by Ben Hale
She folded her arms. “Just how many secrets are you keeping from me?”
He sucked in his breath as if in pain. “More than I want to,” he said bitterly.
She regarded him for several moments, the irritation melting from her features. Then she sighed and relaxed in her chair.
“I still can’t believe you fought a dragon construct,” she said.
Jack didn’t comment on her shift in topic. “Six, actually.”
She laughed lightly. “Jack Myst, liberator of our guild, guildmaster of thieves, destroyer of Margauth, and now dragonslayer.”
“It sounds pretentious when you say it like that.”
She laughed again, this time with appreciation. “How many titles do you plan on accumulating?”
“I’ve had enough for a lifetime,” Jack said with a smile.
“Because you have earned enough?” she asked shrewdly, “or because there is nothing left to earn?”
“It wasn’t the first time I fought a construct,” Jack said. “And constructs are more dangerous than anything I’ve ever faced.”
“We still have Skorn to deal with,” she said.
“I know,” he replied. “But I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
He was tired, but he did his best to keep his smile bland. Beauty was far too adept at reading his expression, and he couldn’t afford to reveal any more. Everything he’d put together, every piece he’d painstakingly put into place, would all be at risk if Beauty suspected too much. He hoped that what he’d shared would be enough to satiate her.
She stared over his shoulder as if not seeing. “Skorn will know we’re coming. He’ll be ready for us.”
“It’s almost over now,” he said. He ran his hands through his hair and stood, signaling their conversation was over.
Her expression turned concerned and she strode to him, reaching up to touch his face. “You know, I’ve never seen you so tired.”
“I’ve never been so tired,” Jack replied, relishing the warmth of the contact.
“I’m sorry,” Beauty said. “I didn’t know the burden you’ve been carrying. I can only imagine how much you’ve planned to bring us to this point.”
“You have no idea,” he said wryly, and then his voice gained an edge. “From this moment on you’ll have to watch every word. If he suspects we know he’s listening, he’ll guard against us.”
“I’ll watch my mouth,” Beauty said, and then smiled, stepping close in invitation.
He took it, and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her soundly. The contact sent tingles to his toes and warmth into his weary limbs, but just as he tilted she withdrew. She smiled and stepped to the door.
“Beauty?” he called out.
She stopped with her hand on the handle. “Is there something else?”
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Jack.” Then she was gone.
Jack watched her slip from the room. As the door shut he sighed in regret and returned to the bed, sinking into its welcome softness. Unfortunately, sleep did not come easily. He’d told a partial truth to hide the whole truth, and hoped it would be enough to satisfy her. He finally fell asleep and dreamed of Ero and the Necrolith.
He woke when the door creaked open, and he groaned. Rubbing his eyes to clear his vision, he saw a form glide through the dim light and climb onto the bed, straddling him and leaning down over his face.
“Aranis,” Jack said. “I thought I made my position clear.”
“You did, pet,” she whispered.
“Can you just kill me and let me get back to sleep?”
She smiled and traced a finger down his chest. “Assassins are preparing to strike,” she said. “Apparently the bounty has been increased now that Ero disappeared.”
Jack groaned and considered the consequences if he just stayed in bed. “How much time do we have?”
“A few minutes,” Aranis said.
“Then it’s time for you to choose a side,” Jack said. “Kill me. Or join me.”
She leaned down and kissed his cheek before pulling a knife into view. It glittered in the soft light of the room and Jack glanced at his weapons nearby, cursing himself for his fatigue. With a flick of her wrist she sent the knife spinning into the darkness.
A grunt of pain came from the blow and a small man tumbled into view, the knife in his throat. He choked as he died and went still, but Aranis never took her eyes off Jack. Then she flashed a disturbing smile.
“No one harms my pet.”
Jack rose and she withdrew, allowing him to step to his clothes. She watched him change with a small smile on her lips. “Who was he?” Jack asked.
“Scout,” she replied. “He was supposed to confirm you were here so the others could strike.”
