Arthur Daigle's Blog, page 3

Goblins and Evil Overlords

Goblins have long accepted that they are small, weak and easily defeated in combat. Their solution is to gather in groups for protection, which hasn’t worked at all. Even crowds of goblins are no match for larger, stronger, organized and better armed opponents. But in true goblin fashion they have found a solution.

Goblins and Evil Overlords

Other Place is a world in near constant conflict, with wars, rebellions and revolutions a yearly occurrence. Among this chaos has arisen the phenomenon known as the evil overlord. Evil overlords are men and women who have decided to take over the world, or as much of it as possible. Charismatic, desperate, oftentimes mad, rarely successful, evil overlords keep rising up to threaten the world. What makes evil overlords dangerous is their ability to attract equally desperate men, women and even monsters. Their forces can swell to enormous sizes in a matter of months as those with nothing to lose throw their lot in with the evil overlord. Given time, these forces can rival armies.

Over the centuries, goblins have watched evil overlords rise (and usually fall) with great interest. To a goblin’s mind, belonging to a big group improves your chances of winning, and spreads the blame if you lose. Goblins flocked to evil overlord’s banners in an effort to join the winning team for once, only to be turned away every time. Evil overlords know their chances aren’t good and don’t waste time with inferior followers. Most people would give up after countless rejections, but goblins lack the common sense to recognize a trend. Instead they came up with an idiotic idea that was so stupid it actually worked. Goblins decided to make their own evil overlords.

The plan starts when goblins find a person, the less terrifying, desperate, ambitious and capable, the better. Goblins flock around the poor fool and declare him their new evil overlord. It doesn’t matter how many times the person refuses to play along or tries to drive the goblins away, they won’t stop. As the plan progresses, the goblins build crude fortifications around their new leader’s property to defend him. More goblins are called in until there is a small army eager to serve a person who wants nothing to do with them.

If this was all that happened it would be a bad joke, but the goblins don’t stop there. They spread the word far and wide that there’s a new evil overlord. Goblins search for additional followers for their new master, and they’re not looking for goblins anymore. Instead they seek tough, dangerous men and women on the lookout for the next big opportunity. Most ignore the goblins, but enough accept the chance to join an evil overlord’s growing army that they swell the ranks with competent warriors.

By now the ‘evil overlord’ is well and truly panicking. Dangerous people are coming to pledge their allegiance. Local rulers assume the worst and send soldiers to put down the upstart. If the poor fool runs, his followers go with him. Many reluctant overlords have to fight their way out, which convinces rulers that they are indeed the evil overlords that goblins claim them to be. In a matter of months there is a new evil overlord, surrounded by goblins who finally have a place within an evil overlord’s army.

It’s unclear how much goblins understand what they’re doing. In many cases goblins simply assume a person is a fledgling evil overlord with no evidence to support this theory. They claim the victim has something about him, be it a pleasing personality, a good work ethic, or even that they smell nice, and use that as proof the person is an evil overlord. Other times the goblins actively recruit a person to be their overlord. They see some kernel of greatness, a spark of power, wisdom or intelligence that makes them think this is a leader who can save them.

Ridiculous as this is, goblins are totally devoted to their new master, even if they did put him in his place. Goblins will fight no matter the odds to protect their evil overlord, following his orders to the letter once he accepts his new role. More than one evil overlord has had his life saved by goblins who, by all rights, should have been totally unable to be of any help at all.

Odder still, these manufactured evil overlords have a better success rate than naturally occurring ones. Most live to old age, surviving many battles and leading their forces to at least minor victories. None take over the world, but they often form small kingdoms that are surprisingly stable. It’s believed that these reluctant evil overlords lack the desperation and ambition of the real thing, allowing them to make better long term decisions.

The most famous evil overlord is the Dread Overlord Joshua, a tiny baby boy. Two goblins passing through the Land of the Nine Dukes found a baby and decided the boy was destined to be an evil overlord. They then set out to recruit followers, finding many wanted men and women who were eager to find a master worth serving. By the time these new followers realized their overlord was too young to have teeth, they decided banding together with Joshua as their nominal leader was better than being alone. In time these forces played a part in defeated a villain known as the Fallen King before retreating to an uninhabited region near the coast to found a new settlement. As of this writing, Joshua is a rambunctious boy of two who doesn’t like to go to bed, loves his parents and has no idea he is the titular head of an army.

Interlude 4

Interlude

King Tyros stood in his bedchambers as he put on his belt and best cape over his silk clothes. Dressing up like this annoyed him. Simple, functional, that was what was needed. Trying to fit the expectation of others wasted time and money. In theory the men and women of his kingdom should adjust their behavior to match his.

That was not the way the world worked, though. So much of being a king was looking the part, acting like others expected a king to behave. He’d made efforts to introduce changes in uniforms and behaviors, cutting down on costs and needless ceremonies, but they kept creeping back in. Commoners, artisans and nobles all wanted life to be as it always had been.

Amvicta joined him dressed in her finest gown and jewels. She looked pleased with herself, so there might be fewer incidents at court caused by her sharp tongue. “Everyone’s ready.”

“A moment longer,” he told her as he put on his crown. Once he’d owned several crowns, but during the civil war he’d sold the less valuable ones to pay his soldiers. Other kings would find that galling, a diminishment of their authority. To Tyros it had been a move long coming. Luxury was waste in his eyes.

Tyros and Amvicta left their room and headed for the courtyard. Guards followed them as always, but there were more defenders. Tyros had increased the castle’s defenses as of late in case his newest followers proved ambitious. These guardians followed at a distance, drifting through walls so quickly few noticed them and none got a clear look. One guard glanced to his left and paused, catching the barest glimpse of his defenders, then resumed marching.

“My father sent words of encouragement for this mission,” Amvicta said proudly.

“Palan is restoring a castle, not going on a quest,” Tyros grumbled. Meadowland was filled with ruined castles awaiting restoration or demolition. Fixing one should prove no difficulty, but Palan would no doubt make it harder than it had to be.

“Simple tasks must come before difficult ones. Giving your son a chance to prove himself has been a long time coming. He won’t disappoint you.”

“That would be a welcome change,” Tyros replied, earning him a scowl from Amvicta.

He didn’t care. His wife and sons had proven massive disappointments at every turn. That his father-in-law felt the need to speak on Palan’s behalf was all the more galling. Amvicta’s family constantly overstepped their bounds, acting as kings in his kingdom, offering counsel, as if they had a right to, and seeking advantages at Tyros’ expense.

They reached a point where the castle corridor branched, and Tyros turned left. Amvicta grabbed his arm and demanded, “Where are you going?”

“To see to military matters.”

She scowled. “That revolting wizard? Your son and important men await you.”

“One of the advantages of being king is no one is more important than I am.”

Tyros marched on followed by his wife and guards. He reached the guest bedrooms where the Inspired wizard waited for him. Tyros had accepted the man as a necessary evil, something life was filled with, but he’d never trusted him. This room was well away from sensitive areas of the castle, and nearby servants were in fact highly trained and well-armed agents ready to kill the wizard should he step out of bounds.

“Wait here,” Tyros said, and entered the room. He didn’t knock. This castle and kingdom were his, and he could go where he pleased when he pleased without asking permission. Once inside he shut the door. Best if no witnesses were present for what was about to be said.

The room was simple, with a bed, table and chair. The man within was anything but. Hyress of the Inspired wore the white and black robes common to his order of wizards, and carried an oak staff. He had a book on the bed filled with notes in a language Tyros had never seen, and diagrams the meaning of which Tyros couldn’t even guess at. Hyress was a young man of perhaps twenty years, his brown hair cut short, his features almost boyish, but his expression was a riddle. He always looked curious, like the world was somehow new no matter how simple a thing he looked at. Tyros expected the wizard to be furious at his sudden entrance, maybe afraid, but Hyress was unphased.

“You failed me.” As starting moves it was brutal and likely to cause discontent, but Tyros liked his enemies unsettled.

“The plan was high risk and high reward when I proposed it,” Hyress replied casually. “Failure was not merely possible but likely. Nothing of value was lost in the attempt, and more missions are planned for this week, next week and the week after that. Bascal will fall under the volume of assaults.”

“A bold claim when you have only five undertrained, underpowered wizards. Your order is known for the number of wizards they can send, if not their strength. When will more come?”

That was another calculated insult. Tyros knew the best way to beat an enemy was to push them hard and often, and Hyress was an enemy despite their current arrangement. Anyone fool enough to think they could take over the world was a madman, or a deadly threat.

“The Inspired have committed more wizards to your cause than they have anywhere else on Other Place,” Hyress said calmly. “If you want more, more must be offered, or at least paid. We have received nothing that we asked for our services.”

“You ask for garbage!” Tyros yelled. He wasn’t used to being unsure about someone, but he couldn’t make sense of Hyress. He’d expected Hyress to demand gold, jewels, noble titles. Instead the wizard had asked to be paid with worthless refuse even a beggar would ignore. Why? No explanation had been offered.

“It is of value to us,” Hyress replied. “As our prize means nothing to you, all the more reason to give it to us.”

Tyros held his ground a moment longer. He despised Hyress and men like him. The world was filled with opportunists, graverobbers and scavengers looking for scraps during times of crisis. And curse him for even thinking it, Tyros needed this vulture of a man.

He needed victories. The war was progressing poorly. Kaleoth was untouched, safe behind Racehorse River. Bascal had closed the main pass into their kingdom. His armies struggled to open it, and had lost two major assets sent to assist the effort. Only in Zentrix did his armies advance now that the ground was dry enough to walk on, but their losses were heavy and morale was low. Tyros needed to reverse this trend, and Hyress might be able to do it.

“How soon after payment can your fellow wizards come, and how many of them will arrive?” Tyros asked through clenched teeth.

“If full payment is made, I can have eight additional wizards in Meadowland within ten days. They will bring summoned monsters, magic weapons and funds sufficient to play an active role in your war for an entire year.”

Tyros reached for the doorknob. “You will have it by week’s end. You disappointed me once, wizard. Those who make a habit of failure suffer for it.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“A question first. All the Inspired Wizards I’ve met wear uniforms of black and white. What is the significance of it?”

“White is commonly associated with goodness and black with evil,” Hyress replied. “We wear a blend of both white and black to show how we are above such thinking. Good and evil are childish concepts. There is only success or failure. Everything else is noise.”

“An interesting point of view,” Tyros told the wizard. It was one he agreed with. He’d survived a civil war, countless assassination attempts and constant challenges to his authority. He’d done what had to be done to survive. Good like the Brotherhood of the Righteous championed was weakness cloaked in dogma. The evil of bandits and monsters was needlessly destructive and heedless of the future. A king had to be decisive, brutal, confident and plan for tomorrow.

That he agreed with Hyress sealed the man’s fate. Hyress would be equally decisive, brutal and confident, and he planned for a future where he ruled. If the time came when he thought he could overthrow Tyros, he would do so without pity or gloating. That meant the Inspired wizard and his fellow practitioners of the dark arts would have to die. Tyros would squeeze all the use he could from them and put them to death.

It was unfortunate, even a touch wasteful, but that was life.

Tyros rejoined his wife and guards outside the guest room and closed the door behind him. Amvicta gave him a sour look before complaining, “I don’t know why you tolerate that man in our castle.”

“Even serpents have their uses.” It was lost on her how that statement applied to her as much as the wizard. She would doubtless press her point, so to head off that argument he said, “With that settled we can move on to Palan. Restoring Grist Castle will take the rest of the year. If Palan succeeds there are other projects I can assign him.”

“Military tasks?” she asked hopefully.

Tyros would sooner put a goblin in charge of his armies than his spineless son. “Construction for now, military if he is and continues to be successful. As for Eskas—”

“We’re not talking about Eskas,” Amvicta interrupted. Her eldest son was no longer allowed in the castle, and she had no desire to see new punishments placed on his shoulders.

“You’re right. Palan has earned a chance to prove himself. We’ll see him on his way.”

They walked on in silence. The more Tyros thought about it, sending Palan on this task was a good idea. Palan had more failings than were acceptable in a man, much less a ruler, but he was clever. Rather like Mastram that way, always thinking. The boy might see what his father was planning. That wouldn’t do. Better to send him far from court, and when the time came deal with him alone.

They reached the courtyard to find Tyros’ court officials and resident nobles in attendance. It has a hot, sunny day, and the guests were sweating. Pennants and banners commemorated this dull event, and tables filled with refreshments had been set on the grassy field. Tyros and Amvicta stood on a low wood platform well away from their followers. Palan wasn’t present, waiting to be summoned and awarded royal orders.

“Announce the prince,” Tyros told an attendant. The man blew a horn, and Palan entered the courtyard from a gate opposite Tyros. He wore armor, as if he expected to fight, and was followed by a procession of soldiers. Those men were in their thirties and forties, competent but well past their prime. That met with Tyros’ approval. They could do the job asked of them without their absence being a drain on the military. Following them were hundreds of boys and young men.

Officially those callow youths were guests of the crown, to be protected and educated at royal expense. That lie fooled no one. They were the eldest sons of mayors from across Meadowland, men Tyros wasn’t entirely satisfied with. Their fathers had served him competently but without enthusiasm. Replacing so many mayors would cause chaos and convince his officials they had to fear their king. This ensured the mayors’ cooperation, and served as a reminder to everyone there was a price to be paid for any slackening of support.

Palan bowed. “My father and my king, I come to serve.”
“Rise, Prince Palan,” Tyros replied. His son stood up straight. “You have sought royal command to rebuild Grist Castle for the good of Meadowland. This is granted.”

“I shall bring honor to your name and to Meadowland,” Palan replied.

That was doubtful, but Tyros went through with this tedious ceremony and handed a rolled up vellum scroll to his son. Palan accepted it and saluted, and the men with him saluted. Normally there would be a celebration or feast to commemorate assigning a prince a mission for the crown, but this deed was so minor Tyros had ordered it canceled. Palan hadn’t refused the move, some slight sign of maturity on his part. With this foolishness done, Palan led his meager force away, and good riddance.

“You did the right thing,” Amvicta whispered to him.

Tyros watched his son leave. The boy was a waste, trash, a coddled child grown into a worthless man. When he died it would be no loss to Tyros or Meadowland, and that day was coming ever closer.

Tyros turned to his wife. “It was the logical choice.”

* * * * *

Palan stopped his small command late that night, far from the nearest house or witness. He had four hundred hostages, fifty older soldiers to guard them, ten wagons pulled by oxen, food and construction tools. It was enough.

Morale was high. Palan had hand-picked the soldiers, making sure these men knew the real meaning of honor and loyalty. They had served the crown long enough to see brutality masked as necessity, and been sickened by it. The hostages were in good cheer now that they were out of the capital. They knew some of Palan’s intensions and realized they were far from safety, but every step brought them closer to family and freedom. His soldiers fed them generous portions. They’d need their strength for the days ahead, and he’d made arrangements for more supplies along the way.

Palan sat at the edge of the camp away from the guards and hostages. The small, desperate force under his command was in great danger. He knew this was their only chance, his only chance, but that was little consolation. If caught they would be put to death. He’d made every effort to avoid such a fate. For months he’d sent letters by means of discrete couriers to men and women he knew he could count on. He had friends in the kingdom who would risk their lives for him, if he could reach them. He’d also secured weapons and riches his father didn’t know about that could turn the tables in their favor. Would it be enough?

There was a rustling in the tall grass just off the road, and a horde of goblins emerged from cover. Some he recognized, others not. Thipins and Campots came up to him and shook his hand.

“You did it,” Thipins said proudly.

“The journey’s just begun,” Palan told his friend. “Father will have men watching us.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of them,” Campots promised. “We brought friends.”

“So I see.” Palan studied the newcomers. Most were typical goblins, dirty, smelly, dressed in rags, but two were different. One wore a strange white coat and carried a finely made leather bag. The second was even stranger, wearing black and green clothing in the same style of the King of the Goblins, and armed with a wood club carved to look like a scepter.

“It’s good to have friends,” he told the goblins. “Until you came, I’d never had one.”

“Don’t worry, it’s gonna be okay, kiddo,” Thipins promised. He gave Palan a reassuring pat on the arm. “You won’t be exiled like your half-brother. We won’t let that happen.”

Hunting Trip, part 2

They slept overnight in the forest, lighting no campfire to avoid light or smoke giving away their position. The next day they walked for many hours before Dana stopped and wrinkled her nose. She’d grown up on a farm, but this stench was a new low, like rotting meat with harsh acid. “Scald wasn’t kidding about the smell. What died?”

“Quite a few things, I imagine.” Jayden pushed ahead through the undergrowth. “Wyverns are strict carnivores, but their digestion is more akin to fermentation. When they relieve themselves, the smell is so awful it can be used to track them. It also kills plants.”

“It’s going to get worse as we get closer, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Wyverns are a magically engineered species produced by ancient elves. Elves once ruled nearly all of Other Place. They expected dragons to serve their empire, and not as equals. Dragons declined the offer of eternal servitude, so elves made their own dragons. They used nature magic to twist serpents and crocodiles into the abomination we know as wyverns. As substitutes for dragons they are a definite failure, but they remain dangerous.”

Dana searched her belongings until she found a handkerchief and wrapped it over her mouth. “Gross.”

“The process produced barely tamable nightmares with venomous stingers on their tails and homicidal levels of aggression, but possessing the stamina, strength and speed the elves desired. When the ancient Elf Empire fell, some wyverns fled into the wilderness to reproduce and become a blight on creation.”

“How did this one get here?”

“Cimmox the necromancer claimed Tyros had hired beast tamers from Quoth, a nation infamous for training monsters for war. One of them must have raised the wyvern from an egg, brutalized it into obedience and now rents it out. I can only imagine how much they charge per month.”

Dana froze. “Brutalized?”

“Wyverns are too aggressive to be trained as most animals are. Instead they are treated with such violence by their master from hatching onwards that they fear those who raised them. They obey even commands that will result in their own deaths.”

“That’s horrible! Can we free it?”

“For any other creature I would make the effort, except wild wyverns are even worse than tame ones. They kill far more than they can eat and let the meat rot, destroy houses and more. Releasing this wyvern from bondage means it will attack innocent people.”

Dana’s eyes narrowed. “Fine, but the guy who ‘trained’ this monster is going to get it.”

“A lovely idea. Now if your eyes aren’t watering too badly from the stench, you’ll see our objective ahead.”

Dana squinted and saw a crude fort in the forest. It filled a large clearing, and consisted of wood barricades ten feet high with sharpened points built around a house, a large barn and a brick creamery. The noon sun shining overhead and lack of tree cover inside the fort made it easy to see every detail. What Dana didn’t see or hear were people. There were no soldiers patrolling the forest’s edge, nor guards stationed in watchtowers or standing on rooftops to keep an eye out for intruders. “Where is everyone?”

“The wyvern would have eaten any men stationed nearby. I believe that’s why this fort was built so far from nearby forces. They can benefit from the wyvern’s services without falling prey to its rapacious hunger. That will limit how many other enemies we have to deal with.” Jayden paused and frowned. “I don’t hear noises. Either the wyvern is gone or it’s asleep.”

“How do we stop it if it nearly killed a dragon?”

“A young dragon taken by surprise.” Jayden studied the fort. “Ideally we ambush it and hit the beast hard before it can retaliate. Failing that, we reduce its mobility by leading it into the forest where it can’t fly. We inflict as much damage as possible to its wings to keep it permanently grounded, which I’ll count as a victory even if we can’t kill it. I have sufficient defensive spells, such as shadow armor and the shield of blades, to make the wyvern’s attacks more damaging to it than me. Let it focus on me, then strike its flanks or back.”

Jayden pointed at two large dead trees with bark peeling off. “We’ll draw it in here. Either one of us can bring down these trees on the wyvern and pin it in place. Finishing it off afterwards will be difficult but possible.”

Dana studied the fort as she crept in closer. It looked like an abandoned farm made in a forest clearing. Meadowland’s army must have found it like this or driven off the owners before moving in. Wood from the barricades was from freshly felled trees, some with green leaves sprouting from them.

Squish! Dana’s foot sunk deep into the ground, and when she pulled it free the most horrendous odor rose up from the soil. Her shoe was covered with bluish black steaming goo. She scrapped off as much as she could on a fallen tree. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Wyvern droppings, more liquid than solid,” Jayden confirmed. “Someone buried it to deal with the smell. It confirms the wyvern lives here.”

Disgusted, she said, “I liked these shoes.”

They snuck up to the fort, careful to stay behind trees. As they came closer, they heard men’s voices coming from the fort. Dana got down on her hands and knees and crept through a thick layer of ferns until she was close enough to see two men in the camp. Maybe they were men. Their skin was blackened and had streaks of blue, and their crude leather clothes were the same color.

Jayden slipped in beside her. “Interesting.”

Dana glanced at her shoe and back at the men. “Are they covered in wyvern poo?”

“The smell would be an effective way to keep the wyvern from eating them, and I can only imagine how bad they’d taste with it on their bodies.”

“That’s incredibly disgusting, and I am not doing it.” Dana studied the fort. “I’m surprised beast tamers don’t have guard dogs to sniff out intruders.”

“I doubt a dog could smell anything with the stench of wyvern droppings so heavy in the air,” he replied. “Those men seem to be the only staff on hand. Their fort is large enough they can’t hope to keep an eye on it all. I can’t cast my shadow fox spell to spy on them without a pool of water, so we’ll have to sneak in and investigate. With luck we’ll find the wyvern asleep and kill it.”

Dana studied the camp. “I don’t see it. Anything big enough to hurt Scald has to be huge. Could they be keeping it in the barn?”

“It’s a convenient home, and would hide it from inquisitive eyes. There’s a section of barricade blocked from view by the barn. We should be able to cut an opening and get inside without being noticed.”

Dana and Jayden slipped quietly through the woods until the barn was between them and the two men. As they approached the barricade, Dana saw that the twelve foot long, sharpened wood stakes were lashed together with tarred rope. Jayden grabbed a stake and nodded to her. She drew Chain Cutter and easily cut the ropes. Jayden grunted as he carefully set down the heavy stake and grabbed another. They removed three stakes in total to make an opening in the barricade large enough to enter.

Once inside, they got behind the barn and looked for a way inside. They came across four windows, all boarded over with fresh timbers. The main entrance faced the interior of the fort. Dana saw five men when she peeked around the edge of the barn. That was too many witnesses for her liking when it would only take one to sound an alarm.

She spotted something that made no sense. There were two large wagons filled to overflowing with apples, melons, summer squash, baskets of beans and more. It was enough to feed hundreds of people, but there were only a few men here. Jayden had said wyverns were carnivores with no interest in fruits and vegetables. Who was it for?

The fort’s small compliment of men was hard at work. Two men shoveled stinking piles of wyvern droppings into wheelbarrows while two more dug shallow pits outside the fort to bury it in. More men were resting and breathing hard.

“Tyros is late paying us again,” one of the dung covered men said.

“I don’t care if the gold is late as long as meat arrives on time,” said another. “One more day and we’ll have to take the wyvern hunting, and to blazes with our orders.”

“The wyvern gets meat delivered, we take him hunting or Meadowland loses cattle and peasants,” said the first. His tone made it clear how little that bothered him.

Jayden interrupted her spying by saying, “Cut an opening in the wall. If you work slowly you shouldn’t make much noise.”

Dana pressed Chain Cutter against the barn’s back wall and pressed her sword in. The wall was oak, but old and had suffered from long years of rain and snow. Her sword slid easily through the wall. She pulled it across the wall, slowly cutting through oak boards. She made a parallel cut much lower than the first, and Jayden caught the boards as they fell. Once she’d made a big enough hole to crawl through, she bent down and looked inside.

She got back up. “We have a problem, about twenty feet high and thirty tons.”

Puzzled, Jayden bent down and looked inside the barn. “I did not see this coming.”

