it surprised him. They’d always been friendly, but never actual friends.
Florin put his hand out for a handshake. Florin had always been a quiet guy, except for when it came to talking about necromancy. He’d helped Jakub out a few times with assignments.
Jakub shook his hand. “It’s good to see you guys,” he said.
The surprising thing was that although he’d tried to avoid them, he meant it. He’d barely thought about them; they were just part of his old class, and they’d never bonded.
Then again, he had spent years with them, studying together every day, practicing necromancy. Maybe bonds could form without you realising.
“Everyone’s talking about you, Jakey,” said Gasputon. “They’re saying you killed a necromancer in the Killeshi lands, so Irvine had to kick you out.”
“That’s not what I heard. Wendy told me that Jakub resurrected a blight wyrm mother,” said Florin.
“Have I become famous while I’ve been gone?”
“It’s not every day that someone gets expelled.”
Jakub thought of Mason D’Angelt, Witas, Ryden Renault. “It happens more than you’d expect.”
“I hope you’re finding work,” said Florin. “It’s hard enough to get a paid gig when you’re not with the academy, but when you’re a novice as well…”
“Actually, I’m a journeyman,” said Jakub.
Gasputon widened his eyes theatrically, in the way he used to when he starred in the academy Solstice plays. “You’re playing me like a lute, Jakub! C’mon…that’s a joke, right?”
Florin grabbed Jakub’s arm and rolled up his sleeve, showing his darkened resurrection glyphline tattoo.
“He’s a journeyman alright. Look – that’s a shade mark.”
Gasputon swept his thick hair back over his head. “Death Draw?”
“That’s the Raiser,” said Florin. “Well, Jakub…that’s quite a choice.”
“I can’t believe he’s journeyman already! I’m barely a quarter past novice,” said Gasputon. “Lolo took me on an assignment, but she would barely let me do anything.”
Jakub was uncomfortable with the attention, and he’d spotted three girls at the far end of the corridor, two of which had also been in his classes. He didn’t want more of a crowd to gather.
“Things didn’t go to plan in my first assignment,” said Jakub. “I ended up having to do a little more than Kortho intended. That’s kind of the problem…well, it’s led to it, anyway. I need to go, guys.”
“I have rest leave this weekend,” said Gasputon. “We could go to the tavern for a beer?”
Florin nodded. “I’m free too.”
Jakub couldn’t believe it. He’d spent half his time in the academy isolated, sitting on his own in classes, relying on his own company.
All it took was getting kicked out of the place, and suddenly everyone wanted his time.
“I’d like that,” he said. “But there’s something I need to do.”
“You’re different, you know,” said Gasputon. “I don’t know how, but different…”
“More assured,” said Florin.
“This praise is going to get to my head,” said Jakub. “Have you guys seen Irvine?”
Gasputon nodded to the stairway to their right. “He and Mason went to his private room with a one-armed guy.”
CHAPTER 95
When he knocked on Irvine’s door, a voice called out.
“We’re busy. Go and see one of the instructors if you need anything.”
“It’s Jakub,” he said.
A lock unclicked and the door opened. Irvine was standing there in his chequered shirt and denim, the aroma of tobacco wafting from him.
Irvine grabbed Jakub and yanked him inside, where a sea of faces awaited him. He glanced each one, and he couldn’t help feeling it was a who’s who of his life.
There was Irvine, Witas, Mason D’Angelt, Madam Lolo, and Quartermaster Tomkins.
Before Jakub could even say anything, Tomkins darted across the room and pulled him into a bear hug that squeezed the air from him.
“You look beat to hell, lad!” he said.
“I feel it.”
Irvine gave him a curt nod, while Lolo waved her hand and smiled.
He felt uneasy now with all of them staring at him. Luckily, Witas seemed to pick up on it.
Witas stood up and moved to the right-side of the room, away from Irvine. As far as Jakub could see, the brothers hadn’t said a word to each other yet.
When Witas moved aside, Jakub saw Studs Godwin, tied up and lying on Irvine’s bed.
“He doesn’t buy me a birthday present for ten years,” said Irvine, “and then he turns up at my door with a tied-up inquisitor.”
Witas glared at Irvine, but he didn’t say anything.
“Such a delight to see you, Jakub,” said Lolo. “I worried about you.”
“Witas took the brunt of it all.”
