Most of the injury to her came from the kinetic force of the blow: it hurled her through the small forest of stone spikes and impaled people. She felt ribs breaking, and she came to a stop on a carpet of corpses a few yards away.
This was much more painful than it had been when Thorel had squished her. Pushing the pain aside as her stepmother had forced her to learn, she brought her shield back and began healing herself quickly. She had no time to convalesce here.
It only hurt when she breathed, after all.
She was beginning to think she may have made a mistake trying to take this Wizard by herself. But she wasn't finished yet. The worst case, assuming she made no critical error, she could still simply outlast him with the advantage her sight age conveyed to her.
* * *
Thorel watched as Ari flew through the destroyed gate; there was no time to waste. He healed his deep bruises quickly; it was so easy for him to do this now. He saw the carnage of the broken people on the ground in front of him; some were still alive he could tell, but he had to help Ari now.
He saw a bow on the ground near a fallen guardswoman and grabbed it. He started running to gather arrows from the other fallen soldiers. One grabbed him he when he took his quiver. His other arm was underneath him, and one of his legs gruesomely broken as well.
“Help me, man,” he said weakly, blood coming from his mouth as he worked hard to say the words. Thorel looked at him in horror, he'd thought the man was dead. He touched him with his Magik to see how badly he was hurt.
Where he wasn't hurt would have been the quick answer. Then he heard a crack of thunder and saw Ari flying above the wall firing a bolt of lightning. He saw red liquid launching into the air near her.
Thorel pulled the man's hand off of him and ran toward the wall. Several of the guards were ahead of him already. It wrenched his soul to abandon the man, but Thorel knew the truth. That soldier was dying, and it would have required everything he had to help him now.
He ran to the wall with tears streaming down his face. He wished he could have stayed, but he couldn't leave his love to fight this battle alone. Ari was depending on him to do as she told him. He activated the eagle ring and sped faster than the eye could see up the steps onto the wall.
When he reached the top, there were Dothranan guards firing on the enemy with their bows. He saw carriages and wagons that were being used by the enemy for cover. Keeping the Magik of the talisman activated, he drew and released on the first target he saw with a weapon. The arrow struck true, and the woman fell.
Thorel inhaled sharply. He knew with certainty she was dead, and that he had just killed her. It wasn't like killing a deer at all.
One of the guards challenged him breaking him from his thoughts: “Who the hell are you, man? Get off of the wall!” He yelled.
Thorel didn't know what to say; then an enemy arrow came streaking towards the man. With his speed still enhanced, he struck the arrow with his bow, knocked, drew and fired at the attacker in one breath. The man fell with Thorel's arrow sprouting from his eye.
“I'm the Mistress's betrothed,” Thorel said over his shoulder, finally finding words.
“With shooting like that, you could be King Torias's spirit and I wouldn't care. Just keep your head down, and obey commands,” the surprised guard said, and quickly ran down the line.
Ari was in trouble: she was being buffeted by a whirlwind of debris. He could see several enemies closing with her while her attention was still on the Wizard. Thorel went along the ten-yard tall wall firing his arrows as quickly as he could while ensuring he hit his targets. He couldn't afford a miss that might endanger Ari.
He'd taken three of them down when he saw a Magikal wave emanate from Ari. The stone in the street turned into long spikes that came from the ground, impaling all of them except one.
Thorel drew his bow carefully, the draw of this bow was far too weak for his strength. He aimed, adjusted and loosed. The arrow found its new home in the man's ear.
“I got him, I won't let anyone hurt you,” he thought to her.
Then he saw Ari's shield get obliterated by a fireball the Wizard loosed upon her. Thorel had been so busy watching her, he'd neglected to watch him.
Ari flew through the forest of stone spikes, breaking them with her own body, and the impaled corpses she struck. Thorel knew she had to be seriously hurt. But when she landed yards away she brought her shield right back up and began healing herself immediately.
