His sprites hurled the maladrite into the entrance hall. Deckard ran after him. Before Deckard could deliver a lethal stroke with his sword, Havindas became mist once more. He floated toward the dungeon in a wispy cloud. Deckard pursued the maladrite through the palace.
Melissa
Melissa and Niu jumped off the ship, landing on the dock.
“You two are the fastest,” Hilos said through the fanged jaws of his demon form. “Get to the palace as quickly as you can.”
“The rest of you protect the governor,” said Niu.
Suya nodded.
Melissa gave Kelt a pat on the arm.
“Do your best,” she said. “We’re counting on you.”
“We're counting on you,” said Kelt.
Melissa smiled, slightly.
“I’ll try my best.”
She turned toward the city. She put all her sprites into her legs, her iron bane behind her muscles, while Niu performed a similar maneuver with her essences. The two of them sprinted for the palace faster than a human could run without magic, racing past people cowering behind windows and in alleys.
They ran through vacant areas and clusters of guards fighting enemy warriors. Vakari scattered through the city, continuing to fight as Melissa and Niu ran toward the palace. The ships at sea aren’t the greatest threat anymore. According to Deckard's warning, they must return to the palace where the enemy’s true objective lay within.
The governor was the only one apart from her mage hand who knew of the presence of the world well. How did they find it?
Melissa and Niu crossed the first bridge. Halfway to the palace, two figures cut them off. One of moved as fast as the two of them did, the other slightly slower. The man with the glasses, Deel and Heen, slowed as they crossed Melissa and Niu’s path.
“Race you to the palace,” said Deel.
Niu grunted.
“The pit you will. We’re not letting you set any foot in there ever again.”
Deel grinned.
“I'll take you right here then walk in the front doors whenever I feel the need.”
“Go ahead,” said Melissa.
“I'm done boasting,” said Deel.
He charged forward. He might outpace both of us.
Melissa and Niu ran in opposite directions then darted to rejoin each other. They faced in opposite directions. Melissa kept her eyes on Heen while Niu watched Deel. Heen took a fighting position, fists loose but arms up.
Elaine and Lady Nasibron need our help. No time to waste with these two. Vakari warriors made a serious threat.
Melissa raised her spear in front of her. Heen laughed.
“Look, lady,” he said, “I don't want to break that but I might have to.”
“I’m not a lady,” said Melissa, “So come at me.”
Heen shrugged, then hurled himself forward. Melissa and Niu divided once more to confront their opponents.
Melissa swung her spear at Heen’s legs. The boy stumbled over the weapon. His flurry of fists flew missed her, unable to connect at top speed. The wind nearly whipped Melissa off balance. Heen dodged a stab from her spear. The sprite on the end of her weapon cracked the stonework at the end of the bridge.
Heen whistled.
Niu and Deel raced up the streets, moving toward the palace. Both felt the pressure as much as Melissa. She raced after them, hoping Heen would follow her rather than causing havoc. She found a blessing. Heen chased after her as fast as he could.
Before they reached the gates of the citadel, Heen put on speed, drawing in a pair of returning sprites. He quickly accelerated to outpace Melissa. As they raced up the hill, the citadel walls grew before them, and beyond those, the towers of the palace.
Few vakari warriors remained in the streets so far from the water.
Melissa spun and swung at Heen as the boy tried to swing to pass her. He hurdled her spear and threw a punch as he closed the distance. His fist connected with her shoulder near the wound Kadatz had given her not long before. She spun on her feet, fighting to keep herself upright.
The wound reopened and blood trickled down her arm. She lost speed as her sprites shifted to toughen her body. The iron in her muscles would keep her going for a long while yet, but too many blows like that could change things.
Niu and Deel ran just ahead of Melissa and Heen, slicing back and forth at each other with staff and knife. The weapon in Deel’s hand flickered and then flipped to a throwing position. Melissa saw the move and shouted a warning.
Niu jerked out of the path of the weapon. The dagger hurled smashed the window behind her.
