Deel shrugged.
“I suppose I should offer your payment first?” He grinned and drew a shimmering shape from the pocket of his coat.
He held the object for Saven to see. Saben leaned close. The needle looked like one of Jaswei’s hairpins.
“Where did you get that?”
“I'm easily able to go wherever I wish,” said Deel.
“Including the palace?”
“Including the palace dungeons,” said Deel. “And if you help us, my friends and I, I mean, we can help break your friend out of those dungeons.”
“I owe her much.”
Deel’s grin widened.
“Then come with me.”
Saben nodded.
They went through the city and arrived at a ship moored at the docks. The docks looked even more worn now than when Saben had arrived. The ship tethered to the pier was in poor condition itself. Leaking hull, tattered sails, broken mast. It was a disaster of a vessel. No doubt, it had not moved in some time. The anchor seemed dug into the bottom of the bay, probably deep enough the chain would break before it could be hauled to the surface.
“This is my houseboat,” said Deel. “Borrowed, of course.”
Saben frowned.
“Not much more than a wreck.”
“From what I understand, you’ve traveled on vessels in more scanty repair than her.”
“Are we going somewhere?” asked Saben. “I don’t want to sink it just by stepping on board.”
“Have confidence.”
“All right.”
“Good,” said Deel, “because that's where my team is waiting.”
They boarded the leaky ship.
Deckard
Deckard entered the maladrite city. He swept through the streets, moving toward the House of Mercy.
Mother Mercy, who held the world in awe. Mother Mercy, who ruled Tancuon with a fist of iron and velvet. Mother Mercy, who governed without governing. Mother Mercy who must not be disrespected. She gave him his power and held him at his limitations. She commanded his movements over the years, though he rarely spoke with her.
He marched across the streets closer to the house. The house itself made for a towering edifice, much larger than anything in the human world. However, despite the grandeur of the city and the structures all around, Mother Mercy's golden house looks like doom as he approached.
He stiffened is resolved.
Mother Mercy did not allow just anyone into the house, but as one of her immortals, Deckard could expect entrance when he knocked on the door.
He slipped past creatures that appeared mostly human but which were far from mortal. He approached the house. Maladrites of all kinds lined the streets, moving and talking with each other. They were quieter than human traffic but some loomed and cast more conspicuous shadows. Deckard reached the gate of the House of Mercy. He raised his fist and knocked on the doors.
In the time he returned to Soucot world grew dark with the coming of night.
Melissa
Melissa worked with the sprites and banes inside her head. She struggled at first to make them do something, anything other than attack or resist. She needed not to break them down but to respect them enough for them to help her better access her power and knowledge. She knew too much and understood too little.
Melissa and the other members of the Governor’s Hand met outside. The hand occupied one side of the yard, while the rest of the mage guard trained on the other. Niu and Kelt formed one training team. While Hilos went to practice his locks at the nearby tower door, Suya and Melissa started to talk out their plans with Elaine.
“I could use my swords as the basis for some magic,” said Suya. “Though, I don’t need another weapon.”
“Tools can be useful,” said Elaine.
Melissa frowned thoughtfully.
“I could use my spear in the same way.”
“Sprites and banes you’ve bowed to can attend any object you’re touching with your senses.” Elaine smiled at Celia. “Your weapons may have limitations, but they’re also useful tools.”
“A sword is a weapon, not a tool,” said Suya. “I can almost see what you mean.”
Elaine folded her arms.
“You may need to see more clearly if you want to continue serving in the Governor’s Hand.”
“I'm not a fool,” said Suya. “I’m nervous.”
“I understand,” said Elaine.
Melissa nodded.
“Likewise.”
“You don't get it, though,” said Suya. “I am the governor’s sword. If I can't learn magic, I will lose my position.”
“That could go for me as well,” Melissa said.
“I suppose you're right.” Suya sighed.
Elaine tapped her chin.
“Do both of you need your weapons that much? Suya, what exactly brought you to this palace?”
“I'm not some veteran of countless battles. I'm not some knight,” she said. I'm not even a retainer of a noble family by heredity. I am from the north originally but I barely made apprentice with the sword. Luckily, I excelled well enough to enter the tournament in Soucot. I joined the governor service to prove my willpower. And now, I've made it almost as high as one can go without becoming a noblewoman.”
Suya scowled.
“The problem is magic. If I can't hold my own with mages, by becoming one, I won't have a claim to my position any longer. One of the other members of the hand will probably take my place.”
“Just because magic offers advantages, doesn’t mean your sword skills are worthless,” said Elaine.
“I think Elaine's right,” said Melissa. “She and I talked about this, but spears and swords can be excellent for focusing your magic once you’ve extended them from your body.”
Suya shook her head.
“That seems far off.
Elaine shrugged her shoulders.
“You're not getting any closer by complaining.”
“Fair enough, Elaine.”
“Suya,” said Melissa, “could we spar a little? I think better on my feet.”
“A sword against the spear? Doesn’t seem fair.” Suya touched the hilt of her weapon. “How skilled are you with a sword?”
