Powers of the Six (19 page)

“I … uh …” Nolan hadn’t thought about it. He’d reacted instead. Blood oozed where glass protruded from Kael’s face.

Emery stepped forward, staring at Kael’s body. Ink dotted his somber face where it had splashed from the impact of the throw. Emery shifted his attention to Daren, who still watched from the wall, face lined with terror.

“You,” Emery said. “Why have you come?”

Daren tore his eyes from the general’s still form.

“Yes, you boy,” Emery said.

“I … I don’t know,” Daren stammered. He found Alec. “I heard what you were planning. Was curious, that’s all. Been listening in. That’s when I overheard the general. Somehow, he figured it out, too.” He held up his hands. “I didn’t say anything. None of my business. But I just couldn’t sit there when they were coming to kill you.”

“So you came to warn us?”

Daren said nothing, his face pale.

“Considering you’re now a traitor,” Emery said with a smile, “you might want to come with us.”

***

With the addition of Daren and his Perception Shay, they maneuvered through the manor, avoiding the sight of any Rol’dan, and crept out a rarely used servants’ exit. Flann led them across the street, where they met Hakan behind a building. They continued weaving between the shops as the light of the sun dimmed. After several blocks, they turned a corner on to Red District. Deverell Arms came into view.

Alec stopped so abruptly, Taryn ran into him.

“Ow—” Taryn rubbed her arm.

“Shh,” Flann said.

“Why are we going there?” Alec whispered.

“Quiet,” Flann scolded again.

“We bought travel torches from the smith,” Megan said. “We need them for our journey.”

Alec still wouldn’t move.

Taryn gave Alec a shove. “Come on!”

“Both of you shut your mouths,” Flann said, “unless you want to tell the Rol’dan where we are.”

Emery had also stopped mid-stride and stared at the shop, his face turning ashen.

“Are you all right?” Megan touched Emery’s arm.

Color returned to Emery’s cheeks; he forced a smile. “I’m fine. I’ve just had enough of this city to last me quite a while.”

After some Strength-forced assistance on Rylan’s part, they convinced Alec to move. They opened the door to the armory and saw Kardos Deverell leaning over his anvil. Aunt Bonty’s well-rounded form rested against a nearby wall, watching him work. Both their faces lifted and fell in shock.

“You forgot a few of your things at the inn,” Bonty said to Megan, her voice quivering slightly. “So I brought them out. By Brim! What have you folks gotten yourselves into?”

“Oh, Bonty,” Megan said. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Well I
am
here, so you can tell me what’s going on.” Bonty crossed her arms. The serious scowl on her face disappeared as soon as she saw Alec. “My! Don’t you look handsome.”

“What are
you
doing here?” Kardos growled.

“Father, I’m sorry—”

“You should be sorry, stepping foot in this shop.”

“Believe me,” Alec said, crossing his arms, “not
my
choice.”

“I hate to break this up,” Hakan said, “but we’re about to get company.”

A Speed Rol’dan burst into the shop, and a blur of swordplay erupted.

“Get back,” Emery said, motioning for them to get some distance.

Nolan gawked, unable to discern any part of the battle. The swords rang so fast, sounding like a metallic hum. They didn’t need to wait long; the fighting abruptly stopped. The Rol’dan soldier crumpled, his chest bleeding dark crimson.

Alec stood erect, red-coated sword in hand. He deflated and staggered back, staring at his victim. He wiped a sleeve across his mouth as his face paled. Another Speed Rol’dan appeared, and Alec recovered and attacked again.

“Isn’t there something we can do?” Taryn asked.

“No,” Emery said. “We’ll just have to hope the boy can fend them off.”

While the others gathered supplies, Nolan yanked out his sling and palmed a handful of coal from a nearby sack.

“Nolan, come on,” Taryn prompted.

He ignored her, fixing his eyes on the door. Alec needed help. Nolan squeezed the leather straps of the sling so tightly his fingers numbed. When a soldier burst through, Nolan loosed a large piece of coal with more reflex than thought. It found its mark with a dull thud, and the soldier dropped.