Niu battered Deel’s arm with her staff as he withdrew from throwing the knife. He darted out of reach, the limb bruised and bleeding, as they raced side-by-side up toward the delegates.
Melissa focused on Heen, a bubbling storm of energy and essence. He ran toward her at an angle and lashed out. Her spear, empowered by her sprites, held his blow back. The haft would not splinter under such attacks.
She swept her leg out to try to trip him but lost speed in the process. She sent the boy sprawling on the warm cobblestones. He rolled onto his back and bounced to his feet. Niu and Deel increased the distance between them and the two trailing mages.
Melissa didn't want to kill the boy, despite the threat he posed. Her spear but struck his head and drove Heen back a step. He grimaced as a bruise began to form by his ear.
He took after Deel and Niu once more.
“No, you don't!” Melissa hefted the spear but abandoned the idea of hurling it. He moves too fast.
She drew out her iron bane and shot the raw essence straight after Heen. The bane cut directly under the street. Stones flew into the air as the bane burrowed through the earth, then emerged the ground ahead of her target.
Melissa stumbled after the others, feeling acutely the lack of iron in her muscles. Her bane arced toward her, striking toward Heen’s shoulder. The essence cut through him. He staggered than spun, then sputtered. He skidded to the ground. His arm hung limp. Blood coursed down his shirt.
“Don’t go anywhere,” said Melissa. “You’ll probably live.”
She retrieved her iron bane and then took off after Deel and Niu.
The three of them surged toward the palace. Melissa and Niu caught Deel between them just outside the citadel. He retreated a step and then changed course, using his superior speed circle toward Melissa.
Niu turned on her heel and charged for him. Melissa held her spear aimed at Deel as she pivoted, trying to keep the swift enemy mage from flanking her. Deel leapt over her, a full ten hand-spans up, avoiding the tip of her weapon. He landed on the far side, closer to the gate, then turned to face her. Niu skidded to a rest beside Melissa.
“Impressive,” said Deel. “I never thought you’d defeat Heen, let alone catch up.”
“He's just a boy,” said Melissa.
“That boy is as tough as anyone.”
“I believe it,” said Niu. She pointed behind where Heen still faxed staggered after them,
He’d regained his feet and held a makeshift compress to his bloodied shoulder though the arm on his wounded side hung limp.
Melissa and Niu exchanged glances.
“We have to take them down and get to the palace,” said Niu.
“Given that, forget fighting in one on one,” said Melissa.
They charged toward Deel. He raced between them. The staff and the spear jabbed inward to catch the man in the gap.
Deel kicked off, hurling his body to one side. He shot directly Niu. His forceful shoulder passed her extended staff arm. He struck her chest with a sickening crunch. Niu hurtled backward. She spun through the air and hit a wall, caving in the building behind it.
Melissa's eyes widened. She spun and hurled her spear after Deel as he recoiled. Whatever technique he’d just used to hit Niu, he was about to try the same to her. Her spear dived into his back. He spun and fell. The spear and stuck upward like a flagpole. He clutched at the weapon as his
wound spread blood on the cobbles. The weapon flew free and then clattered to the street.
Deel bolted toward Melissa. She raised both hands to guard, knowing they’d be little use if he rammed into her like he had Niu.
Deel’s limbs formed an arrowhead. He hurled himself toward Melissa. Melissa twisted and sent a shock sprite straight to Deel’s frame before he could crash into her. He went rigid for an instant. She darted past him, retrieving her spear. He staggered after her.
Heen was moving but far to slowly to interfere.
Still, he could close the gap if I don’t end this soon. And, Niu...
Deel spun around to face her once more. Blood spattered on the stones behind him. He clutched his back. His other hand formed the best fist he could, but the fingers didn’t close all the way.
He pushed his glasses up his nose with a bloody index finger.
“You’ve grown fast,” he said.
