“I’m thinking I can probably shred the first quarter of that group as we hit the ground. I’m not sure how long my magic will last pushing it that hard, but I do have the new wand, and I have no clue how much that’ll affect things.” Either way, it should give Ulrich and anyone else who’s good with a sword a chance to go in and pick up my slack when my magic gives out.”

  Cristof nodded. “We would be able to reinforce as soon as we cobble together our construct.”

  “This sounds like the beginning of a great plan,” said Captain Orin. “I approve.” He turned to his crew. “I want archers on the deck in thirty minutes. Also, load those cannons with spears, nets, and scrap metal. We’ll support them by launching the opening volley. Jack will follow up with his stone shards as the rest of the team makes landfall. At that point, Ulrich will cover the boys while they summon and build their construct. Are we all in agreement?” Everybody nodded. “Excellent. You all have preparations to get to. Best get a move on.”

  43

  Taenaran

  The Stones of Hygeia loomed over a central clearing. And at the center of them, an Elven-born woman stood waiting for us.

  “I see you have caught up to me at last.” She shook her head. “What a bother.”

  “Who are you?” asked Agamor.

  The woman smiled. “Valindra.”

  He nodded. “I am Aga—”

  “Irrelevant.” She dismissed him with an idle gesture. “I have no need to know the names of my servants.” She leaned her hips to the side and rested a fist on her thigh as she stared down her nose at us with contempt. “You only need to remember mine.” She sneered. “I will conquer this continent. And then all of Tempest.”

  “Do not move,” I commanded. I nocked the arrow and willed lightning to the arrowhead. Tendrils of power arced from it.

  Valindra smiled as she picked at a lock of hair. “Please.” She flicked her hair behind her shoulder. “As if a mere peasant child’s attack would damage me. I have gallons of royal blood at my disposal.”

  I pulled the string taut. “Then let us find out.” I released the arrow sending a beam of brilliant light at her face. With a flick of her wrist, an opaque wall of energy appeared in front of her. The arrow ricocheted at an angle. A blast of lightning erupted around the impact area about twenty paces from her.

  She smiled once again. “As I said. A child’s attack. Run along home, little Elf. That your fears be put to rest in your mother’s arms.”

  I frowned. A blast of Eldritch fire slammed into her shield, pushing her back several paces. Sai appeared out of the shadows and slashed at her with poisoned blades. She jumped back, narrowly missing the sting of his twin green blades. She thrust a hand toward him and slammed him away with ease. He shadow walked away a heartbeat before being flattened against a large tree trunk. A dazed Sai tumbled to my feet.

  “That was unpleasant,” he said.

  “So it would seem.” I turned my attention back to her.

  Valindra laughed with glee. “Naught but children playing in an adult’s world.”

  “We shall see,” said Agamor. He focused his will and raised his newly finished staff toward her. Lightning crackled at the ornately carved staff head. Dark storm clouds began to form above us, darkening the skies.

  Valindra looked around, perplexed. Lightning jumped from cloud to cloud. I could feel the charge in the air as the hairs on my arms stood on end. Little motes of electricity danced from hair to hair. I looked to Agamor, utterly shocked at the sudden increase in his power.

  “What magic is this?” she demanded.

  Agamor stared at her and opened his mouth to speak. His voice rolled over us like thunder answering the lightning. “So long as evil walks the lands, the forces of good shall rise up in kind.” He pointed the staff at her chest. “Begone from this place. You are no longer welcome in this world.” He thrust the staff forward. The sound of a billion plates shattering filled the air as a beam shot out from the staff.

  Valindra reoriented her shield to take the blast head-on. The impact shook the ground, but she held. “Who are you to decide the fate of others, old man?”

  Agamor smiled. “One appointed by justice to protect the innocent from the likes of you.” He grunted as he channeled more power into his spell. The width of his beam tripled in size, shoving Valindra against a thick tree. She redoubled her efforts and focused more strength into her shield. Sai shadow walked to and fro, slashing at her, forcing her to move the shield to counter him. Each time some of Agamor’s beam would sneak around and burn her robes.

