Thanks to https://kismith.artstation.com/
Book 3 (Wall of Pyramids) cover is done!
Tag: Book 3
Book 2 is finally ready for publication!
I’ve ordered a proof just to make sure that there’s nothing catastrophically wrong, but after that I’ll make it available on Amazon/kindle and probably provide the epub too.
Book 4 (which was paused ’cause apparently I can only do one thing at a time) will be released here and on RoyalRoad this year while Book 3 might come out on paperback this year. I’ve got a wedding to plan so that’s very very tentative.
Epilogue
Inspector Clara lay back in the cart as it traveled along the bumpy dirt road that wound through the jungle. Now well away from Walton and well south of the Southern Line, she considered how things stood between the Souran queendom and the Vanurian counties. The Fo’Ri Liraya’s attack had scared the Sourans badly, and Countess Almeida was going to have to work very hard to restore relations. Luckily, Lord Kalan’s best decision, to make a secret Ri mage his heir, had paid off immediately. Still, the question of whether or not Dwayne’s sheltering of Walton’s Vanurians would make up for the damage of Liraya’s attempt to kidnap the Guardian of the Wall remained to be seen.
“I’m glad we left when we did,” said the guard driving the cart in Vanurian, his slow drawl marking him as a native of a southwestern county. “Those guards were just hunting for a reason to string us up.”
The other guard shrugged, her eyes searching the undergrowth and trees. Bandits rarely ranged this far north, but when they did, they were desperate. “It would have been nice to see if the Souran fighters were all they’re cracked up to be.” Her accent was clipped. She probably hailed from Luema, where the Abandoned Throne sat.
Clara glanced at the remains of Liraya’s Vengehna. “The city guard aren’t much, but those garrison troops are trained like the old Praetorian guards.”
“Hah! I bet they act like it too, looking down on us from that stupid wall of theirs.”
“At least they aren’t the Ri,” said the driver. “They believe in borders. Whoa!”
There were two thumps, and the cart rumbled to a stop.
Clara sat up. “What’s wrong?” She got to the front of the cart where the two guards were slumped in their seats. Sighing, she climbed out of the cart and faced the culprit, a thin figure in a pale pink robe that had the rising sun embroidered on the front.
Someone popped into being behind Clara and leaned in close. “They’ll take it from here, Inspector.”
Clara peered at her nails. “Do not hurt my guards.”
The robed one in front of her nodded and raised a hand, and a half dozen people, barefoot and in pale blue smocks, burst from the jungle and swarmed the cart. Clara stayed still, keeping her eyes on the road ahead and not turning around to look at the person standing behind her. After Liraya and her Vengehna were bundled up and taken into the jungle, a smocked one slid behind Clara and whispered something.
The one behind Clara asked, voice grating, “Where are the knives?”
Clara didn’t move. “They were stolen, most likely by a boy named Huan Li.”
“You let this happen?”
“His absence would have disrupted my mission.” Clara clasped her hands behind her back. “His sister wields an unusual weapon with unusual skill, he travels with the young lady who brought down Liraya, and most importantly, he is close to the lost Ri slave. If he were to disappear, they would search for him.”
“Those knives are ours.”
“And we will have them back. We can track them after all.”
The tarp, folded, landed on the ground in front of Clara, and a set of fine clothing was dropped on top of it. The robed one bowed and climbed onto the cart, setting it down the road with three of the smocked. The rest melted back into the jungle.
The one behind waited for the cart to disappear around a bend in the road. “Why were those on the cart?”
Clara picked up the suit of clothes. “Are you going to send another after the lost Ri slave? Rodion has been asked by Lord Bartholemew Kalan to travel with him and his apprentice to Bradford in order to serve as his steward there.”
“Rodion can disappear. There are others in Bradford.”
“Yes, but Rodion has his trust. They do not, and while Lord Kalan is a foolish man, his sister, his niece, and his apprentice are not.”
The one behind considered. “Rodion will reappear. He will travel with the lost Ri slave. He will report to the full moon in Bradford.”
Clara bowed, picked up the tarp, and stepped into the undergrowth. There she was left on the tarp with her black jacket, brass badge, and violet eyes, and Rodion with his brown eyes, tied back hair, and blue suit came to be.
He stepped out onto the road. “I don’t need your help getting back into Soura.” He adjusted his cravat. “Say that Dana is committed.” He walked back up the road.
Behind him, there was nothing.
Chapter 24: Xa-nu-bian-kon, dog’s tail
Despite the herking and jerking of the lift, Magdala couldn’t keep a grin off her face. “I still can’t believe you got permission to take me to the top of the Southern Line. Francesca won’t believe that I got up here.”
“Francesca?” Saundra asked.
“She’s my best friend back at the academy.” Magdala scratched at the back of her hand. “I should probably reply to her letter.”
“It has been a hectic few days, milady.” Saundra leaned against the lift’s railing. “I was going to ask you up here tomorrow but…”
Magdala crossed her arms. “My mother thinks she knows best.”
“She is the Water Sage.”
“So she knows magic. That doesn’t mean she knows me.” Magdala let her arms fall to her sides. “Let’s not talk about that.”
Saundra looked at Magdala. “Okay, milady.” She squirmed. “Dwayne came by, back at the wake. He wanted me to tell you that he’d stepped out.”
Magdala clutched her skirt. “Right. That whole party must have been really awkward for him.”
Saundra looked away. “You’ve been traveling with him and Mei for a long time.”
Magdala smiled. “It feels that way, but it’s only been a couple of months.”
“Before that you were at the academy. Why are you out here?”
Magdala leaned back against the rail. “It’s a long story.”
Saundra gestured to the lift. “It’s a long ride.”
Magdala grinned. “Well, then it’s a race.”
For the rest of the ride, she told Saundra about getting suspended by the academy, meeting Dwayne, Mei, and Huan, and then setting out to hunt dragons. Saundra had already heard about the hunt from Sir Marcus, but not about how Magdala and Dwayne had fought off bandits before reaching Ti Mei or how they’d met Mei and Huan in the first place. When Magdala told her about what happened in Yumma, Saundra had gasped and gawked at all the right places, asking for details on the metal insect and the ice otter and wondering if they’d somehow gotten into a celestial realm. By the time the lift reached the top, Magdala had told Saundra everything.
