The Empress and the Acolyte

by Jane Fletcher

  Jemeryl was also aware that the possessions were not absolute proof that Mavek had Tevi. The items could have been stolen from her—or stripped from her body. Jemeryl squeezed her eyes shut. That last possibility was one she would leave until she had proof. But if Tevi was dead, and Mavek had played any part in it, then the time for bluffs would be over.

  *

  Herds of wild goats scattered at the riders’ approach. The trail wound through the windswept foothills, climbing steadily. Traces of snow clung to hollows on the north facing slopes. The mountains before them were getting close, a jagged line of rock and ice filling the sky. From maps, Tevi knew that Castle Kreztino lay at the foot of the double-peaked mountain straight ahead. At their current rate of progress, they would be there on the next day.

  Captain Altrun had set a punishing pace. Presumably he had got the implied threat in the warning about Jemeryl and worked out the possibility that the dangerous sorcerer might be on their heels. Most common soldiers had been left at the first garrison post they reached. The remainder of the platoon had been put on horseback. Four further changes of mount had allowed them to average more than sixty miles a day. Currently, the troops were more exhausted than the relay horses. Many soldiers were nodding as they rode.

  Ironically, despite being a prisoner, Tevi was in a better state than most. Her hands and feet were tied to her saddle, which meant she could not fall off. This had allowed her to catch some sleep on the journey. That night would be her last chance to escape before they reached Kreztino. Over the previous days, she had noted which guards were more keen on gossip than keeping an eye on her, and who would furtively swig rough spirits to drive away the chill on night watch.

  This northern part of the Empire had been under Yenneg’s control, and Tevi was unfamiliar with the terrain. Her knowledge did not go much beyond the location of a few major features, such as castles and large towns. Any hope of escaping on the previous nights had been thwarted when they had stopped at small forts and Tevi had been locked in a cell. However, now they had reached the sparsely populated outskirts of the Empire, and she was positive no similar military posts were nearby. That night they would have to make camp in the open.

  Her chances were boosted by the attitude of the three officers. They were venting their resentment at being required to follow her orders before by treating her with exaggerated contempt now. None had taken personal charge of her. She was watched over only by the ordinary soldiers. No special measures were being taken against her escaping. In their eyes, she was clearly just an ungifted and overrated fighter. Tevi did not think she was being immodest in taking this as proof that magical talent was no guarantee against stupidity.

  Despite her known strength, the rope around her wrists was no thicker than normal. At the morning break she had found a sharp stone that she had been able to hide in her boot. From her experience of Jemeryl, Tevi was sure the witches could have controlled her mind and prevented such activity. Their laxness meant she could be free of her bonds within seconds.

  Furthermore, none of the troops thought of Tevi as a mere ungifted fighter—not with stories of the conjured demon circulating. When it came to the crisis, Altrun might be surprised to find out that the soldiers were no more frightened of him than they were of her, and no more keen to engage her in combat.

  The sky was clear, except for high wisps of cirrus. The moon would be bright enough to light her way. Unfortunately, it would also assist anyone who chased after her. Simply leaping on a horse and pelting off would not do. Altrun and the other witches might not have anything close to Jemeryl’s level of ability, but their magic was still formidable and deadly. However, as Jemeryl had often remarked, even sorcerers did not find flying a viable method of transport. Before making her escape, Tevi had to find a way to deprive them of their horses.

  The detachment consisted of Tevi, the officers, and a dozen other soldiers. When she added in the spare pack horses, this gave her twenty animals to deal with. She did not think she would be able to kill them all silently before the alarm was raised—not that she liked the idea anyway. Driving the horses off would most likely not work either. Two or three would be bound to drift back within minutes, and Captain Altrun only needed one.

