“Thank you, yes.”
She retrieved a skin from a cart. After giving the water to the guard, she found Lady Nasibron inspecting the gate. Her aunt looked the structure up and down, walking through it. Sh tested the essences of the wards infused into the building’s stones.
Unlike demon stone or other superior materials used in the older parts of the cities in much of the lands of mercy, the gate was almost mundane. Invested with Banes to protect itself from breaking and sprites to ease its workings, the huge door remained deceptively strong. Duplicity had opened the gate that day, not magic.
“What you think we should do?” Elaine asked her aunt.
“We must rain our mages faster. The hand needs to be ready when the forces of Nassio arrived in earnest.”
“You’re certain they’re coming?”
“They could be here any day,” said Lady Nasibron. “We don't know when. We only know we have to be ready when they arrive.” She turned to Elaine.
“If another battle comes, please remain in the palace. That will be the safest place in the entire city.”
“I can fight like Melissa and Niu did today. They protected people.”
“It is my role to protect you before anyone else.”
Elaine grimaced.
“That’s ridiculous if you'll excuse me saying, Lady Nasibron.”
Lady Nasibron furrowed her brow.
“This time, very well. But hold your tongue next time you think of speaking so to me.”
Elaine shook her head in frustration. She marched off through the city. Anger filled her, fueled by her aunt’s treatment of the other student mages. Elaine tutored and trained them. She knew as much as they did, perhaps more.
She could be as useful in battle as any of the hand. She fumed silently. A short distance from the citadel, a voice stopped her in her tracks. The cry of greeting sounded almost musical, backed as it was by a choir of dissident banes.
She turned to find Lakses standing in the street nearby. He wore his half-moon mask and back cowl.
His mantle and robe concealed most of his form, but she knew he was as powerful and muscular as Deckard Hadrian beneath that robe.
“Elaine,” he said, “it’s you.”
“And you,” said Elaine.
“Are you going to run away from me?”
Elaine stared at him.
“I don't know.”
Lexi shrugged his shoulders. His bulky form moved with surprising grace as he approached her.
“I didn't mean to be so sudden before.”
She nodded.
“I know that's not who you are.”
“You're right.” He smiled.
“I know I can trust you,” said Elaine. “You didn't chase after me when I ran.”
“Chasing a witch through the streets of Soucot at night,” said Lakses, “would not present good odds of survival.”
She smiled slightly.
“You think, with your essences, that I could stop you?
“Yes,” he said. “But I would never hurt you, regardless.”
“As I wouldn't want to hurt you,” said Elaine.
“Yes, but you would,” said Lakses, “If you thought you had to.”
“Perhaps.” She clutched her hands together. “Why did you call to me?”
“I wanted to talk to,” said Lakses. “Now I’ve done that.”
“Is there anything else you want to say?” Elaine asked.
“Only to apologize.”
“Lakses,” said Elaine, “Please don't make today the end of us.”
“Today is not the end of anything.”
Elaine smiled after him as he vanished into the crowd moving around them.
Melissa
She picked her way toward the palace after dark. The food she'd eaten in the city with Niu and Alma felt leaden in her belly. She had killed many while the sun was high that day, though far less than whatever devastated the vakari forces in the orchard. Yet, the threat of Nassio weighed heavy on her mind.
Melissa and the rest of the defenders had done their best. The forces of Nassio would surely be greater when they returned and Melissa had other worries as well. The new threat of Nassio did not cancel her coming duel with guild master Kadatz.
She would face him, all too soon, and when she did, she had to defeat him, sacra form or not. She swore she wouldn't kill him if she had the choice, though he deserved pain for his actions. He’d not made the original decision to ban her from magic like his predecessor, Jossetz. Kadatz only enforced the ban in his place.
Alma thought Kadatz might have secretly toppled the former guild master. Melissa doubted that theory because of the man’s loyalty to his predecessor’s wishes.
She arrived at the palace. The gate guards watched silently as she passed. No doubt they were used to her by now. Everywhere else, she attracted suspicion and looks of wonder and fear from people who recognized her. Unlike in older days, when she'd been unknown except among the magister’s guild, Melissa carried a reputation. She’d fought alongside Deckard Hadrian at the gate. She defended the city with spear and spell. She hoped more people would accept her practice of magic, but she would keep training either way.
Sacra form or not when she faced Kadatz she felt certain she would need it to survive another battle with Nassio.
She found her way up to her room. There, sitting on the balcony, she found Deckard Hadrian, legs folded and eyes closed.
He didn’t sleep because he was the immortal demon hunter. Perhaps he rested his mind while he waited.
“Deckard,” said Melissa.
“Melissa Dorian,” said Deckard, eyes still closed. “It's good you survived the battle today.”
“I'd say so,” said Melissa. “You have anything else to say? I’m tired.”
Deckard opened his eyes slowly, then rose. His robe rippled about him in the breeze.
“Melissa, you must be prepared not only to fight Kadatz. You may have to kill him.”
Her pensive frown quickly became a scowl.
“Why?”
“He is a risk to the city,” the Deckard. “If I told you he endangers everyone by his prohibitions on magic, would you remove him?”
