by Ben Hale
But Breaker's goliath lacked an eye slot. Instead of leaving himself open to attack, Breaker remained embedded in his mage sight, allowing him to sense his adversary's position by his contact with the floor. He reached Thames in a full sprint, and smashed the ground with a massive fist.
Thames dived free, barely evading the brunt of the strike. Encased in stone, Breaker pressed the attack. Thames managed to land numerous enchanted blows, but he was distracted and retreating from the goliath's relentless assault. None managed to penetrate to Breaker's flesh.
At the same time Breaker couldn't get to Thames. Maintaining the goliath required his full attention, so he couldn't attack using other means. Thames began casting shadowing charms, making it appear there was more than one of him. Recognizing his attack could not continue, Breaker stumbled.
The onlookers groaned as Thames took advantage of the lapse. He struck back with a resonak curse. The stone goliath began to vibrate as the sound waves rolled through it. Breaker attempted to stand but Thames focused his curse into his legs. His stone boots crumbling, Breaker crashed onto his back.
Thames advanced, tracing the goliath shape with his resonak spell. Adding a thread of compressed light, he began to shatter the goliath a piece at a time. His face lit with furious triumph, he blasted the goliath into dust and rubble. His chest heaving, he watched the dust clear.
Breaker was not there.
"Like I said," Breaker said from behind him. "Predictable."
Breaker had cracked the floor and slipped into it when he'd fallen on his back. Under cover of the sound curses he'd cast a slideways charm inside the floor and glided to a position behind Thames. Normally a sound mage would hear the grinding of the stone, but not over the high pitched keen of a resonak curse.
Thames spun—but Breaker had gathered a layer of stone onto his hands. Catching Thames hand, he encased it in stone. A thread of rock rose up and attached to the shackle. A moment later another rose up and lashed his other hand. Thames opened his mouth to cast another sound curse, but Breaker struck him in the face, hard.
The stone on his hand wrapped around Thames's head, fully covering his mouth. Spreading like a cloak, the stone coated the rest of his body. Finally, Breaker cast twin needles of rock and placed them next to his adversary's neck.
"Try to break out," Breaker said, "and these will pierce your voice box. Don't try to get out."
The stone over Thames's mouth had begun to vibrate, but upon Breaker's comment it came to a stop. Covered in rock, only the top of his head remained free. Thames glared at Breaker with unbridled hatred.
Breaker turned away from his adversary and faced the officers. He ignored the sting of his bleeding arm, and the pain throughout his body. Much of the sound attacks had sunk through his goliath charm to bruise his flesh. For now, he needed to appear strong, and so he gave no sign that he felt his injuries.
"If you will have me, I wish to be your Prime."
Lieutenant Ying stepped forward. After a quick glance at the others, he gave a curt bow. "You have gained our trust. We pledge our support, Prime."
Sergeant Hill motioned to the encased Thames. "He may not have acted with tactical brilliance, but we don't have another plan. What are your orders?"
For the first time, Breaker smiled. "From this moment forward, we are to begin the evacuation of this city. We will start with Eastpoint and Westpoint, and use mimicry charms to make it look like the citizens remain in their homes."
"But how are we to get them out?" Ying asked.
"The old Gates," Breaker said. "We will steal the mirror from the Spirus, and use it to get the civilians into the remains of Atlantis. From there they can get to the other mage cities."
Breaker didn't add that there was a secondary motive. There was no need for them to be aware of the Swordsman, or his mission.
"And after that?"
"Once the area is clear of civilians, we go after the symbol of her takeover. We destroy the entire Spirus."
"But that could destabilize the city," Ying protested.
"If we can't hold the city," Breaker said grimly, "then she can't either."
"You're willing to take down Auroraq?"
"To keep it from Alice?" Breaker didn't hesitate. "Without question."
The other officers appeared shocked, but that gave way to resignation, and finally resolve. One by one they accepted the new orders that Breaker issued. Only when they had all departed did Breaker turn to Thames.
