by B. T. Narro
I kept my head from nodding in agreement. “I see,” I managed to get out with indifference. I also could see how this related to Eizle. I couldn’t admit this, though. Knowing someone was using the energy but not reporting it was a crime on its own. Effie probably wouldn’t care, but it was safer just to wait for her to finish.
“Wait”—a thought made me hold out my hand to silence her. If they knew Eizle was a pyforial mage, that meant he must’ve been in prison…or still was. But then why were they asking about Swenn? What did he have to do with this? I felt even more confused than I had before she began.
“What?” Effie asked.
I dropped my hand. “Nothing. Go on.”
She aggressively pointed at my face. “You’re going to tell me everything you know once I’m done, right?”
“I am.” I might even join you depending on what else you say.
Effie told me that while the people of Ovira had no knowledge of pyforial energy, they did have something we didn’t: psychics. “We brought one with us. Charlotte. She’s still in the capital trying to teach your king’s soldiers how to use psyche through bastial energy.”
“What can psyche do?”
“Detect lies, sway emotions, cause terrible pain.” She fluttered her hand as if these things weren’t impressive. “Nothing that concerns us right now.”
It did make me wonder something, though. If they had a class of people able to use bastial energy in ways no one here could, and we had pyforial mages when they didn’t even know the energy existed, what else were people capable of that hadn’t yet been discovered? But Effie was right; those curiosities could wait.
“In exchange for teaching psyche, we’ve gotten permission from your king to take a pyforial mage back with us, Eizle, who will show us how to use the energy. But when we visited him, he said he’d only do it if we found Swenn. He wouldn’t tell us why he wanted his brother’s location. All I know is that we’ve ridden south for hundreds of miles for nothing if we can’t find Swenn.”
“Why Eizle? There must be other pyforial mages closer to the capital.”
“There were, and we’ve spoken to many of them, but all have been imprisoned for too long. They’re either too old, half mad, or dangerous. Eizle’s the only one who still seems sane.”
So he was imprisoned. Poor Eizle. How long had he been in a cell, and why did he want Swenn’s location? Prison was worse than death for a pyforial mage. They were held in solitary confinement in a solid metal box so they couldn’t choke the guards and other prisoners.
What did Eizle want with Swenn that made him choose to stay there rather than leave with this mage and her party? Effie was waiting for me to speak, tapping her fingers on the table impatiently.
“I haven’t seen Eizle or Swenn for years,” I told Effie again. “I didn’t know Eizle was in prison.”
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you.”
“Swenn used to have a carriage. He made money giving people rides. He could be anywhere—”
Effie put her hands over her face and moaned.
“But,” I continued. She let down her hands. “I know where Eizle and Swenn used to live with their family. Their mother, father, or sister should know where Swenn is.”
She sighed in obvious despair. “Eizle already gave us the address of his father’s house. They wouldn’t speak to us.”
“They’ll speak to me. I grew up with Eizle. They know me well.” And they probably pity me after what happened to my mother. “However, if I help you find Swenn, I want to go back to Glaine with your party. I’m on my way there anyway. Shara and I were going to leave tomorrow.”
Effie shook her head. “Do you have a clue as to what we went through getting here? The land is dangerous. We can’t take care of you and some bar wench. Think of something else you want.”
We sat in silence as my mind went in circles. Soon, supper was served to those who had coin for it. I gladly paid Shara to bring me a plate. I didn’t try to tip her as generously this time. My plan had changed since meeting Effie. Shara and I would go north with them.
Steffen came to sit at our table and announced, “No one here has heard of Swenn Hamres.”
“Neeko might be able to help us find him,” Effie said, her eyes squinting as she turned to me. “But he wants something we can’t give him.”
“I’ll have his location for you tomorrow. But I’m only going to tell you if you’ll take Shara and me with you to Glaine. There’s nothing else I want.”
“Terren’s not going to like that,” Steffen said.
“We won’t be a nuisance,” I promised. Eizle would be gone forever once he left with them. This would give me some time with him, as well as a safe trip to Glaine. Well, safer than if I made the trip alone.
Someone was banging two pots together. I turned to find a man standing on a table by the door. “Cessri is under attack!” he yelled. Everyone jumped from their seats.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Effie grabbed Steffen by the shirt. “We have to get Terren and Alex!” They started toward the door.
“Wait,” I called after them, but they didn’t stop. Everyone inside the inn funneled to the door, bumping and screaming. I couldn’t chase after Effie and Steffen, not when I needed to get Shara. I was surprised to find her right behind me.
“I’m not running off without you this time,” she said. We flew up the stairs to her room. She grabbed her bag. “We have to figure out what direction they’re coming from.”
“Should be south.” I figured it was the same army we encountered on the way here.
We ran out and searched for signs of the incoming enemy forces. Sure enough, smoke rose from the south, clouding the air behind rows of houses. The fires had begun, just like in Lanhine. People ran past us. Even in the wide streets, they slammed into my shoulders, unable to get by otherwise.
I grabbed Shara’s hand so we wouldn’t be separated by the stampede of frightened people. “I need to get Aunt Nann.”