“I don't like killing other humans,” said Melissa. “I’m a guard. I can protect the city if I must.”
“Good,” said Deckard. “I'm not saying he's a traitor. The power he holds out of jealousy is the problem.”
“Who do you think took control of those mercenaries?” asked Melissa. “It would take powerful magic.”
“I haven't found any clues to that, but truly it must have taken a mighty spell because sprites and banes did not drive them directly. Whatever did lies farther away than that.”
“Could they simply have been paid extremely well?”
Deckard shook his head.
“What good is gold when you're dead?”
“Not much,’ said Melissa.
“Indeed,” said Deckard. “Melissa, please, be careful when you’re out. The guild is not the only danger in the city.”
She smirked at him.
“You won’t be rid of me that easily.”
Saben
Saben trudged up the path toward the abandoned farm. Night would fall before they arrived. Jaswei and Rond trailed a short distance behind him. The three had walked the same road for the better part of the day.
Rushing after the demons made an exhausting task without the raw power of a sacra form. Calling out Azel drained Saben. The demon’s abilities allowed him to chase down the maladrite raiders, but they all suffered as a result.
Jaswei, despite her conditioning from training in Naje and her time as a mercenary appeared close to collapsing by the time they came within view of the farm’s trees. Rond sagged but somehow kept his feet as well.
“We're almost there,” Rond gasped.
“I can't believe it,” said Jaswei.
Saben grunted.
“Can't believe what?” asked Rond. “We’ve wal
ked all day.”
She shook her head.
“Not that we’re almost back,” she said. “I still can't believe you drew out the demon. Saben.”
“Just in time, said Saben. “I know.”
Jaswei frowned at him.
“You aren't exactly friends with the people of Soucot.”
“None of us are,” said Saben. “I could even call them enemies.”
“Then why help them?” Jaswei asked.
“I saw him, the one I need to destroy. He was out there today.” Saben folded his arms. “I can't thank either of you enough.”
“Are you ever grateful?” said Rond.
“It is rare,” said Jaswei.
“Thank you,” Saben said.
Rond nodded, looking too tired to reply. Saben became aware too keenly of his aching muscles.
Jaswei, face flushing, bowed her head to him, in the way Najean nobility did. She had abandoned most of the trappings of her class, even her huge wardrobe after bringing it so far, but despite everything, she carried her origin close.
Saben bowed back to her.
Jaswei’s face turned bright red her.
“That's not how it works.” She waved her hands. “Remember?”
He shrugged. She grabbed for his arm and pulled his hand close.
“You,” she said, looking up at his face, “you saved both of us more than once. We should be thanking you. If those maladrites had found us, who knows what would have happened.”
“I know,” said Saben.
Rond grunted.
Don't say it, he said.
Saben shrugged.
“I’d save you again.”
Jaswei gripped Saben's arm tighter.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Of course.” Saben suspected Jaswei wanted to say something else, but it would've been awkward, with Rond present.
The two of them always spoke to each other as partners, not as lovers.
“Saben,” said Jaswei, “what will we do now?”
“First, we get back to the farm and get some sleep.”
“Agreed.” Rond sighed heavily.
They trudged on a further.
As they approached the farm Saben spotted flames leaping from the ruin. The roof was on fire.
“Curse it all,” he said, “somebody found us.”
They took off running, Jaswei always the quickest. Rond and Saben trundled after them. They followed the path toward the house. Saben unloaded his sword from the baldric and Jaswei drew weapon banes from her sheath.
The three of them strung out in a line with Jaswei in the lead and Rond in the rear. The house burned among the shadows of surrounding trees. The building blazed.
Saben searched for the cause of the fire. He only found their wagon unharmed with all their gear inside, a short distance away. Jaswei’s luggage, which he’d thought lost when she was captured sat propped against one wheel. Saben’s eyes narrowed. The house burned, but there was no sign of what happened.
Jaswei turned to him.
“What happened?”
“I don't know,” said Saben. “I found your luggage, though.”
Rond called out desperately from behind them.
Saben and Jaswei leapt apart as a hurtling form streaked through the shadows. Illuminated by the lights of the burning farmhouse, Saben made out the shape of Deel as he raced past. The man circled and then turned to face him and Jaswei.
“Now you’ve got nowhere to hide,” the man said, glasses reflecting the fire.
“Why do this?” Saben asked.
“Why? Why, indeed. I was ordered by Folt. He wants you to join us.”
“Join you?” Jaswei said.
“You owe us,” said Deel, “for breaking the attack on the gate today.”
“You were behind that?”
Deel grimaced.
“Don’t ever act against us again.”
“You think you can stop me?” Saben gritted his teeth.
“Consider it just my good advice.”
“You have no idea what you're doing,” Saben said.
“I could say the same about you.” Deel smirked. “And in your case it's true.”
Saben grunted, halfway to bellowing at the man. His most powerful voice could smash the strange man off his feet.
Rond stood, frozen a short distance away from Deel. Jaswei turned, her glowing blade illuminating her face. She looked fierce.