  I triggered Rapid Fire and sent a stream of lightning arrows at her shield. Agamor canceled the beam. I ceased fire as well. Sai capitalized on the moment and appeared in front of her shield as her shoulders heaved. He drove both daggers to the hilt in the shield. Cracks spiderwebbed across the opaque surface. He shadow walked out of the way as I fired off my strongest arrow. The shot rang true and buried itself to the feathers in the shield. More cracks spread from the impact.

  With a roar, even more power erupted from Agamor. He focused it into his staff and directed it at Valindra. “This is over!” he bellowed. He released a blast of energy as bright as the sun. The blast shattered the shield and slammed into her. I heard her scream over the deafening sound of the detonation. Both echoed across the countryside.

  When the dust cleared, I stared down at her and felt an inkling of pity. “It is over. Rest now, that your soul may find peace.”

  She scoffed. “I do not need—” A fit of coughing cut her off. Blood splattered on her chin. “I do not need your pity.”

  I nodded. “I know, but you have it nonetheless. You fought admirably.”

  “I—thank you,” she whispered.

  “It is over,” I said. “Rest now.”

  “It is too late,” she said. “The Firstborn come. And they cannot be stopped.” I heard the breath wheeze from her lungs as her life force left her body.

  “Where are these Firstborn?” asked Agamor.

  “I do not think you want to know the answer,” said Sai.

  “What do you mean?”

  Sai simply pointed past us. We both turned. The blood froze in my very veins.

  “Th-that’s…” Agamor stuttered.

  “Not possible,” finished Sai. “I know.”

  I looked on, stunned. A wave of giant spiders followed by a black mass of shadow poured down the mountain devouring everything in its path toward us and the stones.

  “Gentlemen, I do believe we are now in the shit, as they say.” I frowned. “It has been an honor and pleasure fighting with you at my shoulders.”

  “The honor has been mine,” said Sai.

  “And mine,” said Agamor. “To have this be an end fitting of a warrior… I can’t complain.”

  A laugh behind us startled me. We turned slowly to find a shadow Demon sitting on a log, a look of amusement on his face.

  “D’rorthar,” spat Sai. “Have you come to gloat?”

  D’rorthar laughed. “No.” The shadow melted away revealing a man with skin as dark as obsidian. “Actually, I have come to help. But perhaps you give up much too easily and are not worth my time or effort.”

  Agamor scoffed. “Give up too easily? Have you not seen the enemy that comes?” He gestured behind us at the encroaching army.

  D’rorthar shrugged. “Even as we speak, help comes.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “Will it be enough?”

  He shrugged. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. But should you die, you would die among warriors. Perhaps even among friends.”

  Sai frowned. “You would fight your own? And die at their hands?”

  He shrugged once more. “Not if it were avoidable.” He grinned, showing ivory teeth. “I have no intention of dying, but if Fate would require my death, then who am I to argue with Fate.”

  “That’s noble,” said Agamor. “But why would you risk yourself?”

  “You fight for the stones,” he said. “Indirectly, I do as well. You see, I need the Sword Bearer’s assistance. If I save his friends and help secure the stones, he will be much more willing to assist in the coming civil war.”

  “What civil war?” I asked.

  “Why, the war of the Firstborn.” He gestured toward the mountain. “I intend to free my kind from the clutches of Az’geneth. But there will be those who would…resist.”

  “Civil war. Revolution,” said Agamor. “I see.”

  D’rorthar nodded. “Indeed.”

  “And would you help us activate the stones?” Agamor looked hopeful.

  “I do not see a reason not to,” he said. “They would be strategically advantageous to you and yours. Even my own forces. But to do so, you would need to pass The Trials.”

  “Trials?” I asked. “What trials?”

  D’rorthar grinned. “First we must survive. Only then will I tell you of The Trials.”

  “What of the Accords,” I asked.