By the spirits, she is so strong. He thought. Then the man in front of him was struck with an arrow; he tumbled backward off of the wall falling ten yards to the cobbles below. Thorel had forgotten the danger he was in for a moment and ducked behind the cover of the battlement as an arrow flew through the air right where he'd been standing.
He breathed heavily. There is only one use for this killing: To keep my oath, and preserve those who stand to protect us. He thought as he steeled himself, pushing the sudden, nauseating fear down.
When he poked his head out, he saw Magik across the street on top of one of the buildings about one-hundred yards away. The air twisted, and three people materialized. Please don't let it be more enemies! He thought.
Lucia Vallad stood there with two of the House Vallad Wizards, each bearing staffs and wearing their Master's robes. High Lady Vallad's robe was white with glowing blue runes. Her beauty was not diminished by the simple design of her clothing, and her long curls dangled springily past her waist. Thorel could see she and the other two Wizards held a complex shield over themselves that all three of them fed somehow.
“Why have you turned the City's streets into a battlefield?” She asked, her voice booming so loudly Thorel's ears rang. Thorel could see the enemy stop for a moment and take cover from the Dothranan guard. Thorel could see her touch Ari and the Wizard with the truth seer.
The Dothranan guard took cover as well. He saw Ari push herself up, but she held her shield fast, watching the hostile Wizard.
Ari knelt before the High Lady, as did the Wizard. “We came under unexpected attack, Milady. I am responding appropriately. That is all.”
The High Lady looked to the Wizard. “You serve House Quarrel, Wizard Hanar. Is this attack his doing?” She asked. Her voice was less powerful than before, but still easily audible.
Wizard Feran arrived at the shattered gate and dismounted with his staff in hand. There were about a thousand Dothranan soldiers pouring out of drawn wagons and arriving on horseback as well. He slapped the animal's rump to send it trotting away. Thorel felt a lot better seeing their own actual Wizard arrive.
“Yes, I am acting on my Master's behalf, Milady,” The kneeling Wizard admitted. Thorel's blood boiled at this. He shouldn't have been surprised though, he thought.
“Engaging in House Wars inside Central Vallad is extremely bad taste, Lord Hanar,” High Lady Vallad said icily.
“He broke the surrender, Milady! Let me kill him now!” Ari cried out.
“I did nothing but defend myself in Central Vallad Milady. I was present merely to ensure our soldiers safe retreat,” Hanar said defensively.
“You fired a lightning bolt right at me, Wizard!” Ari snarled, turning to look at him.
“You were not in Central Vallad when I did so, Milady Dothranan. When you exited your Hold, you attacked me and I defended myself. Nothing more,” he said looking right at Ari.
“Of course I attacked you, you tried to kill me first! Look at the damage to my gate, Milady!” Ari replied.
Thorel noted that the enemy soldiers were quietly withdrawing with their wounded while they spoke. Down below him, he could see Dothranan medics tending the wounded that were still living. There were a small crowd of what looked to be common people gathering at a distance in the street of Central Vallad.
“SILENCE!” The High Lady commanded. They were both instantly quiet.
“House Quarrel has broken their surrender. Do you want satisfaction for this attack, Lady Dothranan?” She asked.
&nbs
p; “Yes Milady Vallad, I do,” Ari said.
“Lord Hanar has not broken any law. If you wish to kill him, you may challenge him. I will not interfere, nor will I allow any others to interfere,” Lucia said flatly.
“She means challenge him to a duel, Ari?” Thorel thought to her.
“Yes,” Ari replied.
With alarm, Thorel thought to her; “Don't do it! He was beating you!”
“No, he wasn't! I can do this!” She thought.
Feran walked closer and spoke. “Mistress, this man is beneath you. Please allow me,” he gave a meaningful look to Wizard Hanar. Thorel didn't care for the odds there either. Feran only had three spirits, and this man had five still. Granted the fifth spirit was nearly depleted, but it still disturbed him.
“No,” Ari said firmly. “I will challenge you myself, Lord Hanar.”