The barn’s sole occupant wasn’t the wyvern they’d come to slay, but a great, furry beast. The monster reminded Dana of an ogre but much larger, with bulging muscles, thick gray fur white at the tips, and long yellowed teeth, although he didn’t wear clothes. The great beast had long scars across the arms, back and legs, and a pungent body odor. He sat on the barn’s floor facing away from them, his shoulders slumped and eyes downcast.

“A giant,” Jayden said softly. “I’ve seen pictures, but never thought I’d meet one in the flesh.”

“He’s huge,” Dana whispered. This explained the wagons of food. The wyvern needed meat, but this giant must eat massive amounts of plants.

The giant turned his head to face the sound of their voices. Dana gasped when his eyes locked on hers. The giant made no other move toward them as he regarded them with sorrowful eyes. Now that his head was turned, Dana could see a steel collar a foot wide and covered in strange symbols wrapped tight around the giant’s thick neck.

“Nice giant,” Dana said weakly. “Friends?”

The giant stared at them, his face showing curiosity.
“The beast tamers must have brought him along with the wyvern,” Jayden said. “He’d have little trouble overwhelming Bascal’s defenders, and could cross all but the most difficult terrain. King Tyros must be paying a fortune to rent two powerful monsters.”

“At least they gave him somewhere dry and out of the sun to rest,” Dana said.

“Keeping it away from the wyvern is a bigger consideration.” Jayden studied the giant’s scars and pointed at one. “That healed recently, yet the giant hasn’t been sent against Bascal. The wyvern likely inflicted those wounds. They don’t tolerate other monsters in their territory, and will attack rivals if given the slightest opportunity. Keeping the giant out of sight reduces the chance of further conflicts.”

Dana kept staring. “He’s intelligent. I can tell.”

“Stories say they are, but they don’t speak or write. No one knows exactly where giants come from. They are ancient and powerful, and incredibly hard to kill. This one could be centuries old and strong enough to tear down a castle. I think he’s the one who uprooted the trees to make the barricade around this fort.”

“He’s huge. How do they make him follow orders?”

Jayden pointed at the steel collar. “Giants hibernate for months at a time. Beast tamers must have found him asleep and placed that collar on him. It’s definitely magic. I recognize the symbols inscribed on it. One is the dwarven word for pain, and another means fire. I daresay the giant must do as ordered or suffer untold agonies.”

The giant looked down before he nodded.

Outraged, Dana demanded, “Do beast tamers use pain to make all their monsters work for them?”

“Beast tamers of Quoth do.”

Dana clenched her jaw in anger. This was no different than what had happened to Braston the Unbeaten. A good person was turned into a slave by magic and forced to do terrible things. Jayden was right, the giant was a threat to Bascal as great as the wyvern, but he didn’t have to be. He shouldn’t be.

Dana climbed inside the barn while the giant watched her. “You can understand me. Will you let us help you?”

The giant gave her a long suffering sigh and a look of resignation before he shrugged. He wasn’t going to stop her from trying, but he had no expectation of success.

Jayden followed her inside. “What are you planning?”
“Can you get me up to his shoulders with your magic hand spell?”

“Easily done.” Jayden cast a spell to form his black magic hand. It opened its clawed fingers so she could climb onto the palm before floating up to the giant. The giant watched them with more interest as Dana got off the magic hand and stood on his shoulder.

“I don’t see a keyhole or latch on the collar,” she told Jayden. “If I cut it off, will it hurt him?”

“Most likely it would kill him, otherwise he would have pulled it apart on his own.” Jayden brought his magic hand down and climbed onto it. He brought the hand up even with Dana and studied the collar. “These incantations are complex, but I see a pattern to them. They demand obedience and punish him for failing to comply. The fire and pain symbols connect to this symbol, which is powering them. They’re guarded by two magic wards, each defending the other in case someone tries to remove the collar, but they’re connected by a lesser incantation here.”

Jayden pointed at a spiraling symbol between two strange marks. Dana raised her sword and asked, “If I cut that it breaks the collar?”

“No, but it’s a first step.”

Dana hesitated, wondering if this was the right thing to do. The giant was intelligent, but that didn’t mean he was good. There was a very real chance he was a monster in both body and soul. Releasing him would allow him to do awful things the same way releasing the wyvern would. She was taking chances with not only her life but the lives of everyone the giant would meet from this point on.

Her hesitation ended in seconds. The giant had suffered untold pain and indignities for who knows how long. If the giant was good, she had to save him. If he was evil, whatever harm he’d done had been paid for long ago.
“Hold very still,” she told the giant. He watched her, his expression still showing great sadness. She pressed Chain Cutter against the symbol and pushed. There was a pop, and Dana felt a jolt run up her arm. The giant’s eyes opened wide.

Jayden pointed at another symbol. “Here.”

Dana drove in Chain Cutter again, careful not to go too deeply. There was another pop, this time followed by purple sparks. Jayden pointed out two more symbols for her to destroy, each followed by more and larger sparks.

“That should separate the symbols so they can’t reinforce or protect one another,” Jayden said. “Cut through the collar here between the fire and pain symbols.”

The giant breathed harder and deeper. Dana inched Chain Cutter down the huge collar, producing a shower of sparks as it cut the metal. The collar was tough enough that Chain Cutter made slow progress, but inch by inch she destroyed it. When she finished cutting through there was a flash of purple light, the symbols on the collar flashed once and then fell silent.

“I’m going to cut through the other side of the collar,” she promised the giant. “Then you’ll be—”

The giant reached up with both hands and seized his collar. His fingers tightened around it, and with a great effort he pulled it open, the steel shrieking like a dying animal before he pulled it off.

“What’s going on in there?” a voice called out from outside the barn.

Dana jumped off the giant’s shoulder onto Jayden’s magic hand. He made it float away as the giant stretched his muscular arms up to the barn’s roof. He stood up, and with the barest of effort ripped the roof off and threw it aside like it weighed nothing at all. Dana blinked at the sudden return of daylight. The giant wasn’t finished, and he kicked down the walls around him until the barn was entirely destroyed.
Beast tamers screamed and ran away. The giant didn’t chase them, although Dana would have in his place. Instead he turned to face Dana and Jayden. He clenched his right hand into a fist, struck it against his chest and pointed at them.

“What does that mean?” Dana asked Jayden.

“No idea.”

The giant stomped away, ripping apart a thirty foot long section of the barricade around the fort before disappearing into the forest. Dana would have never imagined such a huge monster could vanish like that, but as big as he was the trees around him were far taller and masked his escape. The beast tamers ran off, a wise move given how angry Dana was with them.

Jayden make his magic hand slowly lower to the ground. “Delightful as that was, and beneficial to the war effort, it’s not what we came for.”

“We can’t kill the wyvern if it’s not here.”

There was a flash of light and a whistling to their right. Dana and Jayden turned to see a glowing ball of light shoot high into the sky and explode into a sparkling red ball. Two more shot up from the trees.

“What are those?” Dana asked.

Jayden got off the giant hand and cast a spell to form his magic whip. “Signal rockets! It’s a form of alchemy used by armies to communicate over long distances. The beast tamers that fled into the forest must have taken them with to warn their fellow tamer riding the wyvern that they’re in danger.”

“So it’s going to show up?”

“Yes, and we need to get ready.” Jayden pointed to the forest. “I don’t think we were seen in the confusion, so we might be able to ambush the wyvern. It’s strong enough to tear these buildings apart. The trees will offer better cover.”

They hurried out of the fort, and just in time. Dana heard a rumbling sound in the distance and saw a dark speck on the horizon. They reached the cover of a dense stand of large trees as the speck grew larger. She saw it more clearly as it neared, a serpentine monster forty feet long, half of which was its sinuous neck and tail. It had a powerful chest and a wingspan as wide as it was long. The wyvern had dark green ridged scales across its back and limbs, flatter and lighter green scales on the belly and throat, and yellow wing membranes. Unlike Scald, it had only one set of legs folded up underneath it.

The wyvern had an arrow shaped head, jaws filled with sharp teeth, and beady black eyes. Its arsenal of weapons included sharp claws on its wings and feet, and a black stinger as long as a short sword on the tip of its tail. The monster moved with such speed and flexibility it seemed to swim across the sky. Dana could only imagine what it was like in battle.

“We have to kill that?”

“A task best done from the shadows,” Jayden told her. His magic hand floated nearby, a welcome weapon in the coming fight. “If it lands, I’ll try to hit it with a fireball. Should that fail, we must draw it among the trees, where its size works against it.”

The wyvern flew to the fort and landed gracefully next to the destroyed barn. Now that it was at eye level, she could see a man riding it on a saddle. He had no weapons or armor, just a steel rod he struck the wyvern with when he issued orders. The wyvern outweighed him a hundred to one but obeyed without hesitation. Once it was on the ground, it walked with its back legs and arms with the membranes folded up. Dana had assumed it would be clumsy out of the air, but the wyvern seemed to flow across the ground.

Dana saw wounds on the beast. The wyvern had bite marks on its right shoulder, and cuts on both legs. It looked like Scald’s fight with the wyvern hadn’t been one sided. The injuries were beginning to heal but far from finished. Dana would have given an injured animal time to recover, but the beast tamers were pushing it hard.

“It’s not wearing a collar like the giant,” Dana said.
“Magic collars are rare and expensive. Brutality works equally well in this case. Hold on, I’m going to get you ready for the fight.” Jayden cast a spell that twisted shadows into pieces of black spiky armor. The pieces flew through the air and assembled into a full suit of armor over Dana. “That will offer considerable protection, but it’s not invincible. Don’t take chances you can avoid.”

Jayden began the now familiar chant of his fireball spell. Dana kept watch while the tiny spark formed between his hands. The wyvern stayed near where it had landed while beast tamers from the fort gathered around it. They pointed in the direction the giant had fled and shouted words Dana was too far away to understand.
Then the wyvern sniffed, whipped its head toward them and roared a deep, menacing bellow.

Jayden finished his spell, and the tiny spark drifted toward the wyvern. The wyvern unfolded its wings and leaped into the air. Two beats of its huge wings took it high above the spark. Jayden’s fireball detonated with a BOOM, swallowing up the remnants of the barn and nothing else.

“Back!” Jayden ordered, and led Dana deeper into the forest. The wyvern swooped down to land at the edge of the forest before following them on foot. It ran faster than they could, the rider shouting orders and striking the wyvern to guide it on. The wyvern didn’t hesitate to follow them between the trees.

Jayden cast a spell while running and formed his shield of spinning blades. The wyvern had nearly caught up to them when Jayden swung his whip at its head. The wyvern pulled back impossibly fast, and the whip only cut through low branches. He swung again and the wyvern backed away at its rider’s commands.

The wyvern’s head went left then right, trying to get around Jayden’s shield. Each time he turned to face it, and the rider pulled the wyvern back before it touched the blades. The rider yelled at the wyvern in a language Dana didn’t understand, and the beast reached up into the canopy with its long neck. The wyvern bit onto a dead branch as thick as Dana’s waist, ripped it off the tree and swung it down. It hit the spinning blades and was cut to sawdust. That ended the spell, leaving Jayden at the monster’s nonexistent mercy.

Jayden brought his magic hand in and punched the wyvern across the face. The blow must have stung, but the wyvern was so large and heavily armored that it merely shook its head and snarled at him. It was enough of a delay for him to cast another spell. Dana saw shadows across the forest twist into pieces of armor and fly through the air to encase him. The wyvern looked momentarily confused before snarling and charging him.

Dana stopped running and got behind a huge dead tree on the wyvern’s right side. She drew Chain Cutter and slashed deep into the tree. She swung again and cut out a huge wedge of wood. The wyvern swung its head around the tree so fast she barely saw it coming. Dana raised her sword as the wyvern’s jaws snapped closed inches in front of her. The wyvern could see her, but not its rider who was behind the tree. She swung once, but it pulled away so quickly she only nicked its snout. Then she hit the tree again, bringing it down on the wyvern.

Which did surprisingly little to hurt it. The tree’s huge branches caught other trees on the way down, and instead of crushing the wyvern only forced it onto its belly. The rider was less fortunate, and was knocked onto the forest floor. The wyvern bellowed angry roars and scrambled to get free.

Jayden directed his magic hand to grab the wyvern’s neck, and he swung his whip at its wings. His aim was off, though, and the whip wrapped around a branch of the downed tree. Dana ran in to strike it. She got four feet closer when the wyvern’s tail came swinging at her face. She screamed and dropped to the ground, leaving the wyvern to bury its tail stinger into the fallen tree. It pulled the stinger free and swung again, forcing Dana back.

The wyvern slithered forward, slowly working its way out from under the tree. It got back to its feet and locked its black eyes on Jayden. He kept his magic hand on its neck and swung his whip again, this time scoring a stinging blow across the monster’s gaping maw. It bellowed and charged, pushing back the magic hand. Dana ran in alongside it and swung Chain Cutter at its legs. The wyvern saw her coming and tried to stomp on her. She avoided it, barely, and cut it across the leg. The wyvern swung its tail at her, but caught it in branches of the fallen tree.

Outraged, and uncontrolled with its rider dismounted, the wyvern howled and pushed forward to attack Jayden. It galloped across the forest floor and opened its jaws wide, biting down hard on his right arm. His shadowy armor protected him and hurt the wyvern with its sharp edges. The monster spit him out and stepped on him with its clawed foot. It opened its jaws for another attack when Jayden’s magic hand seized it by the neck and struggled to hold it back. Dana ran to his rescue and prayed she could reach him in time.

The wyvern shook itself free of the magic hand and lunged at Jayden, when a tree stump three feet across came flying through the air to hit the wyvern’s back. The wyvern buckled under the blow and staggered a few steps before stumbling into a tree. It whipped its head around to face the giant charging into battle.
The giant’s roar was no less impressive than the wyvern’s. It was deeper, and sounded almost like a word, a challenge to a foe. The giant’s lips pulled back to show massive yellowed teeth, and his eyes narrowed. He grabbed a dead tree, tore it from the ground and threw it a hundred feet. It was all the wyvern could do to dodge it. The wyvern turned to face this new and much greater threat, leaving its back to Jayden and Dana.

The two monsters rammed into one another with such force the wyvern was driven back twenty feet. It recovered fast and tried to tear into the giant with its clawed wings. The giant locked one powerful hand onto the wyvern’s neck to hold back those terrible jaws, and punched it in the chest with the other. The two struck one another with a savagery Dana had never seen before.

The wyvern’s tail whipped back and forth before it swung at the giant. Dana screamed as the venomous stinger went straight at the giant’s face. Jayden brought his magic hand racing in and grabbed the tail seconds before it hit. With tremendous effort he pulled the wyvern’s tail to the ground.

Dana ran in closer as the giant caught the wyvern in a bear hug. It couldn’t bite or scratch him when they were so close together, but the tail was still a lethal weapon if the wyvern could pull free, and it was pulling hard. Jayden could barely maintain his grip with his magic hand. Dana reached the two monsters, and with a swing of Chain Cutter sliced off the wyvern’s stinger. Black blood splashed onto her as the stinger landed at her feet.

The wyvern screamed in rage and pain as the giant pulled it off its feet and shoved it to the ground. He swung his huge fists again and again. Scales flew through the air. Bones broke. Jayden joined in and wrapped his black whip around the wyvern’s right wing, inflicting terrible damage. The wyvern screeched and struggled to break free. It tried to run away and failed when the giant seized it by the legs and swung it into an enormous tree. The giant swung the wyvern into the tree a second time, then a third, stopping only when the panicked screeching stopped.

With the battle over, Jayden dispelled both their suits of magic armor. To Dana’s disgust, wyvern blood splattered on her armor fell onto her clothes. She just knew it wouldn’t wash out.

The giant stood over his silenced foe. He studied the remains, then poked at the end of the tail. He looked around until he saw the stinger on the ground and Dana, her clothing stained in the wyvern’s black blood. The giant stared at her for a moment before grinning and pointing an open palm at her. She didn’t know what it meant and the giant couldn’t explain in terms she’d understand. With this strange sign of approval or possibly praise, the giant marched off into the forest and freedom.

Exhausted as Dana was, she looked around the forest for one last enemy. “Where did the rider go?”

“He must have fled after being dismounted.” Jayden was disheveled and a bruised, but otherwise unharmed. “A wise move on his part. He and his fellow beast tamer will no doubt alert Meadowland forces of our presence, so we can’t stay long. Let us collect proof of our victory, along with other parts of the wyvern worth having, and return to Bascal. We earned those spell tablets, and I aim to collect as soon as possible.”

Hunting Trip, part 1

Dana woke the next morning in her hotel room, feeling like a dragon had sat on her. Last night’s battle had been followed by standing guard until massive reinforcements arrived, tending the wounded, comforting crying people and a spot of cleaning. She and Jayden hadn’t returned to their room until some ridiculously late hour, where both of them fell asleep still wearing their clothes for the ball. Daybreak woke them after only a few hours of sleep.

“Morning,” Jayden said from the floor. He’d gotten that far before falling asleep last night. “I’d be lying if I called it a good morning.”

Dana lifted her head off her pillow and saw dust swirling above her. “Tell Stanley thank you for keeping guard. Let him get some sleep.”

Stanley hummed a cheerful tune, flew to the window and disappeared. Jayden sat up and said, “He shouldn’t be taking orders from both of us. Good to know he listens to you, though.”

“I had this incredible nightmare,” Dana said as she dropped her head back to her pillow. “We were at a party and everyone acted like jerks. There was this cute guy I’ll probably never see again. Then we got attacked.”

“That’s a sadly accurate summary of the evening.” Jayden got up and stretched.

“It’s the third time in a week someone tried to kill us. That’s a new record.”

“Given our involvement in a war it’s likely to continue at this pace.” He opened the door and sniffed. “I believe the hotel kitchen is preparing chicken for breakfast. How would you like yours?”

“Dead.”

“I think they can manage that. How do you feel?”

Dana propped up her head on her hands. “Tired, sore, angry that the bad guys got away. I’m not used to that happening. Most of your enemies are kind of dead when you finish with them.”

“The dwarf Dunrhill Stronglock survived, wounded last we saw him, but not deceased. Take comfort that yesterday’s attack failed. Last night was either a kidnapping attempt on Princess Estell or a mass assassination attempt of Bascal’s leadership. Had it succeeded, Bascal would have been thrown into chaos that would have severely weakened its ability to wage war, or even forced its surrender.”

“Why did the third wizard stay back?” Dana sat up in bed and smoothed her dress. “They might have won if he’d helped.”

“He was insurance. The first two with their gladiators, gargoyles and undead could have massacred unarmed civilians and the princess’ guards, while the third was far enough away to evacuate them if they failed, which they did.” Jayden frowned. “He was taking notes during the battle, studying my magic. That worries me. An intelligent foe who learns and plans is far more dangerous than one who relies solely on overwhelming power.”

Jayden went through his baggage until he found his black and silver clothes. “I also feel you overestimate his power. The two wizards we defeated were using weak spells, beginner magic at best. Their third member was likely not that much more powerful than they were. Had they been stronger, they would have overwhelmed us both, or at least held us in check while their followers completed their gruesome task.”

“Dissolving a brick wall wasn’t weak magic,” Dana told him. She snapped her fingers and asked, “Could they have used a binding spell to make themselves strong enough to do that?”

“I believe they used a binding spell to enhance specific spells then ended it, not like the way the Zentrix court wizard tried to keep the binding spell continuously running. This may allow them to avoid the spell getting out of control and killing them all. Still, it’s a risk most wizards would never take.”

Dana asked, “Risky like getting burned, or risky like dying?

“If the binding spell had failed, the Inspired wizards would have had seconds to regain control. Failure would mean all the magic they had being released instantly. Their remains would have been unrecognizable or totally vaporized.”

Worried what the answer would be, she asked, “Could a wizard do that deliberately?”

“Normally a dying wizard’s power is simply lost, harming no one, making such a terrible end impossible. Binding spells work by pooling their power so it can all be drawn upon immediately. That pooled energy is what causes the catastrophic failures the spell is known for. You needn’t fear me making the ultimate sacrifice.”

“That’s good to hear, but not what I was worried about. If we fight Inspired wizards again and they think they’re not going to get away, could they use a binding spell and lose control on purpose, killing themselves and us?”

Jayden’s eyes snapped wide open. “That terrifying idea hadn’t occurred to me. Let’s hope it hasn’t occurred to them, either.”

Dana checked to make sure her dress was undamaged. “The gladiators didn’t go berserk around the skeletons and barrow wight.”

“There are spells to protect the living from the enraging effect of the undead. Their necromancer must have shielded them prior to the attack.”

There was a knock at their door, and they heard the hotel manager say from the other side, “Sir, madam, a knight has arrived asking to speak with you.”

“Tell him we’ll meet him at the common room,” Jayden said.

Dana and Jayden went to the hotel’s common room to find Stillman in full armor. He’d taken a table in the back of the room and gestured for them to join him. Other guests stayed at least twenty feet away. He waited until they’d taken their seats before talking.

“You have my gratitude, and that of the king. Knights on duty during the ball told me the danger you placed yourselves in on behalf of the crown princess. For security reasons the king told his people there was an attack last night without detailing how dangerous it was, or how close it came to costing us everything.”

“Does this sanitized version of reality leave out our participation?” Jayden asked.

“It does, and I apologize for that. Public morale has already taken a heavy blow from an attack on the capital. Should it become common knowledge we were dependent on foreigners to contain the threat, it would cause a panic. King Rascan and many high ranking noblemen are aware of your bravery and will reward it. His majesty said your actions made a favorable impression on those who doubted hiring you.”

They fell silent when a waitress brought a hearty breakfast rich in meats and gravy. Dana dug into the food while Stillman and Jayden spoke.

“Security across the kingdom is going to be tightened,” Stillman told them. “We never imagined Meadowland would make such a bold attack, nor that they had so many wizards. That’s going to make your services especially valuable.”

“King Rascan gave us a mission prior to the attack,” Jayden said.

Stillman handed Jayden a scroll tube. “This contains a map of the enemy fort and surrounding area. There are no enemy troops nearby, which should prevent them from calling up reinforcements. The biggest issue is the wyvern and rider may flee from you rather than do battle.”

“Meadowland forces are going to be on high alert after we fought our way into Bascal,” Jayden said. “How are we going to get back in?”

“Scald can carry you over the border and drop you off far from prying eyes. There is enough tree cover for you to approach the fort without being spied upon from above if the wyvern flies overhead. From there you can approach the camp and either kill the beast if it’s present or ambush it upon its return. Scald will cross the border every morning to check for you. King Rascan was very specific that he wants the monster’s head to mount on a pike for Bascal’s citizens to see.”

“Kind of gruesome,” Dana said.

“They need proof of victory after suffering last night’s attack,” Stillman told her. “The wyvern’s head provides it.”

“How soon do we leave?” Jayden asked Stillman.

“Scald will arrive at noon. You’ll be across the border one hour after that. We won’t be able to offer assistance once you’re on the ground.”

Jayden took a chicken leg off the plate of food and ate. “We’ll be ready. Give us until then to prepare.”

Stillman saluted and left the hotel. Jayden wolfed down his food and said, “We’ll need to change into more appropriate clothing and purchase food and drink for our task. I’ll see about our supplies. Keep an eye on our belongings until I return.”

“You’re really that concerned about us being robbed?”

Jayden finished his meal and stood up. “Dana, how did the Inspired wizards know about the ball? I can come up with only a few possibilities, including using a crystal ball, blind luck and having spies inside the city that informed them. Any king worth his crown will have potent magic on his castle to prevent scrying, and blind luck is too much to expect for an attack of that size. That leaves men or women inside Dragon Roost in the pay of King Tyros passing information to the enemy.”

“Prince Onus said goblins in Kaleoth caught Meadowland spies,” Dana said.

“If Tyros and Amvicta used spies there, they certainly did so here. So be paranoid, because enemies are out to get us. I’ll be back shortly.”