The hatred reflected in Thames's eyes surged as Breaker regarded him, and Breaker knew that he'd made an enemy. The question was, should he eliminate the threat now before Thames acted rashly? Striding to him, Breaker suppressed the frustration he'd felt over the last few months and spoke without rancor.
"I know you hate me, Thames," Breaker said, "but do you hate the Harbingers more?"
Thames glared at him for a long time. Ultimately the anger in his gaze faded, and Breaker dismissed his bindings. Thames collapsed, and gingerly returned to his feet. Breaker waited for him to be standing again before speaking.
"Truthfully, I need your help," he said. "You were a captain for a reason, and I would have you remain so."
His eyebrows shot up. "I expected you to banish me."
"I can't afford to," Breaker said. "I challenged you because it needed to be done, but right now we need every mage we can get. Will you stand by me?"
After a long pause, Thames asked, "Only if I get to kill Harbingers."
Breaker offered his hand. "That I can promise."
Thames took it, and flashed a faint smile. The look was brief, but said it all. They were not friends, but would be allies for the time being. Breaker could accept that. If they survived he knew that Thames would bring him up on charges of insubordination.
If they survived.
Chapter 27: Stolen
Breaker sat at the table with his other battlemage leaders. His frustration mounted as he heard their description of the barriers into the Spirus. Ultimately he slammed his hand down, drawing their attention to him.
"You are thinking about this wrong," he said. "We can't just assault the Spirus and somehow get in. The Gate is on the top floor—and no, we can't scale the exterior. You all know the hexes that prevent that."
"Then how do you propose we do this?" Thames demanded. They may have settled on an uneasy truce, but the captain remained skeptical of Breaker's plan.
Abruptly another figure burst into the chamber and ran to Breaker. Uri skidded to a stop and spoke in a breathless rush.
"I think I know how to get the Gate."
"Let's hear it," Breaker said.
As Uri outlined the plan the other battlemages displayed a combination of shock and disbelief. When he finished Breaker couldn't stop the smile spreading on his features.
"Perfect," he said.
"You can't be considering this," Thames said. "They're just students like your daughter."
Breaker rounded on him. "Don't talk to me about my daughter. I accepted she was a soldier when I took her back to Tryton's."
Ivan shook his head. "Are you sure they're up to this?"
Breaker jerked his head in the negative. "They have been fighting just as hard as we have, and we all know how many Voidlings are on Tryton's. If they say they can do it, they can."
Uri had begun talking to the wall, but he swung back. "Iris says we are wasting time. If we're going to do this, we need to do it today."
Thames was on his feet. "But they are just kids!"
Breaker thought of his daughter, and a surge of pride filled his frame. "They are soldiers. Then he turned to Gorin. "We'll need four flyers and a light mage that can shroud us all. Uri, do whatever it takes to take down the monitoring motes on our route. I don't want Alice recording this."
"That's it?" Ivan asked.
"Less is more," Breaker said. "We'll reconvene when I return. Gorin, let's go."
Gorin's expression had become one of anticipation. After all the talks and failed eff
orts, he clearly looked forward to a victory—however small this would be.
Ten minutes later Breaker stood with five other mages. Wrapped in the light shroud, they worked their way through Sentre until they reached the Spirus. Their attempts to kill the Voidlings may have failed, but in the process they had gained a superb knowledge of the creatures’ patrols.
They reached the edge of the trees and came to a halt. Gorin knelt beside him. Invisible behind the shroud, he whispered. "What now?"
His body poised for motion, Breaker said, "Now we wait."
***
Derek stepped through the Gate for the second time and darted to the door. Kent was already there, his eyes closed as he listened intently. When Derek tapped his shoulder he shook his head.
"Nobody but Voidlings," he said.
Derek swallowed. If they failed there was every chance they would be killed. Even with the risk he considered it far better than his original plan. Upon hearing from Iris what the battlemages were trying to do, he'd quickly realized that they were in a unique position to help.
