Death Mages Ascent: Revised Edition (Death Mage Series Book 1) (21 page)

              The mage looked to Cribble who nodded uncertainly. The mage raised his hand, and a new wall rose from the floor blocking the iron bars. It grew steadily upward until it touched the ceiling, silencing the screams of the priest within.

              “He’ll suffocate in there,” Jerup said.

              “Let’s hope it happens quickly,” Da’san replied. “It would be a kindness.”

              The small group gathered back in the outer room where Cribble paced anxiously. “Now we have nothing to go on,” the captain said.              “That is not true. We know they are going to attack the palace tonight, and that traitors inside are waiting to aid them,” Da’san said.

              “Do you know any of their names or how many they are?” Cribble asked.

              “No, but five of the mages now serve Or’Keer as well,” Da’san replied.

              “That is ridiculous. Mages have no use for gods,” Nimis scoffed.

              “I saw it through Vanon’s own eyes,” Da’san said.

              The mage continued to stare at him, unbelieving, but Cribble stopped pacing. “I must inform the Lord Commander, so preparations can be made,” he said.

              “The Lord Commander?” Da’san asked.

              “You didn’t think they left me in charge of the palace, did you?” he asked with a smirk.

              It had never occurred to Da’san that Cribble had to answer to another. The priesthood paid little attention to the political and rank structure within the court, as it usually had no bearing on how the temple conducted itself.  As the Captain made his way up the stairs, Da’san stopped him. “That is not all. Or’Keer has sent his shades to fight in the attack.”

              Cribble nodded, and they continued up the stairs. Once out of the cells, Da’san saw light coming through a high window. They had another eight hours before dark. “Nimis, can you speak for the mages?” Cribble asked.

              “With Serin away, I am one of three who makes decisions for the remaining mages who are of age,” he said.

              “Then you should come with me to see the commander. He may want to include you in the plans,” Cribble said. “Jerup, you are off duty until tonight. See to your family.” Turning, he looked at Da’san. “I know priests do not involve themselves in politics, but it will affect us all if Or’Keer wins. I would ask you to return to your brothers, as well those of the other temples within the city, to ask for their help. Even if they choose not to fight, we need them on hand to heal the wounded.”

              Da’san knew it would be a hard sell. Since the formation of the temples, their doctrine made it clear that they were to have no part in the affairs of the kingdoms. He now knew this policy originated from the pact between mages and gods. His own brothers would be more likely to approve of the idea once they learned that Sarinsha herself had aided him. “I will do what I can. If none of the others agree, I will still be here,” Da’san said. Cribble shook his hand before he and Nimis went to find the Commander.

              “You are welcome to join me, if you wish,” Jerup said once the others were gone.

              He was touched by the offer. “Thank you, but I have a lot of work to do,” he said.

              Jerup patted him on the back. “You know where I live. It’s not wise to go into battle on an empty belly,” the Guardsman said.

              “I will try,” Da’san replied gratefully.

              Left alone in the hall, Da’san mentally prepared the arguments he would present to the priesthood. He would speak to his own brothers, then send messengers to the other temples, or go himself if necessary. Much needed to be done before darkness settled on the city, and he hoped they would make it through to see the sunrise again.

Chapter 24

              Celia sat in her tent. There was much celebration in the camp at the first major victory against the invaders. She had not been able to join in the merriment. The raids had been mostly successful. The advanced forces had struck hard blows against the enemy’s supply wagons, weakening their ability to sustain the war. For her, the cost had been too high. Fewer than one hundred of her original two hundred men were still alive. Her friend Graydon had died saving her life, taking a sword that had been meant for her.

After that, General Blackburn had ordered all remaining forces back to the north. The southerners had tried to finish them off, sending over a thousand men with mages to ensure that nothing was left of them. If Jaxom had not arrived when he did, Celia was sure that none of them would have made it.

Arriving at the tent, she had stripped her battle-worn plate armor and the clothes that had not been changed in five days. One of the healers brought her a bucket of water to wash, as there were no tubs available. Corin had ordered the camp broken down in preparation for the coming battle, so all non-essential gear had been packed onto wagons and sent north, away from the fighting. Still, the bucket of water had seemed a luxury after so long with no more than a blanket on the ground to sleep on. Now dressed in clean men’s clothing, more than a bit too big, she was brushing out her hair when Jaxom walked in holding a plate.

“I know I promised you a hot bath and meal, but I am afraid the meal will have to do. I cooked it myself, so it may be inedible,” he said.

She could only give him a small smile at the joke. “Thank you. I’m sure it’s wonderful,” she said taking the plate. “What happens now?”

“Adriana and Brenin are keeping an eye on the enemy as they advance. They estimate that they will be here by tonight, and Corin is having the men moved into position to face them,” he said.

“They have no choice but to attack as soon as possible. We destroyed many of their supply wagons,” she said.

    “General Blackburn told Corin everything, and they both agree. The loss of supplies has crippled them so much that if we lose here and are forced to retreat to Ale’adar, the enemy will be unable to maintain a siege. Corin has also promised both of you a reward of land for your efforts, and a lordship to Nelix,” Jaxom replied.

