by David Ekrut
“Yes,” she watched herself say. “The heartblades are up that one.”
Zarah walked toward the tallest aerie at the center of the city, keeping mostly to the back alleys. She stopped at a side gate and inspected a sigil on the door, comparing the markings to those on the page of an open tome.
“Water cancels Fire.” She looked to the sky and said, “Please let this work.”
Zarah cut her finger and with her blood drew an odd symbol atop the carving in the door. The lock opened. She entered and closed the door behind her, then crept toward the palatial home. The back door had no symbols. Neither did any of those leading to the top floor. Another staircase led to the roof. This last door did contain a sigil, different from the one outside. Once more, she said a prayer and marked over the etching.
The door opened to a flat roof. A round dais was at the center. Glyphs circled the entirety of the short platform. Zarah knelt and placed the book beside her.
Looking at the page over her own shoulder, it appeared as though this would take a while, so Zarah pulled her awareness upward to the top of the aerie.
Inside, she saw another dais near the entrance, identical to the one below. The cavern was vast, large enough to fit the dragon statue lying toward the rear wall with ample room to spare. Unlike the exterior, the inside walls were smooth as if shaped by tamings. To the side, several weapons and odd objects rested atop rostrums. All were marked with eloiglyphs, but the two swords in the center practically hummed with power. Studying them, she realized both were strikingly similar to her father’s blade. One was a great sword with a handle of bone, the other a broadsword with a hilt made of ivory. The eloiglyphs along the blades were identical, but there were variations on the edge and around the hilt. There were two manuscripts on separate podiums, each several hundred pages thick. The one with a picture of the great sword was labeled Heartblade of Aronialus in the common tongue. The volume containing an illustration of the longsword was in Kalicodian. It said, Workings of Menlar’s Blade, made by the sacrifice of Darilaniaus.
Father’s sword was a heartblade. She was certain of it now. Just as she considered her quest a great folly, she discarded the thought. Father had been rather useless against the dragon when it attacked the castle. It had trapped him in a cage of Earth and kept him from fully engaging. If she could get these manuscripts, maybe she could discover how his heartblade could hurt the dragons.
An explosion from below pulled her attention back to the city. She moved her awareness after the sound, just to the east of future Zarah, and she froze.
Elwin walked through a cavern alongside another man in dark armor. He carried a scimitar at his back and moved with the grace of a warrior. Had she seen him before? No, she would remember such black hair and calculating eyes.
“They are coming,” Elwin said, stopping in front of a row of crystal orbs, “Do you at least know which one it is? Maybe we can find a different way to get it.”
The other warrior flipped through crumpled parchments. After studying the notes for a few seconds, he stood and pointed to one. “If these can even be trusted, it—”
Zarah’s awareness waned. For a while, there was nothingness. How long, she could not be certain.
When she could see again, Zarah was above the city once more. Far below, a hooded figure stood in the street amidst a dozen mangled bodies. The door to the manor in front of the man had been destroyed. Red hair spilled from the man’s cowl, but she could not see his face, until he drew his longsword and ran into the building.
She willed herself into the manor.
Inside were more bodies. Feffer stopped before two warriors she had never seen before. One was a large Kalicodian. He held a massive sword in both hands, readying to use it. Next to him was a thin man wielding a saber in one hand and a long dagger in the other. There was a third man, standing next to a bear.
“Daki?” Feffer said. “What in the abyss is going on?”
Another lapse in awareness.
Elwin reached for an orb at the same time as the man with the saber. Behind them, the Kalicodian fought against the dark warrior. A woman in black leather was lying in the shadows, half her face and torso were burnt and melted. A bow made of redwood laid several paces away. Across the cavern, Feffer laid on his side, an arrow with black fletching buried in his eye. His scarlet hair spilled across his face in wet streaks.
Zarah wanted to scream, but she had no voice. She could only observe.
Elwin spoke foreign words and vanished with the orb. He reappeared behind the Kalicodian. Elwin spoke more strange syllables, and the large warrior was flung aside. His body slammed into a wall with a sickening crunch. Elwin grabbed the dark warrior’s shoulder. He spoke one last incantation, and the two of them vanished.
The man with the saber screamed a wordless sound. He ran to the Kalicodian and cradled the man’s limp head in his arms. But the Kalicodian did not move. His dark eyes stared up, lifeless.
Zarah pushed her awareness outward. She only captured a glimpse of future Zarah, standing next to the heartblade, her hand outstretched and unmoving. Her entire body had been turned to a bronze statue.
Then she was awake.
Zarah sat up from her bed, covering her mouth to stifle her cry. She was soaked with sweat. For several minutes, she could not make herself move. Her mind ran through what she had seen over and over. Finally, she turned and leaned against the wall, letting her feet dangle from the bunk. She sat there, still unable to move. She would die. They all would die.
By the time her heart slowed, pink light bled into the room from the window. Below her, she could hear the sounds of the other two girls breathing. Slowly, so she would not wake them, Zarah moved to the end of the bed and climbed down the ladder. Her arms shook from the efforts.
