Unbound

“War? With who?” Atar asked, stepping free of his now-dull array. His breastplate had dimmed and cooled off enough for him to shrug a black robe over it. “And why?”

“War among themselves,” Karys explained. He handed the opened scroll to Zara as he stepped into her office. “Prince Tevin has captured our emissaries on their way back from Khasma. The Claws and the Nagafolk. Both are being held in a citadel near Haestus Temple.”

“The First Redoubt of the Knights Ghreldan,” Zara read off the scroll. “No doubt even more fortified than Bogfeld.”

Atar was very familiar with the Redoubts, perhaps more than anyone save Alister and Zara. Together, they had taken the methods the Knights Ghreldan used and applied it to their own fortifications. “Then getting our people back by force is unlikely.”

“Not unless we wish to lose some of them,” Karys said. “Were Felix here, that might have changed things…but he is too far from us.”

“You’ve had word?” Zara asked.

Karys looked at the walls. “This place is warded?”

“Heavily.”

“Good. I was asked to keep it close to my chest, but not from you two or Alister. Felix and I communed, and they were successful. The Unbound was rescued from the Hierocracy and is in Felix’s care now.”

Zara’s shoulders drooped, like someone had loosened ropes that had been pulling her muscles taut. “Avet’s teeth. That is good.”

“What about that Corrupted lady?” Atar asked.

For being made of metal, Karys was remarkably easy to read. He shifted his feet. “They clashed. Imara was defeated, but not killed. Further information on that subject is not something I am allowed to share.”

Not allowed?By Felix’s order, probably. But why? Atar scratched his head. “Alright. Everyone’s alive, though? And they’re coming back?”

“They are alive and well…but they are not coming back. At least not for a while.”

Karys switfly outlined the issues on Felix’s end, though he kept the details minimal. Atar rolled his eyes when he heard about fighting an entire mountain of monsters and Dwarves, but wasn’t really surprised. He’d thrown his lot in with fools and madmen; he couldn’t expect them to act normally. Yet he was still surprised to find out they were going into Pax’Vrell.

“Shadowgate or not, that’s risky,” he said.

“Far less than wading back north into the Rimefangs,” Zara pointed out.

“Hm. Why not send them to Levantier? One of the Shadowgates connects there, doesn’t it? That’s not much farther, and it isn’t crawling with redcloaks.”

“The Lucent Towers are controlled by the Hierocracy as much as Pax’Vrell, they are just quieter about it,” Zara said. “I have spent some time among their halls. The mages there are little better than prisoners, unable to leave the Territory without permission from the Inquisition.”

Atar scowled at that. Long ago he’d wished to see the illuminated spires of Levantier, the city of mages, and had even asked his master to go there and study. His master had forbidden it without explanation, and shortly after had packed him off to Haarwatch.

“The power structure in the Lucent Towers is also complicated. Finding and restoring a Shadowgate in those conditions would prove disadvantageous, at best. At least in Pax’Vrell, Vess will have a measure of influence.”

“Fair.”

“From this scroll, Prince Tevin wishes to speak with a representative of Nagast in order to forge an alliance. Presumably against the other eight Princes of the Ghreldan Hills. And Tevin is holding our people on pretense of invasion of his lands…which is technically accurate. We did not have permission for our foray to Khasma.” Zara rolled the scroll back up. “But the Prince is not stupid, and the Knights Ghreldan we saved in Bogfeld would have reported on our strength. If he harmed our people, our retaliation would be too much for him to handle.”

“What about the Nagafolk?” Atar asked. “Lavix and at least ten other Naga went with the Claw.”

“When we searched our messenger’s things, we found this.” Karys extracted a folded piece of waxy cloth and handed it to Atar. It was marked by a less delicate hand than the scroll, but the words were clear.

Atar read it aloud.

Praise Be God Of Our Ancestors,

Praise Be God Of Thunder And Flame,

We seek your aid. Upon returning from the depths, your people and mine were set upon in ambush. The land-dwellers appeared in great numbers and captured them. Some fought, but they were beaten down. The one carrying this message fought the hardest of all, and his axe is stained with the blood of many land warriors. He is an honorable soldier, worthy to bear your burning eye upon his cloak. He is injured, but I have given him what potions we have in Haestus. I hope he reaches you alive, for he can give you a greater personal account than I.