The corporal sighed. “I wish I could have been there with you, milady.” She pushed open the lift gates. “You’ve been through a lot.”
“I guess.” Magdala followed Saundra out of the lift and into a tiny walled room with just one door. “For Mei and Dwayne though, this all is just a continuation of their hard lives. Dwayne was a slave, and Mei… has had her troubles. I don’t see how they can be so hopeful.” She looked around. “Is… is this it?”
“Just a moment, milady.” Saundra pulled out a brass key, slid it into the ancient lock on the door, and turned it. “Now.” She opened the door.
Blinking, Magdala stepped out onto a moonlit river of stone that stretched out to the horizon. Above her, the clear night sky, full of stars, spread out overhead. Magdala walked north, leaned against the ramparts, and looked down. They were above the Southern Line’s central pyramid, and so right below them was Walcrest, which was close enough that Magdala could just make out little people running to and fro from the buildings. Dwayne was getting ready for bed down there. Hopefully, he’d have some time to rest. Magdala’s eyes followed a line of light down to the garrison. Since it was further down, she couldn’t make out the shapes of people, but she could just hear the workshops as they repaired the walls and buildings. If she got a chance, she should bring some food down to Mei. Beyond the orderly garrison was the contained chaos of Walton and, beyond that, the rainbow lanterns of the merchants. The whole city was lit up, a bulwark against darkness. Only one area was dark, the Jungle.
Magdala sighed. “They still want to deport the Vanurians.”
Saundra coughed. “I thought Dwayne was housing all of them at Walcrest.”
“The mayor and the bishop argued that he shouldn’t be allowed to do that.” Magdala walked over to the other side of the wall and looked out at the real jungle, a dark expanse that rolled ever onwards. There wasn’t a sign of civilization, no place for the Vanurians to go. She’d checked the maps when she’d heard the inspector was coming from the nearest county, and the nearest Vanurian town was a hundred prinwirs away. Why wasn’t there a town just like Walton on the other side? She rubbed her arms to warm up.
“Here, milady.” Saundra put her cloak around Magdala. “When I saw those Vanurians serving us at the party, I honestly tensed up, but then I remembered that flower seller we talked to. They ain’t so different from us, I think.”
Magdala pulled Saundra’s cloak tighter around her. “I don’t think Liraya was much different from me.”
“No, milady, you’d never do the things she did.”
“Sure, she destroyed property, robbed graveyards, and killed people, but she was doing her best to achieve something, and when I was chasing her, thinking like her, I found that I liked the challenge.”
Saundra lips pursed.
Magdala patted her on the arm. “There is one big difference between us. I’m not alone. I have you and Mei and Dwayne, and we together figured this out, managed this crisis.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank you.”
Saundra blushed and looked down at her boots. “You’re very welcome, milady.”
Magdala wiped her eyes. “I’ll send you letters when I get to Bradford, and you’d better reply. I want to hear about what it’s like to be in the Lord Commander’s personal guard.”
Saundra gasped. “You heard about that?”
“It is literally all the garrison talks about.” Magdala grinned. “Congratulations.”
Saundra rested her hands against the southern ramparts. “It’s nothing.” Her thumbs circled each other.
“It’s not nothing. My father knows good talent when he sees it. You might be a knight one day and make Sir Marcus proud.”
Saundra gave a weak chuckle. “That would be something. A farm girl becoming a knight.”
“Today a former slave became a noble so I think that it’s more than reasonable.”
Saundra gulped. “Am I… ever going to see you again?”
The sudden shift in topic pulled up Magdala’s eyebrows. “I’ll try to. Students at the Magisterium aren’t exactly allowed to leave, but when you come to Bradford, you can come see me.”
Saundra rested her head against her hands. “And you’ll write?”
“Yes, I will.” Magdala’s heart tightened. “Are… are you okay?”
Saundra faced Magdala and stood to attention. “Milady. I want to say something to you.”
Magdala nodded, still worried. “Go ahead.”
Saundra took a deep breath. “I’m in love with you.”
Magdala’s hands came to her mouth. “Sorry?”
Saundra kept her eyes just above Magdala’s head. “I wanted to say that. I’m sorry if… I don’t know if you even like…”
Magdala’s brain finally heard what Saundra had said, and her cheeks burned. “No, I… I’m sorry. I don’t feel that about you.”
Saundra nodded stiffly. “Understood. Then forget I said anything.”
She about faced, but Magdala moved in front of her.
“No, I won’t,” Magdala said. As Saundra’s mouth fell open, Magdala figured out why she’d said. “This right here is the sweetest thing anyone has done for me in my entire life, and you took a risk telling me. Saundra, you’re an amazing person. You’re brave, know how to talk to people, and an amazing sword fighter, and I’m sorry that I don’t return your feelings, but I’m happy that you could tell me. I want to be your friend. Is… is that possible?”
Saundra’s shoulders dropped and she wiped her eyes. “Yeah, I just- oof!”
Magdala hugged the corporal harder. “Thank you. I will write you everyday. Even on boring days.”
Saundra returned the hug. “Same. Though at this point if I get a boring letter from you, that would be the most surprising thing of all.”
They both laughed and after a long moment, released each other.
Saundra leaned against the ramparts. “That didn’t go as badly as I feared.” She lit up. “Oh, should we include Mei? Coming up here was her idea.”
Magdala raised an eyebrow.
Saundra blushed. “She didn’t know about my feelings for you.”
“Ah.” Magdala nodded. “Yes, we should get Mei in on this. We’re going to get the same axes after all.”
Saundra grinned. “Only friends get matching axes and write letters to each other, milady.”
Magdala grinned back. “Call me Maggie.”
Chapter 23: yRi’keph’ysee’oora, night spreading
In the aftermath of Liraya’s assault, Walton was restive and bright, its residents huddling inside their homes with lanterns, candles, and hearths lit. In the streets, the city guard patrolled with hands on their cudgels and eyes searching the sky. If death rained down tonight, this time they would be ready. And so Tiger took the thief’s advice and stole a garrison uniform before heading out. While his Tuquese features still threw the city guards for a loop, his slow swaying and intermittent burps convinced them that he was a harmless off duty soldier drinking away his cares. He’d even left his sword at the estate to emphasize the “harmless” part. After breakfast that morning, Lord Kalan had taken him aside and asked Huan if he’d go with Dwayne to Bradford. Tiger had wanted to refuse, but where else was he going to go? This place reminded him of a dead man.