Her essence was nearly drained, she realized. Of course, she knew it would be. Whatever caused her to have a Vision, the energy came from her essence. She sat on the chest and pulled her dress on over her head.
Slowly, strength returned to her legs. She forced herself to her feet and moved to the window, dreading what she would see. For a long time, the streets were quiet, save for blue birds hopping along the cobbled road, searching for their morning meal. They flew away as a woman pushed a cart toward them. A group of armed men walked close behind, looking as though they expected an ambush any moment. Zarah’s breath caught when she realized no apparitions of the future moved alongside any of the people.
She felt blind.
Soon, Jera would knock on the door and expect Zarah to go on a run. And she had to leave. Somewhere in this city, Feffer was still a captive, and she needed to save him and reach King Alcoa.
But why? She knew how this story ended now, with her dead in Abadaria. She would lose, and her kingdom would not receive the aid it needed. She should run away from this, while she still had the chance. She could return to Justice and to her father. His sword was a heartblade. They could unlock its secrets and fight back.
No. That was not true. Her father had been using the sword for longer than she had been alive. Many elementalists had studied the weapon’s unknown glyphs. Without knowing more, his sword would not save them. She could not abandon her quest. And no matter what she tried, she would end up in Abadaria. Every one of her Visions always came to pass. As true as the sun would rise, she could not run from her fate.
But what if this time was different?
This Vision had been clearer than any others she had seen, and she had known what was happening while in the dream. She had never been so keenly aware like that. Maybe this time she could change the path fate showed her. But how? What could she do to make it turn out differently?
Elwin would also end up in Abadaria with new companions and enemies on his heels. And he knew the Words of Power. The tome was real. Maybe that would be how she could change the future. If one tome of incantations existed, there would be
others. Had Elwin left the tome as he was commanded, she would have been the one to study it. They would have had the means to defeat the dragons. She would not have needed to go on this quest at all. Curse his thumping bones, she would kill him for all the men who had died for his mistakes. Elwin Escari would pay for his crimes.
A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts. She took several deep breaths to quell her anger. Once the tears were gone from her cheeks, Zarah bounded to the door and pulled it open. Jera stood with a covered basket in her hand. The larger woman pushed the container into Zarah’s hands and motioned for her to follow. Zarah grabbed her pack from the chest and ran to catch up.
Once downstairs, Jera said, “Trouble sleeping?”
“A little,” Zarah admitted. “But I am fine.”
Jera frowned at the pack on her back. “You’ve been crying, dear.”
“Sweat got in my eyes,” Zarah said wiping at her face. “I’m fine.”
Jera put a firm hand on her shoulder but spoke in a gentle voice. “When you want to talk about it, I’m here. I know you will trust us in time. All right?”
Zarah nodded. “Thank you.”
Hardness returned to Jera’s expression. “Now. Are you ready to make the run?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Here’s the map. There are three courses there and three different routes back. If you feel as though you are being trailed, switch your path. If you are followed by any ruffians, try to lose them before returning. But if it’s desperate, just run right back to us. The inn is safe. A giant would have troubles getting through our doors, and we are not without other defenses.”
Zarah studied the map and noticed two of the routes would take her near the southern gate. “Is this territory not controlled by the guardians?”
“Aye. It is. Streets controlled by the king and the guardians are the safest for us common folk. The guardians patrol the square outside their guardhouse to encourage merchants to hold market there. The king does the same on the palace grounds.”
“Then why so much caution?”
“Idle for long enough or in the wrong place, and somebody will try to take what you have. The guardians and king’s soldiers can’t be everywhere. Most days, my runners have no problems. Still, it’s better to be safe.” Jera unbolted the door. “Any more questions?”
Zarah studied the map for a moment longer, then folded it into her pocket.
“Nope,” Jera said, holding out her hand. “Can’t risk that falling into the wrong hands. You said your memory is good.”
“It is,” she said, fishing the map back out. Zarah held no intentions of returning anyway. She knew what she needed to do and would not risk bringing trouble down upon these good people.
Opening the door, Jera gave her a stern look. “Be careful girl. And be swift. I’ve set a new stew to the pot. You’ll not want to miss it.”
Once the door was bolted behind her, Zarah set the basket behind the stairs, just out of sight but where the next person going into the inn would find it. She was no thief, and Jera had mouths to feed.
Gripping the hilt of her sword, Zarah moved down the alley and peered into the main road. It was empty. She looked for apparitions to appear, before she remembered they would not for a month at least. And she could not tame. Well, there was a little essence remaining, but it wouldn’t get her far against the dragons.
But she would save Feffer. Somehow, she would get out of this city. After all, she knew how this story ended. And it was not here.
Chapter 32
Rough Waters
Partial Spending, Day 424 of experimentation.
Abaddon continues to assault my sensibilities with his questioning. I’ll admit, he has a dazzling intellect. I can see how he became the master magus of his order at such a young age. He came from the Invisible Fist, but focused his studies on transmutation, as well as telekinesis. I did not know this. Abaddon claims he was betrayed by his brethren, all those years ago, and struck the dragons down as a final act of vengeance. But, I have discovered deeper truths with incantations of clairvoyance. I was not the first to conceive of how to harness the power of the Spending. Long before I ever lived, Abaddon used this incantation to transcend. I am certain of this. I plan to broach the subject with him soon.