Dana finished eating and went back to their room. She changed into her regular clothes and packed away her fancy dress. It would be a long time before she got to wear it again, but there was no way she’d part with it. After that there was nothing to do besides wait.

After an hour she heard a knock at the door and heard the hotel manager say, “A visitor wishes to see you in the common room.”

“I’m coming.” Dana didn’t think this was an ambush if they wanted to see her around witnesses, but Jayden’s warning worried her. This could be a distraction to get them away from his spell tablets. Now that she thought about it, the tablets would be a prize for ordinary thieves as much as for spies. She grabbed her bags and his before leaving.

She went to the common room, where the hotel manager pointed at a fashionably dressed man seated at a corner table. His clothes looked like they were Cassandra’s work, but the colors were wrong. People in Bascal favored red and yellow, while he wore dark blue. The man was in his forties and had jet black hair. Dana couldn’t help but stare. There was something familiar about him.

Dana hesitated before saying, “Have we met?”

“I don’t believe so.” The man offered her his hand. “Malcolm Redoubt.”

“Uh, hi.” Dana shook his hand and tried to place his face. “I mean, I know this sounds weird, but I feel I should know you.”

“I can’t see how. I understand you’re from Meadowland, as I was, but I haven’t lived there since before you were born.”

Curious she asked, “If you’re from Meadowland, why are you here? And shouldn’t people be worried you’ll side with King Tyros?”

Malcolm gave her a pained smile. “My family left Meadowland under a cloud of disgrace. Many families did. We’ve managed to make a home for ourselves here and contribute to our new homeland. Decades of work has earned us some shreds of respect, and they know we’ll never embrace those who spurned us.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m having a rough year.”

“I know the feeling. Forgive me approaching you unannounced, but I need to ask a favor. A friend of mine attended last night’s ball, and spoke glowingly of you and the Sorcerer Lord.” Malcolm paused and said, “When he saw the Sorcerer Lord, he had the same reaction you did just now, as if he knew him rather than was meeting him for the first time.”

This was getting suspicious. “That’s strange.”

Malcolm looked nervous, almost timid. “It’s probably nothing, but I would like very much to speak to the Sorcerer Lord. To see him, even for a minute. Could you arrange it?”

“We’re going to be busy for the next week, but I’ll see what I can do afterwards.”

Malcolm bowed. “My gratitude.”

Puzzled, Dana went back to her room. Maybe the guy wanted to hire Jayden, but why be so weird about it? Could he be one of the spies Jayden worried about? She doubted it. He’d have no reason to ask to see Jayden. It was a mystery that had to wait.
Jayden soon returned carrying a bag of food and full waterskins. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d appreciate privacy while changing.”

Dana left the room and waited by the door. “A weird guy showed up while you were gone and said he’d like to meet you.”

“Don’t care.” Jayden’s voice was muffled by the door. “Not even slightly.”

“He seemed familiar. I can’t put my finger on why.”

“In a few days it won’t matter. The wyvern will be dead, we’ll collect our pay and leave Bascal. From there we hunt down the Inspired and put an end to them before they destroy Meadowland.” The door opened and Jayden came out in his black and silver clothes. “Much better.”

“The wyvern sounds dangerous. Do you know anyone here we can ask for help, or someone we could hire?”

“Your suggestion is valid, but I haven’t spent enough time in Bascal to cultivate allies I could call upon for battle. In regards to hiring help, anyone who would be of assistance must have been hired by King Rascan long ago. Bascal’s smaller population means they need every man defending the kingdom, especially after last night’s attack. There will be no one to spare to help us.”

They didn’t have to wait long before Stillman returned. The knight gave them an approving look when he met them in the common room. “Good, you’re ready. The girl is coming with you?”

“I value her abilities,” Jayden replied.

“From what I heard of the ball she acquits herself well in battle.” Stillman gestured for them to follow him. “Scald will pick you up at the city’s main courtyard.”

Jayden frowned. “That’s a very public place to begin a mission. I would prefer leaving the city and meeting the dragon elsewhere.”

“In this case security and publicity are in conflict,” Stillman told him. “The king has taken a very big and public blow. People need to see him taking action, and Scald carrying you to battle does that.”

“What if enemies see us leave and attack you again?” Dana asked. She worried she would offend Stillman, but concern made her speak out. “If you’re pulling men back to defend the capital, it weakens your armies. Last night’s attack may have worked for King Tyros after all.”

Stillman was silent for a moment, and Dana feared she had crossed a line with him. When he finally spoke it was a relief. “The wizards’ attack means every part of Bascal is in danger. They could strike across the kingdom, destroying granaries, bridges, isolated garrisons and more. That won’t be a threat once Scald is in the air again, but for that to happen the wyvern must die.”

Once they left the hotel, Dana glanced at the castle. The hole in the side was huge, and it looked like the roof over it was sagging. To her amazement the hole began to seal closed as bricks floated into place. “What’s happening?”

“King Rascan has an earth wizard on staff,” Stillman explained. “He sent for him late last night, and he arrived an hour ago. He’ll have the castle repaired in a week.”

Dana figured fixing the castle was another way to convince people to keep backing their king. Rascan sure put a lot of time and effort into reassuring them. Was that normal for kings? She’d always assumed their subjects always obeyed them. Then again, Meadowland’s civil war was proof nobles could turn against their king. That would do lots of damage if it happened during a war.

“I wish to make it clear my services are for this task only,” Jayden told Stillman. “I haven’t signed an oath of loyalty to King Rascan, nor am I willing to be conscripted into his army. I can…oh come now, he can’t be serious.”

The sudden change in Jayden’s tone and topic made Dana study the streets for threats. People were hurrying out of the way, but they didn’t look scared. Then she saw who they were moving for, the young man Jayden had humiliated at the ball.

“Announcing Baronet Skythex Brass,” a man called out. Pedestrians gathered to watch the young man step in front of Jayden followed by five more men. Two looked like servants, including the one who’d made the announcement, but three men only a little older than Dana were dressed in the rich clothes of nobles.

“Sir,” Skythex said, his tone making it clear Jayden didn’t deserve the word, “last night you gave offense to myself and the woman I love. I have come for satisfaction.”

Stillman stepped in front of Dana and Jayden. “Baronet, redress for your grievances must wait. This man is in the service of the king.”

Dana expected that to carry more weight, especially among such class conscious people, but Skythex was unmoved. He not only stood his ground but pushed his cape back to reveal a sheathed sword hanging from his belt. “Under the law I may seek redress when wronged. I am owed an apology and reparations for the offense.”

“In times of war military matters must come first,” Stillman said. “This issue can be negotiated at a later time with royal support.”

“Mind your place, knight,” Skythex said scornfully, and to Dana’s surprise Stillman backed down. The baronet turned his fury on Jayden. “I will not let a foreigner treat a noblewoman of Bascal like a tavern wench to be taken advantage of.”

Jayden waved his hand at the men behind Skythex. “Do these fine young men come to help you get your pound of flesh?”

“These are my witnesses, men of respected families who will report what occurs today across Bascal.” Skythex placed a hand on his sword hilt. “You have wronged me by laying your hands on my beloved in front of countless people. I will not tolerate such barbaric behavior, and I will have satisfaction, in gold or in blood.”

Dana stared hard at Skythex, her heart beating like a drum. This clod was trying to pick a fight! Dana, Jayden and Prince Onus had all been passed those ridiculous notes, treating them like, like, well, Dana wasn’t even going to think the word! They’d come to help, they had helped, saving lives, and this idiot was threatening them, or maybe trying to rob them if he wanted reparations.

Dana marched up to Skythex. “No! You don’t get to act like you’re hurt because your girlfriend, who you left waiting, danced with someone else. You don’t get to act like we’re bad people when Jayden saved your princess’ life.”

She heard Stillman say to Jayden, “Get her back here.”

Skythex stared at her, his expression changing from anger to confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“You were in the room when it happened!”

Jayden called out, “I might be mistaken, but I don’t think he was. Quite a few guests defended Princess Estell during the attack. I don’t recall seeing him help.”

“You ran off?” Dana poked Skythex in the chest. “You ran away when your princess was in danger! You think we wronged you, when we fought to save your princess and you didn’t?”

“Do something,” Stillman told Jayden.

Jayden chuckled. “I could point at Skythex and laugh.”

“I escorted my beloved from danger!” Skythex shouted at Dana. “Some of us don’t have magic swords or spells.”

Dana didn’t budge. “The guests who fought back didn’t have those, either!”

The men Skythex had brought as witnesses were suddenly looking very nervous. Dana hadn’t been in Bascal long enough to see nobles demand apologies. There must be a proper way to deal with this, to defend yourself or back down, but she didn’t know their rules. These men might be upset their friend was publicly being called a coward, an accusation Skythex wasn’t offering a good defense to.

“That woman is not your property and can dance with whoever she pleases,” Dana told Skythex. “As for you not having a magic sword, I didn’t used to own one, so I know how hard it is to stand against threats when you’ve got nothing. I fought for months without one and did what I could to help, and so can you. If you want an apology, that’s not happening. If you want money, that is really not happening. If you want to use that sword you’re wearing—”

Dana drew Chain Cutter to the gasps of onlookers. She kept her sword pointed at the ground. “If you want a fight, here I am. You’re going to have to go through me to get to Jayden. Take your best shot.”

Skythex stared at her in horror. “You’re insane.”

When Skythex didn’t draw his sword, Dana sheathed Chain Cutter. “You know what? When I saw you last night asking Princess Estell for a favor or a job, I felt sorry for you when she turned you down. Now that I’ve met you, I have a lot more respect for her, because she could tell you’re not ready for it.”

Dana marched back to Jayden and Stillman. The knight stepped forward and said, “The lady wishes to contest your accusation, and has offered trial by combat. Baronet Skythex, do you accept?”

Skythex said nothing, his face pale and slick with sweat. Stillman asked, “Baronet, the offer was not formally issued according to the rules of etiquette. If you wish to refuse until it is correctly issued you may do so, or you may accept. No dishonor will be associated with fighting a woman when she has proven herself in battle against an iron golem.”

“I…will not accept the offer,” Skythex replied.

“Very well, sir. As witnesses are present to your response the matter is officially closed at this time. You may renew your claim at a later date if you so choose.” Stillman saluted Skythex. “If you will excuse us, sir, military matters require our presence elsewhere. Sorcerer Lord, madam, if you will come with me?”

“Delighted to do so,” Jayden replied, and left with Dana and the knight. Skythex and his friends watched them go.

“You have made an enemy for life,” Stillman told them.

“I wouldn’t want him as a friend,” Jayden replied. “He may count himself lucky Dana acted before I did. She let him walk away unharmed.”

“The matter could have been settled peacefully,” Stillman protested. “Most challenges are settled with a formal apology and a token sum. You didn’t have to threaten him.”

“I’m sorry,” Dana told him. “It’s just, we’ve been through a lot, and him acting like we hurt him when we fought for your people was going too far.”

“Don’t be upset at standing up for yourself,” Jayden told her. “He should have handled the matter privately or hired a lawyer. Instead he acted rashly in front of dozens of witnesses.”

Dana froze. “Dozens? He brought five people with him.”
Jayden chuckled. “You and Skythex both did quite a bit of shouting, enough to draw the attention of the curious. You may not have noticed bystanders on the street watching, or men and women in nearby buildings. They’ll spread the word how the baronet acted like a preening peacock and backed down from an angry girl. He’s done lasting damage to his reputation.”

They reached Dragon Roost’s central courtyard, a brick plaza two hundred feet across surrounded by businesses and homes. Residents gathered in large numbers to shop and gossip, but they parted when they saw Dana and Jayden approach. Dana heard a woman say to another, “My cousin saw her kill abominations at the ball like they were rats.”

Stillman heard it, too, and his jaw dropped. Jayden smirked and said, “Many servants witnessed the battle. Order them to silence if you wish, but they’ll speak when they’re away from you. By tomorrow every soul in Dragon’s Roost will know the details of the attack.”

“Then we need this victory more than ever,” Stillman told him. He gazed into the sky and announced, “Not a moment too soon.”

People across the courtyard scattered, some crying out in joy. Dana saw why when a dragon swooped down from the sky and landed in the courtyard. She’d never seen one before, and it was awe inspiring. The dragon was thirty feet long with a wingspan twice that, and had four powerful legs. The scales were red with gold at the tips, there were two horns on its head, and teeth like daggers.

But Dana saw worrying signs once the dragon stopped moving. Many scales were cut, and she saw scar tissue underneath them. One horn was noticeably shorter than the other, like it had been broken off. The dragon approached them with a pronounced limp.

“Scald, I presume?” Jayden said.

The dragon fixed its eyes on him and spoke with a masculine voice, and a hint of angry teenager. “You’re the ones going after the wyvern?”

“We are.”

Scald lowered his head to the ground so they could climb onto him. Jayden helped Dana mount the dragon and sat her at the base of the monster’s neck before sitting behind her. “My wings are stiff, so hold on tight.”

Scald beat his massive wings, blowing dust at the crowd who cheered all the same. He took to the air gradually. Dana wrapped her arms around the dragon’s neck as it went higher and higher. She saw residents of Dragon Roost waving, and at the edge of the crowd Skythex and his friends watched in disbelief.

The dragon wasn’t exaggerating the effect his injuries were having on him. He flew slowly and his breathing was labored. He was also staying low, barely above treetops and rooftops as he headed for the border with Meadowland.

Beautiful as it was to see the kingdom from above, Dana found the trip almost unbearable. The wind was blowing so hard her hair and clothes were a mess. The dragon’s scales were hot, almost too much for her to touch. Then they flew through a cloud of gnats. Dana didn’t see them in time and a lot of them went in her mouth. She coughed and tried to spit, and ended up swallowing half of them.

“Sorry about the bugs,” Scald said. “It’s like this in summer.”

“We’ve endured worse,” Jayden told him.

Scald beat his huge wings twice before gliding for a time. “I heard you two fought off the attack last night. I should have taken those bums out of the sky before they were close enough to even see the castle. You could have lost your lives, and so could Rascan and his daughter. Once I’m healthy I’ll keep that from happening again.”

“Your courage does you credit,” Jayden said.

“Be careful with the wyvern,” Scald warned. “He’s fast and mean. Swooped down on me when the sun was in my eyes.”

“The king said there’s a funny smelling fort near where this happened,” Dana said. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”

“It’s deep in the forest, big enough for a hundred men and fenced in with barricades. You’ll smell it long before you see it, and funny doesn’t cover the stench. I don’t know what’s making the stink. It smells like animals, but it’s not livestock or any monster I’ve met.”

Scald flew over the fort Dana and Jayden had come to when they’d first entered Bascal. Soldiers waved and cheered at the sight of the dragon. Seconds later they entered Meadowland. Dana saw large army camps in the distance, far larger than Bascal’s. There were banners proclaiming the presence of mercenary companies, and beyond those were wagon trains heavy with supplies to keep so many men fed. Quite a few of those men were archers, and she wondered how much damage they could do to Scald if he came closer. Scald flew far from the nearest enemy camps and outposts before landing in a clearing around a river.

“This is the closest place open enough for me to land,” Scald said. He lowered himself to the ground so they could get off, a move that made him grunt in pain. “You’re about a day’s march from the camp. The wyvern might not live there, so this could be a wild goose chase.”

Jayden climbed off the dragon and helped Dana down. “Wyverns are known for their great appetites and foul dispositions. If its rider wants to keep it from eating civilians and soldiers, he has to keep it far away from them. This fort is a likely home base.”

Scald grunted again as he rose. “I’ll check here every day for the next week. Good luck.”

The dragon took to the air again. Dana saw him wince with every wing beat. She’d had her share of bad experiences with monsters, but unlike them Scald was intelligent, and he was hurting. “I hope he’ll be all right.”

“As do I. Bascal needs him more than ever. He could be the reason why they survive this war.” Jayden checked his map of the region before pointing into the woods. “There’s a game trail that goes close to our destination.”

Dana and Jayden headed deep into the forest. These were huge trees, so large they shaded the ground even at noon. Few smaller trees grew between them, and the undergrowth was limited to ferns and strange whiplike plants. Below that was a thick layer of rotting leaves and branches, so deep Dana sank in up to her ankles.

“I,” Dana began nervously, “I know this isn’t the time, but I’m sorry.”

“If this is about Skythex, save your apologies for when you’ve done something wrong. It was a pleasure seeing you put him in his place.”

“No, it wasn’t right. I’d been having a bad week and was riled up after yesterday’s fight. I took it out on him. I should have talked it out, listened to him, tried to find a way to calm him down. That’s what I usually do and it works. I let my temper get the best of me.”

Jayden peered into the dense woods. “That appears to be the trail we’re looking for. Dana, in my youth I learned the rules of etiquette used by nobles and kings. The rules in this situation would require me to make an undeserved apology, groveling by another name, and pay him off. His witnesses would have shared the tale how he humbled the world’s only Sorcerer Lord, which would encourage others to follow his example. I have no intention of spending the rest of my life dealing with idiots who think I’ll back down if pushed hard enough.”

Dana followed Jayden onto the trail and headed west. “He’s a jerk, but that makes it worse. King Rascan is worried his people won’t follow him, especially his nobles. He’s working hard to keep everyone upbeat and focused on winning the war.”

“A pity Skythex isn’t.”

Feeling sick to her stomach, Dana asked, “What if my challenging Skythex pushes him over the edge? What if he decides he’s not getting the respect or opportunities he deserves from Rascan, and maybe Tyros will be more generous? What if I just started a civil war in Bascal?”

“You did no such thing,” he said firmly. “Skythex is inexperienced and stupid. You gave him what he needed, whether he realizes it or not. You saw how he treated Stillman, a loyal knight. He’s gone too long thinking he’s better than everyone by right of birth, and that his total lack of skill, intelligence and bravery doesn’t matter. Sooner or later he was going to meet someone who wasn’t impressed by his rank and title.

“In peacetime his attitude is insufferable, and in times of war it could destroy Bascal. His bravado in the capital got him humiliated. Imagine what it would do if he started a fight with the Inspired. He would die stupidly, and any man unlucky enough to be under his command would die tragically. Or worse, he’d freeze, or run away when others needed him to act.”

Jayden took a deep breath. “Skythex has three choices. The first is he can reflect on what happened and become a better man. More likely he will go home and sink into a foul mood, blaming everyone but himself for his problems. You might be right and he could do something foolish, but treason? As much as I loathe him, I don’t believe he’d do that. Give him some credit, if only a little.”

It took a lot of effort for her to meet his eyes. “You don’t think I screwed up?”

“No, but I’m not the best judge of such things. We’re going to find this wyvern, put an end to it and bring back its head. Imagine what Skythex will think when he sees it.”

* * * * *

Party Time part 2

“Thank you!” Dana piled food on her plate. “Everything looks so good. Um, why is the princess here and not the king?”

Jayden waited until she’d served herself before taking a portion. “For now he’ll stay in another room and have important men brought to him so they can speak in private. He’ll come out around midnight to make speeches and issue proclamations.”

“You’re surprisingly experienced at this,” Prince Onus remarked. “How many balls have you been to?”

“Enough that I’m not surprised at the attention you and I are drawing from bored women with money.”

Dana glanced at the young woman sitting near them, still alone. “Should I keep her company?”

“We’ll give the boy a fair chance to do right by her,” Jayden told her. “Then we destroy him utterly.”

“Must you make a scene?” she asked.

Jayden pointed his fork at the depressed young woman. “For that I am most definitely making a scene.”

A waiter came by to pick up empty trays, drop off full ones and pass Jayden another note from an admirer. Dana giggled when he put it and the others in an empty water glass. She asked, “Is that going to happen all night?”

“Yes,” Prince Onus replied. “If he actually picks one it could make the others jealous enough to act foolishly.”

A young nobleman in an expensive suit with a brightly colored bird on his shoulder sauntered by their table, slowing down only briefly as he met Jayden’s eyes. “I hadn’t realized we were this desperate.”

“Your citizens are pulling down houses outside city walls,” Jayden told him. “I’d think that would tell you how dire your situation is long before we arrived. You must be a tad dull.”

The nobleman harumphed and continued on his way. Prince Onus scowled and got up, but Dana put a hand on his arm. “He’s a jerk, not an enemy. If we hit everyone who spoke badly to us there wouldn’t be many people still standing.”

“But imagine the fun we’d have,” Jayden said playfully. “It’s amusing how many of these people don’t want us here and how many do.”

A waiter walked by them, trying to look casual as he dropped a note on Dana’s lap. She felt herself blush and clapped both hands over her mouth. Jayden’s expression darkened, and he seized the note and uttered a quick spell to burn it. The light drew attention from nearby tables. A few women gave Jayden appreciative nods while men chuckled.

“Who sent that?” Prince Onus asked. His voice was rich in hatred.

“I didn’t check,” Jayden said. “It spares us from crippling the man for life.”

Dana looked away in shame. What kind of girl did these people think she was? In her humiliation she almost didn’t notice a servant leading a nobleman away from the room. “Where’s he going?”

“The king is finally having personal meetings with his followers,” Jayden said. “I’d like to get to the head of that line before someone embarrasses us further.”

“I don’t see how,” Prince Onus said darkly. “The princess is surrounded by petitioners. You’d never get through them without hurting one, not that I’m against it at this point. She’s the only one in the room with the authority to show you to her father without his asking for you.”

Dana glanced at the young woman at the neighboring table. She looked as miserable as Dana felt, with her head propped up with her right hand while she ran the fingers of her left hand around the edge of a wine glass. There was a small pile of notes on the edge of her table, all unopened. She wanted one man’s attention and wasn’t getting it.

Instead the young man waited by the princess. Dana saw him speak to her; his expression eager, almost hungry. She couldn’t hear what the princess said, but he looked away in shame. Rather than leave, he pressed his case again. Whatever his request was, it proved no more successful a second time. Still he didn’t leave.

Jayden was also watching. “This has gone on long enough.”

Jayden got up and marched through the ballroom to the band. They were resting after finishing a long piece. Jayden passed a few coins to their leader and spoke briefly to him. The band leader nodded and led his players in a song Dana recognized. “That’s Hearts over the Moon.”

Dozens of women watched as Jayden marched to the young woman. He spoke loud enough to be heard by nearby tables. “Waiting for someone?”

“Waiting a long time for someone,” she said, her voice soft and sad.

“I’m someone. Stop waiting.” Jayden took her left hand and gently helped her to her feet. He led her in a dance, his eyes fixed on her the whole time.

“I, um,” she began, but her protests died as quickly as they began. Dana watched them move gracefully across the ballroom, and she wasn’t the only one watching.

“He’s quite a dancer,” Prince Onus admitted. “It’s not a skill I would have expected.”

Jayden led his partner by Dana and Prince Onus. He didn’t take his eyes off the girl while saying, “Come along, prince. Dance with the girl you brought.”

“Jayden!” Dana scolded him.

“I, um,” the prince began. “I guess we could. If you wouldn’t mind.”

“I know I’m going to humiliate myself,” Dana said, but she got up and joined Prince Onus. She wasn’t a graceful dancer, but they managed to acquit themselves reasonably well. They tried to stay near Jayden and the girl as more dancers joined them.

The girl stared at Jayden, her expression perplexed. “Do I know you?”

He bowed to her. “Jayden, Sorcerer Lord.”

The girl gasped. “The man who killed an iron golem? Why would you dance with me? You don’t know who I am.”

“You’ll tell me if you wish.”

Dana caught sight of the young man who’d come with the girl. He was still trying to convince the princess of his worth long after there was any chance of getting whatever he wanted. The princess gave him a condescending look before pointing at Jayden.

“Trouble coming,” Prince Onus said.

“I think that’s what he wants,” she told him as the outraged young man ran across the ballroom, slipping between dancers and pushing some out of the way.

“How dare you!” the young man yelled. Musicians stopped playing and dancers moved away. Jayden got between the girl and her boyfriend, looking bored by the outburst. “Stay away from her!”