First though, he’d get his due.
At Walton’s border where the houses of the well to do met the tents of the mercantile, Tiger found an inn. He sniffed the air and smiled. This was where the Vanurian inspector, who had come to collect Liraya and her corpses, was staying for the night. Whistling, he shuffled past the two story building with its freshly whitewashed walls, clean glass windows, and attached stable. Inside, a couple complained to each about only being able to host Vanurians. That was evidence enough that the inspector was still at the wake.
Still, I don’t smell the- ah! The triple scents of dirt, death and magic wafted past his nose, mixed in with the stink of nervous horses. Tiger edged closer to the stable where two guards in breastplate and chainmail stood.
As they watched Tiger shuffle by, he didn’t give them so much as a glance. I’ll have to get around them first.
Entering the maze of tents and fires, Tiger slipped out of sight, removed the ugly uniform, and replaced his heavy boots with a much softer pair that hugged his feet like a second skin. The clothes he now wore were dark blue and gray, much better for hiding in shadows.He pushed the image of Sir Marcus’s corpse out of his head. The old fool hadn’t known what he was talking about, and what had happened to him wasn’t Huan or Tiger’s fault anyway. Here and now, Tiger was going to get his due, which had been denied him in the jungle.
Returning to the inn took just a moment, but right as Tigerreached the stable, a city guard patrol appeared, two women, one man. Cursing, Tiger slipped back behind a nearby tent and watched.
The patrol leader strolled up to the Vanurian soldiers. “Oi, what are you doing here?”
One Vanurian guard held up their hand. “Stop. This is property of Count Almeida.” There was a soft trill in their voice. “No concern for the watch.”
The patrol leader sneered. “Is that so?”
The Vanurian only said, “Yes.”
“I bet they’re hiding more of them things in there,” said one of the other guards.
These three were spoiling for a fight. Tiger didn’t have time for them to get involved. What would the local guard care about that two Vanurians wouldn’t?
The thief muttered an answer from his corner.
Tiger grinned, slipped deeper into the tents, and cleared his throat. “Thief! Thief!”
Merchants burst out of their tents.
“A thief? Where?”
Tiger raised his voice. “They went that way! They took gold!”
“What? Gold? Guards! Guards!”
Tiger slipped away as the merchants ran about trying to find the mythical thief.
You enjoyed that too much.
Irony is quite funny. Tiger made his way back to the stable. As expected Walton’s guards had disappeared, presumably to protect the property of the merchants, leaving the two Vanurian guards who were both nervously watching the commotion. Perfect. Tiger ran around to the back of the stable, scaled its walls, and then snuck across its roof. Below him the two guards muttered something in their tongue, their eyes still on the tents where calls of “Thief” echoed into the night.
Tiger took a big slow breath, blew it out, and bent over the edge of the roof. One of the guards stopped talking and Tiger froze. When a sword didn’t stab him in the back, he kept going, grabbing the beam underneath the stable’s roof and swinging his way in. Holding on to the beams by just his arms, he monkey climbed across the structure and dropped soundlessly on top of a massive tarp-covered cart attached to two black horses, who did not take to Tiger’s presence. Their whinnies and snorts sent Tiger diving into an empty stall.
One of the Vanurians peeked into the stable. “Kei vu?“
“Mice?” replied the other.
The Vanurian shook their head and stepped into the stable to shush the horses, but they refused to relax.
Tiger cursed. Of course, horses don’t like me. He’d had to walk back from the jungle because of this. A different tactic then. Leaning out of the stable, he caught the eye of both horses and let out a low growl. Both horses thrashed in their harness.
The Vanurian redoubled their attempts to calm them. “Kei behsha?“
Tiger kept up his growl, and when the horses realized they couldn’t get away from him, they went still, shivering in their traces.
The Vanurian scratched their head. “Huh.” They went back outside. “Phuro.“
“Kei?“
“Kedeyo eh le sue.”
“Eh. Kedeyo ema sue.“
With the horses still and the Vanurians none the wiser, Tiger slipped out of his hiding place and climbed back into the cart, making sure to glare at the horses to keep them quiet. He pulled away the tarp and nearly gagged. While Liraya’s body had been wrapped in a light colored cloth, the four Revenants had just been dropped into the cart uncovered. The still screaming faces of Melany and Zeya had paused Tiger’s heart, but it was the stench from the two piles of charred flesh and bone that had made Tiger nearly blow his cover. He’d heard the official story that Magdala and her mother had done this with just a little assistance from Dwayne, but this was definitely the Wesen’s work.
Shouldn’t make him an enemy.
Tugging his eyes away from the giants’ remains, Tiger searched the rest of the cart and found a black box. He opened it, and Zeya’s knives, all four of them, glittered up at him. These were his due. There was only one other thing in the cart, a closely tailored men’s suit, not too different from what Galkin wore. Before Tiger could investigate, the guards’ voices called out.
“Inspectora!”
A new voice answered. “Mus vamos.“
Shit! Tiger threw the tarp back over the cart, clutched the box of knives to his chest, and dove into a nearby stall.
Boots stomped into the stable. Something, probably the tarp, rustled. “Was anyone back here?”
Tiger opened the box and grabbed a knife. They’d take these away from his cold dead body.
“Non. Puer ie leh Souran?” asked one guard.
“Just answer the question. In Souran, please. I’m practicing.”
“Just some city guards, Inspectora,” said the other guard. “And a drunk soldier came by.”
“A soldier?” said the boss. “What did he look like?”
“I wasn’t paying attention to his face, Inspectora.“
“He had black stringy hair,” said the first guard.
“Ah,” said the boss. “It was probably nothing then. Adlar Vanur. Mus vamos.“
“Tsi, inspectora.“
The cart rumbled out of the stable, allowing Tiger to breathe easy again. He waited several long moments and then fled into the night with his prize.