We ran with everyone, heading in the direction of Nann’s house. There was a crash somewhere to my right. I couldn’t see what had caused it. Then there was another behind me, this one close enough to shake the ground. When clouds of dust and shattered wood exploded into the air, I realized what it must be. The invading army was hurling tree trunks just like before.
I ran as quickly as I could, practically dragging Shara behind me until her momentum caught up and she matched my stride. There were crashes all around now. A shadow came over us. I looked over my shoulder to see a burning tree stump filling the air as it got bigger.
I took Shara by the shoulders and leapt to the side, landing in a thin alley between houses. The stump slammed down behind us. A wave of heat swept over me as I bounced on the ground, my face smashing into the dirt. Screams—they were of those who didn’t get out of the way quickly enough.
“Two hells,” Shara said in shock. “Thank you.”
But I barely heard her. Fast as I could, I was back on my feet and pulling Shara with me. I had to stop. Where was I? I didn’t recognize anything in the confusion. Someone shouted from the south. He seemed to be announcing something in a loud yet collected voice. I didn’t pay attention to his words.
“This way,” Shara said. “I remember where her house is.”
She took us down another street, and then I figured out where we were. My aunt’s house wasn’t far.
“Aunt Nann!” The door was locked. “Aunt Nann, open the door! It’s Neeko.”
“Get out of here, child,” she hollered from behind the door. “It isn’t safe in the city.”
“I’m taking you with me.”
The door swung open. “I can’t see farther than I can reach, and a two-legged horse could move twice my speed! I won’t let you get yourself killed looking after me.”
“Madam—” Shara started.
“My home is here. If my house is going to collapse, then I’ll go with it. It’s more dangerous for all of us if I try to flee thro
ugh the crowded streets. Go, Neeko.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Shara grabbed my shoulder. “She’s made her decision.”
“The lady’s smart,” said Aunt Nann.
I hugged her. “Get under the bed if you can. If your house catches fire, get out.”
She hugged me back, then let go. “I’ll be fine. Get out of here.”
I heard the same voice as before, still announcing, now closer. I ran to the next street and peered around the edge of a house. Troops were marching toward us, filling the road. Behind them houses burned, smoke as black as night clouding the sky. Some of the soldiers had torches. They were indiscriminately tossing them onto roofs, burning one house for every two they let stand.
The voice continued to ring out. “Until your king starts sacrificing to the gods, nowhere will be safe.” He kept repeating the same line, yet I couldn’t spot him among the enemy soldiers. With a wall of fire and smoke behind them, they just looked like shadows.
Shara and I ran the opposite way. “Is no one here to protect the city?” she wondered.
“You’re right, where’s our army?” Many of them had fallen on the path between Lanhine and Cessri, but there still should be plenty more.
We continued to flee from the oncoming soldiers, and soon we encountered a bottleneck of people as the street turned and thinned. I looked over my shoulder, but we were too far into the turn to catch sight of the enemies behind us. More people trying to flee came through and started pushing me.
“Move!” one yelled.
“They’re right behind us!” another shouted.
Panic rippled through as everyone began shoving. I saw one woman fall and others run over her body. I dragged Shara toward the fallen woman to help her, but I almost lost my grip on Shara’s hand. It felt like she was pulling against me, though I knew that was just the crowd grabbing and pushing her. It was all I could do to hold on to Shara’s hand. My heart stopped when something crashed into my legs and I lost my grip.
She screamed and jumped toward me, trying to get through those now separating us. I reached out and grabbed her arm. Someone crashed into her back with enough force to knock us both over.
I jumped up and scooped Shara with me. Somehow I had her whole body in my hands, both arms around her rear and her midsection up around my shoulder. She threw her arms around my head.
I sprinted as quickly as I could, hoping the fallen woman had gotten up without my help. The street finally straightened and widened. I set Shara down and was about to grab her hand when she pointed and shouted, “It’s him!”
I looked over to find Tyree. The child had a large sack over his shoulder, probably filled with stolen items he hadn’t yet sold. His eyes flashed as he saw us. Then he turned and sprinted west, through an alley.
To my shock, Shara ran after him. “Come here you little runt!”
“Stop!” I called, but she kept going.
“Come on, Neeko!”
I began running. When I reached Shara’s side, I saw we were quickly catching up to the diminutive thief. He turned and grabbed something that looked like a rock from his pocket, then cocked his arm and threw it. Whatever it was struck Shara in the shin.
“Gah!” she uttered just before she stumbled, fell, and rolled to a stop. I threw out my arms to hold her still as she tried to get up. She fought against me. “Don’t let him get away!”
“Forget him.” I risked a look over my shoulder to the south. There were more soldiers on this street than the last, and if any of them were mages, they were close enough to shoot us if they wished. Tyree had gone west. We needed to turn north.
Shara cupped her hands around her mouth. “You’ll get what you deserve!” she yelled after the child, who’d disappeared between the rows of houses.
Then I heard the announcement again, now even closer behind us. “Until your king starts sacrificing to the gods, nowhere will be safe.”
