Magic Below Paris Complete Series Boxed Set (Books 1 - 8): Trading Into Shadow, Trading Into Darkness, Trading Close to Light, Trading By Firelight, Trading by Shroomlight, plus 3 more

by C. M. Simpson

  Marsh went to dive after it, only to be stopped short. She turned, fist raised, and Roeglin pulled her tight against his chest.

  “He’s okay,” he whispered, deflecting the blow and trapping her arm against her side. “He’s okay. Kalori…”

  Marsh froze. “Kalori?”

  “The druid who cleared the stone from Below. He stayed and called the stone to shield them.”

  “But Aisha?” Marsh pulled away, and Roeglin released her.

  “Will be fine,” Roeglin reassured her. “She’s a rock mage, remember?”

  “As well as a mind mage…and a…and a lightning mage?” Marsh gulped, staring at the dimple left by the subsiding boulder. “But she already called the lightning. She’ll be exhausted.”

  “And Master Envermet will speak to her about that.”

  “He will? When?”

  “Right after I do.” Brigitte sounded beyond angry, but nowhere near as angry as Alain.

  “After I have put her over my knee for scaring a lifetime out of me,” he rumbled, coming to stand beside them.

  “She’s not even supposed to be here,” Marsh protested. “I didn’t ask her to come.”

  “Just like you didn’t show Sasha how to call the lightning?” Alain challenged, indicating where Calantha stood with the little girl on one hip.

  That got to her. Marsh turned to face the man, putting one hand on her hip and tapping him on the center of the chest with the other.

  “And you. Were supposed. To keep. Her. At. Home!”

  Alain shrugged helplessly. “You know what her sister’s like.”

  “Not my responsibility,” Marsh scolded. “If you can’t keep your children on a tighter leash, they’re going to be learning all kinds of things you don’t want them to.”

  “How is that my fault?”

  “You’re her father! Where do you think they got it from? Thin air? A visiting trader? Why don’t you have a word to Calantha about that?”

  Calantha gasped, and Sasha glared at her. “Rude!”

  The tone and word were an exact duplicate of her sister’s, and Marsh figured they were all in more trouble than they knew. She was thinking of how to respond to that when another voice drew her attention back to the center of the pit.

  “Marchant. Marie. Leclerc! That was uncalled for!” Master Envermet’s stern tones of rebuke were never more welcome.

  Marsh pivoted and saw him standing behind her, the rock mage and Aisha on either side. Throwing all protocol to the wind, she launched herself at the shadow captain and wrapped her arms around him.

  “I thought we’d lost you. What were you thinking?” she demanded, drawing back to inspect his face.

  Master Envermet winced. “That a shadow shield would be more than enough to stop debris from an explosion of that magnitude?” he suggested and gave her a wry smile. “It was not one of my better plans.”

  “Yuh think?” Marsh asked, letting him go.

  Master Envermet gave her a deprecating smile and indicated the Grotto druid standing beside him. “If Kalori had not disobeyed my orders, I might have been more lost than I’d like.”

  Marsh turned to the druid. “Thank you.”

  Kalori managed a shaky smile.

  “Do not thank me,” he told her and indicated Aisha. “If the child had not come, we would have died inside the shell. Our air was running out.”

  “Regardless,” Roeglin said, coming forward to shake Master Envermet’s hand and pull him into a quick hug, “you have returned to us, and the portal is gone.”

  He frowned worriedly and looked at Kalori. “It is gone, is it not?”

  The druid nodded. “Oh, yes, and it will not return. I watched it shatter as the energy rebounded.”

  “You… The energy rebounded?” Marsh asked.

  Kalori nodded enthusiastically. “I’ve never seen the like.”

  “And I hope to never see it again,” Master Envermet commented quietly.

  He clapped the druid on the shoulder. “I think I owe you a drink.”

  Aisha reached up and took his hand, earning a downward glance.

  “And I owe you a…” He frowned at a loss as to what to offer the child who had just saved his life.

