Mastering the Elements: Elwin Escari Chronicles: Volume 2

by David Ekrut

  Jax’s sword dipped. His mouth hung open in utter astonishment. “You used me?”

  “You are still a clever mastermind,” she said. “Which is why I need the five of you to join my cause. Even Taego has a place with us. But first, as a show of faith, I’ll need that tome back from the boy. It is not yours, Elwin.”

  “So it’s real then?” Jax asked. “A bit arrogant to just leave the secrets to the magi city of Abadaria unguarded.”

  She raised one shoulder. “Not at all. First, I needed you to see the extent of our capabilities. You would have seen through a tome that was not authentic. Secondly, I have tracked this future. True, I had calculated this moment to be the second most likely outcome, but from here there are only three possibilities, and only one ends with you still breathing. So, you see, you only have one choice, really, and it isn’t Abadaria. The Farseers are working with the Keepers for the moment. We cannot have you interfering with our plans.”

  “You’re bluffing,” Jax said. “I don’t think you can see the future at all.”

  “Are you willing to wager your life on that?”

  Jax lifted his sword. “Aye.”

  “I have the gold you need, Jaxton. Once you finish my business, I will absolve you of your debt to me and purchase the army you seek. I have contacts within the Hammers of Tyr. Have you heard of them?”

  Elwin saw a flicker of greed in his gaze. Jax gave his head a little shake, then scowled.

  “No?” she said with incredulity. “I am beginning to doubt in your convictions to see this tiff with your father through. Have you even researched mercenary groups?”

  “You must know your blunt attempts at manipulation will not work on me. I don’t want your aid.”

  “You should not be so hasty,” she retorted. “I can speak on your behalf for favorable terms with the mercenaries. You can strike out at your father, before his army grows too large. I get what I need and so do you. Be reasonable.”

  “For all I know, the Hammers are already under your thumb. Thanks for the insight. They are the last merc group I’ll trust, now.”

  “Jaxton,” she said with a purr to her voice. “You know my reputation. I am a woman of my word.”

  “No,” Jax said. “I know of Dalthumas Carpeci’s word. By all accounts, he is trustworthy. I do not know who or what you are.”

  “What do labels matter in times such as these? We are on the same side, you and I. The mess your father has made in Kalicodon concerns all of us. Must we fight? Come, let us discuss an arrangement which will benefit us both.”

  Elwin considered interjecting. After all, this woman was a magus. If she could train him, maybe he could avoid going to Abadaria altogether. If he joined the Farseers, they could protect him from the Order of the Sun and Stars.

  Jax spoke first. “Fine. Let’s talk. What do you want from me? Be specific. If my companions and I agree with your terms, we will take the job.”

  “I suppose it would be too much to ask for you to lower your weapon?” When Jax did not smile, she sighed. “All right. On to business then. A person of your acquaintance will soon acquire a couple of objects that I have need of. When I set you loose, you will find her fleeing a city besieged by Bain’s minions. She will ask for your aid, and you will give it. She will lead you to a magus named Ricaria Beratum, also called Coin. This magus has a book that I need. Once you have the book and the artifact, I will find you.”

  “A person and will acquire? Could you be more vague? You want me to steal from someone I know? Who?”

  “When you see the artifacts she carries, you will know. The first is a scale the size of a fist, covered in eloiglyphs. The second is a crystalline ball.”

  “You know so much, why don’t you do this all yourself? Seems like a lot of trouble recruiting unwilling participants.”

  “I have looked down many paths. The others do not serve my cause. Besides, your acquaintance does not trust easily.”

  “Jesnia,” Jax said.

  Tessaryn smiled. “There is the clever mind I need. Yes. The bounty huntress is in play. Until she serves her purpose, then she must be eliminated.”

  “You want me to betray a friend, the most dangerous person I know and join your side in the war between elementalists and magi. Then, you’ll help me stop Brinnon. That’s the deal?”

  “Yes, but we must seal the deal.” Her tone took a dangerous edge. “Bring me the tome. And the one in the boy’s pack.”

