The Paladin Archives Book Two The Withering Falseblade

by Jason Psilopoulos

  “You will be silent.” Aiko gave Ian some support, helping him away from Mordred. Tetsuo and Hikaru both followed, their blades held at the ready. “I’m not here for you. I want the Falseblade!” Marcus nodded imperceptibly.

  “And you’re taking a hostage to get it. You’re a coward.” Mordred pressed the blade closer to Jennifer’s neck.

  “Marcus! Please! It hurts! Please!” Marcus put his hand on the hilt of his blade and scowled.

  “Coward or not, I have the knife and the hostage, Kasidyne. You will do as I say. Now, where is it?” Mordred bit out, giving Jennifer an extra tug for emphasis. Marcus said nothing, standing still and calm. “Tell me or I will slit her throat!” Jennifer let out another cry as the blade pressed even closer.

  “It’s gonna be all right Jennifer!” Gerard called out from the side of the stage. Mordred didn’t even glance in his direction. Gerard rolled up into a ball on the floor, barely able to breath.

  “No one was talking to you!” Mordred raised his head a little, addressing the crowd. “Anyone makes a move, she dies. I don’t get what I want in the next five minutes, she dies. There is no middle ground here. And to ensure that I get what I want-” The doors to the Holodrome exploded inward. The crowd turned and saw Darius March and Zeriff Lorga, strolling up the aisle toward the stage, followed by a cadre of Absolutes. They fanned out around the theater, creating a security wheel for the Sustainer. Darius and Zeriff took their places behind Mordred.

  "Never without your thugs," Marcus grated. Zeriff looked a little put out by that pronouncement.

  "Better a thug than a dead man," Darius bellowed.

  “Now,” Mordred said, turning back to Marcus. “Where is the Falseblade?” Marcus stood still, trying to think. He needed time. He knew he couldn’t move fast enough to save Jennifer and he knew that no one else was in position to do so. He couldn’t let Jennifer be killed. He was praying for help. "Where is it?"

  "Not here," Marcus droned. Mordred tightened his grip. Marcus could see the skin on Jennifer's neck fold beneath the blade. She cried out, her voice barely a squeak.

  "Marcus please!"

  “I'm in no mood for coy answers. Give me what I want! NOW!” Marcus felt his nerves jumping. He was being forced.

  “All right. All right. Let’s just be calm about this.” Mordred shook his head.

  “I am all done being calm. Give me the blade!”

  Ellis and Mary both sat, looking around in silence at the mess that was the basement. They’d both decided it was best not to look directly at the Falseblade. It was starting to drive them a little stir crazy. Instead, Ellis had fixed his eyes on the large boxes of books off in the far corner, and Mary was looking at the floor.

  Why’re you here? Ellis asked himself. He still had strong feelings about Mary. He couldn’t look at her without thinking what it’d be like to have her feel the same. He’d decided the best solution was to try to focus on something else. ANYTHING else. The problem with that plan was that there wasn’t anything to focus on in the basement. The entire room was boxes of books. Mary said she had read most of them, but that did little for Ellis’s distraction.

  “I think maybe I’m not being a good hostess,” Mary said finally. Ellis looked up from his reverie.

  “What?” he asked distractedly. “No. It’s fine. I’m actually just sitting here, trying to guess how many books are down here.” Mary smirked a little.

  “Three thousand, two hundred and six books, and fifty leaflets from a Cotillion forty-three years ago,” she said with machine-like precision. Ellis marveled for a moment as Mary’s face reddened. She hadn’t meant to sound quite so smug. “Normally, I’d be sitting here reading. Watching that . . . that thing, just makes me mad. I can’t focus on my studies.” Ellis nodded. He hadn’t been alone with the Falseblade at any point. Marcus had insisted that Ellis spend no time unattended with it. Ellis hadn’t argued with that at all. Not after the Wraith’s comments about him.

  “It’s trying to influence you,” Ellis said smartly. “Sir Kasidyne told me it would be that way. He also said it would wither any of us who got a grip on it. You probably shouldn't be alone with it anymore.” Mary stood up, grabbing a book from the shelf. Ellis knew he’d sparked a line of thought that required her to research something. Amazingly enough, she knew exactly what she was looking for.