“I asked the girl to dance, nothing more. I’m surprised you didn’t.”

His expression turning red from anger and shame, the young man held a finger an inch from Jayden’s nose. “If you touch her again, I’ll break you in half!”

Jayden turned to the girl. “I have brought you trouble. Please accept my apology.”

“I’m talking to you!” the youth yelled. Jayden turned his back on the young man and walked back to his table. Being ignored only infuriated him further, and the youth yelled before charging Jayden. He got within ten feet before two men dragged him to a halt. “Let go!”

“You’re going to get yourself killed,” a man said to him. “That’s the Sorcerer Lord.”

Unphased, the young man yelled, “You think your magic lets you take advantage of my beloved?”

Jayden raised one eyebrow. “She’s yours? The way you treat her I would have never guessed.”

The crowd of onlookers parted as Princess Estell approached. Her disapproval fell on the young man. “This behavior is unacceptable. Return to your seat. Sorcerer Lord, I apologize for this man’s actions and hope you won’t take offense. Boys mature more slowly than girls.”

Jayden bowed. “The matter is already forgotten.”

Not finished, the princess said, “Prince Onus, I would appreciate the pleasure of your company to discuss matters of state, as would several of my father’s most loyal retainers who share a border with you. Sorcerer Lord, I would be grateful if you and your assistant would wait in the library.”

“Of course,” Jayden said. “I wish you good health and success, Prince Onus. Until we meet again.”

Prince Onus let go of Dana’s hand slowly when a servant led her and Jayden from the ballroom. As they left, she heard a nobleman say to another, “The boy survived. You owe me a gold piece.”

“I know we weren’t having a nice time, but did you need to do that?” she asked Jayden as they exited the ballroom.

“The longer we stayed, the better the chances of our visit ending badly.”

“That was bad enough.”

The servant brought them to an ornately carved wood door and opened it. Inside was a library as fantastic as the rest of the castle, with tens of thousands of books on oak bookcases engraved with dragon motifs. An enormous map covered in colored flags dominated one of the library’s walls. A lone man wearing silks and furs stood by a table with open books, a decanter and small crystal goblets. He looked to be about fifty years old with graying hair and an annoyed expression on his face. Dana figured he had the right to be annoyed after the trouble they’d caused, for the jeweled crown on his head could only mean this was King Rascan.

“Your majesty, what a pleasure to meet you,” Jayden said, confirming Dana’s theory. She curtsied while Jayden merely smiled.

“Not two hours passed since you arrived, and already there was a scene,” King Rascan told them. “You have a lot of gall coming here.”

Jayden wasn’t bothered by the hostile greeting. “I’d never get anywhere without it. You are a man with the weight of the world on your shoulders. That map speaks volumes on the danger your kingdom faces.”

Dana stepped in front of the huge map. “You’ve got every house and game trail here. I’ve never seen such a complete picture of the kingdom.”

King Rascan glanced at her only briefly before turning his attention, and anger, back to Jayden. “Time has not diminished your boldness. Years ago you had the audacity to seek to buy my treasures. Most recently I heard you’d survived an assassination attempt by some of the most dangerous men alive.”

“None of them were technically men, and one wasn’t alive,” Jayden told him.

“Of course they weren’t.” King Rascan poured himself a drink and took a sip. “You are guilty of breaking nearly every law there is. Other men would show shame or remorse.”

“I feel no shame because I saw the danger to you and your neighbors long before you’d admit it,” Jayden replied. His tone was firm without being confrontational. “War if successful must be planned years in advance. I saw measures being taken to bring violence to your lands. I warned others and was ignored. When that failed, I did what little I could to prevent it from happening, and failed again. If you seek to demonize me, do so for that.

“Despise me, insult me if it pleases you, but don’t turn down my help when your kingdom needs me. Yes, your majesty, you need me. You need every resource, every man, every opportunity you can get, or your dynasty ends with you. I do not ask more than you can give. The spell tablets I seek are worthless to you and your wizards except as showpieces or paperweights, but in my hands can do limitless damage to those trying to hurt you.”

Jayden stepped in front of the map. “I presume this sea of blue flags represent Meadowland forces sent against you. Point at one, your majesty, a threat your men can’t defeat without suffering grievous losses, and I will make it go away.”

King Rascan took another sip of wine. He stared at the map for a moment before saying, “How little you understand.”

“Then explain it to me.”

King Rascan waved to the door. “The men and women at the party are Bascal’s richest and most powerful. They are also the most judgmental snobs you’ll ever meet. They place great stock in ancestry and proper behavior. You are by all accounts a criminal, admittedly not the worst our world has known. I am judged by the company I keep, Sorcerer Lord. Your reputation damages mine. Yes, I need you. Yes, I am afraid all I have will be lost, all those I love killed or enslaved. Meadowland accepts slavery these days, you know.”

“We’ve seen it, and set the girls and kids free,” Dana told King Rascan.

“Then you know the danger my people are in,” King Rascan told her. “But in victory I may sow the seeds of defeat. My people won’t forgive me for associating with a criminal, no matter that you’ve come to help. They will look down on me, question my orders, scrutinize my every move for more signs of weakness. If they find any, they will use that as their excuse to ignore my orders when it suits them. Such disobedience will spread and grow in strength. Your presence tonight will haunt me until I am dead, and haunt my successors for generations to come because their father welcomed a criminal.”

King Rascan’s lips pulled back to show his gritted teeth. “That is what you are costing me, Sorcerer Lord. It is a price I must pay for my kingdom, my people, my daughter, and it’s going to get worse. I have invited hundreds of outsiders into Bascal. Mercenaries, adventurers, even a mad scientist, and with each of these questionable defenders I doom myself and my heirs to the threat of rebellion from my nobles. Meadowland once suffered the scourge of civil war. I have no desire to share their fate.”

“I’m sorry you’re hurting,” Dana told him. “We wouldn’t be here if there was another way, but we need those tablets. Sir, you’re in more danger than you know. Jayden thinks the Inspired are in Meadowland.”

King Rascan dropped his drink. “He wouldn’t! Tyros couldn’t be such a fool!”

“He had the wizard Victory’s Edge in his service, which shows he is such a fool,” Jayden replied. “Victory’s Edge hinted he was with the Inspired, and if one of them is present more will come to sink their claws into Meadowland. Disastrous as that is, they will surely seek to expand their influence, and kingdoms weakened by war would be their most likely targets.”

“Then I have no time to find other ways to protect Bascal.” King Rascan stabbed his finger at a single blue flag on his map, close to his border but far from other flags. “There is a threat here equal to your boasts, one I need to die quickly and horribly. End its life and you shall have the reward you seek.”

“You make it sound like this isn’t a person,” Dana said.

“I have a dragon in my employ,” King Rascan told them, his voice softer. “Scald serves me as he once served my father. He is young by the standards of his kind and needs centuries to reach full size. Despite his youth he serves bravely. It is his reports from high in the sky that produced this map. That nearly cost him his life.”

Dana realized this dragon was more than an employee to Rascan. Scald was a friend in time of need, one who had been hurt almost to the point of death.

“Scald was on a reconnaissance mission observing enemy troop movements when he saw a newly built fort far from enemy forces. He was curious why, and as he approached, he smelled a foul odor noticeable from miles away. He didn’t get close enough to see what it was before a full grown wyvern with a rider attacked him. Had Scald been larger, stronger, he could have effortlessly torn the impudent beast apart, but as a youth he escaped by the narrowest of margins.”

“Will he be okay?” Dana asked.

“My healers and holy men tend to his wounds,” King Rascan said. “They say he should make a full recovery. Scald begs to go back in the air. I dare not let him, yet I must have him there.”

“You need this wyvern dead,” Jayden said.

“Your assessment of my map was incorrect, young lady,” King Rascan said, the force returning to his voice. “This is no longer a complete picture of the region. With Scald grounded I don’t know where Meadowland sends its troops. Even worse, Meadowland’s forces can now create a map as detailed as this one for themselves, for their wyvern’s rider studies us from the safety of the air. I need the wyvern dead, Sorcerer Lord, and I’ll willing to work with you to do it.”

King Rascan pulled the flag from the map and handed it to Jayden. “Bring me its head, and both spell tablets in my treasury are yours.”

“We shall return victorious,” Jayden promised.

“If we have a deal then leave at once,” King Rascan ordered. “The longer you stay the more damage it does to my reputation. I trust you can find your way out.”

Jayden bowed and left the library. Dana stayed only long enough to say, “I’m sorry you have so many problems. We’ll do what we can to help.”

Once they left, Jayden headed back to the ballroom. “We’ll say our goodbyes to Prince Onus and leave.”

“Do we have to? He’s so lonely.”

“I’m no happier than you, but we have what we came for, and our continued attendance could cost us that.”

Dana studied his face as they walked. “What’s wrong?”

“King Rascan promised both his spell tablets. Both implies there are no more in his possession. I’d heard he owned far more than that, which now appears incorrect. There is a chance these are spells I already know. We could be risking much for little reward, or none at all.”

“The spells might be weak even if they’re new.”

“Also possible.” They returned to the ballroom to find little had changed. The band was playing a new song and nobles danced gracefully across the room. “There’s the prince talking to two noblemen. Let’s make our apologies to him and go.”

Dana caught sight of the young man Jayden had embarrassed earlier. “Look who’s heading our way spoiling for a fight. Don’t maim him.”

Jayden opened his mouth to no doubt offer a sarcastic reply when he was interrupted by whistles. Guests stopped dancing and the band stopped playing. Bells rang outside the ballroom. Armed guards rushed in and surrounded Princess Estell.

Then the wall in front of them dissolved, bricks melting like hot wax and dripping onto the floor to reveal the night sky. Men yelled. Women screamed. The colorful birds so many guests had brought squawked and flew off in terror. Dana saw a white cloud sailing across the sky with men riding it and stone gargoyles flying alongside. The cloud shot across the sky to the breached wall.

The magic cloud dissolved and unleashed its cargo. Dana saw at least twenty gladiators taking the lead. Behind them were two wizards with staffs, both dressed in unusual outfits made of white and black cloth. One had a white mask across his face with thin eye slits in the fabric, while the second had a bushy black beard. Behind them Dana saw a score of skeletons and a disgusting barrow wight hunched over and howling like a mad dog. A wave of pain washed over the guests from the presence of the undead and they cried out, but thanks to Jayden’s mind shield she felt nothing.

Panic took hold and people across the ballroom screamed. Guests and servants ran for their lives, tipping over tables and spilling food on the floor, while some cowered from the intruders. Only Dana and Jayden headed toward the invaders. Jayden cast a spell to form his black sword, raised it high and yelled, “Protect Princess Estell!”

Those three words worked a kind of magic equal to any Dana had seen him use. Many guests fled, but not all. Men in finest clothes seized chairs, knives from their tables, even wine bottles and went to the princess’ defense. Guards horribly outmatched by stone gargoyles and heavily armed gladiators held their ground or pushed forward with Jayden in the lead. Princess Estell ran from the room while guests and her personal guard risked their lives to protect her.

Gargoyles flew across the ballroom and slammed into the defenders. The guests’ makeshift weapons were no good against stone monsters, and the gargoyles effortlessly knocked men and women aside. One gargoyle left the others and flew at Princess Estell. Her guards tried to stop it and failed as it plowed into them and knocked them to the ground. It nearly reached her when a giant black hand seized hold of it by the legs.

It was Jayden’s work. He used the giant black hand to pull the gargoyle away from the princess and swing it into an intact stone wall, smashing off the top half of its body. He threw what little was left into the onrushing gladiators, knocking two down.

Another gargoyle flew overhead and tried to drop onto Dana. She jumped out of the way and the gargoyle landed next to her. Dana drew Chain Cutter from the concealed sheath on her back and swung at her enemy’s wings. Her sword hacked off the wings, and to her shock buried itself deep in the stone monster. It looked as surprised as she did, and fell apart into a pile of gravel when she pulled her sword out.

With the defenders so overpowered, Dana and Jayden had to hold back the full force of the attack. Dana saw the skeletons charge the guests. The presence of the undead sent men and women into a frenzy, and they fought back viciously. Chain Cutter was her most effective weapon against these abominations, and she went straight for them.

“You’ve kidding, right?” a skeleton asked as its eyes flared red. The skeleton met her charge and tried to claw her face. She swung Chain Cutter to literally disarm her foe, and sword met bone in a blinding flash of light. The skeleton didn’t blacken and die as others had when Chain Cutter had hit them. This time it was blasted to dust as her sword sang hymns of praise.

The next skeleton backed away from her. “Uh, boss, maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”

“Kill her,” the masked wizard ordered his skeletons. “Kill everyone.”

Dana ran into the mob of skeletons. A year ago they would have been a threat, but not when she was armed with a magic sword and had been trained by Jayden for months. They tried to overwhelm her with sheer numbers and failed. Two skeletons ran from her and died shrieking when their own creator made them crumble apart with a wave of his hands.

“Disobedient curs,” the masked wizard hissed. He pointed his staff at Dana, and the barrow wight leaped at her with sharp claws reaching for her throat. Dana jumped left and stabbed her sword into the barrow wight as it passed her. The monster’s howls degenerated into a high pitched screech. Light poured from its gaping maw, then rays of light burned holes across its body from the inside before it burned into dust. With them gone the pain and rage affecting the crowd vanished.

Jayden’s magic hand seized another gargoyle out of the air. He brought it down like a hammer on the gladiators, knocking four of them down. He swung the gargoyle again and battered aside more gladiators, making openings in their formation that defenders rushed in to take advantage of. The gargoyle eventually cracked apart under this abuse.

The bearded wizard cast a spell that pulled bricks up from the floor. They hovered in the air for a second before launching at Jayden as fast as arrows. Jayden cast his own spell and formed his shield of spinning black blades. Bricks met shadowy blades, destroying both.

“Curious,” a voice called out. Dana couldn’t tell who was talking, but she heard it clearly. “What else do you have?”

Screams erupted around them. Both Dana and the masked wizard turned to their right. The gladiators had formed a wedge and were forcing their way deeper into the ballroom. Guards tried to stop them, but even with a steady stream of reinforcements coming from across the castle they were being pushed back. The bearded wizard supported them by making bricks on the floor rise up and form a long whip of stone. The whip lashed out and knocked down men like they were toy soldiers.

Dana couldn’t help them while fighting the masked wizard. She raised her sword and told him, “You’re not the first necromancer I’ve fought. Surrender!”

The masked wizard clapped his hands. “Your sword makes you a threat, but nothing makes you my equal. Ladies and gentlemen, the cacophony of madness.”

The masked wizard cast a quick spell, and to Dana’s amazement he began to gibber. It was random sounds, bits of words and animal cries blended together into an obscene tirade that grew in volume with every passing second. Guests and guards gripped their heads in agony and cried out, but not Dana and Jayden, and not the gladiators.

Dana wasn’t affected by the bizarre spell. Jayden’s mind cloud spell must be protecting her again. Then she heard Chain Cutter’s prayers grow in volume to match and then exceed the masked wizard’s obscene magic until it drowned him out entirely. Dana charged the wizard and he raised his staff to block her swing. Chain Cutter effortlessly lopped off the top two feet of his staff, and the tip of her blade nicked his left arm.

There was a flash of light and the masked wizard screamed in agony as his arm burst into flames and burned away. Dana cried out in surprise and backed away. The wizard fell to his knees and gripped the charred stump of his arm. He’d lost everything up to his elbow. Dana saw a brass cap covering what remained of his arm. It took her a moment to realize what had happened. “Your arm was undead. You grafted a dead man’s arm onto your body!”

“You’ll suffer for that,” the masked wizard hissed.

Dana wasn’t sure what to do. He was defeated, and without an arm should be no threat, but he was a necromancer. He’d done inexcusable deeds. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to kill him even after what he’d done.

Her hesitation cost her the chance to make a decision one way or another. A magic cloud formed under the masked wizard and lifted him off the ground. He flew back out of the destroyed wall. It was then that she saw another magic cloud floating outside. It was small, barely big enough for the man in white and black standing on it. He watched the battle with the same disinterest as a boy watching ants warring upon one another. He even held a book in one hand and wrote in it.

“That’s disappointing,” the man said, his voice carrying throughout the ballroom. “Let’s try something different.”

The bearded wizard took a red brick from inside his uniform and threw it on the floor. Bricks across the ballroom lifted up and flew across the room, making walls buckle and the ceiling groan. The bricks swirled in a tighter and tighter spiral until they stuck together to form a crude version of a man. It started small but added hundreds of pounds every second until it was five feet tall and continued growing.

Dana had to stop the brick monster before it got any bigger. Most of the gladiators were fighting Bascal soldiers and knights coming to their princess’ defense, but one got between her and the growing monster. He raised his sword and ran two steps toward her before Prince Onus tackled him. The gladiator struggled to shove Onus away while the prince drove his right fist into the gladiator’s face again and again like a sledgehammer. The gladiator dropped like a stone.

“Um, thank you?” she stammered. A gladiator flew by her head, followed by another. Men fighting around Jayden were so tightly packed together that he couldn’t use his magic hand to its full effect without hurting innocent men. Instead he plucked gladiators from the crowded battle and hurling them across the room.

“You stop the monster, I’ll stop the wizard,” Prince Onus told her. Another gladiator flew screaming through the air to land at the prince’s feet.

Dana hated his plan the second she heard it. The bearded wizard was a major threat. Kaleoth could lose its only heir, and more importantly a good person. One look at Onus’ face showed he wasn’t going to back down regardless of the consequences. He charged the bearded wizard, leaving Dana to fight the growing monster of bricks.

And it was getting a lot bigger. Dana wasn’t sure if it was a golem, an elemental, maybe something entirely new to her, but it was eight feet tall and getting larger. It marched toward the diminishing line of gladiators still standing. The room shook and cracks spread across the floor like a spiderweb.

Dana ran for the brick monster and slashed at its right knee. There was no blinding flash of light as her sword sunk deep into her opponent. It swept its right arm at her, and she had to pull Chain Cutter out quickly to get out of the way. She swung at it again and sliced off a hundred pounds of bricks with one hit.

Jayden’s giant hand flew over her and grasped the brick monster’s head. It pushed hard enough to tip it over, and it fell with a crash that echoed across the room. Dana slashed at it while it was still down. She hit it twice in the right arm and chopped it off at the elbow.

“Die, vile girl!” the bearded wizard snarled. He formed another whip of bricks and lashed out at her. She jumped over the whip, although two gladiators and three Bascal soldiers weren’t as lucky and got bowled over. The whip pulled back for another swing that never landed.

In Dana’s travels with Jayden she was used to being ignored by his enemies. After all, she was weak compared to him. In this battle it was her turn to draw attention from dangerous enemies, while Prince Onus went unnoticed because he had no magic sword and couldn’t cast spells. Overlooking him was a mistake the bearded wizard regretted instantly. Onus charged the wizard and drove his shoulder into him, then punched the evil wizard in the gut and doubled him over. He followed up with more punches to the wizard’s head, grabbed him by the head with both hands and rammed his knee into the wizard’s face.

The brick monster struggled to its feet. Dana slashed it and did massive damage. Again and again she hit it, but more bricks flew up to replace what she destroyed. The brick monster grew no bigger, but it healed every injury she inflicted.

“I need help!” Dana called out.

“Coming!” Jayden called back. A gladiator tried to stab him and suffered for it when Jayden cut the man’s sword in half, knocked him over with a kick to the chest and stomped on him once he was on the ground. Jayden formed his black whip and swung it around the brick monster. More bricks flew across the room to join with the thing, a terrible mistake when they locked in place over the whip. His whip hissed and ate the brick monster apart from the inside. It tried to kick Jayden, and Dana sunk her sword deep into its foot before it got close. She pulled her blade out and took its foot off. The monster toppled, and this time came apart.

“The construct didn’t grow nearly fast enough,” the dispassionate voice said. “We’re going to have to work on that.”

Dana went to help Prince Onus, who didn’t need assistance. He had the wizard in a headlock with his right arm and was savagely beating him with the left. The wizard couldn’t perform the complex hand gestures or utter the arcane words to cast a spell under such an onslaught and fell to his knees. Prince Onus finished the fight with a kick to the wizard’s stomach before grabbing the man’s staff, ripping it from his grasp and breaking it against a marble pillar.

Which was a mistake. Once Prince Onus’ hands were off the wounded wizard, a magic cloud formed under him and flew him to safety. It joined the other two wizards in white and black flying outside the castle. The one who’d stayed outside the fight observed them with curiosity after their victory.

“I appreciate the opportunity to see you in action,” the third wizard said. “I’d never seen shadow magic before. It’s impressive.”

“What part of Sorcerer Lord didn’t you understand?” Jayden demanded as he ran to the edge of the hole made by the enemy wizards. “What made you think you stood any chance against me with cheap parlor tricks and disposable men?”

A gladiator struggled to his knees. “Disposable?”

“I don’t see magic clouds carrying you away,” Dana told him.

Another gladiator reached out to the escaping wizards. “No, wait!”

“You’ve failed everywhere you’ve tried to seize power!” Jayden yelled. “You’ve lost countless wizards since your wretched order formed! Men and women who could have saved this world died trying to control it! You are a band of idiots running headlong to your own destruction!”

The three clouds drifted leisurely away into the night. The only wizard of the three still capable of standing after the battle said, “This has been educational. Let me really put you to the test.”

At this distance it was hard to tell what the wizards were doing, but Dana saw a red circle of light suddenly link them together. She’d seen this when Zentrix was invaded and knew what it meant.

“It’s a binding spell!” she yelled. “Everybody run!”

Guests, guards and even gladiators still standing took her warning to heart and fled for their lives. The circle of light grew brighter, and Dana saw dozens and then hundreds of ice javelins form in the air. The remaining wizard was drawing power from his defeated allies, making his spell massively more powerful.

Jayden began casting his fireball spell. He chanted and held his hands together as even more ice javelins formed. Dana dragged tables in front to him as a makeshift barrier, and Prince Onus joined her. Jayden’s chanting ended and a tiny spark floated into the night. A second later the enemy wizard’s spell also finished, and a storm of ice javelins whistled through the air as they flew at everyone in the ballroom.

BOOM!

Jayden’s fireball went off in front of the breached wall, swallowing up countless ice javelins. Others broke against the castle’s outer wall or the floor and walls of the ballroom. Three hit the overturned tables and went halfway through.

“Are you hurt?” Prince Onus asked them.

“I’m okay,” Dana told him. “Those wizards must be with King Tyros if they had gladiators working with them, but who were they?”

“Their black and white uniforms mark them as members of the Inspired,” Jayden said as he watched the magic clouds flee into the night. “The worst is upon us.”

Party Time, part 1

“I’d think you’d be happy,” Jayden said as knights escorted him and Dana to their hotel. “A serious threat has been permanently removed, free of charge.”

“You’re making it worse,” Dana told him.

“Just keep moving.” Stillman sounded exhausted after the fight with Ghost Hunter. More likely he was worried about his career. Ghost Hunter had attacked him, his knights and Bascal secret agents. Their best efforts to kill him failed. Granted killing a ghost is no easy task, but having some of their top men helpless must be embarrassing.

“Surely the matter has been settled to everyone’s satisfaction,” Prince Onus said. “The danger is gone.”

“Prince, if you’ll kindly go to the castle,” Stillman said. “Royal authorities assumed you would be in no danger in Dragon Roost, which has been proven to be optimistic boarding on naiveté. A serious attempt was made on your life, and there may be more.”

“It’s not the first time,” Prince Onus told him.

Jayden took Stillman’s side. “Both your nations are in danger of being not merely defeated but totally absorbed into Meadowland. If you die, no one in Kaleoth can take your place. Your death would also end any chance for meaningful cooperation between your kingdoms when that is essential.”

