"That is dangerous," frowned Tanya. "The quality of their illusions speak volumes about their skills. Do not forget that we are their targets. Given a small chance of fighting, they will surely attack us with every spell they can muster."
"I will try for a crippling blow the next time," the king stubbornly replied. "We will never be able to sleep again until we know that they are all accounted for."
"Alright," sighed Tanya, "but I will need to erect better shields around us. We have no idea what magic they will attempt."
"You cannot do it all," declared the king. "Let's get Fredrik to shield us. That will allow you to fire an arrow and thwart a magical attack."
"Agreed," nodded Tanya.
The royal couple retreated from the corridors and summoned Fredrik to join them. They explained the procedure to the Royal Sorcerer, and the three Knights of Alcea returned to the hunt. It took over half an hour to find the next set of Snakes.
Tanya cast her gust of wind along the corridor revealing two mages. Both the king and queen fired simultaneously, but one mage had managed to move behind the other. The king's arrow struck the illusionist in the gut as he had intended, but the queen's arrow struck the same man in his arm rather than hitting his teammate's chest. The illusionist's arm immediately rose and sent streams of fire soaring toward the royal couple. The other Snake turned and ran away.
At the other end of the corridor, Tedi and Natia felt a strange gust of wind as they turned the corner. The two Knights of Alcea took in the situation immediately and sensed a danger to their king and queen. Together they raced into the battle towards the Snake that was fleeing the fight. The Snake snapped off a spell towards Natia, but she dove to the floor as she realized the danger. She curled into a ball and rolled past the charging mage, knowing that Tedi would protect her back. Natia rose to her feet and let fly her throwing knife at the wounded mage who was attacking the king and queen. Her dagger sailed true and impacted at the base of the man's neck. Tedi rushed forward before the departing mage could get off another spell. He slammed his magic staff into the mage's gut and split the man in two.
* * *
Bin-lu and Rut-ki searched the halls in vain. They had no effective way of finding invisible mages, so Bin-lu eventually called off the search.
"We are not suited for this type of search," he conceded. "Without magic, we are blind to the invaders."
"I will not stand by idly while Snakes seek to assassinate my king," Rut-ki replied stubbornly. "We are Knights of Alcea. We can do this."
"What do you suggest?" asked Bin-lu. "We cannot see or hear these invisible mages. Are we supposed to smell them?"
"Don't be silly," berated Rut-ki, but her eyebrows rose as she watched Bin-lu's face break into a smile. "What is it? You have thought of something, haven't you?"
"I have," grinned Bin-lu. "Go to Alex's quarters and get his dog. Perhaps he can smell the intruders."
"And how would he know a Snake if he did smell one?" frowned Rut-ki. "And how would he tell us about it?"
"I don't know," admitted Bin-lu, "but it is better than doing nothing. Get the dog."
"Alright," shrugged Rut-ki. "Don't go away."
Bin-lu watched Rut-ki depart. He knew that he was grasping at straws by using the dog, but he didn't have any better ideas. While he was waiting, he slid to the floor and sat with his back to the wall. As his mind fought to find a way to see the invaders, his eyes roamed to the staircase leading to the entry foyer below. Suddenly his lips split in a wide grin, and he leaped to his feet and began rummaging through his pack. By the time Rut-ki had returned with Smokey, Bin-lu had found a long length of cord. Rut-ki looked at him questioningly.
"If the Snakes are trying to leave the palace," he explained, "they will have to go downstairs sometime. Most of the staircases towards the rear of the palace would require them to pass by the offices of the Red Swords. The only two staircases that avoid that area are this one and the one at the other end of this corridor. Both empty into the entry foyer."
"So?" asked Rut-ki.
"I plan to put trip lines across each of them," explained Bin-lu. "We will wait downstairs and respond to the commotion in whichever staircase they stumble down."
"I like it," smiled Rut-ki. "How can I help?"
"Extinguish the closest torches," answered Bin-lu. "I will set up this trap and then we can move on to the next."