  “I read that in this a while back. Here it is.” Mary began quoting from the book, adjusting her glasses on her nose. “If any take up the forbidden Falseblade who are not worthy, they will be withered as a reed, left to be blown away like the coarse sand.” Mary closed the book, rubbing the cover reverently.

  “Not the way I’d want to go,” Ellis said absently. That’s when the door to the basement opened.

  “Mary dear." Mary jumped visibly.

  "We're not doing anything Grandma." Ellis chuckled a little. Mary's grandmother certainly commanded her granddaughter’s respect, if not her outright fear.

  "Mary, there’s something on the monitor that you two should see.” Mary and Ellis both came up the stairs and followed Mary’s Grandmother to the viewing room. The broadcast monitor was showing the wedding. Ellis felt Mary cringe beside him. She didn’t want to see it. She didn’t want to know it at all.

  “What is it?” Ellis asked. Grandma pointed to the monitor and frowned.

  “We’re not sure what it is we are seeing, but the broadcast of the Sodaro Maeda wedding has been interrupted by what appears to be a full-blown hostage situation,” the anchorman toned dispassionately as Mary and Ellis came into view. The sight brought Ellis to a dead halt.

  “What on earth?” Mary asked, her hand covering her mouth in distress.

  “We’ll do our best to stay with this story as it unfolds. We’re being told that the Paladin Council has dispatched the Headmen to coordinate a response to what is being called a terrorist action. Who these men are and what they want is as yet unclear.” The anchorman’s voice dropped out as the audio pick up from the Holodrome began to cut through.

  “I want the Falseblade Kasidyne! You now have four minutes and thirty-four seconds.” Ellis and Mary both had the same face. They’d never seen Mordred before. But it wasn't hard to know at a glance that it was him. He had Jennifer by the hair, his blade at her neck.

  “Glad I didn’t go to the wedding,” Mary mumbled. Ellis shook his head.

  “Are you seeing this?” Sage asked Donavan over the intercom. One of his engineering staff had tuned into the broadcast during their break. Now no one was working. Donavan nodded silently on the bridge. He had the entire proceeding up on the bridge projector screen. The bridge staff was standing in shock. Donavan shook himself and rose to his feet.

  “All right people. Stop gawking! We’ve got a job to do. Mister Nichols. I want you to coordinate with the media in the Holodrome. Tell them what you need for accurate surveillance. I want a security detachment on the hangar deck in one minute. Let’s go!”

  "Who is this Mordred?" Cole asked from the side, his voice low and growling. He didn't like his hands being tied. Hostages bothered him.

  "Bad news Remec," Jack muttered, trying not to be heard by the Dreads. "Worst of the worst. Evil, cruel and ruthless. Kills with a glance and doesn't care." Cole grunted, his hand setting anxiously on the hilt of his oversized zweihander. He wanted to draw it.

  "Has anyone thought to just kill him?" Cole asked. Uther shrugged.

  "Many times, in a dozen different ways. He has proven . . . resilient." Cole smirked. At least getting a sword on him would be interesting.

  “So what’s the plan Mordred? Take the blade and run. There are a thousand paladins between here and the city limits. You wouldn’t get a block,” Marcus bit out. Mordred sucked back a slow breath. He glanced to his left and right. Cole stood with his hand resting on the pommel of his sword, ready to act at a moment’s notice. Both Tetsuo and Hikaru were standing with Aiko and Ian, set on defending them. Jack and Uther had wisely pulled themselves to the side behind Cole, unpr
epared for a fight.

  “I will take the blade, and you will let me leave, or I will remove this mask and turn this place to ashes.” Marcus shook his head. That was not an alternative he could live with.

  “Unacceptable. You want the blade, fine! Then I get what I want.” Mordred laughed.

  “You get your female mostly intact. I would think that enough.” Marcus shook his head.

  “Everyone else’s safety first. Let the civilians leave.” Mordred considered it a moment. There were hundreds of people in the Holodrome. It would take several minutes to clear the entire place out.

  “They’re as much collateral as she is,” he said with a tug to Jennifer’s hair. “But any paladins and other military officers in the crowd will leave now!” Marcus didn’t like that deal, but Mordred had his hands tied. He nodded slowly. A rush of movement went through the room as several dozen paladins, Krossmen and samurai filed out. Mordred waited quietly for the rest of the room to grow still again. Marcus glanced around. That still left at least two hundred people within. Most were dignitaries from many of the attending nations. None of them looked battle worthy.