“I’m considered a coward if I stay in the castle, a fool if I stay on the streets, and I insult my host if I bring my own security,” Prince Onus said bitterly. “Is there a route I can take that does work?”

“Refusing to let you bring guards was a mistake,” Stillman admitted. “I will ask King Rascan to allow you to bring personal retainers in future visits, but I need you alive and well for there to be future visits. Galling as this must be, please, go with our agents to the castle.”

“And how long are we to stay in our hotel room?” Jayden asked.

“Until you’re summoned,” Stillman told him. “With the ghost defeated there are no threats to your life, so you may stay there with all your needs met until King Rascan decides how best to employ you.”

They reached the hotel, but Jayden stopped at the door. “Our services do not come free.”

“We will negotiate compensation worthy of your efforts,” Stillman promised.

Prince Onus stepped toward Dana and Jayden. “I’d like to speak with Jayden and Miss Illwind in private.”

Stillman’s faced paled. “While we’re willing to work with the Sorcerer Lord, the man has a reputation for damage and disorder we can’t ignore. There’s going to be trouble from royal security about them even getting close enough to see you.”

The prince’s face darkened. “They have given honorable service to Kaleoth, and asked nothing in return except passage to their homeland.”

“I’m sure they—” Stillman began.

Prince Onus didn’t let him finish. “Do not presume to give me orders. I realize Rascan thinks I’m a country bumpkin, but I am a prince, sir. I speak to whomever I choose, whenever I choose, and any attempt to restrict that will be considered a grave insult. I will take security measures seriously without being a fool or a puppet.”

There was a long, awkward pause as Stillman stared at Prince Onus and Jayden smirked.

“I apologize for not showing proper deference,” Stillman said. “If you wish to see them, we will certainly arrange it. Please do not think King Rascan has anything but the highest opinion of you, your grandfather and your kingdom.”

“Thank you.” Prince Onus turned to Dana and Jayden. “I would appreciate the chance to speak with you in the morning, if it’s convenient.”

“We’d be delighted, wouldn’t we, Dana.”

“Oh, um, sure.” Dana shook Prince Onus’ hand, making Stillman roll his eyes in exasperation.

Jayden and Dana went to their room, and once safe inside Jayden said, “I’m growing to like him.”

Dana collapsed onto the bed. “He makes a strong impression. So, how badly did we screw up?”

“We didn’t. Ghost Hunter had to be removed for our safety and that of others. Meeting the prince again was a happy coincidence. In regards to Stillman, there was going to be difficulty working with him no matter what we did. In a way we may have improved our chances of securing the spell tablets. Stillman, his knights and the secret agents saw us kill Ghost Hunter. They are eye witnesses to what we can do for them, and that we are worth having even at a high cost.”

Dana drew Chain Cutter and set it on the bed. Her weapon had glowed ever since she’d gotten it, but now it was different. The light was stronger and warmer. She could hear whispered prayers from the blade. “Next question, exactly what is a sanctified weapon, because it looks like I’ve got one.”

Jayden studied the sword without touching it. “I’ve heard about such weapons without ever seeing one. They are rare, strong and much prized. The priest spoke honestly when he said a small piece of heaven now resides within Chain Cutter. In most situations that won’t have much effect, as the sword was already strong, but you saw what it did to Ghost Hunter. Chain Cutter was already effective against the undead due to the shadow magic used to make it. As a sanctified weapon that will be greatly magnified. Living beings that have turned to dark ways will be equally vulnerable. Hags would be a good example.”

Sounding concerned, he added, “Chain Cutter might also be selective about who touches it.”

“I can touch Chain Cutter.”

He smiled at her. “Yes, the girl who befriended a church grim. Others of us might be less acceptable.”

“Us?” Dana got up off the bed. “Oh no you don’t. You’re not a bad guy.”

“I’ve committed questionable deeds.”

“No.” Dana grabbed his hands before he realized what she was doing. “You’ve done too much good to talk about yourself that way. People are alive today because of you.”

“What are you doing?”

“Come on.” Dana pulled his hands down and pressed them against Chain Cutter’s handle. “See, nothing happened. If he’s picky, he likes you.”

He pulled free of her hands. “That’s not how you test whether it’s safe to touch a magic item! And since when do you call Chain Cutter him? I recall you wanting to call it Buttercup at one time.”

“I felt calling Chain Cutter him was, I don’t know, appropriate. And I wasn’t testing whether he liked you, I was showing you he does.” Dana sheathed Chain Cutter and set the sword on the bed. “We both got help from on high when we fought Cimmox the necromancer. That means He likes both of us. You’ve got to stop seeing the worst in yourself.”

Jayden sat in a chair across from the bed. “Old habits die hard. We have Prince Onus’ invitation to the ball, and from there will hopefully meet King Rascan. Please be careful during the event. Nobles have little regard for commoners and may cause trouble for you. My presence should lessen this, but never underestimate the pride, callousness and stupidity of the rich and powerful.”

“I can take care of myself, thank you very much. If I can fight golems and monsters, I can deal with catty women. I’m sixteen, after all.”

That got his attention. “When we met you said you were fifteen.”

“That was more than a year ago.”

Excited, he said, “You never told me you had a birthday! We should have celebrated.”

“We’re on the run from almost everyone!”

“That doesn’t matter. I know places where gold can buy secrecy and a good time. We could have had an expensive meal, desserts, hired a musician—”

“Don’t make such a big deal out of it,” she told him.

“It is a big deal,” he replied. “A birthday means you survived another year, and in these times that’s an accomplishment worthy of respect. I don’t celebrate my own birthdays because it could be a clue to my earlier life as Prince Mastram, but you’re under no such restrictions. Next time tell me, because we’re going to celebrate.”

* * * * *

“Ma’am, I’m very sure the ghost isn’t coming back,” Dana assured a female guest. It was breakfast time and Dana was enjoying a meal in the hotel’s common room when the older woman had approached her table and asked if Ghost Hunter would return. “Jayden and I took care of him for good.”

“You can understand my concern,” the woman replied. “He pushed me to the floor.”

“I’m sorry that happened. I promise he won’t do it again.”

Still looking worried, the woman asked, “But what if another villain attacks? We are at war, you know. The hotel guards couldn’t stop someone like that. Could you possibly deal with them?”

“We’ll do what we can to keep everyone safe while we’re here.”

“Thank you so much. I feel like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. If only my dear Herbert could be here to comfort me in these troubling times, but no, he’s gone trout fishing.”

Dana watched the woman leave and couldn’t help but notice many guests watching. They looked relived at her promise, but some kept their distance. Dana didn’t blame them. Ghost Hunter’s attack had been frightening, and Bascal’s capital city should have been far from danger.

Jayden came down from their room and joined her at the table. “Good morning, and a glorious one it is. I see you’ve been busy assuring our fellow guests that they have our protection. That’s sure to smooth ruffled feathers.”

“It’s only fair. Most of them aren’t armed and none cast spells. If the hotel is attacked, we’re the best line of defense these people have.”

“True,” he admitted, and waved for a waiter to come. “Menu, please. Pray tell, what’s this note that came with it?”

“It’s from the lady in room 111,” the waiter said before he left.

Puzzled, Dana asked, “Who is she, and why does she want to see us?”

Jayden read the message and slipped it into a pocket. “She wishes to see me, not us. It seems Prince Onus isn’t the only one attracting attention.”

“What do you—oh!” Dana clapped a hand over her mouth. Red faced, she slid her hands down and whispered, “She sent you a note for that at breakfast?”

“I’ll have the poached eggs with pepper steak,” he told the waiter. More softly, he told Dana, “It’s been my experience nobles have more free time than is good for them. Few use it wisely. Too many get involved in plotting, while others seek entertainment to ease their boredom. I don’t take kindly to being reduced to a diversion after mastering shadow magic. It’s demeaning.”

Dana was startled when everyone in the common room jumped to their feet. She glanced at the door and saw Prince Onus entering. He looked as surprised as she did, and he waved for the guests to sit down. “I’m not here on an official capacity. Please carry on.”

“We’ve over here,” Dana called out. Guests stared at her as if she’d done something wrong. “What?”

“Ignore them,” Jayden said. “Prince Onus, please, join us.”

Prince Onus approached their table. “If we could talk in private.”

Jayden smiled. “Certainly. Waiter, send my meal to my room, please.”

“Yes, sir,” the waiter said, and passed him another note. “Room 238.”

Dana finished her meal and got up to leave. “Let’s get you both out of here while everyone still has their dignity.”

“It’s years too late for that,” Jayden said. He led the prince to their room, and once they were inside closed and locked the door. “It’s good to see you well, prince. I hope matters in Kaleoth remain favorable.”

“Yes, but only just. Meadowland’s army still can’t cross Racehorse River, but they never stop trying. We’ve seen them harvesting timber for another bridge, and they’ve assembled a powerful force of catapults that fire across the river every day. River Twin has taken heavy damage. Thankful the loss of life has been limited. We fight back with wizards and our own siege weapons. The stalemate has caused much damage.”

“Last winter you told us your father was trying to get help,” Dana said. “Did anyone come?”

“The Guild of Heroes sent three of their top men, one of them an expert at designing and building fortifications. They’ve already been a great help. The Brotherhood of the Righteous sent five combat priests, twenty paladins and a hundred volunteer knights.” Prince Onus hesitated before saying, “This will sound odd, but goblins in Kaleoth have suddenly become helpful. Pranks and troublemaking have stopped. They’ve actually caught a dozen Meadowland spies and turned them over to us.”

Dana giggled. “They did?”

“They keep referring to this War Winner of theirs. Some claim to be following his orders, but how much faith can you place in a goblin’s word?”

“I take them more seriously than I once did,” Jayden said. He waved for the prince to take a seat. “We may have a chance to help your people in the future, but for now let us speak of tonight. How are you being treated?”

“Words can’t express how grateful I am to see you both again,” Prince Onus said as he settled down on a chair. “My time in Bascal has been trying. Half the people I meet treat me like I’m more than human because I’m a prince. Others act like I’m a dull child who must be endured. Talking to those who regard me as a person is sweet relief.”

“Why would they treat you like that?” Dana asked. “I mean, besides being rude, they need your help. Bascal can’t win on its own.”

“Kaleoth is a relatively new kingdom,” Jayden explained. “Onus’ grandfather King Brent is only the third ruler to sit upon that throne. Bascal boasts an unbroken string of kings thirty-two generations long. Few lineages are as ancient. It makes them proud.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Dana asked in bewilderment.

“They’ve had centuries to develop traditions and needless bureaucracy,” Jayden said casually. “Their rules are often senseless or outright counterproductive. It doesn’t help that the nobility finetuned those rules to benefit themselves at the expense of commoners and foreigners. The situation works, barely, and for most residents that’s enough, but it makes their leaders arrogant and inflexible.”

Prince Onus pointed at his clothes. “I’ve been told to get more appropriate clothes for the ball. It’s not like I’m wearing rags. And I’ve been asked twice why I don’t have a royal striker, one of those brightly colored birds everyone seems to own.”

“You’re better dressed than most of the people I’ve met,” Dana told him.

“We’re in a war!” Prince Onus protested. “Clothes, parties, these stupid birds, none of that matters.”

Prince Onus got up and paced across the room. “I’ve had seven women send me notes asking to see me in private. I almost accepted one of the invitations until I was told these meetings are intended to be intimate, if that’s the right word. Three of the women are married! I’ve heard that’s accepted behavior here.”

Dana could feel herself blushing. “I guessed what you were talking about earlier, but seven? And married?”

He turned to her and said, “I feel awful for asking you to come with me to this event, but it’s getting so I can’t even go to breakfast without being embarrassed. I even had two of these women fight over me. You might find it far less pleasant than a party should be. If you don’t want to go, I’ll understand.”

“Oh no, I’m in.” Dana showed off her new dress. “I’m ready for the occasion.”

Prince Onus stared. “That…that’s beautiful. I think you won’t face difficulties in my company, but if someone should treat you with disrespect, allow me to deal with it. Bold as nobles are in Bascal, they’ll listen to a prince, if only because I’m useful to them.”

“Your common sense is showing,” Jayden told him. “But as you seem to have a problem, let us help. Dana and I know a seamstress who can get you ready for tonight.”

“Cassandra?” Dana asked. “Oh, right, she’s great. I don’t think she can get you one of those birds, but she can get you dressed.”

Jayden put a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you introduce the prince to her?”

“You’re not coming?”

“I have to make preparations before we attend the ball, not least of which is summoning Stanley to look after our belongings. I doubt the king will let us bring our baggage with us.”

“Stanley?” Prince Onus asked.

“Long story, but he’s friendly and loves singing,” Dana told him. “I’ll take you there and she’ll get you a nice suit.”

“I like these clothes,” Prince Onus protested as he went with Dana. They left the hotel to find secret agents outside pretending to be tradesmen. Dana spotted a few new faces among them, so Prince Onus must have had his security detail enlarged after Ghost Hunter’s attack. They followed Dana and Prince Onus without straying farther than ten feet from him while seeming to be just men walking down the street. This pretense stopped when they reached Cassandra’s shop.

“Sir, this isn’t the best choice,” one said softly.

“Stillman recommended it,” Dana said.

“Some establishments are suitable for those of questionable reputations, but royalty must be more careful where they tread.”

“Your insult against the young lady is inexcusable,” Prince Onus said angrily. “Miss Illwind, you spoke highly of this woman, and her workmanship impressed me. That is enough for me.”

“We won’t be long,” Dana told the agents as she led Prince Onus inside.

Cassandra’s store had changed since Dana’s last visit. The mannequins had been moved to the corners to make space for a massive pile of luggage. Eight men and women of various ages competed for limited floor space, all of them well dressed in the style Cassandra used in her clothes. The newcomers chatted as they unpacked.

“Hello, we’re,” Dana began, but no one noticed her. “Hi there, we’re…excuse me, we need to see Cassandra.” Still no response. “Customers!”

That stopped their conversations and brought Cassandra running from the back of the store. She pushed aside three men and a woman to reach Dana. “You again? And you brought a new man with you.”

“He needs your help for tonight,” Dana told her.

Cassandra’s two granddaughters caught up with her, took one look at Prince Onus and burst out giggling. Cassandra shushed them before turning a critical eye on the prince. “My, my, you bear a burden that would break most men like a twig. Green suits you, add some silver, nothing too ostentatious and we’re there. Give me a minute to get my relatives out of the way. Sissy, Meryl, get the girl’s hair prettied up.”

“Wait, what?” Dana asked.

“Don’t question grandma when she’s being nice,” one of the girls told Dana. “It doesn’t happen often.”

Cassandra didn’t need long to get a fantastic outfit for Prince Onus, with a green silk shirt and pants, and a darker green coat with silvery highlights. She added a dark green cape, blue boots and blue gloves with just a hint of silver.

“It’s impressive,” Prince Onus said as he tried on the coat. “The gloves are made of much thicker material.”

“You’re a man who works with your hands,” Cassandra said as she pressed a silver ribbon against his sleeve. Tossing it aside for another, she added, “I sewed steel plates into the knuckles. The way things are going around here you’ll need them.”

“Who are these people?” Dana asked as Cassandra’s granddaughters trimmed and styled her hair.

“Kinfolk pushed out of their homes,” Cassandra said. She sewed the ribbon into the sleeve so it formed a line running from his wrist to elbow. “They were evacuated ahead of the Meadowland army. Now I have to take them in. A pity they didn’t bring money to cover their expenses.”

An older man pulled at his hair. “It’s not my fault my sheep were confiscated to feed the army! All I got was this stupid claim ticket!”

“I’m so sorry,” Dana told him. It hurt to see her homeland making everyone miserable.

“Don’t be sorry, just pay,” Cassandra told her.

Prince Onus paid Cassandra and tipped generously, earning a smile from the old woman and giggles from her granddaughters. They left to find the secret agents waiting on the street. One took a look at the prince’s new clothes and nodded in approval. He did, however, say, “For your own sake, please don’t tell people you got it here. You’d never live it down, sir.”

* * * * *

“So, how do I look,” Dana asked. She put on the silver and ruby necklace she’d gotten from Braston’s chest. It worked perfectly with her dress.

“You’re ready to turn heads and break hearts,” Jayden told her. It was early in the evening, and both of them were in their room wearing Cassandra’s clothing. Dana felt giddy at having such a pretty dress, the best she’d ever seen, much less owned.

Dana laughed. “Me? What about you? You already have to beat girls off with a stick.”

“There may be some of that tonight.” Jayden checked himself in a mirror and nodded. “It’s impractical for traveling through the wilderness, but it will do. I’ve told the hotel manager we’ll be gone for the evening, and Stanley is on duty to make sure no one is tempted to steal our belongings while we’re out.”

Stanley floated across the room, only visible as dust in the air being pushed gently aside. He brushed against Dana and felt like a summer breeze. “It’s too bad we can’t take him with us. I think he’d like it.”

“I think he’d savagely assault anyone who insulted you,” Jayden replied. “A perfectly natural reaction I approve of, but society would not. While we’re on the topic of violence, let me make sure your sword isn’t visible on your back. Yes, quite nice.”

“I’m conflicted about bringing Chain Cutter,” she admitted. “It’s a party! I shouldn’t bring a sword, but Cassandra sounded like I’d need it.”

Jayden kissed her hand. “Dear Dana, you should always be armed.”

There was a knock at the door. Dana opened it to find the hotel manager looking almost as giddy as she felt. “Sir, madam, it honors my establishment to have royalty visit us again. Prince Onus of Kaleoth asks for your presence at the door.”

“Let’s not keep him waiting,” Jayden said.

They found the hotel abuzz with excitement as guests stared and whispered. Prince Onus had arrived in Cassandra’s suit, and he looked amazing. Dana was at a loss for words until Jayden took her arm and led her to the prince.

“So good to see you again,” Jayden said. “Ah, I see you brought a carriage.”

“Hired for the night, and charging by the hour,” he told them.

“Then let’s not run up the bill.”

Dana followed Jayden outside to find a black carriage pulled by white mares. This night felt like a dream. She was a mayor’s daughter back home before the war started, but her family had never been rich. Now she was dressed like a queen and escorting a prince. It made up for a lot of the madness she’d been through.

The carriage rode through the city for a short time before stopping in front of the castle. The building was massive, with tall walls expertly carved with dragons and eagles, towers that flew gold and red banners, and surrounded by beautiful flowers. Gates were open to admit a long line of men and women dressed like they were wealthy beyond imagination. Dana, Jayden and Prince Onus exited and went to an attendant dressed in red by the gate. The man looked mildly annoyed before whispering to Prince Onus.

“This looks bad,” Dana whispered to Jayden.

“There seems to be some dispute over whether we’re going to be allowed entry,” Jayden said casually. “It’s annoying the prince.”

“No,” Prince Onus said firmly. “In the short time I’ve been here I saw a malevolent spirit attack innocent people, a being only killed with great difficulty. Your best men were unable to defeat it while they could.”

“Sir,” the attendant began.

Prince Onus was having none of it. “Your people have been relentlessly demanding I be protected, but when I bring individuals who risked their lives for my kingdom you object. Fine. If I’m not allowed to bring them as guards, I wish to bring them as my guests. Other men brought wives, children, mistresses!”

Dana had some pity for the attendant. He was a snob, but he had orders from people who could punish him. Dana and Jayden were dangerous enough to hurt or kill a lot of important people, so letting them in was risky. She didn’t like him, but she understood his position.

“If you’ll excuse me.” The attendant left and whispered into the ear of a man dressed in silks and furs. The man glanced at Dana and Jayden before whispering back. The attendant returned and said, “My superiors have agreed to allow them entrance, provided they remain well away from the king’s table.”

Prince Onus looked like he had a harsh response ready, but Jayden said, “We are humbled by your generosity in such trying times, and will speak well of you to others. If you would be so kind as to direct us to our seats?”

“This way, please.”

Dana tried desperately to keep from gasping in awe as she, Jayden and Prince Onus were led into the ballroom. Silk banners hung between marble pillars holding up the vaulted ceiling. The marble floor was polished until it reflected like a mirror. Magnificently scented flowers with blooms as big as apples grew in intricately carved marble urns. Tables were set along the edges of the room, most for guests while some held silver trays heavy with mouthwatering food.

The guests were nearly as inspiring as the room. Men and women wore the most beautiful clothes, and jewelry worth a fortune. Silks and furs, gold and rubies, it was a king’s ransom in treasures. Over half the guests had brightly colored birds perched on their shoulders, with padded shoulder guards for the birds to grip onto. Most guests were seated and spoke in stiff, formal tones, but a few danced to the tune of twenty musicians, some playing instruments Dana had never seen before. Light was provided by silver chandeliers hanging from the ceiling burning white candles.

“Oh wow,” she said. “It’s like being in heaven.”

“The hereafter is far more beautiful than this,” Jayden replied. “It’s also a good deal friendlier.”

Their seats were at the very corner of the room. Dana saw waiters whisper to one another and direct guests away from them.

“Must we be treated with disrespect at every turn?” Prince Onus said bitterly.

“I kind of prefer it this way,” Dana told him. “I don’t have anything in common with rich people. If we spoke, I’m worried I’d embarrass myself and you.”

“Kaleoth had poor relations with Bascal before the war,” Prince Onus said. “We didn’t fight, but they made it clear we were beneath them. There wasn’t much trade between us, and our people were treated like bumpkins when they visited. Necessity makes us allies, but we’re not friends.”

“How did they used to get along with Meadowland?” Dana asked Jayden.

“Nearly as badly. Meadowland’s kings ruled uninterrupted for fifteen generations, far less than Rascan’s line. While Meadowland was much larger, militarily more powerful and had a stronger economy, Bascal’s leadership never thought much of their neighbor. At best they treated Meadowland like a large, angry dog that had to be treated gently.” Jayden beckoned to a waiter. “Wine.”

More guests entered the ballroom. Not all wore equally beautiful clothes and jewelry, and those with simpler appearances were seated in the ballroom’s corners. Dana saw a young man and woman with black hair and less expensive garments seated at the next table over. They were at most two years older than she was, and Dana was surprised they came without parents or relatives. Jayden smiled at them, but the pair looked away.

“Charming,” Jayden said. “I don’t expect much for myself, but surely a prince deserves a warmer reception.”

“I’d rather she didn’t,” Prince Onus replied.

“Sister or girlfriend?” Jayden asked.

“They don’t look related,” Dana said. Her gaze wandered across the ballroom, and met many eyes along the way. “People are staring at us.”

“I imagine they don’t get many foreigners at these events,” Jayden told her.

Prince Onus looked away. “There’s another reason for them staring. It’s mostly women watching us.”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t do anything silly at a ball,” she assured him. He gave her a look that said otherwise. “Really? In front of all these noblemen?”

“They will try to be discreet,” he said.

An attendant rang a bell and called out, “Announcing Princess Estell.”

Just then a young woman wearing the most beautiful dress entered the ballroom. Her blond hair trailed down her back and included silver jewelry, her yellow and red dress had jewels sewn into it, and she carried a scepter made of gold and rubies. Men and women across the ballroom rose to their feet when she appeared, and many hurried over to her.

“That’s the crown princess,” Prince Onus explained. “She’s next in line for the throne until Rascan fathers a male heir.”

The couple at the next table separated, much to the girl’s distress. The young man whispered to her before kissing her hand and joining the growing mob around Princess Estell. The girl sat down with such a long face it made Dana hurt along with her. She told Jayden, “Girlfriend, and he should know better than to treat her like that.”

Jayden glared at the young man trying to speak with the princess, an impossible act when so many others were trying to do the same. Jayden’s voice was barely above a whisper, but held a level of scorn he normally reserved for the worst villains. “I’m familiar with his kind. Young, ambitious, untested and desperate for a chance at glory. He’s asking for an army commission or other unearned position. The poor girl will be lucky to see him again before the night is over while he fawns over his betters.”