The Knights of Alcea set up the trap as Smokey watched with amusement, cocking his head every which way as if trying to figure out what game was being played. As soon as the trap was set, they moved to the head of the other staircase and repeated the preparations. Within minutes they were downstairs waiting for something to happen.
Before Bin-lu or Rut-ki even heard the commotion, Smokey was on feet and hurrying to the foot of the left staircase. Bin-lu and Rut-ki followed, Lanoirian stars filling their hands. Shouts and muttered curses drifted down the staircase, quickly followed by the sounds of someone bouncing off the stairs.
"Shut up and get the illusion reinstated," demanded the unseen mage.
Smokey suddenly bolted up the stairs, and the Knights of Alcea quickly followed. A Snake was in a crumpled position halfway down the stairs. Smokey leaped over the fallen man and continued racing up the stairs. Bin-lu followed the dog, but Rut-ki stopped at the fallen man.
Smokey leaped at the now visible mage at the top of the stairs. His teeth sank into the man's leg as a low growl emanated from his throat. The man cried out in pain, but he tried to aim his hand at the constantly moving dog. Bin-lu did not hesitate when he saw Smokey's position. He hurled his Lanoirian star even as he continued to race up the steps. The star sunk into the man's chest, and the mage crumpled to the ground. Bin-lu confirmed the kill and quickly retreated down the stairs to Rut-ki and the other mage.
"He is alive," Rut-ki reported. "I had to knock him out. How do we make sure that he can't perform magic when he wakes up?"
Bin-lu reached down and lifted the unconscious mage. He hefted the man's body over his shoulder and indicated that Rut-ki should follow him.
"We will take him to a mage," answered Bin-lu. "Let them figure out what to do with him."
* * *
The dwarf slipped out the gates of the palace and ran parallel to the wall. When he reached the corner of the wall he turned and ran alongside it until he saw the break in the torches on top of it. Turning to his left, the dwarf ran into the bushes of a park.
"It took you long enough," quipped Prince Garong. "I think you are getting fat with all this palace living."
"Fat?" retorted Prince Darok. "Funny that the elf is not the one doing all the running. You just sit here and wait for me to do all the work. Perhaps it is you who are getting soft in the palace and not me."
"Perhaps," grinned Prince Garong. "Are we all set up?"
"Perfectly," smiled the dwarf. "There are torches atop the wall every half pace except for right here. I placed two burnt out torches in this area so they will be tempted to use it."
"And the wall itself?" asked the elf prince.
"The top is coated with grease," grinned the dwarf, "and there is a thin cord stretched across it with a bell attached. We will certainly hear them when they try to escape."
"If you did not put so much grease on top that they fail to get a handhold," stated the elf.
"The grease is only on this side of the cap," answered the dwarf. "They will gain the top of the wall easily, but their descent on this side will be humorous, if not deadly."
"Now we simply wait then," declared the elf.
"How will you aim at something that you cannot see?" asked the dwarf.
"I am hoping that the fall will break the illusion," explained Prince Garong. "It is the best we can do with the skills we have. Besides, there is a good chance that none of them will make it this far. I would not want to be trapped in a palace with the Knights of Alcea hunting me."
"I agree," replied the dwarf prince.
The two Knights of Alcea se
ttled down to wait for the escaping Snakes. For an hour they sat in silence until they finally heard faint sounds of scraping.
"Sounds like a rat is approaching," the dwarf said softly as he pulled a throwing axe from his belt.
The elf did not reply. He rose to his feet and nocked an arrow. Suddenly the bell sounded, closely followed by a thud as a body slammed into the ground. Prince Garong was about to release his arrow when a shout split the air from atop the wall.
"What treachery is this?" screamed the falling mage.
As the second mage hit the ground, the illusion shattered. Prince Garong fired his arrow and Prince Darok threw his throwing axe at the same time. Both of the princes' weapons struck the man at the bottom of the wall, but another mage stood a few feet away. Darok grabbed another axe and Prince Garong speedily nocked another arrow. Again they fired in unison, and again both weapons struck the intended target, but their target was nothing but an illusion and the weapons flew into the wall.