Jack grabbed his dagger and sheathed it along his spine. “When he doesn’t come back, they won’t wait for an invitation. I don’t suppose you know their plan?”
She grinned as he pulled on his cloak. “They’re going to burn you to the ground and search for your head in the ashes.”
“They’ve given up on the subtle approach,” he said.
“They’ve learned to fear you,” she said.
Jack strode to the stairway, ascending to Beauty’s room. He swung her door open without knocking and found Beauty standing beside a rack of weapons, in her nightclothes. She glared at him.
“Just because you’re the guildmaster, doesn’t mean you don’t have to knock.”
He laughed. “We have a situation.”
She shoved him out the door and spoke through it. “Does this have to do with last night?”
“Last night?” Aranis said, stepping into the doorway and twirling a ring dagger.
Beauty swung the door open, now dressed in her thief blacks. She cinched the strap of her weapon and then caught sight of Aranis. She snatched her sword and pointed it at the dark elf.
“What is she doing here?”
Jack stepped between them before blood could be spilt. “We don’t have time for this,” he said. “Assassins are at our door.”
Beauty slowly lowered her sword, her eyes turning hard. “Good. I could use a fight.”
“Then you’ll be disappointed,” Jack said. “Get everyone up and use the Gate to get them out. Take anything of value, but keep it quiet.”
“You want us to abandon the guildhall?” she asked.
“Too many know of its location,” Jack said. “It’s time we had a new one.”
She skewered him with a look. “You ordered Forlana to take the valuables from this hall months ago. How long have you been planning this?”
“A while,” Jack said. “Once everyone is gone, take Thalidon, Roarthin, and Ursana, and take the Gate north.”
“Where are we going?” Beauty asked.
Jack pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. “Follow these and I’ll use the Gate to get to you.”
“You wrote something down?” she asked, incredulous. “Forlana will be shocked.”
He grinned at her tone. “Contrary to rumor, my handwriting is readable. I’ll meet you there.”
“What about Sirani?” Beauty asked.
“She has her own assignment,” Jack said, and then his voice gained an edge of warning. “Just make certain you follow my instructions exactly. No mistakes.” He stabbed a finger at the envelope.
He knew he was asking a lot but she merely nodded and turned away. Smashing a fist on doors as she passed, she roused the other thieves. In seconds the hall was filled with thieves rushing about, many of whom cast curious looks at Aranis.
“They do not seem surprised at my presence,” she murmured.
“Is that a smile I hear in your voice?” Jack asked.
“No.”
Jack grinned. “Home is found among those you trust.”
She grunted in irritation and looked away, so he turned and headed to the top of the guildhall. Aranis followed him as they wound their way through the sudden pandemonium o
f rushing thieves. When they reached the top floor of the guildhall Jack stepped onto a balcony and scanned the darkened forest.
“Do you have a plan for me?” Aranis asked.
Jack turned to face her. Her features beneath her cowl remained inscrutable, but the question cracked the shield she maintained. She wanted an assignment, not because she wanted to be around Jack, but because she needed a target. He considered her request as he searched the dark forest, and then inclined his head.
“Actually, there is something you can do,” he said. “But it will mean returning to your homeland.”
“What could you need from my homeland?”
“A friend,” Jack said. “One that will aid us against Skorn.”
“Who?”
Instead of answering, Jack withdrew a parchment and scribbled a note onto the paper. Once he was done he added the location of the Necrolith. Then he handed it to her. He couldn’t see her eyes beneath her cowl, but her mouth parted in shock.
“Think you can find her?” Jack asked.
She pocketed the parchment. “It will take a few days.”
“Hurry,” Jack said. “You don’t have much time.”
The smile on her face betrayed a touch of eagerness. “I look forward to it.”
Aranis withdrew into the shadows, evaporating as only a dark elf could. When she was gone Jack aimed at the trees and fired his shadowhook, soaring into the canopy of a nearby tree. Latching onto a branch, he watched the thieves slip away through the Gate.