Alec yanked his blade from another Rol’dan’s chest and met Nolan’s eyes. What had they gotten themselves into?

Captain Stian appeared, his arrogant face sneering as he raised his sword. Alec’s Shay light swelled, but Stian was hurled backward before their swords met. The far wall splintered as the captain crashed through it.

Nolan inched closer and peered through the gaping hole. Stian was pinned to the ground, an anvil on his chest. His body jerked with his final death throes, and then he lay still.

Rylan ran up behind, his eyes wide and still flaming red with his Strength. “I didn’t mean—”

“It’s all right,” Nolan said. “You did what you had to do.”

“What the Darkness!” Kardos’s face flushed with rage. “My anvil! My wall!”

“Your belongings are the least of your problems, Mr. Deverell,” Emery said. “From now on, you’ll be considered a traitor by association. You must come with us.”

Kardos scowled and glared from one to the other with disgust, stopping at Alec and quickly looking away. “Why would I come with a bunch of filthy Rol’dan?”

“Because if you don’t, you’ll die,” Emery said. “And your presence could serve us well. We need a craftsman like you to help us make weapons.”

Kardos’s expression softened briefly before it hardened again. “To kill the Rol’dan?”

“To defend ourselves, and yes, some Rol’dan may die because of it.”

“There’re more coming,” Hakan warned.

“All right,” Kardos growled. “I’ll come.”

Kardos yanked a bag from a hook and shoved tools into it.

Bonty hovered nearby, wringing her hands. “You take care of yourself, Kardos Deverell—”

“I’m afraid they probably already know of your involvement as well,” Emery said. “It’d be best if you come with us.”

“B-but my shop …” Bonty stammered.

“They’re getting closer,” Hakan said. “Is there some other way out of here?”

Kardos nodded and led them out the back of the building.

“We need to get far away from the main gates,” Emery said. “As close to the river as we can.”

The panic on Bonty’s face smoothed, and she inhaled deeply. “I know the perfect spot. Follow me.”

Bonty led them in a most confusing manner, weaving down several streets, until they reached the northeastern wall of the city. They stopped near an unmarked building, near a garden edged with decorative stones. It was one of the few places in Alton not filled with shops, where some of the merchants lived.

Alton’s city wall stretched above them, at least five men tall. A tower along the wall’s edge held a platoon of useless Alton guards.

Nolan squatted next to a cucumber plant and grabbed a handful of stones. He was fresh out of ink bottles; he’d need something to throw.

“The river is on the other side,” Bonty whispered and pointed at the wall.

“There are too many guards,” Hakan said. He listened, his eyes flaring orange with Perception. “There’s the group up there, another at the gates, and a whole swarm of them searching the city. For now, they don’t know where we are.”

“Ideas?” Flann asked.

Taryn pointed to some steps leading to the tower. “We can climb there, take out the guards, and jump down the other side?”

“Jump down the other side?” Daren said. “Ouch.”

“Should I …” Rylan said hesitantly, “Should I break through the wall?”

“I’ve considered that,” Emery said. “However, the wall is too thick, even for you. It’d take several attempts, and even then, the stones might come down on you.”

Nolan leaned against a gnarled oak and looked up. The tree was taller than the wall, but too far away. If the branches were only longer, they could climb. Of course, the drop on the other side would hurt.

Emery followed Nolan’s gaze. “Excellent idea!”

Excellent idea?
“But it’s too far,” Nolan said.

Emery turned to Rylan. “You can make us a ladder.”

Realization washed over Rylan’s face as he gawked at the tree. “With that?” His voice raised a pitch.

Emery smiled. “You’ll do fine.”

“Um … okay.” Shaking out his hands, Rylan approached the tree. His eyes glowed red with Strength, subtly at first and then bright as flames. He braced his palms against the trunk and took a prolonged sigh. Then, with teeth bared, he pushed.