“You are an apprentice and have no right to challenge a Wizard, Milady Dothranan,” Hanar said firmly, but respectfully.
“You fear this apprentice that much, Lord Hanar?” The High Lady said with humor in her voice. Thorel heard her chuckle lightly.
“I do not fear her. It would not be proper to take advantage of an ignorant apprentice in such a way, Milady,” he said firmly.
“You would DARE call me ignorant, Wizard? You, who are old enough to be my father, and do not yet have your Mastery? I have already discovered enough new techniques to write a dozen Thesis. I spit upon your condescension, and your 'knowledge',” Ari said venomously.
Thorel could see Feran use the mind touch. Ari replied, letting Thorel hear as well. “I do not have to explain myself to either of you. I can win this duel, and it is necessary. You will both drop this matter.”
Feran bowed his head and stepped back. Thorel was sure he'd tried to talk sense into her too. He was frightened for Ari: more so because he could do nothing to talk sense into her now.
Hanar looked at her, anger swelling his features for the first time Thorel had seen. “I will give you one opportunity to recant your statement, Milady,” he said quietly, in a deadly tone.
“Recant my statement? Do you really think the truth can be taken back so easily? I will be happy to add reference to your cowardice and questionable parentage though,” Ari snarled viciously.
Thorel's mouth dropped open. In her own way, when Ari decided to insult someone her words were far more cutting than any of Eliel's had ever been.
“I am certain people will begin speaking of this in the Wizard's Tower,” Councilor Vallad added softly, throwing fuel onto this already raging fire.
You bitch. Thorel thought. All you want is to see Ari die. He fumed at her.
“Milady, I will accept your challenge,” Hanar said seriously. “For a known bastard to question my parentage is unforgivable.”
“Very well. I will witness this duel, and record the results for the Council,” Lucia Vallad said with a nod.
By the spirits, it's really going to happen. Ari was going to be in a duel to the death just as he was last night, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
* * *
Ari was excited now: with Councilor Vallad's arrival and subsequent interruption she'd had time to formulate a strategy.
First point; do not get hit. While this may seem an obvious step to survival, Ari decided to prioritize this properly. Second point; she would have to combine attacks against his mighty shield. Third point; she would try to layer shields as the Councilor, and her Wizards were to see if she could endure his attacks that way. Fourth; do not close with him. While she could be stronger than any non-Magikally enhanced man, since he could enhance his strength equally she would be at a great disadvantage if he could physically engage her.
Ari stood and brought up a greater shield from a new spirit and a major shield from the spirit she had been drawing from. She'd been examining the complex weave of the High Lady and her Wizards' combined shield, and was inspired to try something like this. So far, it seemed alright. She could not be certain it would provide more protection from his attacks without being struck though.
Wizard Hanar also stood, and readied his shield. He looked serious and confident, but not arrogant.
“Are the combatants ready?” Lucia Vallad asked from her position on top of the building. Ari noted there was quite an audience of commoners gathering.
Let them watch. They will have some real knowledge of what a Wizard can do after this. Ari thought with relish.
“Yes,” they each said in turn.
“Then you may begin,” the High Lady said.
“Beat him, Ari,” she heard Thorel think to her.
She saw him channel his power to his foot: Ari knew an earth attack was coming. She took to the air and fired a greater lightning bolt which was dissipated by his shield as she was certain it would be.
His earth attack erupted beneath her showering molten stone: one of the droplets penetrated her shield and burned straight through her calf; it was accompanied by agonizing pain. She knew she was wasting her power with this shield experiment now. She dropped it and restored her greater shield while healing her calf quickly.
Hanar fanned his hands wide and sent a sheet of fire through the air: she nimbly flew beneath it and threw her fully charged lightning stone to the ground in front of him. It began its duty of firing a greater lightning bolt at him for the five seconds it would last while Ari fired her own.
With the combined force of both lightning bolts, Hanar's shield shattered and he was flung away, burned. Ari deactivated the lightning stone with a mental command; it still had a charge she could use.