Chapter 22: Qeprosetumke, Falling Tide
Yawning, Dwayne searched for Magdala among the sea of proud nobles and rich merchants, who swirled together in a riot of colors. The past two days had been a blur of meetings, formal requests, and carefully worded pleas, all to bring about a wake that, as Galkin had informed him, Lord Kalan should have been arranging. Still, Dwayne and Galkin had marshaled the staff, including the Vanurians Dwayne had hired, and managed to scrub the entirety of the estate, cook dozens of dishes, restore the ballroom. There had been tensions between the Vanurian and Souran members of Walcrest’s staff, including a brawl at the stables, but the idea of affronting both the Lord Commander and the Water Sage had kept them all on task, even convincing the Vanurians to look past the heathen practice of cremating a body before burial. If only Galkin were here on the actual day.
“My lord, I’m afraid I must take a leave of absence,” he’d said.
Dwayne’s dismay at losing Walcrest’s steward had been compounded by the news that an inspector had been dispatched from the nearest Vanurian county to attend the wake. Officially, they were to smooth relations between Soura and Vanuria, but Dwayne knew that they were really here to collect the remains of Liraya and her Revenants, which Dwayne had been ordered by Lord Kalan to leave alone. Lord Kalan had called it a show of solidarity.
There. Magdala was on the other side of the ballroom inspecting the buffet table. Dwayne began his push towards her, but a careful tinkling sound stopped him. Lord Kalan had climbed onto a podium, which had been erected in the middle of the ballroom, and having gotten the attention of the room, he bowed. He looked fresh and hale, even fashionable, though his suit in Walcrest’s colors of black and yellow made him look rather like a bee.
Lord Kalan pasted a smile on his face and said, “Good afternoon, I’ll get right down to it. Sir Marcus was my friend, and he stuck with me through the good times and the bad times, believing in me even when I failed to uphold the standards of, well, anything, haha. He really understood the responsibility of being a noble. Yes, generations of blood and breeding have bestowed titles on many of us, but he knew that real nobility was to recognize our responsibility to Soura and to make it the best it can be.” Lord Kalan’s eyes glistened. “He died saving my life, and I can never repay him for that, but I ensure that his death wasn’t wasted. Up until now, I’ve run away from my duties as a mage, as a noble, and as a citizen of this queendom. Well, no longer. Dwayne, come up here.”
Dwayne froze as dozens of people turned to him. Even when Lord Kalan beckoned him to the podium, he dragged his feet, hoping that his master would change his mind, would release him from this new hell, but when he reached the podium, Lord Kalan pulled him onto it and presented him to the room.
“This is Dwayne Kalan, my heir, my apprentice,” said Lord Kalan, raising his voice over the whispers. “Together, we’ve delved into the heart of magic and discovered a unity. He and I are going to herald a new age, an age that Marcus made possible.” He bowed, pulling Dwayne down with him. “Thank you for listening to me.”
He abandoned Dwayne on the podium, and for too long, Dwayne stayed frozen in sight of the whole room, listening to the whispers.
“Really, a Wesen as an apprentice?”
“An insult to Sir Marcus’s name.”
“Was that woman really that much of an influence on him?”
Dwayne jumped down from the podium and almost into Lord Gallus’s arms.
“Whoa. Where are you going?”
Dwayne bowed and backed up. “Nowhere. I’m just checking on the rest of the estate.”
Lord Gallus’s eyes narrowed. “About that-“
“Gaius, a moment of your time.” An older woman in a blue shawl interposed herself between them.
Lord Gallus tried to push her aside. “I’m sorry, ma’am, I-“
The old woman leaned in. “It’s Privy Council business.”
Lord Gallus’s eyes widened. “The Queen?”
The woman nodded gravely.
“Damn. Lead the way.”
He offered the old woman his arm and together they sped through the crowd. Before they were out of sight , the old woman winked at Dwayne, who fled in its wake.
Reaching the edge of the crowd, he tapped the shoulder of a woman blocking his way. “Excuse me, ma’am. I just need to get past.”
The woman turned around and looked Dwayne over with violet eyes over a trim fit black coat and brass badge. She smiled. “Dwayne… Kalan. A pleasure to meet you.”
Chapter 21: Xa-Si-Ung-Yi-Ze, Bear’s Stomach
Two days later, Mei sat at a table in the garrison’s mess hall, alone except for a tankard of beer and an empty plate. Maggie and Dwayne were up in Walcrest at Sir Marcus’s official wake, which she hadn’t been invited to over Maggie and Dwayne’s protests because of her common status. Saundra’s heroics had gotten her in though. As for Huan, well…
“Yeah, I saw it.” Nathan was on his third beer. “A flash that darkened the sky, and a blast that must have been heard all the way in Bradford.” Sir Marcus’s former squire took another swig of beer. “That’s the power of Souran magic, right?”
Mei’s hand tightened around her tankard. Although Nathan had been left with the horses, Mei knew he knew that Maggie and Dwayne had worked together.
She scanned the room and failed to find her brother. Since returning from the jungle, Huan had ducked out early every morning and returned late every night.
She’d only been able to catch up to him once, and she’d only managed to ask him one question. “Where’s the mask?”
He’d shrugged. “I lost it, and we were in such a hurry to retreat I didn’t have time to find it. Anyway, good riddance to him.”
“Him?”
“It.” Her brother had smiled. “I meant it.”
Mei curled around her beer. Around her, soldiers downed full tankards of beer, feasted on sausages, and made merry in an unofficial celebration of the life and death of Sir Marcus. Thinking about the nice man who’d sacrificed an arm to save Mei and his life to save Huan didn’t make her feel any better. Maybe she should just go to bed. She stood up and bumped against a soldier, who ended up spilling beer down his front.
The soldier lurched towards her, angry finger raised. Then his eyes widened. “Axesnapper! Hey, Sasha, she’s here!”
Mei peered at the man’s unfamiliar white tunic and grey pants, which gave him more than enough time for him to sit her back down and place a full tankard of beer in front of her.
Across from them, a young woman sat down, grinning. “I’m glad you made it.”
Mei started. This woman was Spear, and the young man settling down next to Mei was Sword. She dropped her chin to her chest. “I’m sorry. I do not know your names.”
Spear guffawed. “You ain’t gotta know names when you fight like you do. We don’t know your name either, so we’ve been referring to you as Axesnapper all night.”
Sword scowled. “I still think Hatchetbreaker is better.”
“I won the arm wrestling and the vote. She needs a good original name. We already have Swordbreaker.” Spear leaned in close. “What is your name by the way? Your real name?”