              She was glad that their efforts had made a difference, but being rewarded for the death of so many seemed wrong to her. “Tell me about Adriana,” she said, changing the subject.

              Jaxom blushed and looked decidedly uncomfortable. “She is a wonderful woman with many great attributes,” he said.

              Celia did laugh then, and it felt good to do so. “Her clothes compliment her
attributes
very well,” she said.

              Jaxom’s blush deepened. “That’s not what I meant,” he replied frustrated.

              “I know. It’s just so easy to embarrass you,” she said with a smile. “I’m happy you found someone.” She meant what she said, though not long ago she had entertained thoughts of Jaxom and her relationship being more. “I know you’re resting, but the men are waiting to take this tent down,” Jaxom said. “You should don your armor. Corin wants to speak with us as soon as you’re ready.”

              Celia nodded, and Jaxom went outside to wait. She had not had time to clean all of her armor, so she tried to ignore the dried blood on several pieces as she strapped on the heavy metal once more. Several minutes later, she walked out in full armor to find Jaxom waiting patiently. On the walk to Corin’s tent, she saw that much had been done while she had sequestered herself away. Most of the tents had been packed away, and a line of wagons were ready to march north with a small unit of cavalry assigned to defend them. By the position of the sun, they had another three hours before night. Those wagons would be on their way before then.

              Corin was standing with a group of ten of his personal guard, watching as men and horses marched away to take up position. Serin stood close by, speaking to him.

              “I have placed my mages where I feel they will be of most use,” Serin finished saying.

              “Where will you be, Magus?” Corin said in an even tone, never looking at the fire mage.

              “General Blackburn believes that the majority of their cavalry will attack our right flank. I will be there to meet them,” Serin said.

              Corin looked at him in surprise, and Celia could not but help share his reaction. “I am glad to hear you say that, Serin,” Corin said.

              “I lead the mages because I am the most powerful among them, Your Majesty. It only makes sense that I place myself where I will be of most use,” he replied. “If there is nothing else, I would speak with some of the younger mages. Many are nervous about the coming battle.” The fire mage bowed slightly then took his leave.

              “I would not have expected heroism from that man,” Corin said.

              “Perhaps he feels more responsibility for those under his charge than we originally thought,” Jaxom ventured.

              “Perhaps…” Corin said. “I’m sorry to have interrupted your rest, Celia, but I have another important task for you.”

              Celia squared her shoulders under the heavy armor. She was physically and mentally exhausted from the past three days, but she thought of how Nelix had gone straight to work, readying the army. “Whatever you need, Your Majesty,” she said with a bow.

              Corin laughed and surprised her by grabbing her up in a bear hug that lifted her armored body from the ground. “You, my cousin, are a wonder. I have half a mind to name you General once Nelix retires,” he said.

              “Can you even imagine that? The grizzled man sitting around doing numbers for taxes and food weight instead of counting swords and horses?” Jaxom said smiling.

              “I will be waiting a long time, then,” Celia said regaining her dignity once Corin had set her down. “I think counting coins while sitting in a comfy holding may very well be the end of him.”

              They all had a good long laugh at the General’s expense, and Celia felt some of the weight she had been carrying lift away. “I want you to take the five hundred horse reserve that will be behind the line. You are only to join the fight if you feel there is no other choice. Once you are in, it will be damn hard to pull back out, so you must choose when and where you are needed,” Corin said.

              “How am I to know?” Celia asked.

              “If I need you somewhere, I will send word by messenger. Otherwise, you will have to make that decision,” he replied. “I know you will do well.”

              Those few words from her cousin sent a surge of pride and determination through her body. She would not fail him. She would not fail Ale’adaria and the people she loved. “Thank you, Corin,” she said.

              “There is no need to thank me, cousin. I would not have given you this assignment if I did not think you could do it.” He said in a serious tone.

              She started to bow then stopped herself. Instead, she brought her fist to her breast plate in a military salute. Corin returned the gesture before she turned to leave.

Chapter 25

              As Da’san walked the halls of the palace, armed men in the blue uniforms of the Guard walked about in groups of six. More stood atop the palace walls, and those stationed at the edge of the city had been called in to protect the palace. The sun had set over two hours ago, and everyone within the palace was as ready as possible. The staff had sealed themselves away in their quarters and any not needed had been asked to leave. Passing by an open sitting room, he saw three mages talking quietly. They took no notice of him. Nimis had returned hours before with almost the full complement of fifty mages left in the city. To counter the possibility of traitors, they would work in small groups, reducing the chance that any one mage could cause havoc unchecked. Da’san had brought almost seventy of his fellow priests from many of the temples. Most were followers of Sarinsha as they had been the easiest to convince. He did not know how many would join in the fight, but all had agreed to heal the wounded.

              Moving to an outer courtyard, he found the steps leading to the ramparts of the wall. Cribble and Jerup were looking out over the main gate, which had been sealed and barred. “They’re getting ready,” Cribble said.

              Da’san looked out onto the empty street and saw nothing but darkness. “I do not see anything,” he replied.

              “That’s the point. The lamps have been going out all along the roads. It won’t be long now,” Jerup said.