“I’ve seen that during my stay here,” Prince Onus said. “It surprises me you recognize this behavior. I thought you had little to do with royalty.”

Oops. Dana worried that might give away secrets Jayden didn’t want revealed. Jayden showed no such concern.

“Begging for political or military office happens at all levels of Meadowland society. It’s repulsive how far men will debase themselves in the name of career advancement. Those promoted based off their ability to ingratiate themselves to those in authority inevitably use that power for self-enrichment at the expense of those beneath them, or prove themselves so incompetent that they destroy what they asked for. The only exception is for positions few want.”

Worried, Prince Onus asked, “This is common?”

“Be grateful Kaleoth does a better job promoting men to positions of authority,” Jayden said. “It may give you an edge in the war.”

“Hold on, my dad inherited his job as mayor,” Dana protested. “He didn’t beg for it or buy it.”

Their conversation ended briefly when waiters brought plates, eating utensils and trays of food to their table. A waiter also slipped a note to Jayden before leaving.

“I meant no disrespect,” Jayden began. “Your father is an upstanding man. He is, however, responsible for a town far beneath his capabilities. North Lights is a small town on the edge of the kingdom, sparsely populated and producing little income. There is no opportunity for graft or bribe taking, only the burden of guiding and protecting it. In such cases leadership passes from father to son. Were your home town more prosperous there would be many men seeking to claim his job.”

Prince Onus gestured to the trays and said, “Ladies first.”

Interlude #4

King Tyros stood in his bedchambers as he put on his belt and best cape over his silk clothes. Dressing up like this annoyed him. Simple, functional, that was what was needed. Trying to fit the expectation of others wasted time and money. In theory the men and women of his castle, his kingdom, should adjust their behavior to match his.

That was not the way the world worked, though. So much of being a king was looking the part, acting like others expected a king to behave. He’d made efforts to introduce changes in uniforms and behaviors, cutting down on costs and needless ceremonies, but they kept creeping back in. Commoners, artisans and nobles all wanted life to be as it always had been.

Amvicta joined him in dressed in her finest gown and jewels. She looked pleased with herself, so there might be fewer incidents at court caused by her sharp tongue. “Everyone’s ready.”

“A moment longer,” he told her as he put on his crown. Once he’d owned several crowns, but during the civil war he’d sold the less valuable ones to pay his soldiers. Other kings would find that galling, a diminishment of their authority. To Tyros it had been a move long coming. Luxury was waste in his eyes.

Tyros and Amvicta left their room and headed for the courtyard. Guards followed them as always, but there were more defenders. Tyros had increased the castle’s defenses as of late in case his newest followers proved ambitious. These guardians followed at a distance, slipping into this world and back to their own so quickly few noticed them and none got a clear look. One guard glanced to his left and paused, catching the barest glimpse of his mystic defenders, then resumed marching.

“My father sent words of encouragement for this mission,” Amvicta said proudly.

“Palan is restoring a castle, not going on a quest,” Tyros grumbled. Meadowland was filled with ruined castles awaiting restoration or demolition. Fixing one should prove no difficulty, but Palan would no doubt make it harder than it had to be.

“Simple tasks must come before difficult ones. Giving your son a chance to prove himself has been a long time coming. He won’t disappoint you.”

“That would be a welcome change,” Tyros replied, earning him a scowl from Amvicta.

He didn’t care. His wife and sons had proven massive disappointments at every turn. That his father-in-law felt the need to speak on Palan’s behalf was all the more galling. Amvicta’s family constantly overstepped their bounds, acting as kings in his kingdom, offering counsel, as if they had a right to, and constantly seeking advantages at Tyros’ expense.

They reached a point where the castle corridor branched, and Tyros turned left. Amvicta grabbed his arm and demanded, “Where are you going?”

“To see to military matters.”

She scowled. “That revolting wizard? Your son and important men await you.”

“One of the advantages of being king is no one is more important than I am.”

Tyros marched on followed by his wife and guards. He reached the guest bedrooms where the Inspired wizard waited for him. Tyros had accepted the man as a necessary evil, something life was filled with, but he’d never trusted him. This room was well away from sensitive areas of the castle, and nearby servants were in fact highly trained and well-armed agents ready to kill the wizard should he step out of bounds.

“Wait here,” Tyros said, and entered the room. He didn’t knock. This castle and kingdom were his, and he could go where he pleased when he pleased without asking permission. Once inside he shut the door. Best if no witnesses were present for what was about to be said.

The room was simple, with a bed, table and chair. The man within was anything but. Hyress of the Inspired wore the white and black robes common to his order of wizards, and carried an oak staff. He had a book on the bed filled with notes in a language Tyros had never seen and diagrams the meaning of which Tyros couldn’t even guess at. Hyress was a young man of perhaps twenty years, his brown hair cut short, his features almost boyish, but his expression was a riddle. He always looked curious, like the world was somehow new no matter how simple a thing he looked at. Tyros expected the wizard to be furious at his sudden entrance, maybe afraid, but Hyress was unphased.

“You failed me.” As starting moves it was brutal and likely to cause discontent, but Tyros liked his enemies unsettled.

“The plan was high risk and high reward when I proposed it,” Hyress replied casually. “Failure was not merely possible but likely. Nothing of value was lost in the attempt, and more missions are planned for this week, next week and the week after that. Bascal will fall under the volume of assaults.”

“A bold claim when you have only five undertrained, underpowered wizards. Your order is known for the number of wizards they can send, if not their strength. When will more come?”

That was another calculated insult. Tyros knew the best way to beat an enemy was to push them hard and often, and Hyress was an enemy despite their current arrangement. Anyone fool enough to think they could take over the world was a madman, or a deadly threat.

“The Inspired have committed more wizards to your cause than they have anywhere else on Other Place,” Hyress said calmly. “If you want more then more must be offered, or at least paid. We have received nothing we asked as payment for our services.”

“You ask for garbage!” Tyros yelled. He wasn’t used to being unsure about someone, but he couldn’t make sense of Hyress. He’d expected Hyress to demand gold, jewels, noble titles. Instead the wizard had asked to be paid with worthless refuse that even a beggar would ignore. Why? No explanation had been offered.

“It is of value to us,” Hyress replied. “As our prize means nothing to you, all the more reason to give it to us.”

Tyros held his ground a moment longer. He despised Hyress and men like him. The world was filled with opportunists, graverobbers and scavengers looking for scraps during times of crisis. And curse him for even thinking it, Tyros needed this vulture of a man.

He needed victories. The war was progressing poorly. Kaleoth was untouched, safe behind Racehorse River. Bascal had closed the main pass into their kingdom. His armies struggled to open it and had lost two major assets sent to assist the effort. Only in Zentrix did his armies advance now that the ground was dry enough to walk on rather than sink in, but their losses were heavy and morale was low. Tyros needed to reverse this trend, and Hyress might be able to do it.

“How soon after payment can your fellow wizards come, and how many of them will arrive?” Tyros asked through clenched teeth.

“If full payment is made, I can have eight additional wizards in Meadowland within ten days. They will bring summoned monsters, magic weapons and funds sufficient to play an active role in your war for an entire year.”

Tyros reached for the doorknob. “You will have it by day’s end. You disappointed me once, wizard. Those who make a habit of failure suffer for it.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“A question first. All the Inspired Wizards I’ve met wear uniforms of black and white. What is the significance of it?”

“White is commonly associated with goodness and black with evil,” Hyress replied. “We wear a blend of both white and black to show how we are above such thinking. Good and evil are childish concepts. There is only success or failure. Everything else is noise.”

“An interesting point of view,” Tyros told the wizard. It was one he agreed with. He’d survived a civil war, countless assassination attempts and constant challenges to his authority. He’d done what had to be done to survive. Good like the Brotherhood of the Righteous championed was weakness cloaked in dogma. The evil of bandits and monsters was needlessly destructive and heedless of the future. A king had to be decisive, brutal, confident and plan for the future.

That he agreed with Hyress sealed the man’s fate. Hyress would be equally decisive, brutal and confident, and he planned for a future where he ruled. If the time came when he thought he could overthrow Tyros, he would do so without pity or gloating. That meant the Inspired wizard and his fellow practitioners of the dark arts would have to die. Tyros would squeeze all the use he could from them and put them to death.

It was unfortunate, even a touch wasteful, but that was life.

Tyros rejoined his wife and guards outside the guest room and closed the door behind him. Amvicta gave him a sour look before complaining, “I don’t know what you tolerate that man in our castle.”

“Even serpents have their uses.” It was lost on her how that statement applied to her as much as the wizard. She would doubtless press her point, so to head off that argument he said, “With that settled we can move on to Palan. Restoring Grist Castle will take the rest of the year. If Palan succeeds there are other projects I can assign him.”

“Military tasks?” she asked hopefully.

Tyros would sooner put a goblin in charge of his armies than his spineless son. “Construction for now, military if he is and continues to be successful. As for Eskas—”

“We’re not talking about Eskas,” Amvicta interrupted. Her eldest son was no longer allowed in the castle, and she had no desire to see new punishments placed on his shoulders.

“You’re right. Palan has earned a chance to prove himself. We’ll see him on his way.”

They walked on in silence. The more Tyros thought about it, sending Palan on this task was a good idea. Palan had more failings than were acceptable in a man, much less a ruler, but he was clever. Rather like Mastram that way, always thinking. The boy might see what his father was planning. That wouldn’t do. Better to send him far from court, and when the time came deal with him alone.

They reached the courtyard to find Tyros’ court officials and resident nobles in attendance. It has a hot, sunny day, and the guests were sweating. Servants had hung pennants and banners to commemorate this dull event, and tables filled with refreshments had been set on the grassy field. Tyros and Amvicta stood on a low wood platform well away from their followers. Palan wasn’t present, waiting to be summoned and awarded royal orders.

“Announce the prince,” Tyros told an attendant. The man blew a horn, and Palan entered the courtyard from a gate opposite Tyros. He wore armor, as if he expected to fight, and was followed by a procession of soldiers. Those men were in their thirties and forties, competent but well past their prime. That met with Tyros’ approval. They could do the job asked of them without their absence being a drain on the military. Following them were hundreds of boys and young men.

Officially those callow youths were guests of the crown, to be protected and educated at royal expense. That lie fooled no one. They were the eldest sons of mayors from across Meadowland, men Tyros wasn’t entirely satisfied with. Their fathers had served him competently but without the enthusiasm. Replacing so many mayors would cause chaos and convince his officials they had to fear their king. This ensured the mayors’ cooperation, and served as a reminder to everyone there was a price to be paid for any slackening of support.

Palan bowed. “My father and my king, I come to serve.”

“Rise, Prince Palan,” Tyros replied. His son stood up straight. “You have sought royal command to rebuild Grist Castle for the good of Meadowland. This is granted.”

“I shall bring honor to your name and to Meadowland,” Palan replied.

That was doubtful, but Tyros went through with this tedious ceremony and handed a rolled up vellum scroll to his son. Palan accepted it and saluted, and the men with him saluted. Normally there would be a celebration or feast to commemorate assigning a prince a mission for the crown, but this deed was so minor Tyros had ordered it canceled. Palan hadn’t refused the move, some slight sign of maturity on his part. With this foolishness done, Palan led his meager force away, and good riddance to them all.

“You did the right thing,” Amvicta whispered to him.

Tyros watched his son leave. The boy was a waste, trash, a coddled child grown into a worthless man. When he died it would be no loss to Tyros or Meadowland, and that day was coming ever closer.

Tyros turned to his wife. “It was the logical choice.”

* * * * *

Palan stopped his small command late that night, far from the nearest house or witness. He had four hundred hostages, fifty older soldiers to guard them, ten wagons pulled by oxen, food and construction tools. It was enough.

Morale was high. Palan had hand-picked the soldiers, making sure these men knew the real meaning of honor and loyalty. They had served the crown long enough to see brutality masked as necessity, and been sickened by it. The hostages were in good cheer now that they were out of the capital. They knew some of Palan’s intensions and realized they were far from safety, but every step brought them closer to family and freedom. His soldiers fed them generous portions. They’d need their strength for the days ahead, and he’d made arrangements for more supplies along the way.

Palan sat at the edge of the camp away from the others. This small, desperate force under his command was in great danger. He knew this was their only chance, his only chance, but that was little consolation. If caught they would all be put to death. He’d made every effort to avoid such a fate. For months he’d been sending letters by means of discrete couriers to men and women he knew he could count on. He had friends in the kingdom who would risk their lives for him, if he could reach them. He’d also secured weapons and riches his father didn’t know about that could turn the tables in their favor. Would it be enough?

There was a rustling in the tall grass just off the road, and a horde of goblins emerged from cover. Some he recognized, others not. Thipins and Campots came up to him and shook his hand.

“You did it,” Thipins said proudly.

“The journey’s just begun, and father will have men watching us,” Palan told his friend.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of them,” Campots promised. “We brought friends.”

“So I see.” Palan studied the newcomers. Most were typical goblins, dirty, smelly, dressed in rags, but two were different. One wore a strange white coat and carried a finely made leather bag. The second was even stranger, wearing black and green clothing in the same style of the King of the Goblins, and armed with a wood club carved to look like a scepter.

“It’s good to have friends,” he told the goblins. “Until you came, I’d never had one.”

“It’s gonna be okay, kiddo,” Thipins promised. He gave Palan a reassuring pat on the arm. “You won’t be exiled like your half-brother. We won’t let that happen.”

Ghost of a Chance part 2

Dana took their new outfits and went up a flight of carpeted stairs to the hotel’s second floor. The hallway was brightly lit by lamps on the walls, and the carpeting dulled the sound of her feet on the floor.

Then she felt a chill run up her back before a door to her left burst open and a man made of water lunged at her. A serving girl farther down the hallway screamed as the water man hit Dana hard enough to knock her into the wall. She dropped the clothes and pressed both hands against him, and pushed hard enough to shove him against the opposite wall. The two struggled, and in the bright light she had no trouble recognizing the face of her attacker.

“Ghost Hunter!”

“I said I’d get you!”

Dana pushed him away and drew her sword. Chain Cutter lit up the hallway even brighter than before, and she slashed Ghost Hunter across the chest. Her sword sliced through his body and came out with no effect. Ghost Hunter gave her a sadistic grin before he swung a fist at her face. She ducked under it and stabbed Ghost Hunter through the stomach no more effect than her first attack.

Doors across the hallway opened up as frightened men and women ran out. They screamed when they saw Ghost Hunter and many ran away. One man tried to grab Ghost Hunter from behind, but his hands went through the watery man.

Ghost Hunter pushed aside two men to come after Dana again. She gave up trying to stab him and punched him hard in the jaw. Her fist went into him and came out feeling wet, but without doing any damage. He swung at her again, hitting her in the stomach. Dana pushed into him, shoving him back a few feet to give herself room to move. When she stepped back, she found her blouse soaking wet.

That’s when she knew how to beat him. He could hold himself together, but not completely if he’d left water on her. She needed to make him lose more.

Dana ran from Ghost Hunter as fast as she could, heading down the stairs and to the lobby. He raced after her, screaming, “You can’t get away from me!”

Jayden saw her coming and drew his magic sword. She waved for him to move aside and called out, “I’ve got this!”

Jayden got out of her way and Ghost Hunter came charging down the stairs. Ghost Hunter went another ten feet toward her before he collapsed to the floor, and looked down to find he was missing his feet. There were wet spots on the carpeting everywhere he’d run, for he’d left behind part of his body with every step he took. Even now water he’d used to make a body was being absorbed into the carpeting.

Dana saw a terrified serving girl carrying a stack of towels with her back up against a wall. Dana took the towels from her and ran at Ghost Hunter. She tackled him and pressed the towels against his body. Ghost hunter thrashed about, trying to escape her, but in seconds so much of him soaked into the towels that he came apart entirely. With his body destroyed, Ghost hunter rose up as a translucent young man. He balled up his fists and scowled at her before fading out.

An older woman wearing furs stepped up beside Dana. “What was that?”

“A guy who won’t take no for an answer.”

The woman clucked her tongue. “Oh, aren’t they the worst.”

“Are you hurt?” Jayden asked.

Dana handed the wet towels to a servant. “It was scary more than anything else. How did he get in here, and where did he get the water to do that?”

“A good question.” Jayden led her up to the room Ghost Hunter had come out of. They found a large tin bathtub, and a woman wearing a nightgown curled up in the corner and shivering.

“I, he,” the woman began before falling silent.

Dana kneeled down and put an arm around her. “Shh, he’s gone now.”

“She must have had the servants draw her a bath,” Jayden said. “That was enough material for Ghost Hunter to create a body to attack you.

“I thought he gave up after we beat him.”

Jayden frowned. “As did I. I’m going to make sure he can’t try that again. We have to assume he will try.”

* * * * *
Dana didn’t sleep well after the attack even though their room was wonderful. She wasn’t used to being hunted, and having someone so hateful after her was disturbing. Jayden had spent the night asleep against the door. Dana frowned when she saw a shimmering shape in the air, almost impossible to see except for the dust in the air it pushed out of its way. It floated close to her, made loops around her head and then drifted off.

“Allow me to introduce Stanley,” Jayden said. “I learned how to summon him from the second spell tablet you received from Brasten the Unbeaten. I haven’t used it before, as the spell takes a considerable amount of time to cast and requires him to stay in one location. But today he is essential and will guard our room faithfully.”

“How tough is he?”

“Exceedingly.”

The shape drifted closer to Dana again. “What is he?”

“Stanley is a nature spirit that favors shadows. Long ago he served the Sorcerer Lords and was delighted to do so again. He quite literally works for a song.”

Dana sat at the edge of her bed. She was glad to have another friend, and was embarrassed to need one. “I’ve never heard you sing. Do you mind if I do it for you? I’d feel better about it if I did.”

“Go ahead.”

Dana took a deep breath and sang a song she’d last heard in church many years ago. It was an ode to loyalty and seemed appropriate. The barely seen thing flew slowly around her, and she heard a faint humming in time with her song. When she finished, the spirit gently pressed against her forehead before drifting off.

“How soon until Ghost Hunter attacks us again?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. Most ghosts are tied to specific locations, and are nowhere near as strong or dangerous. Their deaths were painful or they left work undone so they couldn’t depart, but that’s not the only way one can become a ghost. I fear Ghost Hunter is among the second group and made dark sacrifices to stay on this world. What little I’ve heard of such ghosts is that they need time to regain their strength after battles. How long that will take is unknown.”

Jayden was silent for a moment before he spoke again. “I accept that men seek to kill me. It’s the logical consequence of the life I’ve chosen for myself. One reason I have been reluctant to have friends or allies is what happened to you last night. For me to have a friend means risking losing them, possibly violently. I am having difficulty dealing with that possibility. You are a good woman, better than most, and morally my superior. You should know that the thought of you coming to harm is making me a tad murderous.”

“We beat him twice and he’s still not gone. If we’re going to stop this, I need you to think and not be stabby.” Jayden’s expression showed how unlikely that was, so she tried to focus his attention. “Can your magic hurt Ghost Hunter?”

He shook his head. “While Ghost Hunter hovers between life and death, he isn’t the product of necromancy. This means my spells are not more effective against him than normal, and if anything are woefully inadequate when so little hurts him.”

Dana watched the faint image of Stanley float around her. “If he’s a soul that won’t leave, this sounds more like a religious matter than a magic one. We need a priest.”

“You may be right. Bascal has many, some refugees from when King Tyros evicted the Brotherhood of the Righteous from Meadowland. We’ll see about finding one before meeting King Rascan.”

There was a knock at the door, and Jayden got up off the floor to open it. He waved for Stanley to move aside and let in Stillman.

“I understand there was an attack against you last night,” Stillman said to Jayden.

“Against her,” Jayden replied. “She dealt with him, but our foe is a ghost and I fully expect him to attack again.”

“I’ll have guards assigned to you both to prevent further attacks.” Stillman looked at Dana, his expression betraying concern mixed with pity. “You live a violent life, but I refuse to see a woman put in danger on my watch. This ghost faces the wrath of all of Bascal.”

“That’s only one matter we need to discuss,” Jayden said. “I take it you’ve spoken with your king?”

Stillman turned his attention back to Jayden. “I informed my superiors who spoke with him. Word reached me this morning that King Rascan is indeed interested in acquiring your services. There will be some delay as tomorrow’s ball must occupy his full attention, but he will send word to you through trusted servants as soon as he can.”

“So we’re not going to get to speak with him,” Dana said.

“Not in person, but be assured that any words you hear from me or my superiors come directly from him without alteration.” Stillman headed for the door. “I’ll return shortly with your guards.”

Once Stillman was gone, Jayden drove his fist into the mattress. “This trip is wasted if we only speak with bureaucrats. There’s no way they’d give one of their king’s treasures to a foreigner, especially when they are so disgustingly subservient to the man. It would be like pawning your father’s wedding ring.”

“They probably couldn’t pay us either, not when they need money for the army.”

“You’re certainly right. The best we could expect would be delayed payment, cash or gifts once the fighting is over.” Jayden scowled. “Yet I feel confident they will expect us to take considerable risks on their behalf.”

“Which is not a bad thing,” she reminded him. “If we save Bascal then that’s one kingdom Tyros and Amvicta don’t get.”

“That’s little reward for great personal expense. While this isn’t the worst possible outcome, it draws close to it.”

Dana frowned. “We can’t see anyone with Ghost hunter coming after us. Can you imagine what would happen if he attacked while we were meeting someone important?”

“Then we need God on our side in a very personal and direct way.” Jayden headed for the door. “Come, let us find a Brotherhood church and seek an audience with its priest.”

They found the hotel less occupied than last night and the guests jittery. Dana didn’t blame them when there had been an attack last night, and she heard whispers that King Tyros had been responsible for it. Sadly, they were right. Staff members gave them a wide berth except for a single woman who curtsied to Dana.

Jayden spoke briefly to a manservant and returned to Dana. “There are a number of churches we can choose from. The largest and oldest is a mile away and the most likely to have a holy man strong enough to help us or knowledgeable enough to answer our questions. They may be as busy as the king now that Bascal is at war, but if one can’t see us the others might.”

They left the hotel to the obvious relief of the staff and guests. The streets were as busy as before, and it took considerable effort to slip between crowds, wagons and draft animals. People looked determined rather than worried by the threat they faced, and work went on without complaint.

“A lot of people are staring at us,” Dana said.

“We’re strangers in their city during a time of war. I imagine many wonder who we are, why we’ve come and if we are dangerous. Try to look friendly, and easier task for you than me, and don’t stare back.”

They hadn’t gone five steps when a fashionably dressed man stared at them in horror and screamed, “Guards! Call the guards!”

Panic spread through the crowd until an older guardsman dressed in gold and red came with a sword. “Sir, what’s the matter?”

“I imagine it’s us,” Jayden said casually. “It generally is.”

“That’s a wanted man!” the fashionably dressed man cried out. People on the street backed away from Jayden and Dana. “He’s accused of arson, assault and horse stealing!”

“He missed a lot,” Dana told Jayden.

“True, but he got his point across.”

The guardsman took the fashionably dressed man by the arm and pulled him aside. “Sir, the authorities were informed of the Sorcerer Lord’s presence last night. He’s come to help.”

“B-but he’s a criminal!” the fashionably dressed man protested. “Have we sunk so low that we’ll take help from anyone? Is Bascal to become home to renegades and vagabonds?”

Jayden looked bored with the accusations and insults made against him, but Dana was worried. The bounty on Jayden’s head was massive and might convince people that he was as monstrous as Tyros claimed. What if these people turned against them? She and Jayden were armed, but she didn’t want to hurt these people.

Speaking louder, the guardsman announced, “King Rascan has accepted the Sorcerer Lord’s offer and expects the people to do the same, sir. I trust you won’t question his decision during a time of crisis.”

Dana watched the crowd’s mood go from fear to acceptance in a matter of seconds. Most moved on as if little had happened. A few stayed long enough to offer a thank you or shake his hand. An elderly man told Jayden, “A drowning man doesn’t ask who’s saving him.”

