Alec took his last hop through space, landing in an isolated spot atop the roof of the Michian imperial palace. It was a place he had visited many times during his lifetime as the consort of Jeswyne, empress of Michian. No one else ever went there, other than repairmen, and Alec had appreciated the chance to sit and quietly contemplate whatever situation weighed on his mind. He felt an emptiness, and realized it was the absence of a vibrant awareness of Andi. In Michian he was too far away from her for their spirits to be able to do more than vaguely sense one another. It left him with a nebulous sense of uneasiness, and he made himself focus on the issue at hand.
He walked about the roof, scrambling atop gables and around chimneys, examining the landscape all around the palace. The restorers still used the stables they had occupied in his previous time in Michian, the very stables he had visited during his very first time in Michian, when he had carried out the same type of sabotaging misfeeding, the time when he had fought a demon for the very first time, and escaped only through the gift of returning to John Mark’s cavern.
Alec watched a restorer being led from the stables, already saddled. A pair of sorcerers appeared from a nearby building and approached the animal, as three large crates were strapped to the animal’s sides. Grimly, Alec pulled the bow off his back and selected a handful of arrows. The sorcerers were preparing to climb atop the restorer behind its keeper, giving Alec time to draw the bowstring and carefully select his target.
He didn’t want to kill the animal, but it was his only option at the moment. If he didn’t kill it first, the animal would be whisked to safety while he assassinated the sorcerers, he knew.
He let the first arrow fly, strung the second arrow and sent it on its way, then pulled and released the third arrow, all three of them aimed at the restorer’s neck. He adjusted the bow just a fraction of an inch and released a fourth arrow, then adjusted and shot a fifth. As he released his sixth arrow the first one struck the unexpecting animal in the neck. The second struck immediately, and pierced a vein; as the restorer began to squeal, a bright red fountain of blood began to jet outward. The third arrow struck as well and the restorer’s front knees buckled.
The fourth arrow arrived and struck the lead sorcerer in the neck; Alec had aimed at his chest, but the restorer’s collapse had changed the location of the target by the time the arrow hit. The fifth arrow struck the second sorcerer in the temple as the collapse of the animal continued. The last arrow grazed the scalp of the rider of the animal, who yelped in pain, as the animal’s dying moans, along with the shouts of the nearby witnesses, filled the yard.
Alec shrugged his arm through the bow to restore it to his shoulder. A pair of men was standing down by the scene of death, looking up at the roof of the palace. Alec waved, then walked back out of sight so that he could Transport himself, unseen by anyone. He arrived in the hayloft of the restorer stables, and listened to the silent shuffling of the animals below, as muffled shouts penetrated the building from the chaotic scene in the yard outside. No keepers or tenders seemed to be present, so Alec climbed down the ladder from the loft, and began once again the familiar practice of holding out a handful of treats for each animal to snuffle and lick from the palm of his hands.
The herd had shrunk since his prior days in Michian. Alec had devoted considerable effort to breeding and improving the reproduction of the restorers, and had increased the number of animals available for the empire to use. The growth had led to improved trade and communication throughout Jeswyne’s domain during his lifetime. But now, even taking into account the animals that were housed at Oyster Bay, and assuming there were some animals out and about in the empire, the number of animals was reduced considerably.
Alec climbed back up into the loft and peered out into the yard. The animal that he had killed lay on the ground, while the two dead sorcerers had been laid on stretchers on the ground nearby, cloths draped over them. The yard, he realized with a start, was the very yard where he had fought that first demon, when Rief had been held hostage and used as bait. It was busy now, crowded with soldiers and workers drawn by the unexpected blossoming of death.
Another restorer arrived suddenly in a roped off circle in the yard, and all heads swerved to look at the roof of the palace. Archers raised their bows to take aim at any target that might present itself, while animal handlers swarmed the newly available animal. Three men who appeared to be officers disembarked from the animal, and as the seconds grew longer with no danger apparent, the atmosphere in the yard began to relax. The officers were given an immediate briefing on the situation right on the spot, then walked over to the dead bodies and observed them. They followed the fingers that pointed up to the roof spot Alec had occupied, shaking their heads and talking among themselves before they walked away from the yard.