  “That doesn’t change anything. They’re just as dangerous out there.” Mordred nodded.

  “And that’s where they’re staying. Perilisk!” Darius stepped forward. “Guard the door. Unless you see the Falseblade. No one passes you.” Darius nodded, walking past Marcus toward the door. He gave Marcus a jolt with his shoulder as he went past. Marcus restrained himself, not losing his cool.

  “How's my girl?" he rumbled as he went past.

  "Better than you're gonna be," Marcus muttered. He didn't watch the man as he headed for the entrance. He couldn't stand to look at him.

  "Please Marcus! Don't do anything stupid!" Gerard called out, picking himself up from the floor. "Just give them whatever they want!" Marcus waved him off.

  "I'm trying to keep your daughter safe Sir. You're just going to have to trust me this time." Gerard leaned heavily against a bunching of lights, not sure if he could trust Marcus to save his little girl.

  "So how do we do this then?" Ian asked from the side, recovered from the mind blast he'd received. Mordred tilted his head slightly.

  "When the blade is here, we'll discuss it." Ian leaned forward a little, his face drawn close to Tetsuo and Hikaru.

  "When do we strike?" Hikaru asked through the side of his mouth, barely a whisper. Tetsuo shook his head.

  “I do not think it wise to strike,” Ichiro said grimly. “He seems to wish to do violence despite his demands.” Ichiro was not a tactician. But his ability to read people and their intentions had made him a formidable negotiator. Tetsuo had to agree with his son.

  "Ichiro speaks true. I believe this Mordred is untrustworthy. He cannot be allowed to harm the girl. I do not believe in acceptable losses." Ian nodded.

  "When Marcus moves, we move. Not before. Understood?" Tetsuo, Hikaru and Aiko all nodded quietly. Mordred looked in their direction.

  "Really Mister Sodaro. You don't think I can't still pull directly from your mind, do you?" Ian frowned. "Marcus is not going to make a move. You know that as well as I." Ian shook his head.

  "I can't wait to take you on again." Mordred's flaming eye flashed for a second, knocking Ian to the floor. Aiko was by his side in an instant, helping him up. Ian wasn't in pain this time. Mordred had just blown him off his feet.

  "I'm not fighting you. When the time comes, I'll be worshiping you, Aionios the Undying." Ian got back to his feet, staring back at Mordred with disdain. The room was quiet, except for the blowing of the internal fans. Marcus tightened his fists. He needed time to think. He needed to concentrate. He looked at Jennifer and felt the twinge again. He shook himself. Now wasn't the time. But the more he tried to think, the more forceful the feeling came.

  "Two minutes," Jack called out. Marcus could feel his throat tightening. He needed more time.

  Ellis and Mary ran as fast as they could, the Falseblade folded into a blanket and sticking out of the back of Mary’s book bag. It was heavy and cumbersome for her. But he knew what he was doing. Mary adjusted her glasses as they ran across Nikko Park. The field was littered with Paladins, all grouping and arming themselves. Whatever had happened since they’d left Mary's house, it had been substantial.

  “I still don’t like this,” Mary said breathlessly. Ellis slowed up as they rounded the corner.

  “I’m not a fan either,” he said stiffly. “But if Marcus is right and Paladins are supposed to save lives, then we need to do this.” Mary came up short, putting her hands on her knees.

  “I can’t. Take it and go,” she wheezed. Ellis shook his head.

  “Uh uh. Together. Or not at all.” He took Mary’s hand, intent on leading her on.

  “Okay. But I need air,” she wheezed. Ellis smiled as he pulled her forward.

  "Ellis!" Cecil called out from the side. Ellis came up short, seeing his mentor marching toward him. Mary bent over a little, her breath coming out of her lungs hard. She wasn't used to all this running.

  "Not now Cecil!" Ellis went to go past him, but Cecil grabbed his arm.

  "Wait a minute." Cecil glanced at the bag. "Is that what I think it is?" Ellis nodded. "What're you doing with it then?"

  “I can’t explain it. No time. Later.” Ellis gave Cecil a long, hard stare. Cecil looked at the boy and released his grip. He knew what was going on. Ellis nodded slowly, and turned toward the Holodrome.

  "Ellis!" Cecil called out finally. "Be careful in there!" Ellis nodded, running with Mary for the entrance.