“Mei Li.”
“Ooo, nice and short. I like it. My name is Sasha Lenox.” She pointed at Sword. “The sloshed oaf next to you is Ashley White. We have to thank you for saving our hides out there. Webb and Jerry are still in the infirmary, but they send thanks.”
Mei stared down into her tankard. “I just didn’t want anyone else to die.”
Ashley thumped his tankard on the table. “Here here!”
“You make a better sergeant than half we’ve served under and that’s no mistake,” said Sasha. “Oi, you. More sausages here.”
A soldier glared at her. “You ain’t my boss.”
Sasha stood up. “They ain’t for me. They’re for Axesnapper here.”
The soldier’s eyes widened. “Bullshit.” He looked Mei over. “Oh, wait, I heard you took out a giant’s eye from a hundred wir away.”
Mei felt unmoored. “No, it was just ten wir.”
“She fought one by herself practically,” said Sasha. “She has moves, this girl.”
The soldier nodded. “And she fought off like a dozen of them things with Saundra, right? What kind of sausages you want?”
“Just bring them all,” answered Sasha.
“All it is!”
The soldier disappeared into the crowd.
Mei’s face felt hot. “It wasn’t twenty.”
Sasha grinned. “It’ll be thirty by tomorrow.”
Ashley thumped the table. “And fifty by the end of the week, I swear.”
“Here you go.” A plate of sausages and cabbage landed in front of Mei.
She goggled at the rich food. “This is a lot.”
“We can’t thank you enough so we’re going to fatten you up instead,” said Sasha.
“Are you going to stick around?” asked Ashley.
“No.” Mei poked at one of the sausages and watched the fat slide off it. “I have to stick with Maggie.”
Sasha looked at Ashley. “Who’s Maggie?”
“Maggie, Maggie, wait, you mean Magdala, the Water Sage’s kid?” Ashley goggled at Mei. “Who are you?”
“Who cares? You can’t leave now,” said Sasha. “Who the hell is going to teach us how to fight?”
Mei took a knife and cut off a piece of sausage. “Saundra will still be here.”
“No, that one’s going places,” said Ashley. “I mean she impressed Lord Gallus of all people. I bet they’re up there in that fancy estate fitting her for knight’s armor right now.”
“Besides, she’s good with a sword and we want to learn axework,” said Sasha.
Mei put the sausage in her mouth and reveled in the rich flavors. The sausage’s meat was unknown, but it had been roasted just right, and the fat made it slide easy down her throat. She cut off another piece. “I don’t know much about fighting with an axe, but…” Sir Marcus’s last words to her echoed in her ears. “Sir Marcus knew I’d be able to pull it off.” She dropped her knife and raised her tankard. “To Sir Marcus.”
Sasha and Ashley raised their tankards. “To Sir Marcus!”
The room shook with the call. “To Sir Marcus!”
Mei finally drank from her beer and put it down. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of her brothser, who slipped out of the room.
“What’s wrong?” asked Ashley.
Mei turned to her new friends, her expression blank. “Nothing.”
Chapter 20: yRi’uninyo’jie’npaa, Night Shroud
Mei listened to Maggie’s plan.
“So.” Maggie looked between her two friends. “Can we do it?”
Mei checked her status. Her ankle was tender, her rifle was bent, and bruises were blossoming up and down her right side, but Maggie’s plans always worked, so long as she actually asked for help. Her answer was simple. “Yes.”
Saundra’s voice only shook a little. “Yes, milady.”
Mei found herself embraced and held in a wince as Maggie squeezed her two friends tightly.
“Don’t die, you two,” said Maggie.
Mei squeezed back, wearing half a grimace and all of a smile. “I won’t.”
“Understood, milady.” Saundra sniffled. “You’ll get us through this.”
After Maggie released them, Mei handed her the rifle. Maggie’s mouth fell open.
Mei patted her hand. “Take care of it.”
Eyes glistening, Maggie nodded and stepped back.
Saundra raised her sword in the air and faced the Sourans. “Ready?”
“Ready!”
Drawing her axe, Mei joined the corporal in the center of the forming line. On the other side of the clearing, both giants tried to swim through the waves of water that had been beating against them while Maggie had been talking. It was a feat of magic on a scale Mei had never seen before, but it wouldn’t last. Maggie’s mother was looking more and more ragged as if she’d been marching for hours.
Saundra pointed at the new giant, which was still wielding its makeshift club. “I’ve got that one.”
Mei focused on the old giant with the scars and nodded. “Once I’m done, I’ll come help,” she said.
“Qeil!“
With that, Maggie’s mother dropped her hands, and the waves of water ceased, releasing the giants.
Mei adjusted her grip on her axe. “Here they come.”
Spitting out water and coughing, the two giants got to their feet and again took the same low crouching stance they’d taken before. As one, Mei, Saundra, and the Souran soldiers steeled themselves, spear, sword, and axe at the ready.
As if a signal had been given, both giants kicked off the ground at the same time and exploded into a low sprint.
Mei dashed to intercept the unarmed giant, her charge pulling four of the Souran soldiers forward into the monster’s path, but before they collided, the giant planted its foot and raised its fist. Reading the giant’s intent, Mei dropped onto her back and slid underneath the punch, which slammed into two of the soldiers. They flew back, hit the ground, and lay still. Gritting her teeth, Mei arched her back, jumped to her feet, and brought her axe down on the giant’s arm, but it swung wide, trying to send Mei flying too. She held on, used the momentum to free her axe, and landed a few wir from the giant, which turned to the two remaining soldiers. Mei didn’t let it ignore her though; she closed with it and chopped at its side, spilling red ichor onto the green clearing and giving the soldiers time to back away. Roaring in pain, the giant tried to grab for her, but she’d already freed her axe and darted out of range. Circling around the giant, she reached the two soldiers, whose mouths were wide with shock.
“How are you doing that?” said one soldier. He picked up his sword, which he’d dropped when the giant had first attacked.
The other gripped her spear, pointing its tip at the giant. “Instinct, I bet. Don’t help us none. I knew we should have followed Swordbreaker. She would’ve given an order or warned us or or or something.”