  “A story!” Aisha beamed, bouncing excitedly beside him. She let go of his hand and clapped excitedly. “A really long story.”

  Master Envermet groaned and rolled his eyes. “Very well,” he agreed, offering her his hand. “A story, it is.”

  “A long story?”

  “A very long story.”

  “After dinner,” Alain interrupted. “We all need to eat first, and Tamlin is hungry.”

  “Tamlin is always hungry,” Aisha grumbled, but she didn’t argue.

  Alain snorted. “Tamlin’s not the only one.”

  Aisha shot him a dark look. “Is so, too.”

  27

  Aftermath

  They headed back toward the gates, their steps lighter than when they’d left despite the rain falling heavily around them. Marsh and Roeglin followed Master Envermet, Aisha, and Kalori, and Alain, Calantha, and the rest brought up the rear.

  As they neared the gates, Marsh watched Perdemor stalk out of the darkness to shoulder his way under Aisha’s free hand, Scruffknuckle bounding alongside and then around them. The pup’s gamboling made a lie out of the fight they’d just had.

  Marsh looked around for Mordan and was rewarded when the kat strolled over to walk at her side. She said nothing but rested a hand on Mordan’s back, enjoying the touch of her fur. The kits joined them, although one dropped back to trot at Henri’s side.

  Marsh shook her head at the youngster’s choice of company, but before she could comment on it, Roeglin slid an arm around her waist.

  “Promise me we won’t ever have to do that again?”

  Marsh leaned into him. “I don’t think I can, but I will promise that I’ll do my best to not do it if there’s another way.”

  “And now we have another demi-mage to train.” He sounded almost resigned.

  Marsh chuckled and slid an arm around his waist, leaning into his warmth. Moments later, she recoiled. “Ugh.”

  “What?”

  “You…” She sniffed the air and corrected herself. “We stink.”

  They’d reached the steps leading into the mess hall, but at her words, everyone paused, then Master Envermet cocked an eyebrow and pushed open the door.

  “They’ll never let us in,” Roeglin muttered, but his words were belied by a loud cheer.

  Hurry up, Master Envermet ordered, before the cooks notice and decide to kick us right back where we came from.

  None of them waited to be told twice. They hurried into the mess hall to the sound of more cheering and mild applause. Silence fell as Roeglin raised his hand. He found a chair and pulled it to the front of the room, climbing onto it to address them.

  “We closed the pathway into the Below,” he told them, and waited for the applause to die down, “and we brought our people back.”

  Again, he had to wait until the crowd settled.

  “We also brought back more people.” His jaw dropped as he said it as if he’d only just remembered the people he’d sent through the gate. He searched the room until he saw Tok standing by the door.

  “Tok, those who shelter at your nest…”

  The mantid’s antennae twitched, and his middle legs scraped gently over his thorax.

  They come, he informed them. Please tell your people not to be afraid of those not like them.

  What he meant by “not like them,” he broadcast, and nervous movements rippled through the room.

  “There are others?” someone asked. “More like them?”

  Tok shifted carefully, whistling softly and clacking his mandibles.

  Not like my people. Similar, but different races…and there are humans, too. All have traveled far and seek refuge. Are you able to provide them sanctuary?

  It was the right turn of phrase to use. Most of the settlers at t
he Library had been in need of sanctuary, and it didn’t sit right that they should refuse others the same assistance. Faces turned toward Roeglin as the bell was rung at the gate.

  Roeglin exchanged looks with Obasi, Tok, Alain, and Evan. They all nodded, and the hall rippled with anticipation and nerves. As Roeglin started toward the door, the bell’s tolling ceased.

  Etk’k and K’tch speak with them, Tok explained. They have been granted access and will arrive shortly.

  “How many, and what do they eat? I will have the kitchens prepare more,” one of the cooks called from the back of the room.

  “Tok?” Roeglin asked, and waited as the mantid passed along the necessary information.

  The cook’s jaw dropped.

  “Talia’s gonna skin you all alive,” he told them. “That sort of catering we need some notice for!”