She flew in swiftly to press her advantage: she powered another lightning bolt and fired full force.
He erected his shield as quickly as he could while he lay on the ground. Hanar's shield was not fully stable when her bolt struck it, and it shattered again. Only a bit of her bolt bled through burning him lightly.
She took her chance and grabbed his staff with a hand of air: she put as much strength as she could into it to pull it from him. Hanar's eyes widened and he channeled power into his physical strength while bringing his shield back up.
Since she couldn't wrestle it away, she used the wind to slide the lightning stone over to him. The spirit she had been drawing on for flight and the air hand dissipated, leaving her nine. That would have ended this battle if she could have gotten his staff away from him.
Hanar's expression changed to one of pure fury: he channeled all the power from an untapped spirit dissolving it instantly. A wave came from beneath him: the ground erupted all around him and fired molten stone directly at her.
Ari's eyes bulged seeing Hanar finally unleash a greater power. She only had time to activate her ring of iron skin before this brutal attack struck her full force.
It was a good thing she had, she thought as she sailed through the air, with her shield shattered. She could hear Thorel calling her name with the same kind of anguish she'd heard in her own last night.
I'm not done yet. She thought as she impacted the cold stone and tumbled a bit. Her whole body was burned to the bone, and what was left of her dress was rags. She couldn't feel her legs now; she knew her back must have been broken.
She activated her step-bitch's ring of rejuvenation: she had no time to slow heal while bringing her shield back up.
She saw Hanar get back up and for the first time, she realized one thing with certainty: she would be dead now if her stepmother hadn't forgotten her staff in her rush to reach her father.
This man must have had a sight age of eight: it takes an entire spirit's power to manifest a greater power at that sight age. Her step-bitch's sight age had been five, like Thorel's.
Ari activated the lightning stone: just to give her the two seconds charge it had left. She was going to save it to try to finish him, but she could not let him get to her while she was so wounded.
Ari's mind raced as she looked at the sky, her flesh and bones regenerating on the cold cobbles. The full moon filled her vision.
Light, that is the answer.
Ari moved quickly as the lightning stone's charge exhausted itself. Activating her bracelets of strength, she tore the silken rags from her body to keep them from getting in her way. She'd hoped Thorel would never have to see the horror of what lay beneath them, but there was nothing to be done for it now. She couldn't care less if anyone else saw her nude. It wasn't as if a thousand slaves hadn't already seen her stripped naked, hung from a rafter by her wrists and beaten hundreds of times.
Hanar flung a fireball at her; Ari took to the air and dodged it deftly. She connected with a new spirit as she did her final calculations: she knew how to amplify her sight, but could the same technique be used to amplify light? She hoped so, or she was going to have to try to outlast him.
Ari threw her newly inspired Magikal weave together and placed it above Hanar: it was a round weave of pure spirit. He seemed startled and tried to get away from it.
But Ari wouldn't let him. She kept the lavender disc above him, guiding it with her mind while it charged. She was so excited by this live experiment, she almost forgot she was hovering nude in the streets of Central Vallad.
He stopped when he figured out he couldn't get away from it and sent a cone of flame from his outstretched hands at her. She dodged it easily ascending into the air.
Almost there... she thought excitedly as the disc absorbed more of the moon's energy.
Hanar swept the cone of fire about, trying to hit her with it. She kept her concentration on avoiding his attack, and the devastating new weave she had just created. This was going to be the most fun she'd ever had testing a new technique.
“Are you ready to give up and swear to me, Wizard?” She called from above amplifying her voice. She doubted he would, but he would be a great asset to her if she could turn him to her use.
“Why would I? You are an arrogant, foolish child Milady Dothranan,” he yelled back still trying to hit her with the stream of fire that poured from his hand.
“I don't need the service of an ant anyway!” She yelled as she unleashed the stored lunar power of the magnifying lens above him.
Spirit of Magik (The Dothranan Chronicles Book 1) Page 47