The hairs on Mei’s arm raised, and she pushed Spear out of the way of a massive punch. Before the giant could recover from the miss, Mei kicked it in the jaw and flipped away, but the giant knew who were the easy targets. Letting Mei get clear, the giant squared off against the two soldiers. It planted its right foot.
Mei’s stomach dropped as neither soldier tried to block or dodge the inevitable attack. “Duck!”
Sword just frowned, but Spear tackled him, pushing him out of the way of the giant’s fist. Again, the giant had overcommitted and lost its balance, giving Mei a chance to duck low and cut at its ankles with her axe. As the giant tumbled to the ground behind her, Mei rejoined the two soldiers.
Frowning, she pulled Sword to his feet. “You can’t read attacks?”
Sword shook his head. “He’s so fast.”
“No, we can’t.” Spear stood up on her own. “How are you doing that?”
Mei opened her mouth, failed to find an answer, then closed her mouth. After fighting Saundra, she’d expected all of Soura’s soldiers to be good at reading attacks before they came, and the giant, unlike Tiger, definitely thought through each punch, kick, and guard. She could use these soldiers as distractions, but… She glanced at the giant and watched as green flame stitched together the cut tendons in its ankles. She couldn’t keep up this level of assault by herself. There wasn’t time for a lesson, and so she’d have to guide them. She pointed to her ears. “Listen, then act.”
Spear blinked. “Sorry, what?”
The giant roared, cutting off Mei’s chance for a reply. It took two giant steps and then squatted, still four wirs away from them.
“It’s jumping!” shouted Mei.
She pushed Spear away and jumped in the opposite direction with Sword barely following her lead. The giant landed in the midst of them, its impact sending up dirt, sticks, and grass but not crushed human remains. Undeterred, it dropped its left hand to the ground.
“Right kick!” shouted Mei.
Finally understanding, Spear dropped under the giant’s double kick, and Mei rushed in and hacked at its left hand. The giant fell to the ground, red ichor dripping out of its wrist, and the Sourans darted in and stabbed it with sword and spear.
Then the giant arched its back.
“Get back!” shouted Mei, but Sword didn’t hear her and kept hacking away at the giant, which flipped to its feet and pulled back an open hand. Mei rushed forward and knocked Sword out of the way of the giant’s backhand, which smashed through the wooden handle of Mei’s axe and knocked her into Spear, whose body slowed her down as they both tumbled to the ground.
Mei blinked, trying to get the dark and bright spots out of her vision.
Beneath her, Spear groaned. “Oh, damn.” She helped Mei to her feet as Sword joined them.
Mei spat out blood, dropped her broken axe, and drew her knife. “Look, then attack. That’s all I am doing.”
Sword shook his head. “But it’s so fast!”
“Then listen.” Mei straightened up. Her sides hurt, and her arms ached like a dozen tree trunks had landed on them, but she faced the giant, knife at the ready.
The giant faced the three of them, its beady eyes focused on Mei. She grinned. Good.
The giant leaned forward.
“Charge.”
Sword and Spear split up and the giant closed with Mei. She ducked under its outstretched arm and it spun to follow, but Sword shoulder-tackled the monster and it fell onto its back. Both Sword and Spear attacked the giant again.
The giant’s back arched.
“Stand.”
This time both Sword and Spear got clear of the giant, which flipped to its feet and swiped at them, leaving its back open. Mei jumped, caught the collar of the giant’s armor and sank her knife into the base of its skull. The giant screamed and bucked, throwing her off.
“Me!”
Green flame spilling out of the back of its head, the giant spun and charged Mei again, its eyes screwed up with pain and rage. It got within a wir of her then choked as a spear pushed itself through the back of its throat and out its mouth.
“Got you!” Spear pumped her fist.
Mei’s eyes widened. “Back!”
Spear jumped off the giant right before it flipped onto its back, a motion that should have crushed her, but instead gave Sword a chance to sink his weapon into the giant’s chest. For a moment, the giant lay still. Then its head and chest erupted in green flame. After Mei and Spear pulled Sword away from the giant, they watched it pull the sword out of its chest, the spear out of its throat, and the knife out of its neck. It stood up, flames knitting its wounds.
Spear pulled back. “How do we kill this thing?”
Maggie’s voice cut through the sounds of combat. “Mei, Saundra!”
Mei glanced back, grinned, and pulled both of the Sourans to the ground. Above them, a wave of water slammed into the giant and pushed it all the way back across the clearing.
Spear swallowed and marveled at the magic. “Oh.”
Mei pointed to the two soldiers who’d fallen. “Get them. We’re going back.”
Both Sword and Spear grinned. “Yes, sir!”
Chapter 19: Qeuiyit, Rise
When the ticking stopped, Magdala knew that time was up. “Saundra, now!”
With a grunt, the corporal hurled a lit fire bomb at the armored giant’s feet, forcing it to jump away. When the fire bomb exploded, it set the clearing alight and filled the air with grey smoke. Leaving Saundra to rally the troops, Magdala and Mei used the smoke as cover and moved to flank, Magdala veering left, Mei right. With any luck, the Revenant’s armor wasn’t thick enough to protect it from Mei’s bullets.
Bursting out of the smoke, the giant pointed its crossbow this way and that, searching for a target. When its aim found Mei, Magdala threw a concussive into its face, but although the blast made the Revenant stumble, it managed to stayed upright, and it brought the colossal crossbow around to aim at Magdala isntead. That gave Mei an opening. She fired, and the armored giant began to fall.
Magdala pumped her fist. “Yes!”
Her cheers died when the giant’s foot slammed into the ground and pushed it upright again. Then, roaring, it spun around and took aim at Mei, who dove out of the way of the crossbow bolt. As another tree fell, Magdala saw the damage that Mei’s shot had done to the giant and groaned. Mei’s shot had only dented the armor. To actually penetrate they would have to hit the same spot over and over again, and there was no way the giant would allow Mei to do that. While the giant reloaded its crossbow, it pursued Mei as she raced across the clearing and dodged through the trees, breaking line of sight and keeping just ahead of the giant. Unfortunately, Mei couldn’t keep that up forever, and so Magdala moved to help, lighting her last fire bomb and throwing it at the giant’s back. The giant howled and dropped to the ground to put out the flames, allowing Mei to escape deeper into the jungle. If Mei’s rifle wasn’t enough, they had to try something else.