  Jax turned to look at Elwin, eyes calculating. Elwin held the book closer to his chest and prepared to incant them out of here. He took a step closer to Daki. But his friend and Taego were still more than a dozen paces away. They would be no aid in this battle. Maybe it was better with them out of harm’s way.

  “Sorry, Tessaryn,” Jax said. “Turns out, I like the kid, and we already have a deal.”

  “Truly? You would die for him? This stranger.” Tessaryn stepped closer. “He’s been lying to you, Jaxton. He’s the most powerful elementalist born to this century. He will never let you have the artifact in Abadaria. When you reach your prize, he will kill Daren and escape, leaving you with nothing. You will be alone and no closer to defeating your father.”

  Jax frowned at Tessaryn. After a second, he whispered. “Hey kid. Can you whisk us to that guardhouse? I think we’ll need some reinforcements.”

  Elwin nodded. Just as soon as Taego and Daki got closer.

  “Jaxton,” Tessaryn sighed, “you disappoint me. I had hoped it would not come to this.” Then, to the other magi, she said, “Take Jax and the elementalist. The rest are expendable.”

  Elwin picked up a stone and incanted a telekinetic force. The rock leapt forward at blinding speed, but the magus vanished.

  Jax pivoted toward Elwin, his sword held up to strike.

  “Down,” Jax said, lunging.

  Elwin leapt aside as Jax stabbed. The magus cried out in abrupt pain, then fell. Blood spilled from the hole in his chest, right where his heart would be. It was the same magus Elwin had shot at with the stone.

  Daren was on the other side of Elwin, holding his sword out. Three more magi incanted the dimensional folding and jaunted forward. Even as they reappeared around them, Jax leapt into motion, placing himself as a shield between one of the magus and Elwin.

  Jax’s saber whirred. The robed man grunted in pain, an incantation dying on his lips. The tip sunk into the magus’s eye and came out in rapid succession.

  Even as the his enemy fell, Jax spun and threw himself in front of Daren. The magus flinched aside to avoid hitting Jax. A brilliance of lights burst from his outstretched palm. Energy meant for Daren struck the forest, felling several trees. Daren’s massive blade cleaved the man down the middle.

  More incantations echoed from the magi surrounding them.

  Elwin aimed his palm at one of the figures and incanted a fire burst. As he finished the last syllable, an invisible force struck against Elwin’s will in a violent blast. Fire spurted from his palm in a gout, as his feet ripped from beneath him. His body lurched upward. The flames died with his lost concentration.

  Leaves and thin branches battered at him. Then he was above the trees. Air surged around him. He felt his weight shift. He fell. At least he had some practice at this. Below, he heard screaming and fighting. Flashes of energy escaped through the trees.

  He gathered his will and focused on the scene below. Daki was off to the side, still running to join the fight. He would intercept.

  Elwin incanted. He materialized on the ground between Daki and Taego. The bear roared. Daki came to a stop, weapons up.

  “Stop,” Elwin said, as Taego swatted at him. He leapt back, avoiding the massive claw. “I can get us away from this. But we need to get closer to them.”

  Jax and Daren danced around the magi, but they were outnumbered. Blood ran down Daren’s shoulder. There was a gash in Ja
x’s forehead. Jax kept himself between the magi and Daren, leaping to place himself in harm’s way. Then Jax was flung to the side. The magi surrounded Daren. Each incanted. He recognized the telekinetic force incantation from one. He heard a fire burst from another. Jax turned through the air, arms flailing.

  Elwin ran, knowing he wouldn’t make it in time. Tessaryn wanted Jax alive, but she would kill Daren. His heart pounded. He just needed a second to think. They all needed to just stop.

  He could slow time, like he had in Goldspire all those months ago. His essence had been full for some time. The ache of it was constant now. If he tamed, the dragons would come, but in the confusion, he could incant them all away.

  If he did not tame, Daren would die.

  Elwin pulled at the Elements around him. Power flooded into him. He tamed flight and burnt his essence. As he surged forward, everyone slowed around him. They moved as though their limbs were stuck in a thick sludge.