“Not very,” said Melissa. How are you with the spear?”
“I'm all right,” said Suya. “Better with swords though.”
In that case, said Melissa, preface me halfway.
She turned to where Kelt and Niu fought back and forth. He swung his massive oar as if it was an ax on a long pole. She danced out of the way with her staff.
“Which one are you thinking?” asked Suya with a raised eyebrow.
Melissa smiled.
“Staff,” she said. It’s longer than a sword but shorter than the weapon I use.”
“Fair,” said Suya.
“I'll get more staves,” said Elaine. She crossed the yard.
Suya turned to Melissa.
“I see why more people don't become mages.”
Melissa shrugged.
“My brother managed it. Somehow. And that magister’s guild master, Ricklon Kadatz seemed like he knew what he was doing.”
“Seemed.” Suya smirked. “But did he?”
“I doubt it.” Melissa laughed.
“Exactly,” said Suya. “You and your caravan guard friends managed to hold him off, but I suspect he has more power than he was letting on or he wouldn’t be guild master. That position gets its power directly from magical strength, so he must be one of the best mages in the guild.”
“Right,” said Melissa.
She counted the blessing Ricklon had backed off rather than fight her and the others at the tavern.
Niu and kelt went on sparring. Elaine returned with two staves and passed them to Melissa. Suya glanced at Melissa.
“One of those.”
Melissa handed her a staff.
“Let's try this,” said Suya. “No magic for now.”
“No magic,” said Melissa. “A
ll right.”
Melissa and Suya faced each other in the yard as the afternoon grew hot. The humidity dragged on every sense. Melissa gripped the staff, a few spans shorter than her usual spear. She swept the end at Suya’s legs.
Suya leapt over the weapon and brought her staff down on the end of Melissa’s, pinning it to the ground with her foot on one side to trap it. She held Melissa's weapon at her feet. The staff seemed curved slightly as Melissa looked down its length. She frowned and fought but was unable to free it from Suya’s trap.
“Now, what would you do,” Suya asked, “if this happened in a real fight?”
“I’d drop the staff and attack with magic,” said Melissa.
“Maybe,” said Suya, “Or maybe you could get staff free by using the right sprites.”
“I've seen people manipulate electricity with sprites,” said Melissa. “If I could send some through the staff...”
“Like lightning?”
“Like lightning,” said Melissa. “Exactly. That's the kind of power we need to be able to wield on a moments notice.”
Suya nodded. Elaine glanced at Melissa.
“If you’re pinned like that, you could probably send a jolt into foot or weapon which could break her web.”
“Now I need to learn how to create electricity with my sprites,” said Melissa.
“Me too,” said Suya.
“It’s almost easy,” said Elaine. “I can teach you. Electricity is an early form defined in many texts. I suppose that's why you've seen it happen.”
Melissa shrugged.
“I've only seen it once or twice in person.”
“That's more than I’ve seen,” said Suya, releasing the end of Melissa’s staff. “Anyway, mages need to use their wits. Let's try that again. Use magic if you can, this time.”
Melissa hefted her weapon. She swung.
Melissa soon understood the basics of creating electricity. That evening, she could wield tiny powers, mere sparks, but any lightning could be useful, Elaine said. Melissa quickly managed to conduct them along her spear during the sparring match. Bruised, and tired, she limped back to her bedroom after dinner.
Melissa sat on her bed, reading from the next book Elaine had procured for her from Lady Nasibron’s study.
The book contained knowledge of not only magic but also pieces of lore from the demon world. Melissa read everything she came across.
Demons dwelt either upon the earth or under the earth. They could be free to roam, or imprisoned in the depths by the world wells. Melissa had never encountered a demon that wasn't under the thrall of Mother Mercy. Rogue demons were the most dangerous of their kind, which almost went without saying.
The alternative to demons were the creatures that ran the nations of the Kism in the northeast, beyond Mother Mercy's borders in Tancuon, and the mires of Linien where thee lizard people dwelt.
The book soon proved to contain more history than magic. Little actual mage craft was presented beyond a little in a treatise on reason into the magical traditions of different parts of the world. Who had written such an odd book?
She paged to the back of the book and found the author’s note at the very end.
The book had been written by someone named Nigel. His name was signed on the last page. His last name had been obliterated by some ink dropper from ages past.
Well Nigel, thought Melissa, thanks for the history lessons.
She continued to read the book, flipping back and forth to search for more information on spells.
She found more and more about mage craft in the middle, where Nigel described the basics of wielding a fire spell. Electricity seemed easier to control though, and she already had ways to attack by propelling her iron bane from her, if she could master it.
Melissa became more intrigued by the spells of wind the most basic parson spell in mercy’s church. Many clerics learned it, and most senior members gained some mastery of breezes and gusts.
Most could not manipulate the air close to their bodies to project themselves faster through the air or on the ground. Unlike Deckard Hadrian, the parsons, including the author called Nigel, could not fly.
Saben
Saben stepped onto the deck of the leaky boat in the harbor. Saben had never seen a boat so rickety still above the water. Deel led the way across the rickety deck of bending boards and sagging and cracked planks. He went to the cabin under the bridge and knocked twice.