Veins protruded on his thin neck, and a yell broke from his clenched teeth. The earth moved beneath their feet as roots popped free from their soil bed.

“By Brim …” Kardos said.

A horn sounded, and Alton guards stormed from the tower to the ledge on the wall, spears in hand.

Things were about to get ugly.

Nolan placed a rock and slung it. A soldier yelped and tumbled backward off the wall, hitting the other side with a pathetic moan. Nolan threw another, then another, picking the soldiers off until he’d cleared the ledge.

Rylan pushed harder until the tree hit the wall with a cracking thud.

“Quickly!” Emery said.

Kardos grabbed Bonty’s hand and helped her up; together they made the climb. Kardos reached the top first, his heavy tool bag clanging. He slid down the draping branches, using them like a dangling rope. Both he and Bonty disappeared from Nolan’s vision as they descended to the opposite side.

Nolan palmed more stones as he waited for the others to start their climb. Swords rang out on the other side of the wall. Apparently, the poor guards Nolan had dislodged would have to face the blade of Kardos Deverell.

Nolan and Alec stood by the tree’s base. Shouts and cries sounded from somewhere inside the city, breaking through the quiet air. He couldn’t see them yet, but their voices drew closer with every barked command.

Alec nudged him. “Get going. I got this.”

Nolan was about to object until he saw Alec, blood-coated sword clenched in his fist, snarling expression on his scarred face, and golden light blazing from his eyes.

Nolan nodded and scrambled up the tree.

Hand over hand Nolan climbed, heart thundering, palms sweating. Branches and bark scratched his arms. He reached the top and looked down, vertigo clamping his mind. He grabbed a branch, steadying himself.

Most of their group had reached the bottom where a circle of injured guards surrounded Kardos. Hakan still descended, the thin branches bowing under the mountain man’s weight. A dozen blue lights caught Nolan’s attention farther down the parapet to the west. His heart stopped. Rol’dan archers.

Nolan’s eyes jerked Alec. He was fighting more guards, his back to the wall. One Accuracy shot, and he’d be dead before he hit the ground.

“Alec!” Nolan yelled.

Alec spun, scowling. “I’m busy!”

“Alec! Get your arse up here. Now!”

Alec turned again, his face tight in irritation until he caught sight of the Rol’dan. He cursed and—after a few sword slashes for good measure—sprinted up the tree.

One thing Nolan could say about Alec: He was an excellent warrior. Another thing he noted: Alec didn’t know a rat’s backside about climbing.

Nolan gasped and gripped a branch every time Alec slipped. By the time he’d reached the top, Nolan’s heart beat out of his chest.

“Wow,” Nolan said. “That was … not so good.”

Alec’s jaw clenched and his nostrils flared. He opened his mouth to speak just as the sound of bowstrings filled the air.

Nolan yanked down hard on Alec, pulling him behind the trunk. The first volley of arrows
thudded
into the wood.

“We have to get down,” Nolan said. He only hoped the others were smart enough to get out of range. Dark was closing in, at least. It would make it hard for the archers to see.

The soldiers repositioned for better aim. Behind them on the wall, Strength Rol’dan closed in, eyes shining red, massive war hammers outlined in the dying light. He and Alec could hide from the arrows, but once the Strength Rol’dan reached them—

“Heads up!” Alec yelled.

An arrow whistled through a gap in the branches and slammed into Nolan’s shoulder. He reached, grasping for a branch as it slipped through his fingers. And, as if in slow motion, he fell.

Branches cracked and twigs scratched his arms and face as he plummeted through the limbs. A resounding snap rang in his ears when he hit the ground. Darkness that had nothing to do with the night hovered before his eyes. He gasped for breath.

“Nolan!”

Nolan shook his throbbing head and saw Alec’s bag lying next to him on the muddy earth. He must’ve dropped it. His shoulder and arm throbbed, the pain buzzing in his head. The aches drifted in the background of his consciousness as the longing for the bag pulled at him. He reached, but recoiled when his broken arm protested.