Iris, Quad, Marcus, and Shorn all came through the gate behind him. Mike and Laura followed, and immediately set about enchanting the mirror to float. Derek was surprised to find that although he felt fear, it had lessened compared to previous conflicts. A heightened awareness had taken its place, allowing him to stay focused. Confident, he began to issue his orders.
"Marcus, shroud us all the best you can. I don't want to risk losing our cover, so you stay in the middle with the mirror. Shorn, Mike, Laura, keep the mirror off the ground and moving quickly. Once we are in the air make sure everyone makes it.
"Quad—"
"I know." The dark haired boy smirked. "Block the enchantments on the window so we can make it through."
"Right," Derek said. "I'll open and close the glass while Iris blocks the monitoring motes. Kent, you make sure they don't hear us." He took a breath. "We're only going to get one shot at this, so stick to your assignments. No one gets left behind." He held their gaze until they all nodded.
He put his hand on the door and gathered his courage. Then he opened it and bolted through. A flutter of energy brushed his clothing as the others cast their magic. It felt like a breeze tugging on his sleeves, but he paid it no mind. His job was to lead them past the Voidlings before they could be spotted.
They had entered the high council chamber from the north side. Four Voidlings were in sight, each at a corner of the room. In order to avoid them, Derek led the group into the bowl that held the white High Council table.
The quick breaths of his friends touched his ears, as did their hurried footsteps. Both had been muted by Kent. He threw a look back and saw their shapes flicker in and out of view. Marcus was good, but the shrouding spell exceeded the ability of many light mages. To perform it on so many required enormous concentration.
His tension rising, Derek picked up the pace and split the gap between the two Voidlings on the eastern side of the chamber. Then he led his team into one of the masters’ offices that ringed the room. Just as they passed over the threshold Marcus stumbled, and the entire party flickered into view. Bringing up the rear, Iris gently closed the door.
Marcus sank to the floor. "Sorry," he said weakly. "I've never shrouded that many before."
"A Voidling is coming this way," Iris warned. "Twenty seconds until it comes through the door."
Derek hustled Marcus to his feet and motioned to Mike and Laura to hold the Gate. "See you in a minute," he said. Marcus stumbled through the portal and disappeared. When Derek turned back Quad had already set to work on the window.
The floor to ceiling glass had a distinct blue shade to it, indicating countless warding charms. They wavered and faded as Quad's anti-magic poured into them, making a giant oval. As soon as it was clear Derek melted the glass in a matching hole. Then he turned to the others. Kent and Quad had already teleported back.
"Toss it," Derek said, and steeled himself for what was to come.
"Wait," Iris said. She was breathing hard.
"We don't have time," Derek hissed.
"I'm about to jump out of a building," Iris snapped. "Give me a second."
"I know exactly how you feel," he said, and motioned to the flyers. Shorn, Mike, and Laura hefted the mirror and threw it out of the hole. The hexes on the exterior of the Spirus stripped it of the hover charms, and it began to fall.
"This is the worst idea you've ever come up with," Iris said in a rush, and then leapt out. Shorn followed, and then Mike and Laura jumped. Fighting the hexes’ impact on their magic, they could only guide their fall toward the mirror. By necessity, Derek went last.
Swallowing the knot in his throat, Derek leapt the gap. Spinning as he fell, he cast the charm that closed the hole. The glass re-knit a split second before the Voidling entered the room. Hoping he hadn't been spotted, Derek plummeted to the earth from sixty-three floors up.
The air rushed past him as he spun to face the impending impact. Almost as helpless, Mike and Laura had much more experience in the air, and had angled their bodies straight down in order to go through the Gate.
The mirror had begun to accelerate, but Mike and Laura managed to catch its edge. Laura looked back, her eyes going wide. Then she made an attempt to turn back. The mirror was too close to the ground, and he was too far from it.
He shook his head.