  Our people have brought sufficient additions for the meal, the mantid assured him. We do not expect you to carry the burden alone.

  The man straightened. “Oh. That’s different, then.” He took a few steps toward the mantid, thought better of it, and raised a hand in a request. “Wait there. I need to speak to Talia and see what she needs.”

  Roeglin nodded to Tok and turned to the rest of the room. “Shall we go and greet our new neighbors?”

  This was met with uncertain approval, but everyone rose from their seats and hurried outside. They all hurried back in again when they discovered how hard the rain was falling, but they brought the new arrivals in with them, directing food-bearers to the kitchens and making tentative small talk with the rest.

  “This could have gone so much worse,” Marsh murmured to Roeglin as she looked out over the dining hall. “If we had not met Tok and his people first…”

  “And the wolves,” Roeglin added.

  “And the kats,” Master Envermet added, having moved close enough to listen.

  “And the raiders,” Obasi chipped in, joining them.

  They all sighed and watched as their new citizens were included by the old.

  “You know it’s not always going to be this smooth, don’t you?” Marsh asked, and they all nodded.

  Two large shadows fell over them, and Tok’s mind voice was limited to just them. We do, but for tonight, it is working.

  “And we cannot ask much more than that,” Alain intoned.

  “Yes, we can,” Marsh argued. “We can make it known that this is to continue, or I will drop a bolt of lightning on the first troublemaker I lay eyes on.”

  The mantids shifted in alarm, and Alain and Evan exchanged worried glances.

  “We’d rather you didn’t,” Alain told her, and Marsh gave him a feral grin.

  “Then you’d better pass the word,” she replied. Her expression softened as she looked at Tok. “Because this isn’t over, is it?”

  Again, the mantids shifted uneasily, and Tok indicated the smaller room where the leadership usually gathered for their meetings.

  This is a thing better discussed in a more private space, he explained, and they sighed, saddened by the news that was to come.

  We have only closed one portal, Tok told them when they had shut the door behind them. The Ooken are capable of opening more.

  “Here?” Alain asked, his voice rising in alarm.

  Tok flicked his antennae and rasped a negative. No, not here. That portal will not be opened again, and its closure will buy us a little time since they will need to reacquire the coordinates.

  “What do you mean, ‘reacquire?’” Roeglin asked.

  Each portal has its own coordinates. If fortune smiles upon us, the Ookens will not have this gate’s coordinates in easy reach. Even if they do, it will take them some time to find safe alternatives via extrapolation.

  Marsh’s heart sank. “You mean there are more?”

  Etk’k cocked his antennae. There are always more. They never cease.

  Marsh slumped in her seat, exchanging looks with Roeglin and Master Envermet. The mantids waited as if they knew the humans would need time to process their news.

  Evan cleared his throat. “How, uh… How many more?”

  The mantids conferred amongst themselves. That was a raiding force, Tok offered when they were done. The next will be bigger.

  “Bigger?” Xavier didn’t try to hide the alarm he felt.

  Because you destroyed the portal and slaughtered so many. Their next force will come with the intent to invade. They will want to conquer and control rather than raid.

  “But isn’t that what they wanted anyway?” Marsh asked. “The thing that pursued me in my dreams. It was… It wanted our world, and it wanted to be the first.”

  First gives it precedence to resources, Tok explained. Of course, it wanted to be first.

  “We could move the settlement,” Alain offered. “Just not be here when they arrived.”

  Tok inclined his head at the suggestion. That would prove a temporary solution. Given that you have destroyed their gate, they will search for you anyway. Moving will offer no advantage.

  Etk’k interrupted him with a soft whistle and some clicks and Tok flipped an antenna.

  What Etk’k states is true, he acknowledged. Remaining gives you the advantage of being in a position of familiarity with your land. Your winter is coming, and time and resources spent relocating could be better used preparing your defenses and making sure your people have escape routes.

  And in training, K’tch added. You have abilities that will make warfare with you difficult.