              Just then, a wave of men and women stepped from the shadows, some armed with true weapons but most carrying clubs and makeshift spears. At the center, stood several dark-robed figures. Two of the dark priests stepped forward. They raised their hands, summoning a large sphere of impenetrable blackness. From the sphere, stepped a creature of shadow as tall and wide as a house. With huge, lumbering steps, the creature began making its way towards the gate. A ball of fire the size of a man’s head flew from the wall on Da’san’s right, striking the creature in the center of its chest. It staggered back a step before the hole created by the blast began to close. More flames and other forms of magic came flying from the walls, but many were countered midair by the prayers of the dark priests. A small twister formed on the street, winding towards the attackers only to be stopped by a wall darkness before it could tear through their ranks.

Back and forth, the magical combat went on. Those on the wall often overpowered the dark priests’ defenses, but they could not stop the shadow creature. It swung two hammer-shaped arms against the gate, shaking the wall beneath Da’san’s feet. Da’san began praying and formed a giant glowing ball above the creature. Flinching away, the creature brought its massive arms up to defend itself. The reprieve was short-lived as dark spheres soon overwhelmed the light, snuffing it from existence. The banging resumed, and he could hear wood splintering and then the loud clanging on the iron portcullis behind. Changing tactics, Da’san’s prayer manifested into two large, glowing hands. They seized the creature’s thick arms, restraining them, until long black tentacles shot from the ground to pry the hands away. Several more strikes and the portcullis leaned inward to land with a loud crash in the courtyard.

The sound acted as a signal to those outside. With a cry from hundreds of lungs, they ran toward the breached gate. Arrows flew from the walls, taking many down but not slowing their charge. Once inside, the shadow creature was no longer under the protection of the enemy priests. Magic assailed it from all sides. Fire, ice, and stone tore it apart before it could do further damage. Stone began to rise and seal the hole the creature had created, but the dark tentacles wrapped tightly over the top, stopping its upward motion. The makeshift army rushed through the gate. Armored men with true weapons would normally have been more than a match for such a group, but dark shapes flowed throughout the fight, striking down the Guard before they saw them. Shortly after the initial clash, a horn blew, calling for retreat into the palace.

A hand grabbed him. “We must go!” Cribble yelled in Da’san’s ear. He led them to an exit.

Following the Captain, Da’san glanced back over the wall one more time and saw the dark priests walking toward the gate. The retreating mages continued to throw magic into the courtyard, striking down dozens of the attackers and even a few of the shades. Moving into a tight stone staircase, Cribble led them through a series of twist and turns before they came out in a hall within the palace. The Guard who had been with them on the wall ran past to circle around to the main entrance of the palace with two mages and one of Da’san’s brothers following closely behind.

Cribble went in a different direction, and Da’san berated himself for not learning the layout better beforehand. Following the captain, they went up two flights of stairs and down another hallway until they stopped at a balcony above the fighting in the grand hall. Below, men and women carrying makeshift weapons were easily beaten by the Guard while the shades moved freely, cutting down the Guard with deadly grace. “You will be most effective here” Cribble said. Da’san could see mages on other parts of the balcony surrounding the great room casting into the fray. One Storm mage had just released a flash of lightning when he was ripped from his place by a tentacle and hurtled to the floor below.

“Good luck,” Jerup said before the two men took off at a run to a set of stairs that led downward.

Turning back, Da’san began to pray and found his first target, a dark priest throwing daggers of shadow to great effect. Speaking the last word of his prayer, Da’san lifted the priest from the ground in a grip of force. The priest began to chant, but before he could finish his prayer, Da’san flung him at a wall. The dark priest completed his prayer midair, and sprouted great black wings from his back, flapping hard and stopping the collision. Turning in the air, he looked up to smile victoriously at Da’san. Another dagger formed in his hand as a shaft of ice slammed into his chest, pinning him to the wall he had just moments before avoided.

Da’san turned his attention back to the fray. A shade had cornered three of the Guard against the wall. Chanting as quickly as possible, Da’san released a shout of power at the enemy, clearing the way for the Guard to rush forward and overwhelm the shade.

The ground shook as a golem pulled itself from the ground, tearing into the enemy ranks with swinging club arms. A cheer went up from the defenders as it pushed the attackers back to the double door, momentarily stemming the flood of enemies. It was a short-lived victory as another shadow creature formed to meet the stone giant. The two titans clashed in the center of the room, taking and receiving mighty blows, until the golem was swarmed by tentacles and the shades overwhelmed it. Things got worse from there. Fire balls started landing amongst the Guard, killing half a dozen in seconds. Da’san spotted a red-robed woman amongst the shadow priests. Their eyes met. Raising her hand, she prepared to cast her deadly magic, and Da’san prayed quickly. The marble railing in front of him exploded, throwing him back against a wall. He landed on his side and felt warmth running down his back. Da’san could see mages casting furiously from other parts of the balcony. A fire mage was struck in the shoulder by ice while the storm mage beside him was slapped back by a tentacle. The sounds of the fighting continued until a long blow of a horn sounded further retreat, deeper into the palace. The world faded away to grey… then black.