Servants carried the stretchers away, while the live restorer was led into the stables. Alec waited patiently for the animal to have its saddle and harness removed, then to be left in its stall. He went down the ladder again, fed the animal its handful of treats, then closed his bag and started his journey back to the Dominion. He Transported back to the bridge, then back to the Saltcrust fortress in Bondell, and, upon a moment’s reflection, he Transported to the gate of Ingenairii Hill.
He felt better; he was closer to Andi, and that gave him comfort. The link between them reacquired its strength as he came within close-enough proximity for their two spirits to acknowledge each other, and Alec felt glad for it, and he felt his warmth echoed in Andi’s soul.
Alec stood in an alley near the gate, opposite the fountain that flowed in the middle of the square, and observed the guards who stood watch. They were attentive, not slack. They would either let him in or they wouldn’t, he decided. He had Transported enough during the day to make him feel he didn’t want to try to do much more; the use of his Transporter energy wore him down faster than he had remembered, faster than his other abilities did. He had forgotten that it was so much more challenging to use, an energy for which humans were not truly adapted, except through extraordinary means; he had delved into the energy realm and exercised those extraordinary means long ago, and subsequently used the ability to considerable benefit, as he was doing now.
Alec walked to the gate, where the sentries watched his arrival. “I’d like admission to the Hill,” Alec said, starting to walk forward through the gate opening. Both guards lowered spears in front of him.
“Only ingenairii are allowed to enter unescorted,” one of the guards said.
Alec lifted his right sleeve, revealing the Spirit ingenaire mark emblazoned within his skin. “I think I qualify,” he said softly.
Both guards bent close to look at the mark, then to study Alec’s face again. “We’ve both been on guard duty with the Hill for ten years or more, and neither of us recognizes you,” the lead guard said. “Considering that there hasn’t been a new ingenaire apprentice admitted in twenty years, there shouldn’t be too many surprises awaiting us. Who are you, and where do you come from?”
“My name is Alec, and I’ve been away in the east for a long time,” Alec replied.
“It must have been a long time, but you’re awfully young to have been a trained ingenaire who’s been gone that long. I don’t know that there are a handful of ingenairii at this location who look any younger than you,” the other guard said.
“Do you doubt that I am an ingenaire?” Alec asked. “If not, then let me enter. If you doubt me, we’ll settle this quickly.”
The two guards looked at one another, then raised their spears to allow Alec to enter.
I feel you getting closer. Will you return soon? Andi’s thought touched his spirit.
I’ve just returned to Oyster Bay, and I am going to visit Ingenairii Hill. I will be back soon, before nightfall, he replied as he started to stroll up the walk.
Enjoy your visit, and be careful, Andi told him.
I will. I love you, Alec concluded the conversation, and sensed the touch of satisfaction Andi felt
upon receiving those words.
The Plant House appeared normal to Alec as he passed it, with signs of habitation, and a plethora of lush foliage surrounding it. The Spirit house looked half full, with some portions neglected but other portions still clearly occupied.
He stopped outside the Water House, noting the signs of typical occupation. He thought back to the days when he had been so young, when he had walked up the walk to the door and asked for Bethany. If he went and knocked and asked, would she appear through some magic, he wondered, then abruptly cut off his thoughts as he thought of Andi’s awareness of his nostalgia.
Further up the hill he saw the Healer house, apparently occupied, judging by the curtains in the windows. He drove his legs to climb higher, and came to the Warrior house, near the top of the hill, an apparently empty set of structures, he was surprised to see. He approached the buildings cautiously, sensing no signs of habitants anywhere, and climbed the steps – unmaintained and falling apart – around the outside of Rubicon’s house; he smiled to think that he still named it after the master Warrior who had occupied it in his youth, centuries ago.