Magdala sprinted back to Saundra and the soldiers. “We have to break that bow!”
Saundra turned around, took in the situation, then gestured for three soldiers to join her. Together, they charged the giant. The Revenant, the fire put out and its wounds disappearing under a harrowing green light, stood up, finished reloading its crossbow, and took aim at Saundra.
“No!” Magdala threw her last concussive at the crossbow, but the giant rolled out of the way, allowing the concussive to explode harmlessly behind it. It grinned at Magdala, but she grinned back as Saundra and the three soldiers attacked the giant. She’d bought enough time for them to close the distance. The giant raised its crossbow out of reach, kicked away one soldier, backhanded another, and headbutted the third. While her comrades distracted it, Saundra slipped behind the giant, leapt, and grabbed the giant’s armor. She pulled herself up and slashed at the crossbow, but the giant pulled its weapon out of range, grabbed Saundra, and tossed her across the clearing. Again, it took aim, this time at Saundra.
Again, Magdala entered its vision, her right hand hidden behind her back. “Hey, grey face! I’ve got something for you!”
The giant’s crossbow swung around, and Magdala threw her empty fist at it. The giant ducked and then stared when nothing came out of her hand.
Magdala smirked. “Got you.”
Roaring, the giant took aim at Magdala, but a shot rang out, and its crossbow disintegrated into splinters.
Magdala looked for where the shot had come from, and found Mei up in a tree. After waving thanks, Magdala ran to help Saundra to her feet.
“Good.” The corporal wiped blood from her lips. “We got that damn bow.”
Magdala tried to catch her breath. “Now… we can wear it down. Unless you know how to destroy its armor?”
Saundra picked up her sword. “Don’t have to. We knock it down and have Mei shoot it in the head. Repeat until it doesn’t get up anymore.” She turned to the soldiers who’d helped her attack the giant. “Who can still fight?”
Two of the three soldiers managed to reply. The third, who had been headbutted, lay still on the ground, dazed.
Saundra ran over to her and checked her pulse. “She’s alive.”
“Good,” said Magdala.
Saundra took the soldier’s sword and held it out to Magdala. “Take her sword, milady.”
Magdala grimaced. “I don’t know how to use this.”
Saundra gave her a lopsided grin. “It’s not hard, milady. Just stick the pointy end into the soft bits.”
“If you say so.” Magdala took the sword.
Another shot rang out. On the other side of the clearing, Mei was fending off twenty Hounds at once.
“By the cup,” said Saundra.
Magdala checked the perimeter. The soldiers they’d left there were holding off the fiends, but if any Hounds got behind them, all would be lost. Magdala gestured to the unconscious soldier. “Grab her. We need to reinforce the line.”
Saundra’s eyes flickered to the giant. “What about that?”
“If the line falls, we won’t be able to get home. Let’s go.”
Saundra’s jaw snapped shut, but she nodded, slung the unconscious soldier’s arms over her shoulders, and together, she and Magdala led her comrades back to the beleaguered line. Another shot rang out, and Mei joined them.
When they reached the line, Saundra shouted, “Make a circle!”
A sergeant picked up the cry, and the line folded back into a circle that Saundra, Mei and Magdala completed. A wave of Hounds slammed into them. Taking Saundra’s advice to heart, Magdala stabbed and slashed at the Hounds’ throats and stomachs, occasionally removing heads, but mostly pushing them back so that Mei’s axe or Saundra’s sword could finish them off. Magdala swung her sword until her arms ached and her breaths were short. Then she looked past the unending horde and nearly dropped her weapon.
She’d known that they were fighting a new giant, not the one that had assaulted the garrison two days before, but until this moment, she’d forgotten that that meant that this giant had reinforcements waiting to be unleashed. The scarred giant, now armored, had joined the fight.
Magdala turned back to the Hounds, kicking one back and stabbing it in the neck. “The other giant is here.”
Saundra grimaced. “Oh, well, it was a good fight. Let’s make them pay!”
The soldiers roared and got back to work hacking Hounds.
Meanwhile, the two giants waited in the center of the clearing.
Chapter 18: Xa-Nin-Che-Xe-Tse-Ze, Orca’s teeth
Dwayne watched a Vanurian couple step onto the lift, their arms wrapped around their meagre possessions, their eyes locked on the ground, their responses to the soldiers’ questions short. After the soldiers moved on, Dwayne approached the couple with a notebook and pen clutched in his hands.
He cleared his throat. “I, uh, have a couple of questions to ask you.”
The taller of the two Vanurians, who was dressed in a dark green tunic and slacks, shrank behind their partner’s pale blue robes.
Dwayne held in a sigh. Last time he’d tried to have this conversation, he’d forced it, and the Vanurians he’d been talking to had fled, and only Galkin’s hurried assurances had gotten them to stay. Dwayne didn’t know what the steward had promised them, but he didn’t want a repeat performance. He kept his voice even and slow. “You will be safe in Walcrest, and you can stay as long as you like and leave whenever you wish. When the Northern Gate is repaired, you’ll be escorted to the other side.”
The shorter Vanurian lifted their chin. “We live here. When can we go home?”
Considering that the mayor and the bishop were discussing repopulating the Jungle, and gangs of angry Sourans were wandering the streets, Dwayne could only say, “I don’t know. It’s safer up in Walcrest.”
“Why? And how can you make that promise?” The Vanurian’s hands gripped their pale blue robes. “You’re just a servant.”
Dwayne’s hands tightened on his notebook. Between the suspicious looks he still got from the Sourans and the skeptical ones he got from the Vanurians, he was tired of explaining that he was heir to Walcrest. Luckily, he’d found a semantic sidestep. “My master has given me that authority. I just have two questions. Do either of your know your way around horses and can either of you cook? You’ll be paid for your work.”
“Issido iz oma druma?” asked the short Vanurian while their partner’s hand flew to their mouth.
“I am serious.” Dwayne’s Vanurian was rustier than he’d thought, but he understood. “I can offer this for each day you work for as long as you like.” He wrote a number down in the notebook, tore the page out, and handed it to the couple.
The shorter Vanurian frowned at the unfamiliar symbols, but their partner whispered something, and their eyes widened. They thrust the piece of paper back into Dwayne’s face. “Sign it.”