  “The Accords?” D’rorthar frowned. “Dead and broken in the city of Glom Gral.” He turned to Sai. “You know of the crossing of Az’geneth.”

  Sai nodded. “I do. But was it not just a summoning ritual?”

  “On the surface, yes.” D’rorthar’s forehead wrinkled as his frown grew deeper. “By summoning him, however, the necromancers destroyed the Accords. And the Caretaker, Noslen, is missing. I have hunted him for weeks. There is no trace of him or of his passing. I thought him simply gone; however, Abalonious has assured me he is very much alive.”

  “That is welcome news,” I said. “We feared the worst.”

  “Understandably so,” said D’rorthar. “But fear not. He shall return. But until that time, we are very much on our own.”

  44

  Jack

  “Are you ready?” asked Ulrich.

  I chuckled. “I’m going to need a meal and a nap after this, you know.”

  He shrugged. “Yeah, we all will, most likely. We will see what we are fortunate enough to get afterward. The only thing I can promise is some field rations once the fighting starts. As for a nap…don’t get your hopes up.

  “That’s what I’m worried about,” I said. “This is the first time using the wand in a fight. If I overdo it with my magic, I may not be much use in the next fight without one.”

  He put a hand on my shoulder. “I understand. We will figure it out as the situation unfolds. Just play it by ear, and don’t die.”

  I nodded. “Sounds good. I’d better get my shards ready.”

  Captain Orin turned to Ulrich. “If you’d be so kind as to lead us off?”

  He nodded. “Archers, I want you to hit as close to the front of their ranks as you can. Hopefully, that will cause enough chaos that the enemy won’t know which way the attack is coming from. They should expect a frontal assault for several seconds.”

  Captain Orin grinned. “That should give the crew enough time to reload for a few extra volleys.”

  “Exactly,” Ulrich turned to the cannoneers. “The archers will fire as many times as they can. The moment the enemy figures out which direction we’re coming from, they’ll reorganize and push for the shore. The moment the surprise is over, you lot will open up with everything you have.”

  “Aye!” yelled one of the men.

  “Right in the kisser!” yelled another.

  Ulrich grinned. “At that point, everyone just keeps firing as fast as possible and take out as many as you can.” He turned to me. “Then it’s our new friend, Jack’s turn. He’ll fly his shards of stone through the enemy lines, focusing on the bigger foes. He may not be able to keep it up for long, but he’s sure he can do quite a bit of damage.”

  “When do we go ashore?” asked Cristof.

  “Good question,” said Ulrich. “I say we cast off before the archers start their attack. We should hit the shore as the cannons hit their rear line. At that point, kill anything that moves.”

  “I agree,” said Captain Orin. “I’ll come ashore as well to help secure the landing. But in the end, my responsibilities will be to keep the ship safe for your return. Does anyone want to add anything?”

  I stood.

  He nodded to me.

  “Don’t forget no plan survives first contact with the enemy. We can try to stick to the plan as best as we can, but in the end, something will surprise us. It always does. So be ready for anything.”

  Solemn nods were my only answer.

  “All right,” said Ulrich. “We have an enemy to vanquish.” Cheers erupted from the entire deck of the Swordfish.

  The captain had the crew drop anchor with the Swordfish directly between the enemy camp and the setting sun. With the blinding sun at our backs, they’d never see us coming. I looked over the edge of the dinghy. Sixteen stone shards silently cut through the water about a foot beneath the surface. I only had to keep them on course. With the new wand, I had better control over the stones, and I was able to create currents in the water to keep them afloat. It barely used a trickle of my energy.

  I looked at the other two dinghies. Katrina and Ulrich along with a handful of the crew were on the dinghy next to us. On the other side were Cristof and Oswald with more crew.

  “Jack?” asked Captain Orin. “Holding up all right?”

  “Yes, sir,” I said. “Was just taking stock of my reserves. We’re good.” I grinned. “Very good.”