Then abruptly a quartet of figures appeared. Since they hadn't passed through the hexes of the Spirus, the battlemage flyers had no trouble slowing both him and the mirror. Laura slipped through the Gate with an expression of intense relief. Derek had no doubt his face appeared the same.
"Nice job, kid," Gorin said, and guided his fall through the portal. As he disappeared he caught a glimpse of the flyers angling the mirror away and fading from view.
***
Breaker released a sigh of relief as he watched Derek enter the mirror, and another when Gorin's team faded from sight behind their shroud. Without waiting to find out if they had been discovered, they took a circuitous route to one of the underground tunnels. Only when they were well underground did he allow himself a smile.
Thames shook his head as they entered the meeting chamber. "Anyone get killed?"
Uri was talking so fast it was amazing anyone could understand him, but he paused and answered Thames. "Not one."
For the first time there was a hint of respect in the captain's eyes. "So when do you want to start the evacuation?"
"Right after I talk to the ones who helped us," Breaker said.
Gorin had set up the mirror, so Breaker stepped to it and turned the runekey. The mirror shimmered, and he tried to step through it. A burst of white energy forced him back. His surprise increased when Derek stepped through.
"You can't enter the refuge without the mark of an oracle," he said.
"Siarra's refuge?" Gorin's voice had gone up an octave.
Derek flashed a faint smile. "Tess found it before she . . . fell. It's where she founded the Order of White."
"The what?" Thames asked.
Breaker shook his head. "Later. For now I wanted to thank you for your assistance. It was brave beyond your years."
"Now I need something from you," Derek said. He did not acknowledge the complement, but his gaze swept the room.
Taking the hint, Breaker ordered them out. Once they were gone Derek touched his shoulder, and a moment later Rox appeared through the mirror.
Breaker's heart softened as he saw his daughter and pulled her into a rough embrace. "Good to see you, honey," he murmured. His throat tightened at the surge of emotions.
"You too, Dad," she replied.
They separated, and Breaker forcefully contained his emotions. "What's this all about?"
"Tess is alive," Derek said.
Breaker froze. "If that were true Hawk would have gotten me a message . . ." he blew out his breath, "unless he couldn't. How did she survive?"
Derek gave a brief explanation, and then reveal
ed his plan. When he finished Breaker couldn't stop the anticipatory grin. He did not doubt that Tess would return, or that she would be ready to fight the Spirus. From the day of the takeover Breaker had waited for the moment of retaliation. From the depths of his bones he recognized the truth.
This was it.
Chapter 28: Into the Dark
"You have my gratitude, Tess," the queen said. "You have proven a true ally of my house."
Tess inclined her head. "I'm just glad the reigns listened to me."
They stood at the edge of Elsurund. Following her ordeal, she'd spoken to the gathered reigns. As she had before, her voice rang with passion and authority. Only two had been swayed, but it had been sufficient for the dark elves to join the war.
"Be safe," the queen said. "As night falls on the second sevenday, we will ascend to the surface. Our survival is now linked to yours."
No pressure.
"I look forward to seeing you again," Tess said.
Joining Shirrilis and her command in the underground boat, she waved farewell as Elsurund glided out of sight. She was surprised to find a note of regret in her heart. The home of the dark elves had opened her eyes in a way she could not describe. For the first time she'd come to know that her role as oracle extended beyond those she knew.
The ride to the surface was quiet. Sitting beside her, Robar worked with the makeshift tools he'd managed to find. The ammunition the queen had given him had not been ideal for his weapons, and so he sat retooling them.
The lava tubes carried them to the surface, and within two days they were walking past a different warden. To her relief it too accepted her authority, and allowed them to leave. Tess paused at the threshold to try to call her parents and then Iris. To her annoyance she was unable to reach either of them. Without any other option, she gave up trying. Then they plunged into the Dark.
For three days they fought their way north. Each night they battled against increasing hordes of Twisted. Each night dark elves died. By the time they reached Hungary half of the thirty dark elves had been killed.