Dwayne left the paper hanging. “Can you do the work? I will guarantee food and shelter, but I’m not going to pay you for work you can’t do.”
The shorter Vanurian took their partner’s hand. “She can cook, and I have worked with horses before.” They raised their chin, waiting for Dwayne’s challenge.
Honestly, Dwayne doubted that they knew much of anything about horses, but he doubted it took much knowledge to clean stables. “You’ll learn anything you don’t know?”
The shorter Vanurian wavered, then nodded. “Yes.”
“Good.” Dwayne took the piece of paper and signed it. “If the stablemaster gives you any trouble, send a message to me and I’ll deal with it. Understood?”
The taller Vanurian nudged her partner and muttered something. The shorter one muttered something back, then turned to Dwayne. “Understood.”
“Excellent.” Dwayne signaled to the lift operators, and the lift began to rise. “I’ll escort you to-“
“Young lord!” Galkin ran up to the lift. “They’re here!”
A chill hit Dwayne. “Okay, okay. Get them settled.”
After they switched places, he jumping off the lift, Galkin jumping on, Dwayne ran over to the Northern Gate where Colonel Harvey, Nathan, and twenty mounted soldiers faced the same blue suited messenger who had heralded the Galluses’ arrival.
Colonel Harvey raised an eyebrow. “Good of you to join us.”
Dwayne walked up to the messenger. “Where are they?”
The messenger pointed. Dwayne blinked and looked up, and a water droplet landed on his face, then another and another. Soon a torrent of water poured down on top of him and the soldiers. When the sudden deluge had ceased, the horses were spooked, the soldiers were cursing, and Dwayne’s notebook was completely useless.
He glared at the messenger. “What was that?” he asked, but the messenger and all of the soldiers including Colonel Harvey were now saluting a tall red-haired man, who donned full plate armor and wore an emblem depicting a red horse on a white field with golden grains. Next to him and dressed in blue and black robes was a stout blonde woman. She swept her hands wide and spoke a single syllable, and water rushed out of Dwayne’s clothing, gathered into a sparkling ball over their heads, then dissipated.
Colonel Harvey stepped forward. “Sir, Lady Sage. I’m glad you-“
“Where’s my daughter? Where’s my brother?” The woman glared at Harvey, worrying the silvery rings on her fingers. “What’s this nonsense about them being on the other side of the Southern Line?”
Dwayne bowed. “Magdala went to go rescue Lord Kalan.”
Both of Magdala’s parents started as if a piece of the scenery had just spoken.
Her mother recovered first. “Who are you?”
Placing his hands behind his back, Dwayne held his bow. “I am Dwayne, Lord Kalan’s heir and apprentice.” He straightened up. “I assume you are Lord and Lady Gallus?”
Lord Gallus’s hand came to his forehead as Lady Gallus’s eyes narrowed. “We are,” she said. “I was not expecting you to be Wesen.”
Dwayne’s hands tightened into fists. “Is… that a problem?”
“It’s a distraction.”
Lord Gallus laughed. “Your brother is exceptional at distractions. Let’s focus then.” He nodded to the soldiers who all returned to “at attention” stance. “Colonel, have you heard back from my daughter?”
“No, we’re still working on repairing the Gate.” Colonel Harvey gestured to the work crews still hammering away at the now shut Northern Gate. “As soon as that’s done, these soldiers will ride with you to save them.”
Lord Gallus’s nostrils widened. “Get every soldier here. We’ll lift that gate out of the way.”
“Unnecessary, darling.” Lady Gallus began to walk to the Gate. “I’ll handle it.”
A smile flickered across Lord Gallus’s face. “Very well. Everyone, check your weapons and form up!”
Dwayne ran to catch up to the Water Sage. “How can I help?”
Lady Gallus quickened her pace. “You can’t.”
“Yes, I can. Qemeke!“
A gust of wind brought Lady Gallus to a halt, and she stopped and stared at Dwayne. “So, he was right.” Her eyes dropped to the book strapped to Dwayne’s back. “How many spells have you learned from that?”
Dwayne blinked. “You know about-“
“How many?”
“Four.”
Lady Gallus’s eyebrows raised. “Impressive.” She continued onward. “And unfortunate. The Ri willcome after you if they hear of your existence.”
“I don’t care.” Dwayne stepped in front of her. “I’m going to help my friends.”
Lady Gallus’s eyes narrowed. “You’re standing between a mother and her daughter.”
Dwayne’s breath caught, but he didn’t move.
After a moment, Lady Gallus let out a breath. “Fine, you can come. Now, stay here. I have to use my second prepared spell of the day.” She stepped past Dwayne and pressed her hand against the Gate.
“Don’t destroy it, Iona!” Lord Gallus rode up to them on a fresh horse. When he reached Dwayne, he peered closely at his face. “You have a princely look about you.”
“Sorry, what?” asked Dwayne.
“Qeyit!” A ball of water formed above their heads, created two tendrils, and slipped them underneath the Gate. As the ball gathered more and more water into itself, the tendrils bulged and pushed the Gate up. Soon there were two clear columns lifting the Gate higher and higher. When it was halfway open, Lady Gallus stepped through.
“Hill!” The messenger answered Lord Gallus’s call. “Fly ahead, and let my daughter know that we’re on our way. Stay out of trouble.”
The messenger saluted, spoke a word, and rocketed into the air.
Lord Gallus whistled, and when Nathan rode up next to him, he pointed at Dwayne. “You, take him.”
Dwayne recoiled. “I don’t ride.”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “Are you planning to run there?”
Dwayne gulped, then with some effort, managed to get on the horse behind Nathan.
Lord Gallus drew close. “Magdala sang your praises in her letters.” His eyes were hard. “Live up to that. Onwards!” He spurred his horse, swept his wife into his saddle, and charged for the Southern Gate, which was still open.
Nathan snapped his reins, and the horse surged forward, a motion that made Dwayne’s head spin. He clutched at Nathan, who tsked.
“Are you really going to be any use in there?” asked Nathan.
His eyes screwed shut, Dwayne snorted. “Are you?”
“I’m going to help my master. Don’t get in my way.”
“Don’t get in mine.”
Dwayne grit his teeth and held on tight.
Next: Chapter 19: Qeuiyit, Rise
Admaeus Speaks 