~Ricaria Beratum, 2996 A.S.
~
Elwin stopped and leaned against a tree, trying to ignore the hounds wailing in the distance. His heart pounded. He breathed heavily. His legs shook and threatened to collapse beneath him. He wanted to rest, but there was no time. They’d traveled through the night without rest, taking a roundabout course. They’d been forced to go east to avoid the mob and circle back, but Daki should be near. They just needed to reach the river.
“You all right, kid?”
He turned to see Jax staring at him. His chest heaved and his cheeks were red. Next to him, Daren heavily favored one leg.
Between breaths, he said, “We need to go west. My companions will be near the river.”
“We are going west,” Daren said, ripping his robes off. Red stained his trouser leg.
Jax said, “The river is not more than a mile away.”
“Half a mile,” Daren corrected.
“I thought we were going north,” Elwin said.
“We were,” Jax said, taking a few steps. “Began veering west ten minutes ago.”
The hounds wailed again, much closer this time.
Elwin pushed off the tree, and at the same time as Jax, said, “Let’s move.”
As they walked through the trees, he and Jax exchanged a glance. The man’s scowl deepened, and he said, “Let’s get one thing straight, right now. I’m leading this little party. Understood?”
“That isn’t how it works,” Elwin argued. “I’m letting you two follow me.”
“That isn’t what’s happening here, kid. I’m giving you the opportunity to repay the loss you incurred by costing me the artifact.”
“The stolen artifact?”
“It doesn’t matter how I procured the item,” Jax said through gritted teeth. “You brought the wrath of the mob down on us. And my property was lost. Had you not invited the thumping guardians and half the city, I would still have the artifact and be a hundred thousand richer.”
“Alright,” Elwin said, “If we ignore the fact that the rod was stolen, I seem to recall handing it to you. Or did someone else place it atop the wall and leave it there for anyone to pick up?”
“He has you there,” Daren said.
Jax turned and pointed his finger in the big man’s nose. “You stay out of this.” Then back to Elwin, he said, “I left the artifact atop the wall because the mob you brought was shooting at us. And—”
“Actually,” Elwin cut in, “it was the guards from the manor who shot at us. The home you’d just stolen the artifact from. In case you missed it, they were wearing house livery.”
A few paces ahead, a figure stepped in their path with a massive bear at his side.
“I could hear the two of you arguing all the way from the river,” Daki said.
Jax and Daren stopped short, pulling their blades. Taego raised up on his rear legs and stretched his arms wide, letting out a warning groan. Knowing Jax and Daren were not likely to speak bear, Elwin leapt between the two groups.
“Wait!” Elwin said. “These are my companions.”
Neither of the two men put away their weapons. Jax’s glower deepened. “And you didn’t think to tell us that one of your companions is a Life-cursed bear?”
“I did. But that was before we were running for our lives. Then you decided to argue with me nonstop. So, yeah, it might have slipped my mind.”
“Are those hounds and search parties pursuing you?” Daki asked. “If so, perhaps we can discuss this matter at a later time?”
Jax slammed his sword back into its sc
abbard. “That thing comes at me, I’ll put my saber through its eye.”
Frowning at Jax, Daren sheathed his massive blade and said, “A word, please?”
“Later,” Jax said waiving a dismissive hand, “We need to—”
“Hey! They’re over here!”
“We can fight them,” Jax said. “They don’t look well-trained.”
Through the trees, Elwin saw a group of ten men, most dressed in common garb. Three carried steel in their hands and wore leather armor. The men continued shouting their locations, and Elwin heard others answering the call.
“No,” Elwin said. “We should run. Even if we can defeat them, more will come. Are we going to fight the entire city?”
“What then?” Jax asked. “Outrun them? They have thumping hounds.”
“This way,” Daki said, leaping into a light jog. “I have been evading the search parties for an hour.”
“Where are we going?” Jax demanded.
Taego wedged himself between Daki and Jax, nudging the man with his rump. Jax pivoted away to avoid running into a tree. He cursed and ran to catch up, coming up on the other side of Daki and giving Taego a wide berth.
Before Jax could make more demands, Elwin said, “We are going to the river.”
“Do you two have a boat?”
“No,” Elwin said. “We will hide beneath the river.”
“Good plan,” Jax said. “The water will hide our scent from those hounds. Wait. You mean in the river.”
“No,” Elwin said, as the river came into view. He stopped at the bank and turned to Daki. “Can you take us all?”
As Daki nodded, Taego gave a groan and half swatted at Elwin.
“I do not wish to hear it,” Daki said. “You could have stayed in the Carotid. This is not his fault.”
Taego snorted and barred his teeth at Jax, who took a step back, gripping his sword hilt. “Keep that thing away from me.”
“It is not his fault either,” Daki said. “Now stand still. Or would you rather give your coat as a rug to one of those men. I am certain your skull would look quite nice on the wall by their mantle.”