Irvine looked at his brother now, but the pair still didn’t talk. Jakub couldn’t believe it; if turning up at your door missing an arm couldn’t break the ice of a sibling grudge, what could?
Mason D’Angelt stood up now. He was the biggest man in the room, and even in the heat he was still wearing his warlock battle leathers. Come to think of it, Jakub had never seen him without them.
&n
bsp; “You don’t need to worry about this fella,” said Mason. “You should see him when he fights gwarflocks. I watched him squeeze the hell out of one. Witas has told us everything, Jakub.”
“The question now is, what do we do about it?” said Irvine.
Lolo paced. “I just can’t believe it about Henwright. Such a sweet man. So, dedicated.”
“I didn’t believe it either,” said Irvine.
Witas shot him a dirty look.
Irvine didn’t register it, but he carried on talking. “I didn’t believe it, I didn’t want to believe it. But there are some things a person doesn’t lie about, so I’ll take it as fact.”
Wow; that was the closest he’d come to paying Witas a compliment, and he’d managed to do it without mentioning his name or even looking at him.
Jakub would have liked to see the brothers make up, but there was no time for that.
“So, you all know about Henwright and Studs and Hackett. You know that Bendeldrick has grafted glyphlines onto his followers.”
“What I don’t know,” said Witas, “Is where you went last night.”
“I better explain.”
CHAPTER 96
After Jakub explained about the deal with Bendeldrick and the suitcase and the fire lythes, he caught Witas grinning at him. He took as a ‘well done.’
Irvine stared out of the window, where the academy sword yard was below. He nodded to himself, which Jakub knew was what the instructor did when he was processing things in his mind.
He turned around. “I can’t condone your actions,” he said, eyeing Jakub. “You said there were women in the camp?”
Lolo, taller than Irvine, glared at him. “And the women obviously can’t be part of their force, no? They are helpless?”
“I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“You did.”
Mason cleared his throat. “We’re getting off track. Irvine; do you have authority around here now Henwright’s gone?”
“Ultimate authority lies with the academy directorate board, but day-to-day decisions and emergencies fall to the most senior member of staff. I suppose with Henwright being a total bastard, and poor Kortho gone, that’s me.”
“Then here’s what you need to do…”
“You’re a contractor, Mason. You don’t give orders. You’re only here because…”
“Because I have military experience. There’s a reason that we didn’t bring the other instructors into this room.”
“Someone has to keep order in the academy.”
“And you don’t quite trust everyone now, do you?” said Mason. “Well, after Henwright, I don’t blame you. The cheese-eating bastard deserves a place in the Blacktyde.”
“What were you going to say?” said Jakub.
Mason eyed Irvine, who nodded for him to speak. “That we send scouts out in the direction of Bendeldrick’s camp. We don’t know what damage Jakub’s stunt did. So, let’s check that first of all. Best case scenario; Bendeldrick and Hackett got blown into a million pieces, and the gators that Nipper keeps in the grounds are enjoying a nice meal, and their men are heading home. Worse case…”
“One, or both, of them survived,” said Irvine. “I’m ahead of you. I already sent scouts to check.”
“And if they’re heading toward the academy?” said Jakub.
“Then we get the students inside and lock the doors. Anyone out on active assignment – mages, warlocks, tinkers – we recall the ones who are close enough, and tell the others to stay away.”
“Your plan is to hide inside these walls?” said Mason.
“We aren’t an army,” said Irvine.
“You’ve got an academy full of students with glyphlines. Even the ones who haven’t graduated yet, we can give them something temporary. Blaster staffs, hells, even swords. Every student gets combat training, right?”
“We aren’t soldiers, Mason. These are children. I won’t ask them to fight. We need to contact the guardship.”
Jakub shook his head. “This isn’t Dispolis jurisdiction. Besides, didn’t Witas tell you about what happened?”
“I told them.”
“Then you all know we can’t rely on the guards. They think that Witas and I killed a bunch of them, and if they know we’re here, they’ll think you’re harboring us. Until this gets straightened out, they’ll think the academy is the enemy.”
“When are your scouts due back?” said Mason.
“Soon. Their orders were to check on the camp and report back. Abbie knows…”
“You sent Abbie?” said Jakub.
“She insisted.”
“She’s only just been resurrected!”
“You know the girl; she wouldn’t rest.”
“Is she okay?”