  Several of the magi stared on, lips moving. A few more jaunted forward. One held a dagger and thrust forward as he disappeared. Tessaryn alone appeared untouched by Elwin’s ability. She looked at Elwin with a curious expression, simply watching.

  Elwin seized Fire and Air as he moved. He aimed his palm at the figure materializing behind Daren. It was the same magus who held the dagger. The tip of the dagger touched Daren’s exposed side as Elwin’s fiery energy slammed into the figure. Fabric and flesh exploded into a red mist.

  He tackled Daren to the ground and flipped to the side. A stone moved slowly over Daren’s prone form. Elwin snatched the projectile and incanted the object back at the source. The stone sped away from his hand but quickly slowed to the same pace as those around him.

  Elwin turned his attention to the magus speaking the fire burst. He sent a wind thrust at the man. The spark between the man’s palms vanished. His body slammed into a tree.

  With the immediate threat to Daren gone, Elwin turned to Jax. The man was flipped on his side. His legs had just struck a tree. His shoulder struck the ground. A slow curse spat from Jax’s lips. Burning more of his essence, Elwin soared to intercept his companion. He caught Jax just before his head hit.

  Clutching Jax close to his body, he flew back to Daren. He needed to use the dimensional folding. Daki and Taego were too far away.

  “That is enough,” Tessaryn said in a calm voice.

  As Elwin tamed more Air and Fire, Tessaryn spoke a quick incantation. The other magi moved at a normal speed again, leaving only Elwin’s companions caught in his ability. He stopped burning his essence, but he released the fire storm. He’d aimed for Tessaryn, but she side-stepped. The fiery beam ripped through the magus behind her. His head and shoulder vanished. The body toppled.

  Daren swung his sword from the ground, confusion plain in his expression. Jax stumbled but recovered quickly.

  Elwin formed another fiery bolt at the same time Tessaryn began an incantation. As the power coalesced into his hand, he thrust his palm toward Tessaryn. She never flinched or stepped aside. She finished incanting. The bolt fizzled and vanished.

  “Break,” Tessaryn called. “They are coming.”

  Each of those near Jax spoke a quick incantation and vanished, appearing a safe distance away.

  “What are you doing?” Jax said, looking at Elwin with horror. “Are you thumping taming?”

  Elwin landed and forced the power from his essence. Even as the Elemental energies fled from him, he felt an essence appear above him. It was at least twice the size of his own and shaped like a dragon.

  Trees folded like grass as the colossal creature landed in the forest. A claw swatted part of the forest aside, giving Elwin a clear view of the dragon. Its scales were golden with a red sheen.

  “Get us out of here,” Jax said.

  “That’s the plan,” he said. “Daki get closer!”

  As Elwin incanted the dimensional folding, the dragon spoke at the same time, a different incantation on its lips. Elwin reached his awareness toward Daki and Taego. They were still a dozen paces away. Were they close enough? They had to be. The dragon’s intonation reached a crescendo. Any second, it would steal his essence, then all would be lost.

  After so long without taming, he felt alive once more. This was who he was. He would not let this thing take that from him.

  Keeping a clear image of all his companions in his mind, Elwin focused on being far away. As he finished the incantation, he spent his will. The moment the forest began to fade, he felt a force on his mind. This was the dragon’s doing. He knew it with every fiber of his being. It held him here.

  Elwin pushed against the force, willing him and the others to go. Intense pain slammed into his skull. He gave up the incantation and the pain vanished.

  The dragon’s head came closer, inspecting the ants before it. Tessaryn and the other magi disappeared, the echoes of their incantations following them.

  Elwin could see his reflection in the dragon’s serpentine eyes. The black slits at the center of purple irises widened.

  “Hello, little one,” a deep but feminine voice said. “I have been looking for you. Such strong tamings. I knew it had to be you.”

  Elwin considered filling his essence, but he couldn’t hope to fly all of them out of here. He’d barely escaped that first dragon in Justice.