  “But with the numbers they have, we cannot win,” Alain said, his voice heavy with defeat. “We are not powerful enough to defeat them all. They will eventually win.”

  Tok started to laugh, his mandibles clattering as small wheezing chitters escaped him.

  You will win, the mantid told them, absolute certainty in his voice. You will win because this is Death’s homeworld, and she will not abandon it. She will come, and you will be protected.

  “Don’t you mean ‘saved?’” Evan asked hopefully, and Tok’s mirth stopped.

  Saved is exactly what I mean, he said, but you must prepare and be strong enough to carry the fight until she returns.

  “Will she take long?” Alain asked.

  The mantids stilled.

  We do not know how long she will take, but it will be before the Ookens have time to corrupt your world in the same way they corrupted ours.

  Alain sat back in his chair and exhaled a long, slow breath. Roeglin and Master Envermet exchanged glances and sat in silence. Marsh stared at the ceiling, mulling over what they’d been told. The mantids waited.

  How long they would have stayed that way, she didn’t know, but one of the cooks knocked on the door. “It’s been a full turn,” he told them, referring to the hourglass they’d set in the kitchen.

  When none of them argued, he pushed the door wider and ushered three of his staff through. They carried laden trays.

  “Even heroes have to eat,” he informed them. “No matter how much they need to plan our future.”

  His words brought a smile to Marsh’s lips.

  “We have a future,” she reminded them, “and help is already on the way.” She stood, taking some of the meat and greens from the platters in the table’s center.

  Slowly, the others followed her example. Marsh watched them start to relax as they ate. She let them get halfway through their plates before she asked, “So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?”

  “Well, I know of three demi-mages who need serious training,” Roeglin remarked, and the others chuckled.

  “Just no lightning,” Alain started, but Roeglin, Marsh, and Master Envermet laughed.

  “I think that bird has flown, don’t you?” Brigitte asked. She’d sat quietly through the mantids’ news. Now she arched an eyebrow and looked at Marsh. “So, you and I are taking on this task?”

  “Partly,” Marsh replied, “but Tamlin has some training duties of his own. This ability he’s developed to step from one point to another with
out using the shadows needs to be learned. They can’t follow us into thin air.”

  That started the discussion in the direction of training schedules, supply needs, and when and how they were going to warn the other settlements.

  “The Caverns must be informed,” Marsh was adamant, “as must Briar’s Ridge and Downslopes.”

  Sadness and worry rose as she thought of her family, and Roeglin laid a hand on her knee. “We can return if you need to.”

  Marsh shook her head and smiled at him. “My home is here, and so are my responsibilities. All we can do is warn them and trust Monsieur Gravine and the Shadow Master and the Rock Mistress to organize the rest.”

  That drew murmurs of agreement from around the table, and they explored what they would need before they approached the other settlements with the news. It was late, and Alain and Evan had excused themselves to see to the housing of their new citizens before the others decided to meet again the following day.

  Marsh and Roeglin made their way to the top of the walls, checking on the guards before settling in their customary spot above the gate. The rain had cleared, having spent itself in the aftermath of the battle in the earlier part of the evening.

  Marsh sighed as Roeglin wound his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him. For the first time that day, they relaxed together, looking out over the Devastation.

  “Do you think they’ll come before spring?” he asked. They both knew he was wondering if they’d have enough time to prepare.

  Marsh sighed, glad of his warmth and grateful to have him beside her. She slid her arm around him, happy they were together.

  “Perhaps,” she replied, “but this is our home, and these are our people. We’ll face whatever the future brings. You never know; we might get lucky, and the next portal that opens might bring more friends. We can take whatever comes.”

  If Roeglin had doubts, he didn’t voice them. Instead, he pulled her closer.

  “Whatever comes,” he murmured, his lips brushing her hair.

  “Whatever comes,” she agreed, staring over the ruins as the last light vanished from the sky. “Together.”

  “Oh, Deeps, yes,” he said. “Always together.”