Deel raced toward the building where Niu had fallen. Melissa charged to intercept him. Her spear thrust out. He jumped and skidded sliding along the side of the weapon, toward her.
He kicked the haft, driving the spearhead to the ground and delivering a brutal blow to Melissa’s forehead. She spun end over end and smashed onto the cobblestones. The breath went out of her.
Deel reached the broken wall of the building where Niu had fallen. Melissa drew out her iron bane and hurled it at him. The building caved in, collapsing around is the iron bane after it sliced through Deel. The fastest member of the fist gasped and then collapsed onto his knees. All the essence flooded from him as he slid along the gutter.
Melissa scowled at the fallen body as Deel skidded to a halt beside the wall. Wreckage rained around Niu. Melissa forced herself upright. She marched toward the ruins.
“Niu,” she called.
No answer.
She stepped past what remained of the walls and found Niu lying upon shards of a broken table. Her friend had glassy eyes, no sign of recognition in her face.
“No,” said Melissa. “No.”
Niu’s staff lay on the floor. Her hands were limp.
Melissa turned and stared at the fallen form of Deel. He made no move to stand up. His sprite song was gone, as was Niu’s.
Melissa howled in rage. She lifted Niu but staggered. She regained her balance as her iron bane returned to enhance her muscles once more. She limped from the building, carrying Niu with her.
She lay her friend on the stones beside Deel.
Heen fell to his knees before her, still a few yards down the slope.
“No,” said the boy, “I didn't mean this to happen.”
“Of course not,” said Melissa. ‘But he did.” She motioned to Deel.
Heen doubled over, clutching at his wounded shoulder, and started to cry.
Melissa turned with tears in her eyes. She charged for the palace.
Folt
Folt watched the ship Rina had been beginning to accelerate, still following them up the river.
Rina flew ahead of the ship in her Fisher form, serpentine tail dancing over the water. Her wings carried her swiftly toward Folt’s ship.
He turned to the wheel and told Kanori helmsman to make for the sewage gate near the bridge. That's where we’re needed, he thought.
Rina caught up, stepping through the rear hatch in her human form. The fortress ship sliced through the water near the center of the river. The shallows would be too dangerous to navigate, lest they get stuck on the bottom, and then trapped by the pursuing governor’s forces.
Whatever mages the governor brought with her, Folt hoped he could deal with them. Suya would surely be among them and Hilos as well. The old man had been a tough and fair mentor to both Folt and Suya. All of that happened before Folt sold his form to the demon.
His mouth ate for the demon. His stomach digested for the demon. His body worked for the demon. Voratome Drake made for a harsh, cruel master.
Of all the demon's Folt could've sworn a pact with, he had the picked one that lay deepest in the abyss. Folt never was a powerful warrior before that pact with for Voratome Drake. The demon’s fire burned within him. He turned to join Rina.
“What happened to your ship?”
Rina snorted.
“Your prisoners took it over.”
“And you fled?”
“The man with the sword used his voice. I didn't want to suffer the fate of the crew.”
“Well he's after us now,” said Folt.
Rina shrugged.
“Whatever happens,” Folt said, “We must reach the gate to help Havindas escape.”
“Why help him so much?” asked Rina.
“Because,” said Folt, “We serve the same master, him and I.”
Rina nodded. She possessed a cold assessment, despite being a young girl.
Folt turned to the helmsman.
“We must go faster. We need to get to the gate before the governor’s forces catch us.”
The helmsman obeyed called to the master of oars below, relaying Folt’s order.
The oarsmen worked overtime, fighting the river’s flow while smaller battles raged throughout the city.
All eyes were turned elsewhere. Folt and his ship continued up the river. Deel’s ship and Uigara’s ships had gone off course. Heen’s never made it past the dock guards. Folt and his vessel were the only one left to help Havindas escape.
Voratome Drake, Folt thought, you will only have one of us to use after today.
His words echoed in his mind. The effort Folt put forth to serve the demon wasn't predicated on a threat from within. He could not be the master when he was also the servant.