The fashionably dressed man stood confused as others moved on. He obviously didn’t like what was going on, but with no support from the authorities or his peers he couldn’t do anything. He ended up walking away, looking back every few steps at Jayden.

“That was strange,” Dana told Jayden as they walked again. “It’s like they were under a spell.”

“They’ve been taught loyalty and conformity from birth,” Jayden told her. “Don’t rock the boat, don’t stand out, don’t ask questions. Privately they might have doubts, but they won’t want to look like troublemakers in front of their peers. It’s common enough behavior, and surprisingly works to our benefit.”

Dana frowned. “My father taught me to always ask questions. I mean, technically he was right about you, he just left out the part where you did those things to the country they’re at war with. Someone should have asked him for proof or to explain himself better. Instead they just followed orders.”

“It’s common enough behavior in any kingdom,” he told her.

“It shouldn’t be.”

“I won’t argue the point with you, but we have other matters that demand our attention,” Jayden said as they walked by an open air cafe. “Once Ghost Hunter is gone, we need a way to meet the king without intermediaries. That will be a difficult task when he has so many concerns.”

“Would getting into the ball help?”

Jayden shrugged. “If nothing else it would make a meeting with him possible, but the odds of that happening are low.”

Dana smiled when she saw a familiar face moving through the crowd. It was easy to spot him when everyone bowed or curtsied when he approached. “We could ask.”

“I doubt Stillman or his fellow officers would respond well to a request.”

“I wasn’t going to ask them.” Dana broke away from Jayden and headed for someone who could help. “Prince Onus!”

Prince Onus of Kaleoth stopped in mid step when he heard her call his name. The handsome, dark haired prince wore expertly tailored linen clothes and a sword. Nearby people looked surprised by how friendly she greeted him, and a man said, “She doesn’t bow to a prince?”

Prince Onus glanced at the man and said, “She doesn’t have to. Miss Illwind, it pleases me beyond words to see you. I owe you a great debt, and an apology.”

“Don’t talk like that,” she said playfully.

“It’s true, I do. I sent you to destroy the bridges that would have allowed the invasion of my homeland, a dangerous enough task, but I never intended for you and the Sorcerer Lord to attack Wall Wolf, much less kill the iron golem. You were placed in grave peril on account of my people, and I will never forgive myself for that.” Prince Onus looked around the crowd. “Ah, there’s your friend. Greetings, Sorcerer Lord.”

“Prince,” Jayden said. “You’re a long way from home, and have nowhere near the protection a man of your status requires.”

“It’s unavoidable,” he said. “King Rascan asked me to come to coordinate our efforts to repel Meadowland’s attacks. He refused offers to speak with court ministers and insisted I come in person so any deals made would be binding. Regarding my light guard detail, Rascan made it clear that bringing bodyguards would be insulting when I’m in his capital. Klim brought me here on a magic cloud, but I had to send him back at once. He is needed back home to repel fresh attacks from Meadowland.”

Prince Onus waved at the crowd and explained, “Do not fear for my safety, though, for I have armed men in the crowd following me. Bascal maintains an effective and stealthy security team for my protection.”

“It’s still a big risk walking in the open like this,” Dana told him.

“If I hide, I send the message that I’m afraid, and that Kaleoth is weak willed.” Prince Onus smiled and said, “But enough of my troubles. Seeing you greatly eases my mind. I thought I’d never get the chance to thank you in person. Fate smiles on me for a change. What brings you here?”

Dana smiled back. “Jayden’s looking for spell tablets that belong to King Rascan. We’re supposed to meet someone who will meet someone who might get them for us, but it’s a long shot. Say, I bet you’re going to tomorrow’s ball. Any way you could get us in?”

Prince Onus looked around like someone about to confess a secret. He stepped closer before asking, “Would you? I feel foolish for asking, but Bascal’s noblewomen have made the most improper requests of me since I arrived. They might be more discreet if I’m in the company of a woman.”

Puzzled, she asked, “What sort of request?” Prince Onus blushed, and Dana blushed too when she realized what he meant. “Oh!”

“It wouldn’t hurt to have known heroes in my company, either,” Prince Onus added. “Most of the people I’ve met have been polite, but a few question my kingdom’s commitment to fighting the war, and our capacity to do so.”

“That’s rude! Isn’t that rude, Jayden?”

“Barbaric,” Jayden said dryly. “We’d be most pleased to chaperone you and keep scandalous women at arm’s length.”

The meeting was interrupted when Stillman came upon them with four knights. “Why did you leave the hotel when I told you I was bringing guards?”

“Because your guards can’t hurt a ghost and we need someone who can,” Jayden replied. “Kind of you to make the effort, though. Have you met the prince? Charming fellow.”

Stillman glanced at Prince Onus. “Oh dear. Royal security is going to have my head over this. If we can continue this discussion in private, please?”

A chill ran down Dana’s back, and she saw everyone on the street suddenly look surprised. She drew her sword and said, “He’s back.”

Ghost Hunter hit Stillman from behind hard enough to send him to the ground. People screamed and ran as Ghost Hunter’s new body made from dirt, dung and garbage grabbed a knight and shoved him into the wall of a tavern. The other knights drew their swords and attacked, doing little to a body made of solids and water in equal parts. Their weapons struck to little effect when there were no organs to pierce or veins to cut. He pushed them aside and strode after Dana.

Dana raised Chain Cutter to strike, and was surprised to see Prince Onus step alongside her with his own blade drawn. Men across the street drew hidden weapons and ran to the prince’s defense, welcome help. They should be able to hurt this body more easily than the water one Ghost Hunter had made, but he’d come back twice now. How many more times could he do this?

“Where’s my sickle, wench?” Ghost Hunter demanded. “Give it back or I’ll—”

There was a flash of red at Ghost Hunter’s knees, and he fell to the street with his right leg severed. Jayden held up the red sickle with its glowing blade. “What, this old thing? Hello, Ghost Hunter. I see you’ve built yourself a body that matches your soul.”

“You dog!” Ghost Hunter yelled as he struggled to get up. That ended when Jayden swept the sickle down and took off Ghost Hunter’s right arm at the shoulder. Jayden grabbed what was left of his enemy and shoved him against the tavern wall.

“This is the third time you’ve lost to us,” Jayden said through gritted teeth. “We can and will kill you as many times as it takes to get it through your head that you’ll never win. Do you hear me, you petty, pathetic excuse for a man? You will never win!”

Ghost Hunter scowled back with a face made of filth. “I can lose a hundred times. You only have to lose once.”

“I’m legitimately sorry this won’t hurt,” Jayden said. He stepped back and cast a spell to form his shield of spinning black blades, and diced Ghost Hunter’s body to pieces. Bits of him flew across the street before the spell failed. Ghost Hunter reappeared as a translucent young man, enraged and snarling before he faded away.

“You have problems of your own,” Prince Onus said. He sheathed his blade and said, “They are now my problems, too.”

Jayden helped up Stillman. “Not long ago we fought Ghost Hunter and won, a victory he is intent on contesting. We need him dealt with permanently before dusk.”

“I’ve heard of this fiend,” Stillman said. “He’s said to have fought countless battles over thirty years. What can we do to hurt him that others didn’t?”

“We get holy,” Jayden told them. “Only hours passed since his last attack, so we must assume he won’t need long to regain his strength. Hurry, for time is not an ally.”

“Prince, you must leave,” Stillman told Prince Onus.

That request didn’t go over well. “I have no intention of running when a woman’s life is in danger.”

Stillman didn’t give up. “You have responsibilities to your people and your kingdom.”

“I don’t run from threats, and every second spent arguing is time our enemy can come back again.” Prince Onus looked to Jayden. “If you know our destination, lead on.”

Dana and Jayden led Prince Onus, Stillman, four knights and ten secret agents assigned to Onus down the street. Bystanders got out of their way when they saw so many armed men, and a few called out for the city watch. Dana was worried that every second they traveled gave Ghost Hunter time to come after her again. This was putting other lives in danger, too, including the prince and sole heir of Kaleoth.

Jayden followed directions he’d gotten from the hotel’s staff until they reached a Brotherhood of the Righteous church at the edge of the city. The building was majestic, tall and built of granite blocks to protect it from attacks and the fury of the elements. Large wood doors were open to admit worshipers and stained glass windows let in light and showed saints and angels.

The church took up a large section of the city block, but it wasn’t the only building. Storekeepers beckoned pedestrians to come and buy goods, trying to get attention of worshipers on their way to service. One called out, “War’s not the time to be undefended. Don’t let your children be orphaned when a blade could save you.”

“Selling weapons outside a church,” Dana said. “That’s tacky.”

“What about you, sir?” the storekeeper asked Jayden as he marched up to the church. “A man can never be too well armed.”

Jayden tossed the glowing sickle into the air and caught it. “I agree wholeheartedly.”

The storekeeper gazed longingly at the magic weapon. “Ooh, how much did that put you back?”

A sudden chill ran across Dana, and she grabbed her sword.

“It cost him his life,” Ghost Hunter said as he rebuilt his body. Daggers flew up from the storekeeper’s stall to make a man of blades. Knights and secret agents cried out in shock as their swords were pulled from their sheaths and drawn into the horrible mass of weapons. Jayden and Prince Onus lost both their swords as they were pulled from their scabbards and flew into the air. Chain Cutter nearly flew from Dana’s hands, but she held the handle tightly until the force pulling it stopped.

Ghost Hunter’s new body stood seven feet tall, with swords for hands and more swords sticking out of his back and legs. A malignant sight, the swords and daggers that made up his body glittered in the sunlight. He took a step toward them, stretching his arms and legs before going into a run straight for Dana.

“Scatter!” Jayden ordered as he grabbed Dana and Prince Onus by the hand. He ran into the church with Ghost Hunter only steps behind them. Once they were inside, he pushed the two of them forward while he went to the right.

Inside the church was much like Dana remembered from her youth. There were rows of benches leading to a marble altar. Bowls of holy water were next to the doors and a baptismal font stood to the left of altar, and a huge pipe organ to the altar’s right. Well-worn carpeting covered the floor. Dana spotted eight men and women seated at the benches in prayer, although they looked up as she and Prince Onus ran by.

An elderly brotherhood priest standing by the altar saw them coming and stepped toward them. The black clad priest brushed white hair from his brow and asked, “Sir, madam, people are screaming outside. What is the cause of this disturbance?”

“Angry ghost!” Dana yelled as she ran to the priest.

“Angry?” Ghost Hunter asked as he marched after them, his body of daggers and swords cutting up the carpeting with each step. Worshippers screamed and ran from the walking weapon. “Try murderous, you stupid cow. I’m going to fillet you both!”

The priest’s eyes opened wide and his mouth opened, but surprise was quickly replaced by resolve. He saw Chain Cutter in Dana’s hand and pointed at it. “Place it on the altar, hurry!”

“God’s not going to save you!” Ghost Hunter snarled, and he broke into a run. “No one’s going to save you!”

Ghost Hunter’s hateful taunts ended when a black whip wrapped around his waist. He cried out in surprise, then anger as the whip began to burn through his newest body. Dana saw Jayden behind Ghost Hunter, pulling hard on the whip and trying to stop his enemy. It wasn’t enough, Ghost Hunter was too big this time, too strong, and he forced his way forward. He was slowed, not stopped.

The priest seized a large silver bowl from inside the baptismal font and hurried to the altar. He poured it onto Dana’s sword, and to her shock Chain Cutter absorbed the holy water like a dry sponge. The priest set aside the bowl and called out prayers and benedictions. Chain Cutter glowed white as it took up everything the priest could give it.

“I can make a hundred bodies after this!” Ghost Hunter vowed. “You will die! I’ll kill you, your friends, your family, everyone you love!”

Jayden’s whip cut through one of the daggers that made up Ghost Hunter’s body. Another dagger came apart and fell to the floor, then a sword. He was destroying Ghost Hunter, but not fast enough. Ghost Hunter would be on them before he was gone again.

“It’s ready!” the priest called out.

Dana grabbed her sword and nearly dropped it in surprise. Chain Cutter was warm to the touch, and it glowed a pure white light. She heard voices when she held it, prayers she remembered from childhood.

“You think that will stop me?” Ghost Hunter said contemptuously as he reached the altar. He raised his right arm high and swung it down with two stolen swords aimed at her head.

“Yes,” she told him, hacked off his arm in a shower of sparks before plunging Chain Cutter through his chest.

Dana had seen Ghost Hunter lose three bodies, two to her and one to Jayden, but she’d never heard him scream as he did now. His body of weapons shook, and dropped daggers and swords cut in half as Chain Cutter sliced through it. He staggered under the attack, crying out in agony until his body of blades fell apart. Dana saw Ghost Hunter’s translucent body with her sword driven through his heart. He grabbed it and tried to pull the sword out, and cried out louder as her sword cut his hands.

“You have done great evil,” the priest said as he strode up to Ghost Hunter. “You separated yourself from God and His love when you tied yourself to darkness. You sacrificed everything that truly mattered to hurt others. Even in the throes of evil you had the chance to repent, to be redeemed, and refused it. You will have no more chances.”

“No!” Ghost Hunter cried out. “No!”

“Name yourself,” the priest ordered.

“T-Tellmet Skies,” Ghost Hunter whispered.

The priest’s eyes narrowed, and he pointed a finger at Ghost Hunter. “Tellmet Skies, that sword has severed the bonds that held you to this world. I finish what it started. In His name I order you to leave. Face the judgement you have avoided for so long, and never return.”

Dana couldn’t understand what the priest said next. His words were like thunder that filled the church, echoing between its walls. Ghost Hunter’s panicked screaming was lost in the sound. She saw hands take hold of the ghost and pull him away, but couldn’t see who they were. Ghost Hunter’s rage and spite were replaced with terror as he reached to her for help mere moments after trying to kill her. There was a flash as he disappeared, and the thunderous voice fell silent.

“Wow,” Dana said. She lowered her sword and stared at the mass of weapons on the church floor.

Stillman walked up alongside Jayden. “Is he dead?”

“Tellmet Skies has been dead for some time,” the priest said. “His soul has moved on despite his best efforts to remain.”

“Where did he go?” Dana asked.

“Heaven is an unlikely answer,” the priest told her. He bent down to comfort a frightened woman who’d come here to worship and found her place of refuge turned into a battlefield. “I can’t imagine why he was so foolish as to enter a house of God.”

Jayden retrieved his sword and handed Prince Onus back his blade. “It was a toxic blend of rage and stupidity, aggravated by recent losses to Dana and myself.”

Prince Onus walked up next to Dana. “You killed a ghost. That’s amazing.”

“Oh, ah, it was a group effort,” she told him. Dana was about to sheath Chain Cutter when she noticed it was still glowing. The voices she’d heard praying when she touched it were whispers, but not entirely silent. “Exactly what did you do to my sword?”

The priest looked over at Chain Cutter. “I imagine you’ve never seen that ceremony before. I sanctified your blade so it could hurt him. It now carries within it an infinitesimally small portion of heaven’s glory, enough to put an end to those who immerse themselves in darkness. It’s been quite some time since I had to sanctify a weapon, but thankfully my request for aid was answered.”

“When will the effect wear off?” she asked him.

“It won’t.”

Ghost of a Chance part 1

Dana and Jayden waited patiently, surrounded by soldiers wearing the red and gold of Bascal’s army over their chain armor. The soldiers looked confused and didn’t point their swords or spears at Jayden. One man stared at Jayden, who smiled at him until the man looked away.

They’d spent the last two hours on this warm, sunny summer day outside a small fort built in the wooded mountainous border between Meadowland and Bascal. The narrow trail they’d taken was flanked by high rough rocks, too difficult to climb for any but a mountain goat. This fort and the barricade across the trail blocked all passage. The hundred soldiers manning it looked capable and well-armed, and thoroughly befuddled.

“Is this going to take much longer?” Jayden asked.

“Not too long, sir,” an archer replied.

“Should we get them something?” a spearman asked. “Refreshments?”

“I don’t know,” the archer admitted.

“Not big on camouflage, are they,” Dana said to Jayden.

One of the archers looked smug. “Bascal’s army has nothing to hide from. Let them send dozens, hundreds, thousands, and this fort will still stand.”

Dana wasn’t sure if that was bravado or he was trying to keep his men’s morale up. Either way, she didn’t share his opinion. The narrow path would only let a few men across it at a time, but a large enough force could keep sending men one after the other until the fort fell, and that assumed Meadowland didn’t send wizards or monsters to support the attack. None of these men looked like they could stop a golem.

One of the spearmen’s eyes went up and down Dana’s body. Annoyed, she put her hands on her hips and demanded, “You’ve never seen a girl before?”

“Not in the last two months.”

“That’s how long you’ve been up here?” She glanced at Jayden and asked, “Is that normal for armies?”

“Long deployments are common during times of peace and essential during war.” Jayden yawned and stretched his arms. “Gentlemen, we’re rapidly running out of daylight. Are there sleeping accommodations for the lady?”

“Not really,” the archer admitted. “The barracks is filled with your prisoners. We don’t have a place to sleep ourselves until they’re shipped back.”

“Horseman approaching!” a scout called out. He pointed up the trail and squinted. “Officer!”

“Finally,” Jayden said.

The mounted officer wore a fancier version of the gold and red Bascal army uniform over his plate armor, with medals on his shoulders and a glowing sword in hand. He slowed to a trot and stopped ahead of the soldiers. Men stood at attention and saluted, only relaxing when he saluted back. “Report.”

A spearman answered him. “Sir, earlier today we heard sounds of battle across the border. I sent a scout to investigate, and he found a Meadowland company in full retreat. They left behind some weapons and food along with eighteen wounded men. It seems this man, the Sorcerer Lord, and the girl following him are responsible. They asked us to take charge of the wounded enemy and then the Sorcerer Lord asked, and I quote, sir, ‘Take me to your leader,’ end quote. We brought the two of them here with the prisoners and sent for you.”

The officer studied Jayden, his expression alternating curiosity and suspicion. “You wished to see a leader of Bascal. Speak your piece.”

“I come seeking an audience with your king.” Jayden spoke more diplomatically than normal. “We share a common foe, one driven and capable, that I cannot stop alone. I seek the aid of your king and offer my own in return.”

“You think he would welcome a criminal into our ranks?” the officer challenged.

Dana stepped closer to Jayden so he was between her and the officer, and then took Jayden’s hand and pressed it softly. She wanted to speak to him, to ask him to keep his temper in check, but she couldn’t in front of this man without making him look weak. She hoped he understood what she was trying to get across without words. A few soldiers noticed but said nothing.

Jayden didn’t look bothered. “He may accept my help or decline it, as is his right. It is my hope, though, that he will if nothing else hear me words, for I have seen things he must know of. You know my name and reputation. I am no friend of Tyros and Amvicta, nor the men they surround themselves with. I’ve fought long and hard against them, and you now fight them, too. I have never raised a hand against Bascal. Indeed, I have visited your land in peace. Despise me if you will, but do not consider me unworthy after the battles I have fought against those who seek to tear down all that you love.”

The officer chuckled. “I’d heard you had a rage within you that could burn cities. It seems your woman has had a gentling effect on you.”

Nearby soldiers winced or looked away. Dana pressed harder on his hand, silently praying he wouldn’t get offended. Jayden’s eyes narrowed, and when he spoke it was with a coldness verging on insult. “She is a friend. I give my respect to few, yet she has earned it time and again.”

An archer cleared his throat and said, “Begging your pardon, sir, but tales claim the girl is one of four who fought Wall Wolf the iron golem. She walked away and it, ah, didn’t.”

The officer kept his eyes on Jayden. “I’d heard the same story. Very well, Sorcerer Lord, I believe you’re a danger to your own homeland and not mine. Whether King Rascan wishes to see you or not is beyond my station, but we will receive you and he will learn of your visit. I can offer no more.”

“That is enough,” Jayden replied.

The officer nodded to the archer who’d spoken. “Gather up the prisoners and bring them with us to the city. I’m afraid you’ll have to walk, Sorcerer Lord.”

“Actually, we won’t be.” Jayden waved for a soldier to bring three horses from behind the fort. “An enemy was obliging enough to provide us with transport.”

“Is he among the living?” the officer asked teasingly.

“It’s an honor not all of his associates share.”

The officer led Dana and Jayden along with ten soldiers and eighteen prisoners down the path. The moon rose and shined far overhead when they left the mountains and reached a sizeable city lit up as bright as day. The city was walled and had round towers that boasted bright beacons and ballista manned by more troops. There were no buildings outside the wall, but Dana spotted wreckage that might have been a house.

“That looks recent,” she told Jayden.

“It is, and there are more of them ahead. I believe our hosts tore down every building outside the city wall so as to provide Meadowland no cover or shelter should they reach this far.”

“That means a lot of people lost everything they had.”

“They would have lost it when a Meadowland army attacks. This way they had an opportunity to salvage what they could.” Jayden rode on a moment in silence before saying, “The owners will also have the blessing of going to safer quarters with more protection than those buildings could provide.”

The officer interrupted, saying, “Take no pity on the men and women who lived here. They gave up their property willingly for the good of Bascal.”

Dana wasn’t so sure how willing those people had been. When men with swords arrived, wise people kept their mouths shut and did as they were told. The owners of these shops and homes may have smiled and nodded when they were ordered to leave, only to weep afterwards. It was sad to see so many lose so much when the war hadn’t reached them yet.

City gates opened to grant them entry, and armed men exited to greet them. The officer explained who his guests were, and they were received without complaint. The prisoners were taken to cells while Dana and Jayden were shown to a house barely large enough to fit them. There were many other brick houses far larger, but they were filled to capacity with people.

“My apologies for your poor accommodations, but space was hard to come by even before the war,” the officer explained. “I’ll have food sent to you and someone will look after your horses. You’ll be sent to the capital tomorrow with an armed escort. What happens from there is your own doing.”

“A roof over our heads and full stomachs is all I ask for myself and the lady,” Jayden replied. He opened the door and ushered Dana in before stepping inside and closing the door. Inside they found straw mattresses on the floor and nothing else. “This is going as well as could be expected, but we still need to be careful. If they have heard of you, they may know about your magic sword and seek to claim it. Let no one hold Chain Cutter without my express permission regardless of their rank or station.”

“We might get robbed by the people we came to for help. Peachy.”

Jayden set down his bags and tested a mattress with his hand. “The rich and powerful often have an exaggerated opinion of what belongs to them. War’s coming will only make this worse, as they seek any and all means to prolong their survival. Our being foreigners will only increase this tendency.”

“They’d rob a Sorcerer Lord?”

He smiled. “They’d try to. Should that happen I intend to abandon any and all efforts to be reasonable.”

“No killing people, Jayden.”

“You do restrict my entertainment.”

* * * * *

Morning brought no attempted robberies and a filling breakfast of eggs and oatmeal. Dana was grateful for fresh food after eating far too much hardtack and dried meat. Their horses were returned, fed and watered, and a new officer approached with four mounted knights.

“I am Captain Stillman,” the man said as he saluted. “I’ve been tasked with bringing you to the capital. The ride should take only three days, and you will be given food and shelter equal to what I receive.”

“Most generous of you,” Jayden said as Dana mounted her horse.

“Word reached us that you helped destroy an army of the undead in Meadowland,” Stillman replied. “I wouldn’t turn down capable assistance.”

Jayden froze. “I’m curious how you heard of that event.”

“A Ms. Lockheart provided vivid testimony, supported by Meadowland soldiers that defected after the outrage.” Stillman smiled and added, “Ms. Lockheart speaks most enthusiastically of the event, and of you.”

Dana giggled. “You left Meadowland, but you can’t get away from Suzy.”

“Death may not be enough to free me of her,” Jayden said grimly, provoking more giggles from Dana.