Beauty left by the front door and descended to the ground, threading through the trees with a casual pace. Her striking features would command attention, and the bold exit undoubtedly drew the gaze of the hidden assassins. Jack noticed a trio of figures carefully lowering a large bound package behind the guildhall. When they reached the ground, the dwarves and Ursana evaporated into the night, taking the Gate with them. Last to go, Sirani strode down the steps and left, her unhurried pace causing a stir in the bushes that marked the assassins’ presence.
The silence persisted, and Jack could almost hear the assassins debating their course of action. Wait or strike? Ten minutes went by before they chose the latter. A spark of light ignited on the ground, briefly illuminating a quartet of dwarves and a horde of men, goblins, and elves. The dwarves cast their charm and a streak of fire soared toward the guildhall like a flaming lance. It thudded into the wall above a window, sparking and glowing before detonating.
Half the structure disappeared in a ball of smoke and fire. The trees that held the guildhall recoiled like a fighter struck in the jaw. Shouts erupted beneath the guildhall as men and elves kicked down the front door and filed inside, the elves using their magic to extinguish the flames.
Jack smirked as their shouts of triumph turned to rage. They rushed about in a vain attempt to find anyone, clearly searching for Jack’s body. Someone roared in fury as the top floor succumbed to the flames, sending sparks filtering into the canopy, igniting leaves and branches.
Screams rang out from nearby homes and answering shouts echoed. The distant thudding of boots echoed as water mages from the city rushed toward the fire. The assassins abandoned the guildhall, escaping like roaches before a torch. Jack grinned as he watched them go, his gaze lifting to the ruined guildhall. The walls were caved in and flames had consumed the trees, scorching the trunks.
He sighed and pulled his pocket Gate into view. Activating its magic, he waited for the silver liquid to flow into shape. Then he stepped into the mirror and disappeared from view, the Gate closing behind him. In his wake the guildhall continued to burn.
Chapter 39: To War
Beauty ensured the Gate was loaded into a rented wagon, and then strode to her horse. Thalidon climbed onto the driver’s bench and flicked the reins, easing the horses onto the northern road. Beauty grabbed Axe’s saddle and leapt to his back, but paused to look at the burning guildhall.
Smoke climbed into the distance and fire glowed through the foliage. Elven water mages pulled from a nearby river, sending sprays of water splashing into the devastated guildhall. Steam mingled with the smoke billowing into the sky.
“What are you up to, Jack?” she murmured.
Shaking her head, she pulled the reins, guiding the horse onto the road. The dwarves drove the wagon while Ursana rode a horse behind it. Beauty brought up the rear, her thoughts on what Jack had revealed. He’d trusted her with the truth, but she knew it wasn’t the whole truth. Despite his secrecy she was grateful for the revelations, not for what he said, but for what he didn’t say.
Jack wasn’t withholding the truth out of fear, he was doing it out of foresight. Jack’s greatest talent was his cunning, and this time he’d planned months ahead—a surprisingly cautious plan, especially for him. A faint smile crossed her face as she realized how much she’d underestimated him, again.
“What’s the smile for?” Ursana asked, slowing her horse to ride beside her.
“Just realizing that in spite of everything I’ve seen him do, Jack still surprises me.”
Ursana laughed lightly. “You’d think a man tracked by assassins and hunted by a devil would be fighting for survival. Instead he manages to think ahead of everyone.”
Beauty motioned to the forest around them. “Most trees grow where the soil is soft and easy, while some manage to find purchase on rock. I’ve never known one that thrives in the tempest and feeds on fire.”
“Danger is like food for him,” Ursana agreed. “It’s the reason he’ll triumph over Skorn.”
“You really believe that?” she asked. “You saw the army he brought to the Church of Light. He’s bound to have far more at the Necrolith—and we just have our guild.”
“I have no idea how,” Ursana said. “But I don’t need to know. I trust Jack”
Beauty raised an eyebrow. “How did you gain such faith in him?”