This one is being sent back to you at the request of the would-be king of the land, bearing a scroll containing his words and false promises. My aide writes this to ensure my words are known to you as well: we cannot trust the land-dwellers. They have hunted us since time immemorial and do not seek peace with our kind…but they fear you. That is clear.

The presumptuous hagfish seeks an audience with you, no doubt seeking to ply your favor with baubles. And ensure your behavior with the threat of violence. They do not know your wrath as I do…nor your mercy.

Those that the would-be king has captured will be killed—it is only a matter of time. I will not allow that to happen to my people, or yours. If you cannot come, then we shall seek the conflict's end in the only way we know.

Tooth and maw.

I hope you shall swim with us, my Lord.

Kar’casitrix

Deepking of the Nagafolk

Zara’s expression tightened. “That changes our timetable considerably.”

Karys began pacing. “That is why I rushed here immediately. I fear I may have startled quite a few townsfolk on the roads.”

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Atar stifled a laugh. The image of the giant metallic man racing through Elderthrone on foot was unreasonably, inappropriately amusing to him. His emotions still felt…raw and untamed after the array. He shook himself. “Well we can’t meet the Deepking’s request. Felix is too far away. But we have to send someone, and back them up with enough power to last this Prince off the map if needs be.”

Zara looks to the rafters where a brightly colored kingfisher and a small brown owl nestled. “Keru? Pip? Find Alister.”

They both flew off through a small window, the wards flashing as they passed.

“Alister? What’re you talking about?” Atar demanded. “He’s not going anywhere. If anyone, it should be me. Who else could face the Knight Ghreldan and their Gallant Lotus mages together?”

“The point is diplomacy,” Zara said. “That is not your strong suit.”

“And what happens when words fail? Even with Felix, when have we ever been successful at negotiations?”

“We are negotiating from a position of strength now,” Karys pointed out. “Nagast has grown to be a force on the Continent, and Prince Tevin knows it. And while Felix might be personally very powerful, and I believe in him with all of my heart, he is not the person to send for diplomatic talks.”

Atar groaned in annoyance just as the door opened once again. Alister stepped through, for once looking like he’d gotten a full night’s rest. His blue robes were pressed and cleaned, his hair styled, and his face cleanly shaven.

“Good evening everyone. A pair of birds told me to come upstairs—Oh, hello dear.” Alister walked across the room to Atar’s side. His pleasant expression dimmed a bit as he took in their faces. “I seem to be missing something.”

“You were here?”

“Oh, yes. Zara asked me to give a lecture on force Mana. I had just finished when I was summoned.”

“Lecture?” Atar glanced at Zara, who now bore two birds on either shoulder. “I’ve not been asked to give a lecture.”

“You’ve been busy,” Alister said, patting his hand. “Now. Please, would someone explain what is going on?”

Karys gave another rundown of the situation, and the fluting peace Atar could hear from Alister’s Spirit was replaced by distant, ominous drums. “Damnation. That is a situation and a half. I assume you need me to lead this delegation, yes?”

“You are the only one who can,” Karys said.

“Not alone.” Atar stepped in front of his boyfriend. “I’m going too.”

Zara shook her head, her long aquamarine hair tumbling loose over her shoulder as the birds took flight. “You are too important to Elderthrone now, Atar. As a mage you’ve earned the respect of the Legion and Claw, and as Glyphmaster you’ve earned the respect of the people. As much as I am Felix’s touchstone with the Chanters, and Karys is his hand in the city, you are a representative of his Will. If you are not here, then we cannot prepare for whatever else may come.”

“I will go,” Alister announced. “And you will stay here, my love.”

Atar groaned. He knew that tone. There would be no arguing with the man now. From across the room, Zara’s Spirit projected regret and apology, but Atar closed himself off from it. He pointed his finger, swiveling between the metal man and the Chanter. “What else is there but this? What takes higher priority?”

“I will need you here, Atar, to prepare ourselves for the next stage,” Karys said.

“Next stage?”

Karys folded his mismatched arms across his broad chest. “Our assault on the Hierocracy.”

Alister blinked. “Our what?”