With a deep breath he stood on the patio that had the perfect view, the wide swath of empty beach far below, on which the waves gently rose and deposited driftwood and seaweed. Although the cave of John Mark was where he had gained his Healer powers, it had been here, on this patio, through daily training, that he had become an ingenaire. Rubicon and Mariah and Nathaniel had crafted his ability, trained him to shape the power that flowed through him, so that he had been an ingenaire who mastered the trickery and unpredictability of the energy that came from that other realm.
“You really are back, aren’t you?” a voice behind him spoke, and he whirled, shocked that he had been so unobservant as to allow someone to steal up upon him unnoticed.
A man, perhaps forty years in age, stood nearby on the patio.
“I told them that Alec would return. I felt it begin six months ago. Of course, as a prophecy ingenaire I’m the least respected member of the Spirit house,” the man said. “And this morning there are the crazy rumors – four guards in the palace are mysteriously killed and their bodies are left on Ingenairii Hill, two hostages from Goldenfields inexplicably disappear, the restorers are all suddenly bereft of their ability to travel, a mysterious pair of people are seen in the palace, but no one saw them enter or leave, not to mention that the restorer at Goldenfields has not returned, and now,” he paused. “Here you are, where Alec lived when he lived on the Hill.
“Most folks think he lived at the Healer house, but I know enough history to know he only lived there for a few days, after he restored the house,” the man finished.
“That’s an impressive recitation,” Alec replied. “Does anyone believe you?”
“Not yet, but I suspect they will soon, when the next set of hostages disappear and the shipments of healing water cease to flow and no restorers come from Michian any longer. Then the viceroy will begin to grow nervous, and he’ll stay that way until you come and kill him and turn the Dominion into a free land again,” the man said.
“What is your name?” Alec asked.
“Kinset,” the ingenaire replied. “I’m one of the young ones. And I’m one of the ones who didn’t go along to Michian when the Warriors and Spirit leaders traveled down there to begin the conversation with the sorcerers, to try to find a way to work with them.”
The tranquility and solitude of the patio was shattered.
“You’re going to go back to Goldenfields now,” Kinset said. “When you come back to Oyster Bay, I will be waiting for you. There is a story you need to know, but you’re not ready to hear it now.” He started to turn to leave. “I’m glad you’re back. You’re going to fight for us – fight for us all – not just the ingenairii, not just the Dominion – you’re going to fight for all of humanity again. But there will be a cost that will be paid by someone you love.”
Alec what is it? Are you alright? He heard Andi speaking to him, as he absorbed the words of the prophecy in stunned silence.
And with that, as he saw the back of Kinset’s head turned towards him, he launched himself back to Goldenfields.
Chapter 20 – Stronghold’s Hostages
Alec returned to the room in the palace where he and Andi had spent the night. He was brooding on the things he had just heard from the prophet.
I’ll be there soon, Andi told him.
I’ll be glad to see you, he answered. He sensed that she felt satisfied with her day, content with the results of the first day of training the new guards.
Alec stripped off the weapons he carried: the bow and quiver of arrows, the bandoliers of knives, the sword on his hip, and felt lighter and freer once unencumbered. He sensed Andi approaching, his awareness of her presence growing tangible just before the door handle clicked and the door opened.
He felt relief at her arrival, and realized how much he had missed being in her physical presence during the day. He watched her walk in through the door, and they immediately exchanged a grin of recognition, mutual relief, and affection.
“You don’t want to hug me right now,” she warned, making a case for the results of her obvious state of physical exertion from having practiced all day. She wore only a half blouse, leaving her midriff bare, as were her arms, and the pants she wore went no lower than her knees. Every bit of exposed flesh was glistening with sweat, and her shirt was soaked through.
“I may be tired, but by the seven peaks they’re all going to be sore like nobody’s business tomorrow morning,” she exclaimed.