  "The Burke child approaches," Darius said from the door. "As does the girl. They carry a bundle." Marcus felt himself tensing. The Falseblade would be here any second. He still couldn’t think straight. He didn't have a plan. He kept getting images of Jennifer in his mind.

  "I think an exchange is in order," Zeriff said, speaking for the first time since arriving. Marcus turned towards the door, and watched as Ellis and Mary both strode past Darius with as much courage as they could muster. Darius grabbed Ellis's shoulder, stopping the boy where he was. His hand went for the bag. Ellis turned, his face creased in anger.

  "You touch that bag and I'll make sure no one gets the Falseblade!" Marcus roared, pulling his sword. Darius looked at Marcus's blade, then down at the bundle. Mordred shook his head. Darius gave Ellis an impolite shove.

  "Walk Pup!" Ellis glared back over his shoulder at Darius. "Oh horrors. I made it mad." Ellis shifted his eyes forward, stepping up onto the stage and beside Marcus. He shuddered a bit as the nauseating feeling from Mordred hit him. He couldn't look at him.

  "You have a plan, right?" Ellis asked softly, keeping his attention away from the Sustainer. Marcus nodded, trying to give Ellis a sense of security. Ellis looked up at Marcus and saw it in that moment. Marcus wasn't quite sure.

  "More or less." Ellis felt a little deflated. This wasn't what he'd expected. "I'm working on it. Give me the blade." Ellis pulled the blanket roll from Mary’s bag and handed it gingerly to Marcus. Marcus unrolled it and let the black sword fall into the light. The flaming tendrils about the blade were pulsing, giving off waves of cold.

  "Now, give me the Falseblade." Marcus looked at Mordred, his eyes set upon the man rather than his panic-stricken hostage. He focused solely on Mordred, making his mind work and his faith active. Trust the boy. He glanced at Uther, who still waited for instruction. He delayed a moment, allowing inspiration to come to him fully.

  "I'm not waiting for this." Zeriff moved toward Marcus, his clawed hand outstretched and ready to snatch the blade away. A rifle crack burst the silence. Zeriff recoiled as a bullet ripped through his palm. He looked around, trying to spot his attacker. Marcus looked up, seeing Donavan in the rafters with a high-powered rifle and scope.

  "I could kill you just as easily Zeriff!" Donavan said keeping his eyes focused on his target. From the rafters, a dozen of Donavan's men rappelled down, taking up positions in the crowd with their own rifles. The civilians
started bunching in the direction of the doors, making themselves ready to flee if the opportunity presented itself. Donavan's men took up flanking positions around the crowd, safeguarding them as best they could. Marcus smiled.

  "My men have orders to shoot if one of you so much as scratches his head. We're gonna make this fair Mordred. The next Dread that tries to grab that blade gets to see what eternity looks like, first hand. And he won’t be coming back to tell us about it." Mordred growled behind his mask. Marcus could see the flame in his eye glowing a little brighter.

  "How did they get here?" Zeriff roared.

  "Upper level emergency entrance," Marcus said simply.

  "You're a fool Zeriff!" Mordred snapped. “That entrance was to be guarded!” Zeriff's face seemed to darken at that.

  “It was,” Donavan jibed. “We took care of your guard. He was poorly trained.”

  "I don't like these games. We should level the campus and take what we want," Zeriff toned. Ian shook his head.

  "Because that worked so well in Meridian City." Darius chuckled at the exchange. Mordred let out an exasperated sigh.

  "Your ways are fruitless and foul Zeriff. You're a fallen prince of a lost house. You have no authority but what our masters give you. My word is law here." After a moment, Mordred returned his attention. "I will brook no further delays." Marcus smiled slyly, stepping forward a few paces. Mordred backed away an equal amount, giving him no advantage.

  "This's going to be very simple. Uther will bring the blade to you." Uther looked around in surprise. "You will give Jennifer to him, and you will back away. Once we both have what we want, you get a ten second head start. That’s it." Mordred glanced over at Uther and tried to see why Marcus had chosen him. Uther looked nervous. He didn't look very capable as a paladin. After a moment, Mordred nodded.

  "Very well." Uther walked over, looking Marcus in the eye as he was handed the Falseblade. "If I even smell a trick, Miss Burton will be ashes!"