  He would not abandon his companions.

  When two more dragons appeared in the sky, Elwin stepped in front of Jax and Daren. Flimsy protection against creatures such as these, but they had stood up to Tessaryn for him. The least he could do was be the first to die.

  Chapter 50

  Coin

  Partial Spending, Day 617 of experimentation.

  It might have been a mistake to wake Eleandarinius second. We were unaware of the discord between the families of dragons. The moment she took to the skies, she and Argiantilus battled. In her weakened state, she was forced to flee. Argiantilus was furious that we did not consult him before waking others. But why would we? We thought he was a minor dragon of Althimorphianus’s house. We woke him first, because we considered him expendable. Fortunately, he is unaware of this fact.

  Argiantilus is now selecting which of the dragonkin to wake. We begin with Galthiadronus, who declared himself the ruling voice of the dragons. After exhausting our supply of essences, 6 dragons now live amongst us. They now hunt the elementalists and acquire their essences directly. At the urging of Galthiadronus, I am creating an artifact to hold the essences they acquire for us.

  Note: Abaddon has increased his efforts to return. We race to bring back all of the dragons before he is successful.

  ~Ricaria Beratum, 2996 A.S.

  ~

  Jesnia knelt to within eye-level of the man she’d bound to the chair.

  “This is for your own good.”

  He spoke through his gag. “Please. Why are you doing this?”

  She frowned. “Either I’m learning to understand people speaking through gags, or I didn’t make that tight enough.”

  “It’s tight enough. Please, let me go.”

  “I will. Just as soon as my business across the street is finished. No hard feelings. If you hadn’t seen me hiding in the alley beside your home, we wouldn’t be here. Really, this is your fault. In the future, you’ll tend to your own concerns and leave others be, eh?”

  He nodded with extreme rigor.

  “Now,” she said, standing. “I’d rather not knock your wits from your skull, but I can’t have you screaming either. You promise to be quiet?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Good.”

  She moved around the bed to the window and looked across to the warehouse. Made of sturdy wood, the building was in better shape than the one Coin had used in Benridge. More upstanding citizens occupied the area as well, and there had been a few guard patrols coming through regularly.

  The
y’d not stayed long in Shallow Shores. Aside from finding no sign of Coin there, Donavin’s army had followed closely on her heels. She’d fled with the ducklings here to Churwood and quickly found Coin’s base. She had surveilled the operation for a day and a half. Soon, she would finally close this thumping bounty. And in due time. From the rumors in the taverns and inns, Donavin and his army had sacked Shallow Shores and would come here next.

  A large wagon came in from the eastern road, just as it had the previous day. If the pattern held, they would load a shipment of large chests and take it to the docks. While half of Coin’s men were busy with the chests, she would make her move.

  Jesnia closed the curtains.

  Patting the bound man on the shoulder, she said, “I’ll be back in no time. If you are good, I’ll even give you a few coins for your trouble. I always keep my word.”

  He nodded, knocking loose the tears in his eyes. She left the man to his room and closed the door behind her. She exited from the back of the house and moved through the alley. She froze when she saw the figure beside the warehouse, climbing a stack of crates to get at a window.

  “Curse it all,” she muttered.

  She walked out from the alley and crossed the street as though passing through here was routine.

  Once hidden by the building, she whispered, “Landryn. What in the abyss are you doing here?”

  He flinched at being surprised, but he had the good sense to grab the hilt of his sword on reflex. Not that it mattered at this distance. She could put an arrow through him before he could get to her.

  “Looking for you,” he said, climbing down.

  “Looks to me like you’re looking for Coin. How did you find her?”

  “I didn’t know that I had. I’ve been checking all the warehouses in the city.”

  Jesnia couldn’t fault him for his approach. She’d done much the same, albeit with an abyss-load more discretion.

  “And you just left your precious ducklings alone?”

  “I thought you’d abandoned us or maybe Coin killed you. It’s been two days since we’ve heard from you. The armies are coming and you promised to get us to safety.”