The trip took a day longer that Stillman said, but it was unavoidable when the road was so crowded. Wagon trained loaded with food, weapons, building materials, livestock and more took up much of the road. Soldiers marching for the front competed for space with civilians fleeing battles. Leaving the road was out of the question when it seemed every square inch of flat ground was either farm fields or homes.

“When last we saw Lockheart, she was going to close one of the passes between Meadowland and Bascal,” Jayden told Stillman. “Did she succeed?”

“Ms. Lockheart’s explosive exceeded expectations,” Stillman replied. “Meadowland soldiers are trying to clear the pass while our men oppose them. That leaves one major pass and river access to Bascal. We hold them all, but pressure increases daily. Your King Tyros seems to have limitless men under his command, and not just men.”

“I may be of some service in reducing the odds against you.”

Stillman glanced at Dana. “Some may question employing you, but desperate times make for unlikely alliances. You and your swordswoman will be welcomed in many quarters.”

“Wait, I’m a what?” Dana asked.

“My apologies if my description of you is inaccurate, but all the tales I’ve heard regarding you speak of you dispatching foes with a magic sword. Have you other skills?”

Dana frowned as she considered the question. Her training with Jayden was far from complete, but she could see why someone who didn’t know her well would think that’s what she did for a living. How else would she describe herself? Mayor’s daughter, farmer girl and trapper of rabbits didn’t sound impressive. Some might describe her as a thief after all the things she’d taken, which left her feeling queasy. “I guess we should stick with swordswoman.”

“It’s a rarity here,” Stillman told her. “Almost as much as Sorcerer Lords. Have you apprentices that could help?”

“None,” Jayden told him, “and this is a poor time to train one.”

“Agreed,” Stillman said. “Training a soldier can take a year. Less than that and you’ve only created a victim. I would imagine training a wizard takes even longer.”

They entered more mountainous lands heavy with trees and a few houses. As they came to the top of a hill, Stillman stopped his horse and pointed at a distance city. “Welcome to Dragon Roost, capital of Bascal.”

“Oh my,” Dana said. She’d seen only a few cities in Meadowland, and many of them were massively disappointing. Dragon Roost broke that record in an awe inspiring way, with towering walls of stones fitted together so well they seemed to be carved from a single piece of stone. Buildings rose high into the air with impressive designs that included huge carvings of eagles. Central to the city was a castle so massive Dana wondered how anyone could ever hope to take it by force.

“I doubt Meadowland has anything to compare to it,” Stillman said smugly.

“Tyros and Amvicta spent their money elsewhere,” Jayden said darkly.

Dragon Roost was a city out of dreams, but as Dana approached, she saw a worrying sign. Guards were common enough, but they were older men and boys younger than she was. They were equipped with armor and weapons equal to the other soldiers she’d seen, but it seemed an ill fit for those clearly not the right age to fight.

Stillman saw her questioning look and explained, “Bascal’s best warriors are needed at the frontlines, leaving a need for warriors elsewhere. King Rascan has called up veterans to serve again and conscripted boys to fill the ranks. They serve here to free up men to fight. Don’t fear for them. Dragon Roost’s strong walls make even boys and gray haired men a threat no one would face.”

Dana didn’t share Stillman’s faith. She’d fought enough monsters and golems to understand how much damage they could do. True, they could fall, and she’d beaten many herself, but that was with Chain Cutter and Jayden. Could these boys do the same without such help?

A smaller gate opened to let them into the city, and they found the interior as grand as the outsides. Dragon Roost was packed with people of all races, draft animals, exotic beasts and more. Larger houses had large pots growing beautiful flowers on their balconies and porches. Dana saw four people on the streets traveling with brightly colored birds as big as hawks sitting on their shoulders, and the birds made no attempt to fly away. Residents were uniformly healthy and well dressed, better than most Dana had seen. Dana and Jayden’s arrival attracted only minor attention as they traveled the crowded streets, no surprise when it seemed like half the men they came across were rich and armed.

“Is it always like this?” Dana asked Stillman.

“It’s a tad more crowded than normal because King Rascan is holding a ball for his followers.”

Dana’s jaw dropped. “During a war?”

“The ball is an excuse to gather trusted allies and enlist more help,” Jayden explained. “Rascan is facing a war that could end his dynasty, and wants to make sure his nobles and allies will do their part. He will meet privately with those he depends most on, assigning duties and promising rewards for their aid. Those not citizens of Bascal, like ourselves, may find rewards for our support, even if we’re held at arm’s length.”

Stillman shot Jayden an angry look. Dana said, “Sorry, he’s as subtle as a brick to the face.”

“True,” Jayden admitted, “but am I wrong?”

“It’s not my place to question my king’s actions or guess his motives,” Stillman said firmly. “King Rascan knows more than I and can better judge what course Bascal should take. I would strongly suggest you consider your words more carefully if he should choose to speak with you. No man is so important that he might question a king.”

“That’s an opinion sadly common among those living in Meadowland,” Jayden replied. “I’ve been my own man too long to bow to another, but rest assured I will be polite to Rascan.”

“King Rascan,” Stillman corrected him.

Stillman led them through the streets to a hotel large enough to house two hundred people. Staff took their horses to a stable and led them inside the luxurious building. Red and gold carpets covered the floor and stairs, paintings hung on the walls, and gilt cages held brightly colored birds. The hotel’s common room was packed with guests and staff catering to their needs so there was little room to even stand. Stillman spoke to the hotel’s manager in private while Dana and Jayden waited at the entrance.

“The manager doesn’t look happy to see us,” Dana said softly.

Jayden studied Stillman as he continued speaking with the manager. “He’s telling Stillman there’s no room to spare. Stillman is ordering him to find a room even if that means emptying one for us.”

“I don’t want to get someone kicked out on the street,” Dana protested.

“Nor do I, but I believe Stillman has judged us a prize worth having. His superiors will reward him richly for bringing a wizard to defend Bascal. If that means treating someone of less importance poorly, it’s a price he’s willing to pay.”

“Maybe we can stay somewhere else tonight.”

Stillman returned smiling. “I’ve arranged for you to stay at the king’s request, so there will be no charge.”

“Please tell me someone didn’t lose their bed because of us,” Dana said.

“No, but two men of minor influence will have to share a room. I’ll inform the king of your arrival. Whether he sees you or one of his ministers is an open question, but either way you’ll both need more appropriate clothing. It’s not every day a man meets royalty.”

“Oh, it might surprise you how often it happens,” Jayden replied. “If we’re expected to dress for success, can you recommend a tailor for us?”

Stillman waved for a manservant to join them. “Take these two to Cassandra’s. If you’ll excuse me, I need to inform my superiors that you’re here.”

Stillman left the hotel, and the manservant looked offended at being so close to Dana and Jayden. He sniffed and said, “If you’ll come with me…sir.”

“A moment first,” Jayden said pleasantly. He leaned in close to the manservant’s ear and whispered too softly for Dana to hear him. When he stepped back, the manservant’s face was as white as a sheet, his eye opened wide and fixed on Jayden. “Do we understand each other?”

“Yes sir, and madam.”

“Must you make enemies everywhere we go?” Dana asked Jayden as they followed the manservant out of the hotel.

“I don’t make enemies. I deal with them efficiently when I meet them.”

It took them some time to find Cassandra’s, a ratty looking shop far from Dragon Roost’s brightly lit thoroughfares. The windows were dirty and little light came through them, the brick walls needed fresh mortar, and the street had more than its share of trash.

“It doesn’t impress at first sight,” Jayden said as he studied the building.

“Cassandra does quality work even if she’s not favored by the city elite,” the manservant said quickly. “She has a reputation for speaking her mind, sir.”

Jayden cheered up quickly. “Now that is worthy praise. I believe we can find our way back to the hotel without further assistance, and you doubtless have work to do.”

The manservant bowed and hastily left. Jayden rubbed his hands together and opened the door. “Let’s see if the owner is open to accepting work.”

“Whatever happens, don’t threaten her life.”

A bell rang as they stepped into the shop’s dark interior. Unlike the outside, the building’s insides were clean. Counters and shelves were heavy with beautifully dyed cloth, and wood dummies wearing the most beautiful dresses Dana had ever seen stood like dancers. Silks, furs, cotton, wool, linen, even snake skins, there didn’t seem to be a fabric or material missing.

“You said we wouldn’t have to share rooms anymore!” a girl shrieked from the back of the store.

An older woman’s voice answered, “I’m sorry, is the invasion upsetting your delicate sensibilities? Your cousins are coming and need somewhere to sleep.”

Another girl cried, “There’s not enough room!”

“Bread prices have doubled and you’re worried about room,” the older woman’s voice replied sharply.

“Ahem,” Jayden said.

The voices fell silent, and they heard people running to them. A door opened at the back of the room to let in a white haired woman in a beautiful yellow cotton dress and carrying a lit oil lamp. Behind her came two girls no older than eleven dressed in vibrant red skirts and yellow blouses. The girls took one look at Jayden before turning to one another and giggling.

“Shush, both of you,” the old woman said.

“Cassandra, I presume?” Jayden asked. “You come recommended.”

Cassandra gave him a calculating look with a sly smile. “You’re going to the ball.”

“Quite possibly.”

“You and the girl need clothes.”

Jayden studied his fingernails. “We do need appropriate attire.”

“You can pay for them?” she asked hopefully.

Jayden took a coin pouch from his belongings and tossed it to Cassandra. “I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t.”

Cassandra tore open the pouch and poured coins into her hands. “Gold! Sissy, Meryl, light the candles and get my shears.”

“I get to take his measurements!” one of the girls squealed.

“No fair!” the other whined.

Dana assumed it would take days to produce clothes good enough to stand in front of a king, but Cassandra had no trouble with the task. She had plenty of clothes already made that needed only slight adjustments to fit like a glove, almost like she was expecting them. Once she had a basic black suit and jacket for Jayden, she embellished it with mother of pearl on the shoulders and gloves, and white accents on the legs. Boots came next, black with white along the sides. She finished with a silver pin and white ribbon to tie back his hair in a ponytail that she slid into the back of his jacket.

“As impressive as I expected,” Jayden told her.

Cassandra turned her gaze on Dana. “Black and silver worked for your man, but I think you need a gentler touch. Innocent, pure, with just a hint of anger.”

“Anger?” Dana asked.

Cassandra grabbed a silk dress and held it up against Dana. “I see it in your eyes. Outrage at offenses too many to count. You hold it back, hiding it from the world, but you’ve a temper to match his. Don’t say otherwise.”

“This is why you don’t get more business, grandma,” one of the girls scolded her.

Cassandra went to work modifying the dress. “I say what I see. Not my fault if others don’t like it.”

Dana’s jaw dropped when she saw Cassandra’s work. Her silk dress seemed to shimmer in even the faintest light. Cassandra added silk the color of ripe red apples on the back and skirt, and gorgeous braided red silk along the forearms and down her back. This came with white gloves that reached to her elbows and white shoes that came halfway to Dana’s knees.

“No high heels?” one of the girls asked.

“This is a girl who runs,” Cassandra said. “I’ve added a sheath for your sword on the back. The ribbons will cover it.”

Horrified, Dana asked, “You think I’m bringing a sword to a party?”

“Your man doesn’t need one with the power coming off him, but you do,” Cassandra replied. She tallied up the cost for their new clothes. When she tried to hand Jayden his change, he shook his head. Cassandra smiled at him. “I get feelings about people. You’ve done more than most and aren’t close to being finished. I see a heart of gold wrapped in rusty chains. Break them off for yourself and those who need you.”

“You’re an interesting woman, Cassandra,” Jayden told her. “I’m glad we met.”

Cassandra wrapped Jayden’s suit and Dana’s dress in paper before sending them on their way. They’d nearly left when Cassandra said, “Wait. We’re not alone.”

Dana looked down the streets packed with people. No one looked suspicious, but she felt a shiver run down her back, like someone had walked on her grave. Everyone on the street suddenly stopped walking and looked around. Whatever caused it passed quickly, and people shook off the effect.

“What was that?” Dana asked.

Cassandra held her shears like a weapon. “Not sure, but I know evil when I feel it. You two be careful. No coincidence that happening the same time you’re here.”

“Wise words from a wise woman,” Jayden said. He took Dana by the arm and left for the hotel. The trip was peaceful with no further chills, but it worried Dana all the same. She’d experienced a lot in the time she’d been following Jayden. This was new, disturbing. They reached the hotel by nightfall without incident and found it slowing down. Most of the guests were in their rooms and staff were bringing trays of food to guests’ rooms. Jayden spoke briefly with a servant before returning to Dana.

“We’ve been assigned room 204. Take our things up to the room and wait for me there. I’m going to have them send us meals and place wards.”

“I’ve never seen you use wards.”

Jayden glanced at the door. “I’ve never felt the need to do so before, but something or someone was on that street with us. I mean to keep it at arm’s length.”

Interlude 3

“This is a new disaster,” Queen Amvicta said. She had the good sense to speak quietly when there were so many witnesses, but King Tyros still frowned. Formal banquets like this were part of being king. This was a large one with over a hundred court members, noblemen and other notables. It wouldn’t do to unsettle them.

In other kingdoms such banquets would be an opportunity for developing comradery with followers and encouraging their efforts. Not here. Tyros had no sense of fellowship with the men who served him. They were doing a job, nothing more, and if they failed were replaced. Instead Tyros used the meal as another opportunity to read reports and issue written orders. Paperwork was staggering, and the war vastly increased the workload. This meal began with a stack of paper four inches tall, and Tyros had only gotten through half of it.

King Tyros looked over a report from one of his spies while he ate. The meal was filling if too rich for his liking. Cakes, roast duck, sugared fruit, and there were more courses to come. Food was for sustenance, and this use of spices and sugars a needless expense. “Which one? Your cousin’s failures, the slow progress against Zentrix, or the army stalled at Kaleoth’s border?”

Amvicta gave him a sour look. The two of them were alone at their table at the head of the hall, placing the nearest person thirty feet away. That gave them some privacy, but they still had to keep their tone low to avoid eavesdropping. “Vander’s problems are your making. You sent that walking abomination to him.”

“Flawed tools are all I have. Vander was told to be subtle using Victory’s Edge. Instead his poor security resulted in the wizard’s death.”

Amvicta scowled before dabbing her bread in a honey sauce. “There was never going to be anything subtle about using that foreigner. You heard what he does to men.”

“That’s why Vander was instructed to use his magic on the gladiators. We wouldn’t have to pay them once they were dead, or deal with their insubordination. It would have been a force equalizer after losing the stone and timber golems.”

Tyros and Amvicta fell silent when a servant cleared away their empty dishes. Tyros would have to skip a meal tomorrow after such overeating. There was still a lot of food on the table, wasteful in Tyros’ opinion, but people were watching. If the king didn’t eat well they’d think something was wrong, possibly that he was sick.

Their guests were only too happy to gorge. Richly dressed, wearing jewelry and eating like hogs at a trough, it was hard not to hold them in contempt. Tyros was willing to forgive some of them when they worked hard, but for most of them it was gluttony, plain and simple. Sadly that included his sons. Palan was indulging in his usual behavior, chatting with servant girls and feasting on sweets. “Must he act like a child?”

Amvicta followed his gaze and rolled her eyes. “He’s a young man with a youth’s appetite, and not an ounce of fat on him. As for talking with the staff, that wasn’t a sin last I checked.”

Eskas was as bad. The older of Tyros’ sons was stronger after years of regular combat training. He ate like a horse because he worked like one. Sadly he was nearly as smart as one. Brutish, uncultured, arrogant, he was Palan’s opposite yet managed to be just as much a failure in his own way. The surly, dark haired young man kept his eyes on his parents.

Amvicta broke his line of thought when she handed him a sheet of paper. “Since you brought him up, Palan has submitted a proposal for repairing Grist Castle.”

Tyros wiped his hands off on a towel and took the paper. He expected worthless drivel in keeping with all Palan’s ideas, but this had some merit. The boy must be learning, or had someone coach him. “It uses manpower on hand and keeps costs down. The timetable is reasonable, too. I’ll look over it in more detail tonight.”

Amvicta looked pleased that one of her sons had done something right for once. Tyros was merely surprised they hadn’t let him down again. Heaven above, what had he done to earn such weak, stupid offspring? Even Mastram had showed little potential, hiding away in the castle library, mourning the dead instead of moving on. Tyros had loved the boy as much as he’d able to after so much pain and loss, but Mastram had been a scholar when his father needed a warrior. Losing him had hurt, a pain that cropped up in dark times, but it was a necessity rather than a tragedy. If Mastram had been a stronger son the loss would have been greater.

“I was referring to this,” Amvicta said tartly. She pointed to a report from their forces near Zentrix.

Tyros had already read the report. “And?”

“The hunting party we sent after the Sorcerer Lord failed. Five dangerous men went out. Two are dead, two more sort of dead. How does someone become sort of dead?”

Tyros had seen such horrors during the civil war that little surprised him regarding death. “One is a ghost and the other is immortal. He will already be reborn in fire and screams, somewhere or other. I’m told he could return ten feet from where he died or a thousand miles away.”

“They failed.” It was surprising to see Amvicta admit her blunders. She must be emboldened by the fact that Tyros had agreed with her, making it their failure and not hers alone.

“They succeeded,” he replied. “We sent them to find and kill Jayden. They found him, an impressive feat few have even tried. This gnome, Bargle, claims responsibility for locating the Sorcerer Lord, and he isn’t among the dead. He succeeded once, he can do so again, but this time at the head of a larger, stronger, better equipped force.”

Amvicta looked shocked. “You’re not angry?”

Tyros pointed at the report with a knife. “The people we lost were strong but could only be used in limited situations. Those that died were the worst of the lot, and the other two hardly better. We lost nothing that mattered while proving the plan can work. This Bargle fellow, pay him a hundred silver coins and offer a hundred times that when he finds Jayden again.”

Amvicta looked more thoughtful. “Who do we send? The Kaleoth expedition can afford to send a hundred men, no loss when they’re just sitting around eating our food.”

Tyros handed her a letter. “I had someone different in mind.”

His queen’s eyes opened wide as she read it. “The Inspired?”

“Wizards should know how to kill wizards, and these ones will be motivated by lust for knowledge. Jayden knows secrets of the Sorcerer Lords they’ll want for themselves.”

“These are incredibly dangerous men you’re inviting into the kingdom. They’re schemers of the worst kind and will stab us in the back the first chance they get.”

It was tempting, so very tempting to say, ‘Then you should feel comfortable around them,’ but he bit back the harsh response. Tyros had known the risk his wife posed to him even on their wedding day. She wanted her sons on his throne as badly as her clan did. They had waited patiently for him to die so they could take over his kingdom, barely hiding their desire to seize his crown.

He wondered briefly if she understood how much of what he was doing was to hold back that day. The compromises, secret agendas, backroom deals, the atrocities, it kept Meadowland Kingdom whole and healthy, but it also kept Tyros on his throne. Was it enough? He didn’t know. He knew all kings faced the same risks and did no less than he did to hold power. His wife’s clan would take his place in a second if they thought they could.

Tyros shook himself out of his musings. There wasn’t time for doubts. He resumed his meal and was about to pick up another letter when he saw Eskas still staring at him and Amvicta. His son’s eyes narrowed. “Eskas is about to act foolishly again.”

The signs were plain to see. Eskas was as subtle as a charging bull and showed the same poor judgement. He’d beaten sparing partners near to death, ridden horses so hard they had to be put down, insulted any man close enough to hear regardless of their rank, yet thought himself entitled to the throne. He was breathing harder and threw his knife and fork on the table instead of setting them down.

Amvicta wiped off her hands on a towel and stood up. “I’ll deal with this.”

The queen had barely risen from her seat when Eskas got up and marched to his parents’ table. He had a determined look on his face and pushed aside servants between him and his target. Men across the room noticed and stopped eating. Palan noticed the scene, and for a change made no effort to save his brother from embarrassment. That wasn’t surprising given how often he’d failed to save Eskas from himself.

“My son, there is work for you when the banquet is over,” Amvicta began. She had years of experience mollifying her two failures. The most effective was to give them something to do in the hopes it would earn their father’s approval. This time it didn’t work.

“My father and king, I must speak with you.” Eskas was loud enough for everyone to hear him. Guests looked away, some whispering to one another.

“This is not the time to discuss family affairs,” Tyros replied, his voice calm, cool, commanding. His son no doubt thought he could press his case harder and face lighter punishments by having witnesses to his petition.

“It’s never the time! I have waited years for you to name me crown prince and your successor. That day has never come. Every king within a thousand miles names their eldest son as their successor once he is old enough to hold a sword. I have strived to prove my value to you and my ability to rule Meadowland. How much more must I do? How much longer must I wait for what is mine?”

Amvicta winced at her son’s harsh tone. Public scenes like this were terrible for morale and would be cause for talk across the kingdom. She looked at Tyros with an expression that practically begged for leniency. She got none.

Tyros stood up. “I wouldn’t tolerate this disrespect from anyone, least of all my son! You demand honors when time and again you have proven unworthy of them.”

“You give me no chance to prove myself! How many times have I asked for command of an army?”

“You’ve never proven capable of leading a squad and you want an army? What man would follow an untested leader known for being stubborn and easily enraged? The very fact that you approach me like this without permission and in front of witnesses proves your unworthy.”

“What more must I do?” Eskas screamed.

Tyros pointed at his son. “You can start by not making a public spectacle of yourself! Show proper respect and humility, and wait.”

Not finished, Tyros snatched up a paper off his table. Eskas had gone too far and deserved punishment for the offense. “Prince Palan, rise and approach.”

Palan had been watching the scene with the tired resignation of one who’d often seen such squabbles and was embarrassed to have his family’s dirty laundry being aired. That disappeared quickly and he marched up to his father.

“Your plan to restore Grist Castle has earned my approval.” Tyros had intended to scrutinize the proposal for error. No longer. Giving anything to Palan was punishing Eskas, reason enough to agree. “You have two weeks to make preparations. Go, and prove your place at my side.”

“I obey my father and my king,” Palan said and saluted.

“No!” Eskas screamed. “This is not about him!”

“Leave the hall and return to your quarters,” Tyros said, his voice cold. “You may go willingly or be carried out, but you are leaving.”

Eskas stood his ground for a few seconds before he left, his face red and his hands clenched into fists. Tyros watched him go before gesturing for Amvicta to join him. She gave a long suffering sigh, humiliated by her eldest son. Tyros glared at his guests before addressing them.

“If word of this debacle spreads outside this room, I will learn of it and punish those responsible.”

The rest of the meal was held in silence. Tyros finished eating and left, disgusted with his family and his kingdom. The deeds he had done, the pain he had endured, and it never ended. There was a slender chance, a sliver of bright light in the distance that gave him hope he could get through this disaster. It kept him going, and kept him from exacting a terrible vengeance on the fools who surrounded him.

* * * * *

Prince Palan left the hall later alongside his father’s followers. Normally there would be conversations, but everyone remained silent after Eskas’ embarrassing outburst. Palan was silent for another reason. He dared not trust his tongue when his feelings were so strong. The men around him were suspicious by nature and would notice anything out of place. If he sounded too excited, too happy, they’d sense it. They might attribute a change in Palan’s behavior to stress after his brother’s meltdown or elation at his opportunity to prove himself, but he couldn’t risk it.

Palan returned to his room and paced like a caged tiger. Night couldn’t come fast enough, and his heart beat like a hammer at being forced to wait. Only when he was sure the guards were changing shifts and the servants were asleep did he sneak out of his room and head deep into the castle. He found an entrance to the sewers.

Two goblins slipped out of the shadows to meet him. The first had tanned skin, long messy hair, dirty clothes and spikes jutting from his shoulders. The second was spear bald, had turquoise colored skin and a coil of rope wrapped around his ratty clothes.

“Well?” the one with spikes asked.

Palan sat on the floor so he could look his friends in the eyes. “It worked, Thipins!”