“Rage,” said Deel, “doesn't suit any of you.”
Ben grimaced, unable to attack Deel from such a distance with Rond so close.
“Good thing that's not a bow.” Deel eyes Jaswei’s blade. “And I doubt your shout can catch me from there, Saben.”
He positioned himself between Saben and Rond with deliberate step.
“What do you want us to do?” Saben asked.
“Join us,” Deel said. “Meet me at the shore north of here tomorrow night.”
“Fine,” said Saben. “We’ll be there.”
“We’ll join the king of Nassio alongside the others. Then we sail for Soucot.”
“When did Nassio get a fleet of ships for an army?” asked Rond.
Deel grinned.
Rond laughed, painfully.
“Of course.” His voice cracked, sounding exhausted. “I should've known. You allied with Kanor.”
Deel’s grin widened in the firelight.
”That's our secret.”
“The Kanori sent a fleet to transport vakari?” said Jaswei.
Deel shrugged.
“I’ll say no more. Meet me by the shore and we’ll find a use for you so you won't perish like the others in Lowenrane.”
“We’ll be there,” said Saben. “Now leave.”
“Temper, temper,” said Deel.
He streaked away in the night as a vanishing blur.
Rond approached Jaswei and Saben.
“We’re going to join them?” he asked.
“I don't know.” Saben looked at Jaswei.
She folded her arms, looking at her returned luggage.
“Should we?” Rond asked.
“I don't think he's serious about killing everyone,” said Jaswei.
“Deel is serious. Curse him, but I think he is.”
“I don't know him but he burned down the farmhouse just to prove a point,” said Rond.
“Right,” said Ben. “Now that I have the scroll’s power, I think it's time.”
Jaswei looked at his face, rare tears appearing at the corners of her eye.
“You make sense,” she said. “That’s what you want.”
“What I want...” Saben muttered.
“You always go off after trouble. It is the truth.” Jaswei sighed.
“Saben,” said Rond. “If you want to go, we can.”
Jaswei’s eye glinted.
“Honestly, I'm up for trouble.”
“Then I am too.” Saben’s lips drew back in a smile.
“What trouble are you looking for, exactly?” said Rond.
“The maladrite without a face,” Saben said. “He destroyed my village and he's working with the Nassini.”
“You saw him today,” said Jaswei.
“Yes,” said Saben.
“You’re revenge,” Jaswei said. “You’re finally close.”
Saben nodded to her.
“Don't be too grateful to me. All I want is to avenge my people.”
Jaswei nodded, her earlier flush and excitement gone.
“We can’t stay here,” she said.
He went to the driver's board. Jaswei brought their horse from where it had been grazing away from the fire, then climbed into the back of the wagon with Saben. They set off, into the night.
Weary and tired of seeing blood on his hands, Saben fell asleep slowly.
He woke and saw stars over his head, through holes burned by embers in the wagon’s covering. They rolled northeast, toward the coast. Rond sat half-asleep on the driver’s board. Jaswei lay nestled beside
Saben, fast asleep.
Her body was warm as a breath. Despite the meager food they all ate while at the farm, she still smelled sweet. He put a hand on her arm, then gently moved it to lie across his shoulders. He drifted off once more, hoping that the quest of his life would soon release him. At last, he felt the need for more, though he still had the mission.
Saben would meet the maladrite without a face. He would fight until the monster had no life left to crush. Curse everything. He would win the battle even if it cost him everything he had.
Melissa
She woke early and went to prepare for her duel with Kadatz just a day since the battle with at the gate. The enemy had withdrawn in disarray. Now, with guards everywhere throughout the city at night and Lord Tanlos’ order reinforcing the walls, the people of Soucot were nervous.
And here, she was going to worry them more as she went to face the guild master in a duel. She felt almost foolish to do so, but Rickon Kadatz refused to give up, even for the good of the city. The challenge stood. He and Melissa would face each other.
Fanhedon, as sacra form was named, still eluded her.
The demon’s eternal nature did not respond to her impatience. Fanhedon turned her back on Melissa at every chance, fleeing back into the scroll and leaving her with nothing. Melissa’s effort had resulted in some progress, but despite everything, the demon remained intransigent.
Melissa wrapped her hands in strips of linen. She took up her spear, and found the binding scripts on it intact and prepared. If she could spin it well she might still take her sacra form. Leaving Fanhedon out, she knew other ways to fight.
She wondered how she would fare against the demon Takyron, when Kadataz assumed his form, frightening question. Despite what knew about the sacra form, Melissa wondered what else Takyron could do. Kadatz new far more magic than Melissa, sacra form included.
She made her way to the square where she would face him. She stood a the edge and studied the area. There was no fountain or statue in the center of the plaza, leaving a clear battlefield. She placed her spear on the stone. Her hand shook slightly as she looked out across the crowd of people surrounding the square.
They all waited at a safe distance. Mages battled with terrible power. Melissa’s bane spear would still cause too much damage to buildings nearby. She’d have to rely on her cage and electricity to keep the guild master at bay. She doubted Kadatz would feel such a compunction.
Demon Scroll Page 29