  He nodded. “Then let us begin.” He held his right hand high overhead and made a slicing motion toward the shoreline. I watched, captivated, as a dozen archers and twin ballistae fired. The bolts soared through the sky. I followed the swarm as it streaked into the front lines of the enemy camp. Men and spiders fell without warning. The camp violently broke into utter chaos. Spiders skittered to and fro. In the confusion, some attacked the nearest person, tearing them limb from limb. And still, we glided silently closer. A second volley slammed into the camp. Then a third.

  Ulrich grinned. “Are you ready?”

  I nodded. I willed the shards to slowly breach the surface to avoid making too much noise. I willed a diagonal shield at our backs—just in case stray shrapnel from the cannons found its way to us. After all, they weren’t much different than a giant shotgun with buckshot at this point. And we were down range from them.

  “Aye, good thinking,” said Captain Orin. “Hate to be torn up by our own cannons.”

  The enemy’s rear guard took a moment to stop and look around. One man shielded his eyes and pulled out a small spyglass. Shit. He reached for a trumpet at his waist. He wasn’t the only one. A streak of yellow flame slammed into the man, and he turned to ash. But it was too late.

  “Next phase,” said Ulrich as the trumpets blew. The cannons fired. Men and beast alike were shredded like tissue paper in a tornado. The trumpets stopped abruptly as their wielders were turned to fodder. Another volley of bolts tore into the middle of the enemy line. As a group, they charged toward us.

  “Jack?” said Ulrich.

  “On it.” I raised the shards above our heads and sent them forward with as much speed as I could. Sixteen stone spears the thickness of my leg shot off across the distance between us and the camp. The charging line had no idea what tore through them. Hundreds died before I willed the shards to streak toward the sky for another pass and to gain more momentum.

  A shriek shook the ground. I turned my attention to the truck-sized thing before me. I had no idea what the creature could even be. It looked like a cross between a black widow and an elephant. It was barreling straight for the two boys and their construct.

  I pulled the shards in a long loop and focused more power into them. The shards accelerated. They slammed into the ugly beast and kept on going. It roared in pain and stopped its advance. I brought the shards around for a second pass and then a third. And it was still standing.

  “Ashley!” I called. “Nuke that thing!”

  She looked confused for a moment, but then she saw the monster. She nodded once, lifted her staff toward it. and whispered something. A blue flame erupted from her, engulfing her entire body. The sand at her feet melted to glass in an instant.

  A blast of fire shot out from her staff and slammed into the monster. The shockwave and earthquake took me off my feet, and I landed hard on my back. I somehow managed to keep control of the shards, however. This new wand is incredible. I looked up at the monster. The only thing left of it was a black-stained crater half a mile wide. Holy fucking shit.

  I stood, knees shaking, and took stock of the situation. Cristof and Oswald’s meat-mech suit was stomping about the battlefield growing bigger by the kill. It was absolutely disgusting but kind of cool at the same time. Ashley was taking potshots at what I assumed were enemy mages from the green lightning they were tossing around. Captain Orin was using some sort of magic himself, ripping enemies to shreds with his bare hands while he blurred from one to the next. Ulrich cleaved a huge spider in two and flicked blood from his sword. The battle seemed to be winding down.

  “You all right?” asked Katrina. She cleaned her sword on a necromancer’s robes.

  “Good,” I said. “Just a little winded.”

  “Are you able to save those stone shards for the next fight?” asked Ulrich.

  “Maybe,” I said. “Can we liberate a wagon or something to put them on? It’ll use up my magic keeping them airborne indefinitely.”

  “Oh!” Oswald grinned. The construct’s back bubbled for a moment. Sixteen claws sprouted out of its back.

  “Ahh, I get it.” I willed the shards to float into the claws. They snapped shut. I released my hold on the shards and fell to my knees. “Whoa.”

  Ulrich and Katrina were at my side in an instant. They helped me back to my feet and steadied my balance.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Just dizzy and light-headed.” I said. “Thanks. I’ve never tossed around that much magic before.”

  “You did well,” said Captain Orin. “You held up right ‘till the end despite the discomfort.”