"There were two of them," scowled Prince Darok. "I am sure of it."
"And evidently both of them were mages," sighed Prince Garong. "The first to fall was smart enough to understand that they had been trapped. He must have timed his own illusion perfectly to appear just as the other illusion faltered."
"You mean he let his comrade die?" asked the dwarf.
"Indeed," nodded the elf. "In fact, he counted on it to aid him with his own escape. We will never find him now."
Chapter 24
Seahorse
Captain Gomery paced the deck of the Seahorse as he waited impatiently. He ignored the questioning stares of his crew. He knew that the crew sensed that something was afoot. Only a landlubber could consider that floating adrift outside the sight of land was anything but crazy. Still, he had to ignore the crew's questions because he wasn't entirely sure what he was waiting for, and he would not let them know that. Sailors had to have faith in their captain, and Captain Gomery had worked hard for twenty years to build up a reputation as one of the finest sea captains in the Targa Sea. He was not about to toss that reputation to the wind, even as a favor to Prince Oscar.
"Excuse me, Captain," the first mate asked timidly, "but what are we sitting here for? There isn't another ship in sight. The men are starting to ask questions."
"Asking questions, are they?" the captain bellowed loud enough for all to hear. "Since when does a seaman question his captain?"
The first mate blanched and stepped back a pace. He had sailed with Captain Gomery for three years, and he had never heard the man utter a harsh word before. He stared uncomprehendingly at the captain. Captain Gomery's lips spread in a slight smile, and he reduced his voice to a whisper.
"It's a good crew we got, Chanz," the captain said, "but I will not stand for them questioning my orders. You are supposed to be assuring them that I know what I am doing, not bringing their questions to me in such a way that they can watch you. Give them some work to do. Keep them busy."
"Aye, captain," the first mate nodded as he backed away.
Captain Gomery leaned on the rail and appeared to be staring off in the direction of land, but instead he watched the reflection of the crew in the brass lantern hanging nearby. He smiled inwardly as Chanz spoke to the crew, and the heads of the men bobbed in understanding. In quick order the men were scurrying all over the deck, straightening lines and polishing fittings. When the captain was sure that they were occupied, he began pacing again. He felt something on his shoulder and subconsciously tried to brush it off.
"Hey," chirped the tiny woman, "watch it! You could hurt me with those big hands."
Captain Gomery fought the urge to leap away. He turned his head slowly and saw the blue fairy on his shoulder.
"Sorry," the captain said gruffly. "I am not used to people boarding my ship without permission."
"Well," retorted the fairy, "technically, I haven't boarded your ship yet. It's a long way down to the deck from here."
"Tell me what you have come to tell me," the captain said gruffly. "I won't have my men looking at me as if I am talking to myself."
The fairy leaned to one side and stared past the captain's head. She shook her head and pressed her tiny lips together in disapproval.
"I thought the ship would be empty," frowned the fairy. "There will not be room for the unicorns."
"Unicorns?" asked the captain. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, sorry," apologized the fairy as she returned her attention to the captain. "I am forgetting my manners. I am Bitsy, and I have been sent to tell you to expect Alcea Rangers as soon as the sun sets. You are to keep a bright lantern burning so they can find the ship."
"Rangers?" echoed the captain. "This is most unusual."
"Of course it is," chirped the fairy. "These are unusual times. You will need to dispose of the crates on the deck. The unicorns won't fit otherwise."
"And what exactly do you expect me to do with them?" scowled Captain Gomery.
"Throw them overboard," shrugged the fairy.
"Inconceivable," bellowed the captain. "Those crates are in my care. I will not discard them."
The crew halted their chores and stared at the captain. Some of them exchange worried looks, but the captain didn't notice.
"This is not going well," replied the fairy as she chewed on her lower lip. "What am I to tell Alex?"
"Alex?" echoed the captain. "Alex who?"
"Alex Tork," answered Bitsy. "Who else would be leading a group of Rangers on unicorns?"
"And he wants me to toss my cargo overboard?" questioned the captain.