“The first time he climbed the Machine. Do you remember?”
Beauty grinned. “He climbed a killing wall and made it look easy.”
“I looked at the wall and saw an obstacle,” Ursana said, “a foe that would test my mettle. But I think Jack saw the Machine like an exotic meal, one to be savored for its spice.”
“When did you become so wise?” Beauty asked, casting the girl an appraising look.
“Those were actually Gordon’s words.” Ursana smiled before looking away.
“I think you should talk to—”
“I’d rather not talk about it,” she said.
Beauty threw her a look and saw the emotions written on her face. She thought the girl would speak but the seconds passed into minutes and still Ursana held her tongue. With a sigh Beauty turned her thoughts back to Jack.
They journeyed north until they reached the Giant’s Shelf and followed its curve west, away from elven lands. With the great cliff on one side and the sea on the other, the narrow road showed signs of age and disrepair, the ruts from wagon wheels deep and filled with rainwater.
They pressed on until dawn, when they reached a village outside of elven lands. Small and containing a motley assortment of races, the village was not part of any kingdom. Fishermen were already at their boats, unfurling their sails and pulling out to sea. Shopkeepers bustled about, opening doors and placing their wares on counters for display. Several carts ambled down the street with produce from nearby farms. Thalidon brought the horses to a halt beside an inn. With a groan he descended to the street and strode to Beauty. She descended to join him and patted Axe on the neck.
“Boron owns this place,” Thalidon said. “He’s an old thief contact. We can stay here for a day or two.”
“Any chance he’ll tell Skorn’s followers?”
Thalidon shook his head. “He got out before Skorn took over.”
A dwarf appeared in the inn’s door and rumbled a laugh. Dressed in a strange combination of armor and apron, the dwarf had his beard and hair braided. Stains flecked his clothing like a meal had exploded as he cooked.
“M
y two least favorite dwarves,” he said with a hearty laugh. “What brings you to my door?”
“Need a place to stay for a few days,” Thalidon said.
“It’ll cost you a keg of your family’s finest,” the dwarf replied.
“I thought we were friends,” Roarthin said.
“Care to make it two kegs?”
Roarthin laughed and inclined his head. “You’ll get your payment.”
Boron stabbed a thumb toward the alley adjacent to the inn. “You can stable your wagon and horses in the back. Thalidon, you know where to put them.”
Thalidon lowered his voice and leaned close to Beauty. “There’s a second stables hidden beneath the ground. The Gate will be safe.”
Boron gestured to them. “I’ll have four rooms prepared for you.”
“Make that two,” Beauty called. “My companion and I must press on.”
Boron nodded and entered the inn. When he was gone Ursana dismounted and stepped close to Beauty.
“Please tell me we aren’t going to keep riding,” she said, her words distorted by a yawn.
“No,” Beauty said. “You and I are going to the Evermist guildhall.”
“Why?” she asked.
Beauty thought of the instructions Jack had given her. “We have work to do.”
Thalidon climbed onto the driver’s bench of the wagon and flicked the reins, turning the horses down the alley to the rear of the inn. A barn sat at the base of a hill, its bulk sufficient to house several steeds. Thalidon strode inside and went to the workroom, fumbling for a latch. It clicked, and a section of the floor rose to reveal a ramp disappearing into a subterranean level. Roarthin kept his hand on the brake as he eased the wagon down the ramp.
Beauty dismounted and led Axe into a stall. As the dwarves unhitched the horses from the wagon, Beauty wearily cared for Axe. By the time she finished she could barely keep her eyes open. Leaving him behind, she found Ursana sitting on a bench, fast asleep.
“She’s exhausted,” Thalidon murmured.
“She’s not the only one,” Beauty said, rubbing her eyes. “Sometimes I envy your dwarven endurance.”
Thalidon smirked and lowered his voice. “Why do you want to take Ursana with you? She obviously needs to rest, especially if we’re going against Skorn.”