Lolo walked to Jakub and put her hand on his shoulder. “As well as can be expected. She was healed to full fitness, and her injuries are…without putting it delicately…cosmetic.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” said Irvine.
The door opened, and a girl stepped in. It took Jakub a moment to recognise her, but when he did, he stomach flipped as if he’d contracted the blight again.
CHAPTER 97
“Abbie?” he said, his voice shot with concern.
Lolo squeezed his shoulder firmly, and Jakub thought he knew what she was hinting; don’t draw attention to it. Don’t make her think about her wounds.
Abbie’s face was destroyed. Well, half of it, anyway. Her left side was as it always had been; sculpted, soft skin, her eye a dark shade of green.
But the right side of her face was smoothed over completely; no features at all, her skin melted into a kind of featureless covering.
He felt sick for her. He wished he could do something; wander through the afterlives, find a way to turn time back on itself.
Impossible.
The best thing he could do was treat her as he always would, to not make her feel small by showing his emotion.
That was easier said than done.
Abbie gave him a half smile, and he felt himself melt. He ran over to her and hugged her, feeling her hair on his face.
She separated from him.
“It’s good to see you,” she said. “Well, to half see you.”
She said this with a smile, and part of Jakub couldn’t believe she was capable of that, but then, that was Abbie, wasn’t it? She was a warlock, she’d already promised her soul to the Blacktyde in the grand sacrifice. The girl didn’t know fear.
“You have a report?” said Mason.
“Yes, instructor. A force approaching from the west.”
“How many?”
“At least a hundred.”
Irvine eyes widened. “A hundred? Jakub, you said…”
“Bendeldrick must have had more men than I thought.”
“And women,” said Lolo.
“What of Bendeldrick himself?” asked Mason.
“He’s alive,” said Abbie. “He looked hurt, but he was on horseback, leading them.”
“What about Hackett?” asked Jakub.
“Hackett?”
“A tall guy. Really tall; you couldn’t miss him.”
“I didn’t see anyone like that. But there was something else.”
Abbie looked worried now, and Jakub felt that transmit throughout the room.
“What is it?” said Irvine.
“I recognized one of the people in his force. Do you remember Herbert Chapel?”
Irvine shook his head.
“He graduated as a red mage,” said Abbie, “But then he joined the Queen’s uncle’s private guards.”
“Was he wearing the queen’s emblem?”
“None of them were.”
Mason paced now. “This could be worse than we thought. It doesn’t make any sense; why would Herbert defect? The queen’s uncle pays well.”
“Unless he hasn’t defected,” said Irvine. “We know Bendelrick has gained reinforcements somehow, and none of them are
wearing the queen’s colors. Could her uncle have committed men to Bendeldrick’s cause and told them not to wear their royal armor?”
“He could if he didn’t want to officially align himself. The bastard. Always talking about insurgents, about needing to fortify Dispolis, to have royal guard presence in the academy,” said Mason. “We always resisted him. But now…”
“We can talk about whys forever, and then they’ll be on our doorstop. Time to think about the hows. Where are they?”
“An hour away,” said Abbie.
“That’s not enough time to prepare. Irvine, how many students can fight?”
CHAPTER 98
Irvine spread a sheet of paper across his desk and drew a simple diagram of the academy on it. He took gold and silver coins from a leather pouch and spread them out, using the silver to represent Bendeldrick and his men, gold for the academy.
“We deploy red mages here and here,” he said.
Mason shook his head. “You’re not a military man, Irvine, and you don’t try and learn to play the lute seconds before going on stage. Put mages there and they’ll be the first ones to cop it. Red mages have projectile spells, right?”
Irvine nodded.
“Then we keep them under cover to the sides. How many students don’t have glyphlines?”
“Sixty or seventy.”
“And do any of them have crossbow training?”
“Even if they did,” said Tomkins, “We don’t have many bows for them. Seven or eight, maybe.”
“That’s shit, but it’ll have to do,” said Mason. “I’ll have my warlocks summon their familiars, but that still puts us short.”
“We lock the doors, activate the mana seals,” said Irvine.
“A hundred men will find their way in, Irvine. Especially if some of them have glyphlines. Like Jakub said; we can’t rely on the guardship either.”
“What about the tunnels under the academy?” said Tomkins. “They were made as an escape, weren’t they? So why not use them as one?”
Irvine shook his head. “They were filled in decades ago by royal decree.”