"Well," Bitsy admitted, "he didn't exactly say that, but there is no room on the deck. This isn't going to work."
"Tell me what is going on," demanded the captain. "Why are Rangers coming onto my ship, and how many of them are there?"
"Over thirty," answered the fairy. "They are on a mission for King Arik, and I am not supposed to say anything about it."
"Not even a hint?" pressed Captain Gomery.
"Nope," the fairy replied stubbornly. "Alex will tell you what he wants to. It is not my place to say anything."
The captain nodded in acceptance and began pacing again. When he looked forward, the crew all looked away as if they had not been paying attention. The captain chuckled to himself and stopped, staring at the crates of garments. Suddenly, he grinned broadly and looked at the fairy again.
"If this is a mission for King Arik," the captain said, "then there is a solution available. Do you know Reese of Dalek Shipping?"
"I have met him," replied the fairy.
"You said that we have until nightfall to empty the ship?" inquired the captain.
"Yes," answered Bitsy. "Alex does not want anyone to see dozens of unicorns flying out to sea."
"Okay," Captain Gomery explained. "I want you to get to Reese as quickly as possible. Have him send one of his ships out here to get the crates. He should be able to get one out here and back to port well before sunset."
"But no one is supposed to know about this mission," objected the fairy.
"And no one will know," smiled the captain. "Tell Reese that the Seahorse is in trouble and needs to unload the cargo for safekeeping. Tell him that we have sprung a leak, but it isn't serious. Tell him that the ship is not in danger, but we won't be able to deliver the cargo. He will know what to do with it, but make sure that he acts promptly, or we will run out of daylight."
"Are you sure this will work and still maintain secrecy?" asked Bitsy.
"Reese works for Prince Oscar," the captain pointed out. "He is a man who can be trusted. Still, ask him not to speak of our difficulties. He will keep quiet."
"Very well," brightened the fairy. "I will go to him right now."
The fairy leaped off the captain's shoulder and was soon lost to the captain's eye. He wiped the smile off his face and marched amidships to address the crew.
"Listen up," shouted the captain. "There will be a ship arriving out of Dalek to take our cargo. I wan
t this ship ready to raft to it, and I want the crates ready to be quickly unloaded. After the Dalek ship is gone, we will look into repairing that leak."
The captain grinned to himself as he turned away and headed for his cabin. He allowed a chuckle to escape his lips as he envisioned the crew discussing the leak and wondering where it was. With a smile on his lips, the captain settled in for a nap.
Four hours later, the captain was awakened by the first mate with the announcement of an approaching ship. Captain Gomery hurried up to the deck and watched as the Dalek ship maneuvered next to the Seahorse. The two captains shouted greetings, but when the Dalek captain inquired about the leak, Captain Gomery waved off the question as if it was of no significance. He turned away and shouted orders for his men to begin the unloading.
Even though the crew of the Seahorse had four hours to prepare the cargo for offloading, the sun was setting by the time the Dalek ship sailed off. Captain Gomery gazed into the eastern sky with hopes that the operation had been done quick enough to suit the Rangers. He sighed anxiously and called for the crew to gather around.
"Okay, men," the captain said loudly, "you deserve an explanation, and I will give you what I can. Some time during the night, Alcea Rangers will be coming onboard. They will be flying in on unicorns, which is why we had to get rid of the cargo. I do not know what their mission is, but I want a vow from each of you right now that whatever it is will remain in secrecy. Am I understood?"
"Loud and clear," grinned one of the crew. "For a moment we thought you had gone daft. I am sorry for doubting you, Captain Gomery."
"I am sorry that you doubted me, too," replied the captain with a smile. "See that it doesn't happen again."
"Any idea why they are coming onboard, captain?" asked one of the crew.
"No idea at all," the captain shook his head. "All I know is that King Arik has ordered it, and Alexander Tork is leading it. That is all that I needed to know."
"We better get the Seahorse cleaned up," beamed one of the sailors. "We don't want to look like we don't care."
Knights of Alcea Page 31