Why are you worried? She asked him.
I met a prophet just now, on Ingenairii Hill. He knew where to find me; he came to me, and he knew who I was. He said there would be another great battle for humanity, but that someone I love would pay the price for it. That must be you, Andi, he said somberly.
Don’t borrow trouble, Alec, Andi told him gently, coming to stand before him. We don’t need to worry about a prophecy now. We just need to build a fighting force.
He reached out and pulled her against him, damp and sweaty though she was. “I don’t want to lose your part of who I am again,” he whispered. “Now, you go shower and clean up. I’ll go to the market and get the ingredients needed to make a liniment for your students to rub on their arms so they don’t feel so sore.”
Andi stepped back from him and stuck her tongue out. “You take all the fun out of having raw recruits!” she told him.
“They’ll love you even more if they think you care about them,” Alec said as he stepped past her to go to the market. “Not that you’ll really need to do anything more; I’m sure you’re already the queen of the guard, and they all want to be just like you.” He watched her drop her head, with a small, hidden smile, and he knew he had hit the target.
They went their ways, and had dinner with the Duke, his daughter and grand-daughter that night to report on what they had accomplished. To their delight they learned that the Duke had enlisted the independent merchants as allies, who had begun boarding all the Scarl freight barges that carried barrels of water down the river.
Tonshire, the Duke’s daughter, agreed to go with Alec to the Oyster Bay palace the next morning to help him identify other hostages, and Pegot asked for permission to join Andi’s training every morning as well.
When they all arose that following morning and began their activities, Tonshire waited nervously for Alec, while Pegot gleefully looked forward to Andi’s training. With her new pot of liniment under her arm, Andi kissed Alec good bye and led Pegot to the armory for training, while Alec sent Tonshire back to her closets to change into practical clothing suitable for traveling, instead of the regal gown she had appeared in.
The jump from Goldenfields to Tonshire’s former suite in Oyster Bay was fast, and the rooms were empty. No one had moved into the apartment from which the Goldenfields hostages had mysteriously disappeared. “We are going to walk closely together in the hallway,” Alec told Tonshir
e. “I can create a bubble of invisibility, but you have to be close to me to remain invisible. If no one appears in the hallway, we’ll go to the suite where the Stronghold hostages are located, and we will take them to their homes today, as we’ve done for you.”
“Do you want all the Stronghold hostages?” Tonshire asked, looking at him earnestly.
“I do not want to leave anyone behind,” Alec asserted. “How many are there?” he asked.
“There are five – three men, well, two boys and a man, and a girl and a woman,” she quickly answered.
“They are not all located in one place?” Alec asked, suspecting a complication.
“Correct,” Tonshire affirmed. “The women are right down the hall, but the men are in two different suites. I think their apartments are side-by-side though,” she added helpfully.
Alec cast his Light energies to create the invisibility bubble he had mentioned to Tonshire, and together they cautiously opened the doors that led to the hallway. A man stood immediately outside the doorway they were within, and his head turned to look as the door opened behind him. Alec waved his hand behind him to quickly press Tonshire backwards as he backpedaled into the suite, and the guard cautiously entered the room to see what had caused the door to open. Alec pulled Tonshire with him once the guard was within the suite, allowing them to slip around the guard and out into the hallway.
They froze their movement when they reached the center of the hallway; there was a guard posted at every door. “Which door is the Stronghold women’s?” Alec asked Tonshire very softly.
“The third one,” she whispered softly, pointing to the right. Alec led her down the hall to a spot in front of the Stronghold door, then engaged his energies for Spirit, and again for Air, allowing him to create a brisk breeze that blew along the entire length of the hallway, growing in strength as it rose to the limit of his abilities to maintain while using other energies as well. All the doors along the hallway began to rattle, a painting blew off the wall, and the guards struggled to maintain their assigned spots, failing as they were forced towards one end.
The Journey Home: The Ingenairii Series: Beyond the Twenty Cities Page 24