I saw who was shouting it. He was tall with a red robe…
I felt his gaze bore into me. He had the opposite reaction of Tyree, as if salivating at the sight of me.
I was a prize.
“Don’t run,” he ordered.
I would’ve laughed at the absurdity if I had the time. Instead, I was already fleeing with Shara’s hand in mine.
“Ride around to stop them!” he yelled.
Ride? I hadn’t seen horses earlier. I strained my ears and heard hooves beating against the ground. I strained even harder and realized they were along the parallel street on my left, separated by a row of houses.
So we sped through a gap between buildings to our right. I heard the red priest shout, “They went down one street east.”
I wanted to keep finding alternate paths until we were at least three streets away from them, but the only direction we could go now was north. Soldiers had come from the south, nearly close enough to stab us if they weren’t slowing to burn many of the buildings they passed.
I saw Shara grab her wand as we ran. I let go of her other hand, knowing it wouldn’t be long before men on horseback blocked our path. “They want me,” I said. “They have no reason to stop you so long as we separate. Stay on the far end of the street. I’ll be on the other.”
“No—”
I wouldn’t listen to whatever she had to say. With a gentle shove, I pushed her toward the right side and moved to the left. I hoped the short distance between us was enough for them to ignore her.
“Don’t shoot them,” I demanded. “Or they’ll kill you.”
“Why do they want you?” she sputtered.
It was too late to explain. Three horses bearing swordsmen cut us off from the front. “That him?” one asked.
“It is,” another answered.
Good, they didn’t seem to be paying attention to Shara. I slowed and lifted my arms. I figured my chances of living were better being captured than fighting them.
“Keep going,” I told Shara softly enough so they wouldn’t hear. “They won’t kill me.”
She kept to the side. The three horsemen ignored her completely. To my surprise, they kicked their horses to gallop toward me. I could see the aggression on their faces as they aimed their swords. This was no capture.
“I yield,” I tried.
“You had your chance to yield,” the man in the lead said.
My battle instincts kicked in as I realized he was the first one who needed to be stopped. I pulled pyforial energy toward me without any time to think.
Before I knew what to do with it, there was a flash—a burst of light and heat. One of the three men screamed as he flew toward me. I ducked, his flailing body barely clearing my head. It shocked me into losing control over the energy I’d gathered. Now the other two horsemen were too close for a spell of any kind. I dove to the side, where the horse no longer bearing a rider had veered and left an opening for me.
I still hadn’t figured out what happened...until I saw Shara aim her glowing wand. She’d cast a fireball, just as she was about to do again.
Her face showed panic as she thrust out her arm. A flash blinded me for an instant before I caught sight of the red-orange ball swirling past me. It sailed well over the two horsemen as they turned their mounts around to face us.
“We’ve got two fighters!” one yelled over his shoulder—at the hundreds of soldiers behind him, I realized. They heard his call and sprinted forward.
I turned and hurried the opposite way. I could hear the horses gaining on me. Shara stared dumbly at the men behind me as she backed up, still pointing her wand at them.
“Run!” I screamed. Then I noticed an open window in one of the abandoned houses. “Through there.”
She hurried over and jumped for it but got stuck. She tried to heave her body through, her kicking legs searching for leverage, but all it did was cause her dress to come up over her back and expose her undergarments.
I was quickly approaching, as were the horsemen. I gathered a clump of pyforial energy, as much as I could in the
span of a breath, and willed it hard against her rear. She flew with a scream through the window, clearing a space for me to jump through right after her.
I slammed my knee into the windowsill on my way up but managed to topple through. I almost landed on Shara as she was getting up. Pain shot through my leg when I put pressure on my knee. Nonetheless, I hobbled forward as quickly as I could. We had to get through to the other side of the house.
Shara spun and cast a small fireball at the first man chasing us through the window. It missed low, but the explosion startled him enough to fall backward into the soldier behind him.
I followed Shara out of the small bedroom, but just as she went through the doorway and turned, I had an idea. I looked back at the window. There was no glass, only two wooden shutters that opened into the house. With a quick gust of py energy, I slammed them both shut as another man was sticking his head through. He screamed as the shutters bounced off his face and flew back open, now showing no one in the opening.
Shara had the front door open by the time I ran there. “Come on!” she yelled.
The street was still crowded, so we ran to mix ourselves in with the other people fleeing as I tried to ignore my aching knee.
I heard soldiers shouting to each other behind us, asking one another if they saw us.
“Don’t look back,” I told Shara, knowing she must feel the same urge that I did. “Don’t let them see your face.”
We ran and ran, following the crowd north, all the while my knee begging me to stop. The street opened, and I recognized where we were. This was the heart of the city, a square usually filled by farmers trying to sell their extra produce when weather was favorable so they’d have sufficient coin when it wasn’t. The square was usually crowded, but not like this. With eight streets converging here, the area was a dangerous, chaotic mess.
I took Shara’s hand just before a burly man with the shoulders of a blacksmith stormed into her. She yelped as she sailed out of my grip, then landed hard on one elbow.