  Her best option was to lead the horses away with her—just as long as none decided to be uncooperative. Tevi was certain that restraining spells had not been laid on the animals. The trouble was that Tevi did not know enough about the witches’ capabilities. Would they be able to exert mental control over the fleeing beasts and command them to return? From Jemeryl’s disparaging remarks about the level of skill and training found in Bykoda’s officers, Tevi thought the answer was no, but with her life at stake, a tad more certainty would be nice. She would feel a lot happier once she was out of the witches’ line of sight.

  Tevi looked around for any sign of available cover, trying to work out her chances. The sun was sinking low on the horizon. Soon they would be stopping. As if on cue, a shout rang out. One of the lieutenants peeled away from the head of the line and rode back, giving the order to dismount. The weary soldiers obeyed with obvious relief. One soldier made a half-hearted attempt to tie the reins of Tevi’s horse to a bush.

  The site chosen was on the side of a hill, sheltered from the cold north-westerly wind. A river ran along the bottom, with wide grassy banks that would provide food and water for the horses. No trees grew in the grasslands, but a low hill rose on the other side of the river. If Tevi could get behind it she would be safe from attack by arrows or fireballs. In the distance, a huge herd of shaggy wild cattle, stretching a mile or more in length, ambled across the grassland. Setting her route via them should take care of any tracks she might leave.

  A gully washed down the hillside a little way off. Once she had got rid of her bonds, she could creep down it, out of sight of any sentries who were managing to keep their eyes open. The sound of the river would cover her loosing the horses from their hobbles, and it would be darkest of all in the shadow at the bottom of the hill. The first anyone would know was when she rode up the opposite hillside. By the time the officers had woken and got out of their tent, she would be away.

  Of course, that was if everything went well. But the situation was looking as good as she could have hoped. Tevi tried to suppress any undue animation on her part. Not all her guards were as overconfidently blinkered as the witches, although nobody was paying her any attention at the moment.

  Captain Altrun and one lieutenant had ridden to the top of the hill from where they appeared to be surveying the terrain. Tevi watched them in scorn. Why did they bother? What did they think they were looking for? Neither had shown the first understanding of how to use land features to their advantage. From her knowledge of other officer witches, Tevi suspected that they surveyed the campsite solely because it was what they had been told to do.

  The rest of her guard were preparing the camp. The unsaddled horses were hobbled and set to graze by the river. The first puffs of smoke were rising from campfires made using knots of grass and dried dung, both of which were in abundant supply. Four soldiers had been detailed to erect a tent for the officers at a spot suitably removed from the ungifted subordinates. Others were laying out their gear. Judging by the soldiers’ exhausted movements, it would be amazing if most did not fall asleep on sentry duty.

  Apart from the two officers on the hilltop, Tevi was the only person still in the saddle, probably because everyone was too tired to remember about her. With luck, the sentries that night would be equally neglectful. Still, she would have liked to be untied and let off her horse. The saddle was leaving its impression on her.

  “Get the prisoner down.” The lieutenant snapped the order as she passed by.

  One of the soldiers put aside his bedroll and moved to obey. He kept his eyes averted while he untied the rope around Tevi’s ankles. Only when he moved to her wrists did he look up. For a moment he held her eyes, then he turned his neck to glare at the lieutenant’s back, cleared his
throat, and spat.

  Tevi pursed her lips, taking some consolation from knowing that she was more popular with the troops than the witches were.

  The soldier fumbled at the binding around Tevi’s hands, his thick fingers made clumsy by tiredness, but eventually he finished loosing Tevi from the saddle, although her wrists were still bound together. He took a half step back and raised his arm, offering her help to dismount. Suddenly his expression froze. A shadow swept over the camp, and for an instant, Tevi was in shade. She jerked her head up, but missed whatever had gone overhead. Then somebody screamed.

  The look on the face of the soldier at her side had turned to horror. He stumbled away then turned and ran, crashing heedlessly through the campsite.

  From higher up the hillside, Captain Altrun called out, although his words were garbled and distorted. “You...get the...don’t...” The panic in his voice was what made Tevi forget the fleeing soldier and look at him.