Folt and Rina watched the front as the ship eased under the second bridge, which cast its shadow over the gate of the old sewer. That sewer system, carved ages ago, was the escape route from the palace. It connected to an imperfection in the world well.
Even Deckard Hadrian wouldn’t look below a world well for an ancient sewer way. Havindas was counting on that.
Folt suspected more trouble. He checked over his shoulder. Saben’s ship gathered speed close behind them.
“They’re following us,” said Rina.
“Not to their benefit.” Folt turned to the rear of the ship. “Take command here for a moment Rina.”
“But you were doing such a great job.” Rina’s tone was snide.
Folt grunted. He made his way to the rear hatch where it hung open. He stared at Saben’s vessel helm to bow. They were only a few dozen hand spans apart. Folt inhaled and conjured fire banes from within, using Voratome Drake's gift.
He shot fire from his mouth. Flames erupted, black and burning on the bow of the stolen fortress ship.
Damn the crew, Folt thought, and damn Saben. He will not disrupt my mission.
The fortress ship carrying the prisoners and whatever crew remained ignited in an immense blaze in seconds. Splashes came from the water as people abandoned ship. The oarsmen will be unlucky, but Folt hoped the rest of the crew could escape.
Folt watched grimly as the other fortress ship burn.
Saben
He dove out of the fortress ship’s hatch and splashed into the water.
Currents lapped about him as he found his way to the shore. He climbed the base of a steep escarpment on the northern bank. Jaswei followed him, still dragging her luggage. Rond gasped for air but still made it to shore alive.
The fortress ship they’d abandoned erupted with more fire. The crew couldn’t escape Folt’s inferno.
Saben glanced at Jaswei as she wrung water out of her hair.
“I'm going to find Havindas. I think I know where to look.”
“The palace?” she said.
Saben nodded.
Rond collapsed nearby them.
“Keep an eye on him,” said Saben, “I'll be back soon.”
“This is it, isn't it?” said Jaswei.
“I'm going to face him. I can do it alone.”
“You don't have to,” she said,
touching his arm.
Fear mingle with attraction. He cupped her cheek.
“Please.” He looked into her eyes. “I have to go.”
“Let me come with you.”
“I'm going to need a different partner for this one,” said Saben. “But I’ll return to you.”
“You better,” Jaswei said. “If Rond could make it there, I wouldn't even think about letting you go alone.”
She touched his hand, then removed it from her face.
“I care about you. Don't get yourself killed.”
“I won't,” said Saben.
He set off of along the escarpment carrying his sword on his back knowledge of the scroll echoing in his mind. Azel was close now. He would drive his way up to the palace. Saben followed the river toward the bridge where the lead fortress ship floated. Havindas was close. he could feel the monster’s presence.
Elaine
Wards shuddered under the impact of magic from vakari warriors. Elaine and Lady Nasibron retreated from the doorway to avoid the blasts. Lakses dropped one warrior with a blow from his heavy fist. He moved with great speed when needed.
Elaine shot sprite fire at one of the nearby vakari, setting him falling in flames.
Lady Nasibron shifted into her sacra form, taking the shape of an armored knight formed from multicolored light. The blade she drew danced with sprites and burned with bane light. She struck down warrior after warrior.
The room was littered with the fallen forms of them a few vakari warriors already. Lady Nasibron quickly increased that number.
Finally, the vakari retreated. A single wizened vakari, his wings folded and his scales wrinkly with age, stepped into the passage outside the dungeon door.
“You've done well to defend against my subjects.”
“You’re the king of Nassion?” said Lady Nasibron.
“Indeed,” said the lizard man “I have need of what lies below the palace. You will, of course, allow me passage.”
“I think not.” Lady Nasibron’s sacra form’s voice echoed in the narrow space, sounding nothing like her.
The lizard man laughed, a deep, low sound.
“My subjects are mages. “He nudged one of the fallen warriors with his toe “I am a full wizard.”
Demon Scroll Page 35