The night was quiet and the buildings around them were dark as Atar and Alister walked the long road back to the Temple. A deep chill gripped them, radiating from the wood and brick buildings of the residential district, unleavened except by the low heat of the road inscriptions. Winter was retreating, but it clung too long in this northern place. In the southern Territories, spring was likely already underway, and Ahkestria would be boiling.

Atar shivered under his fur-lined robes and thick cloak. No matter how many heat enchantments he inscribed into his outwear, the chill would not leave him. “Remind me why we couldn’t have hailed a coach from the school? I’m not made for all this ice and snow.”

“Not many coaches roaming the outskirts this late at night…or ever. Maybe that’ll change once it starts to get built up. Besides, it’s not so bad. You’ve got Cold Resistance right?”

“No. My Born Trait precludes me from learning it.”

Alister winced. “Bad luck there, though I can’t imagine a better Born Trait for a fire mage. Heart of Fire. Even the name is dramatic.”

“I suppose it is.”

Heart of Fire - Fire Resistance Starts At Level 10, Bonus to Learning All Fire Based Mana Skills. Cold Resistance Cannot Be Learned.

It was good. Great, even. As a child, Atar had counted himself blessed. One of the many signposts toward his future potential—and the very reason the Grandmaster of the Desert’s Flame took him as an apprentice. Atar touched his chest. It was likely why he’d survived the Highest Flame in the first place.

“Is your Flame really under control?” Alister asked. His eyes were pinned to Atar’s hand and chest. “I can’t believe you made that breastplate without consulting me.”

“It is, and you were busy. Zara was there the whole way, and I’ve studied the containment array Felix sketched out for us more times than I can count. I could’ve drawn it in my sleep.”

“But this is a tweaking of it, right?”

“Adaptation. Flame is a weak Urge. I’m not exactly trapping gods in my core space.” Atar shuddered. “I’m not an idiot. Or Unbound, which I’m afraid might be the same thing.”

Alister fought off a smile. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Deflect.”

“You’re one to talk, Lord Diplomacy.”

Alister stopped in the middle of the street. “Very well. Tell me why I shouldn’t go.”

“What Felix plans,” Atar licked his lips, careful to keep his voice low and his Perception flared. He kept his words vague, but he didn’t need other people listening in. “It’s madness, but that man’s done enough to make me half believe he’ll do it. Taking on the High Guard, facing down my Master—from the start he’s been sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. But taking on a god, Alister? That is well and truly beyond my tolerance for insanity.”

Alister crossed his arms, staring the mage down with his stupid, beautiful eyes. Atar’s throat went dry. “I need you here. I–I don’t think I can do this without you.”

Gloved hands gently grasped Atar’s shoulders. “His reason speaks to me, Atar.”

Atar closed his eyes. The Corrupted Unbound is Felix’s sister, Karys had said. The words had shocked all of them, but far less than the follow up. The Pathless has claimed her as his Vessel.

“What would you do, in his place?” Alister asked.

“I…you’re the closest thing I have to family,” Atar admitted. “And I’d burn the world for you.”

Alister smiled softly. Sadly. “I imagine it’s the same for Felix. I—Sometimes I think about my own family, how they died during the Eyrie’s collapse. I wasn’t there for them. And then Lilian… I think that’s on me too.”

“Stop. You couldn’t stop the Eyrie, and your cousin…she was her own woman.”

“I could have convinced her to fight with us, given enough time. There just…wasn’t any. She sided with the Guild, and the Revenants—”

“I remember.”

“You’re my family too, Atar. The only one I have. I haven’t been always able to save those that I love. I can do this. I can get those soldiers out and maybe even net us an ally. Please, Atar, let me protect you for once.”

Atar released a pent up breath, but the tightness in his chest remained. “Just don’t die.”

“I doubt it’ll be worse than dealing with a hundred scheming nobles every day.” Alister gripped Atar’s chin in his fingers. “I’ll be surrounded by soldiers. It’ll probably be even safer.”

Atar knew that for the lie it was, but he let it go. For the moment, it was nice to believe.

watch out!

A sudden bloom of heat and pressure smashed into them before Atar could register Flame’s warning, and it was followed by a keening crash.

And silence.

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