  Altrun and the second lieutenant were about twenty yards away. They must have been on their way back, but now they were fighting with their mounts. The horses had clearly seen and recognised whatever had gone overhead. Altrun was hauling on the reins, trying to pull his horse’s head towards the camp, but then he appeared to give up the battle. He slipped his right foot from the stirrup and swung it over the horse’s rump, about to jump clear. He looked up. Shock transformed his round face, followed by terror. He opened his mouth to yell, but he did not get the chance.

  Fire crashed down on him, a waterfall of flame, deluging both horses and riders. Grass crackled and flared at the edges. A huge shape was falling from the sky, swooping low over the burning pool. This time Tevi saw it. The beast was immense, covered in green-brown scales. Bat-like wings sliced through the air. Fire poured from a mouth set in a lizard’s head that was as long as a man.

  A single beat of its wings pulled the dragon from its dive. The draft caused the dying fire to re-erupt in fury, hurling clumps of burning grass and flesh into the air. A barbed tail whipped inches above the ground, parting the flames. And then it was gone, leaving the charred remains of horses and humans, crumpling to the blackened earth.

  Tevi’s horse had been frozen in terror. Now it bolted, tearing the bush it had been tethered to from the ground. Tevi grabbed at the horse’s neck with her bound hands, fighting to stay in place. Across the campsite, soldiers were running, screaming, searching for cover. Her horse ploughed through anyone and anything that got in its way. It left the soldiers and their scattered possessions behind and raced up the hill. Tevi was not sure that being an isolated target was wise, but neither was waiting for the dragon’s return—not that she had any choice.

  A crescendo of screaming broke out behind her. The dragon was back. Tevi heard the roar of flames. Her horse surged forwards in intensified panic. Tevi looked over her shoulder but could see nothing except a wall of fire and smoke. And then above the screams and the fire and the pounding of her horse’s hooves she heard a new sound, the rush of wind over wings, growing closer. She flung herself low over her horse’s neck—a futile gesture. The image of Altrun, engulfed in flames, was all she could think of.

  The dragon’s shadow swept over her. With the sun so close to the horizon, the dragon had to be low, and right on top of her. Tevi could feel the draft from its wings, and then huge claws drove in on either side, impaling her mount. She and the dying horse were lifted clear of the ground. A monstrous reptilian mouth came down. She had a glimpse of rows of saw-like teeth before the dragon bit off the horse’s head, ending its pathetic struggling. The ground fell away below as the dragon rose up into the evening sky, carrying her away.

  *

  In the fading light, six metal golems clanked towards the guard post. They were fearless, twenty feet high, and had the strength to smash through stone. They were naturally impervious to arrows, swords, fire, or anything that might hit them weighing less than a ton. They were some of Mavek’s most fearsome creations. Their combined strength was enough to challenge even a sorcerer. Yet, watching them bear down on the guard post, Jemeryl was unbothered—mainly because she was hiding under the bridge.

  In fact, seeing the golems was something of a relief, confirming her guesswork. Jemeryl remembered them from her tour of Mavek’s armoury. They were the obvious choice to send against her. True, Mavek had other weapons that could have proved more dangerous, but the golems offered the best chance for capturing her alive. She liked to think that Mavek would not have killed her unnecessarily, but either way, he would not want to risk damage to the talisman.

  Sunset was over. The grasslands were being swallowed by gloom. Jemeryl shivered in the chill wind. She had been waiting for hours, and accommodation under the bridge was far from comfortable. Why could Mavek not have acted a bit quicker? Although, from her knowledge of him, it was perhaps more a case of luck that he had not left it until the next day. Mavek was overcautious by nature. His instincts were all wrong for seizing the moment. He would never be able to keep control of Bykoda’s Empire.