As the door opened he saw the shadow of a young boy in the room. He couldn't be much more than fourteen or fifteen and he was built small. Saben thought he recognized the boy, then realized from where. The boy had been the one with the vegetable cart he had seen while observing the library before the theft.
“Oh hey,” said the kid, “you can come inside now. It's nicer in here. Though kinda stinky.”
Deel nodded to the kid.
“Saben,” he said,” meet Heen Sa Jong, one of our team members.”
“The boy is a member of your team?”
Heen glared at Saben, then frowned, then his became a smile.
“I am young,” he said, “but I'm a mage. I can work magic as well as anyone here.”
“Not quite true,” it's a Deel, with a smirk and a feeble laugh.
They entered the cabin and found three others waiting within.
One of them, a girl, not much older than Heen lay on her back, feet pedaling in the air. She leaned against a tall rack of bookshelves. Strange to see books on a ship.
Her dark eyes turned as they entered. Saben nodded to her. Heen ran to her.
“Rina,” he said, “this is the new member of the team.”
Rina arched her eyebrows.
“You brought a big one this time.”
Deel smiled.
“Yeah, he's big all right. But he can sling spells too.”
“I like the sword,” said Rina. “Mind if I look at it later?”
Saben shrugged.
The next woman, older the kids, perhaps about the same age as Saben or Deel, sat reading quietly. Her eyes moved down the page quickly. Saben guessed the script must be Linienish. Linien’s mires to the north of Charin were home to human settlements as well as vakari. Saben wondered it trees there grew as large as in the bloom.
The woman looked up at Saben as he walked into the center of the cabin. Despite the cramped quarters, they all look very relaxed together. The woman with the book said nothing.
Deal gestured to her.
“That's Uigara, he said, “she's our expert and countermagic. No casting herself, but great with blades.”
Uigara nodded silently, then went back to her book.
The last member of the team stood looking out the back window across the bay. He was a big man almost as biggest Saben, at least by his judgment. A long coat and shadows suggested he might be even larger. He stood with his back to them, searching the water intently for something out to sea.
Saben wondered if he would have to speak first. He stepped forward. A board creaked under his foot. The man at the rear of the cabin turned slightly.
“Welcome,” he said. “I'm the team leader. De facto, my name is Folt. Folt Ogenlai is my full name.”
Saben nodded.
“Not much of a talker are you,” said Deel.
“He reminds me of Uigara,” said Heen. “They're both warriors before mages.”
Deel shrugged.
Saben didn't like being analyzed, even if it meant work that could save Jaswei from prison.
He and Deel stood in the center of the room. Everyone watched Saben. Folt turned around completely. He bore a bright expression that couldn’t make his face look any better. Scars and deep grooves in his skin made Saben sure Folt had never been considered handsome.
A deep crack ran through the center of Folt’s face right through the eye-line, thought his eyes did not seem to been harmed by whatever caused the crevice. He looked at Saben with deep-set eyes, even deeper for the damage to his face around them.
“We have a plan to attack the palace. We have our motive and I understand you have yours.”
Saben nodded.
“One of my traveling companions was captured by the immortal. I take it she has been taken to the dungeons.”
“Most likely torture they’ll torture her,” said Folt
Torture. Saben sagged inwardly. He may not have a strong attraction to Jaswei, but they were still friends and comrades. He would not sit by while she was tortured.
“Why would they torture her?”
“She knows you,” said Folt. “Just like any thief, they’ll try to get every ounce of information they can before they dispose of her.”
“They want the scroll back, said Saben.
“Probably,” said Folt
Heen ran to the center of the room and looked up at Saben.
“Don't worry, sir. We can get in there. No problem.”
“I suspect it may be more difficult than that,” said Folt. “The governor is training her new mages there.”
“A palace crawling with mages?” Saben said. “Sounds like a challenge.”
“All of us here are capable of dealing with mages,” said Folt. The immortal could be more difficult if he is present. We need some way to make him leave before we strike.”
“That shouldn't be too difficult,” said Rina. “After all, he seems to come and go as he wishes.”
“Possibly,’ said Folt, “but I don’t trust luck.”
Saben nodded.
“I clashed with him. He seems formidable.”
“Indeed,” said Folt. “I've never met him, but I hope not to do so on our mission.”
Uigara set aside her book. She stood up, unfolding her long and athletic build. She nodded to Saben.
“We will do everything we can to rescue your friend. However, we also need your assurance that you help us as well.”
“I'm here to help you,” said Saben.
“That's correct,” said Folt.
Uigara shrugged.
“I only want to know you will act in concert with us.”
“He'll be with us as much as any other, right Saben?” Folt said.
Saben glanced at Deel, then back at Folt.
“I suppose. What's your ulterior motive? You're not just here to help me spring Jaswei.”
Folt nodded.
“The five of us are here on a mission from the King of Nassio, Zalklith. His name is not important, but I'm sure you've heard of him. If you travel to the north in Linien.”
Demon Scroll Page 17