  However, he was an inspired craftsman. The devices made by him that Jemeryl had found in the guard post were impressive and very useful—to her. The masking ward in the chimney meant Mavek was unaware that she was no longer inside the building. A short-acting charm had allowed Jemeryl enough time to move to the bridge without being observed, although regrettably not enough to flee the area. A third defensive shield would, she hoped, protect her over the next few minutes. The more dramatic offensive charms were all primed and set waiting in the guard post.

  Five of the golems formed a loose ring around the building. The sixth plodded heavily up to the door. Its metal hands reached out, grasping for the frame. At the moment they touched the wood, lightning leapt out, wreathing the figure in trails of sparks. The golem jolted as if stung. For a moment it swayed, but then righted itself and took two steps to the side. It clenched its huge steel hand into a fist. Jemeryl shifted back further under the stone arch of the bridge, anticipating what was to come.

  The golem punched the wall. Chips flew off and the whole building shook under the impact as if it were made of straw. On the fourth blow, stones fell away, leaving a two-foot gap. The golem stretched its hands in, gripping the edges of the hole, ready to pull the wall apart and complete its demolition.

  The guard post exploded.

  The ground shook. Stones and timbers hurtled into the sky. Smoke billowed out in an instant, shrouding the golem that had broken the wall. The others were knocked from their feet. Shrubs were torn out by their roots and blown away. Grass was whipped up and ignited in a storm of black ash. And then the roar faded away across the grasslands, to be followed by pounding as chunks of rock and broken tiles came crashing back to earth.

  Under the bridge, grit and small chipping rained down on Jemeryl, stinging her skin. The ground had bucked so violently that she had banged her arm on a stone. Her ears rang and dust made her eyes water, but her shield ward had held, and apart from the bruised elbow, she had taken no injury.

  Once the smoke cleared, Jemeryl looked back to where the guard post had been. A few stones were still standing, but mostly the site was a rubble-filled crater. Three of the golems had regained their feet. One was lying motionless, and another was repeatedly trying to stand, despite now having only one leg. Of the golem that had punched the wall, there was little left apart from twisted junk.

  Jemeryl was impressed. The device had been even more powerful than she expected. Golems were notoriously hard to damage. When she had first seen the metal constructs in the armoury, she had been surprised that Bykoda allowed anything inside the castle that might pose such a threat to her. However, controlling the golems required great concentration, and it would be beyond the ability of anyone to manage more than two at a time. Conversely, for a powerful sorcerer, two golems were beatable odds. In order to have used them against Bykoda with any surety of success, Mavek would have needed at least one, and preferably two other acolytes as accomplices. Jemeryl guessed she
should feel flattered that he was treating her with the same degree of respect.

  But one thing it did mean was that some other acolytes were nearby. Only they would have the ability to control the half-living machines. But who? And was it worth the risk of trying to talk to them?

  Three minutes passed before Jemeryl got answers to her questions. Mavek emerged from the dusk, hurrying to the site of the ex-guard post. He had just reached the edge of the crater when two more figures appeared, converging on the scene from different directions. Jemeryl was not surprised to see Yenneg and Anid. The two army commanders were the most likely acolytes to have had previous experience with golems.

  “What was the explosion?” Yenneg asked once he got within hailing distance.

  “Bykoda.” Mavek’s voice was taut.

  “She left a booby trap here?”

  “Yes. Something she had me make for her a few years back.”

  Anid stood surveying the scene with her arms folded. “Bykoda? Are you sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure,” Mavek snapped. “Do you think I can’t recognise my own signature? And I didn’t go making stuff like this for anyone else.”

  “Did you know it was here in the guard post?”

  “No, I didn’t know. Otherwise I wouldn’t have—” Mavek broke off, sounding too angry to continue.

  “I guess she left a little surprise for anyone who tried tampering with the remains of her Empire.” Anid kicked at a loose stone. “The bitch always was one step ahead of anyone else.”

  “What do we do now?” Yenneg asked.

  Mavek drew a deep breath, clearly trying to gather his composure. “You can both go. I wish to conduct experiments on the site.”

  Anid looked surprised. “What for?”