“It was one attack,” said Oswald. “One very powerful attack.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “How can you tell?”

  “The way the bodies are lined up. The way they fell. This would have had to be one huge blast, from a specific beginning point. He stood here,” he motioned to where he stood. “Then he blasted outward.

  “Give it back you son of a bitch!” shouted a voice out on the rocks. We both looked over to see a bare-chested man with red hair and a red beard slicing away at undead. They climbed out of the water toward him. One had managed to grab his basket of fish. Its severed arm still clung to it.

  We nodded to each other and bolted toward him. I willed blood into a spell and dominated three of them and commanded them to retreat a ways away. He finished off the other two that had climbed out of the water. He looked up at us, then at them ,and arched an eyebrow.

  “Is this your doing?” he asked.

  “Willing them away, yes,” I said. “Making them attack you, no.”

  He nodded. “I see.” He looked down at his basket and removed the arm. He shook his head and tossed it back into the ocean. “Well, thanks for helping securing my catch.”

  “You’re welcome,” I said. “My name is Cristof. This is Oswald.”

  “Sam,” he said. “Wow, I’m meeting all sorts of kids today.”

  “Oh?” asked Oswald.

  Sam nodded. “Just a few hours ago, I met one of them Darius kids from the island over yonder.” He pointed toward the distant island. Even from here, I could see the battle raging on the shores. Undead were swarming them, but they seemed to have it under control. “Where are you two heading?”

  “North,” I said. “Although I have no idea where.” I turned to the undead that stood just out of reach in the water. “Yet.” I walked to the edge of the rocky outcropping and sent another burst of will toward them. “Where is Damon Tod?”

  One of the undead took one step forward. “To the north.”

  “Ashbourne,” said another.

  “Release us,” said the third.

  “I will make you a pact,” I said. “You help me get to Damon Tod, and I will not only release you, but I will also avenge you.”

  “Yes,” moaned all three in unison.

  “Ashbourne?” asked Sam. That’s a ways northwest of here.”

  “We saw a boat tied to a palm tree,” said Oswald. “Is it yours?”

  Sam shook his head. “It was Darius’s. But he won’t be needing it. He’s headed inland, and I don’t think he’ll be coming back this way for quite some time.” He grinned. “If it helps you on your way, you can take it. I’ll let him know if I see him again.”

  I nodded. “That works out perfectly.” I turned to the undead. “Go wait by the boat south of here.” They turned and waded toward the shore.

  “That’s a neat trick,” said Sam. “Are you a necromancer?”

  “Yes,” I said. “But don’t worry. We aren’t like the ones you’ve heard of.”

  He smiled. “You must be from Haran, then?”

  Oswald nodded. “You’ve been there?”

  Sam shrugged. “When I was a kid. My old man took us there on a caravan trip. We sold them some fish. They were really excited.” He laughed. “I guess living in a desert fish would be a commodity.”

  I laughed. “I likely ate that fish. We had a large celebration several years ago. The merchants brought fish, and we feasted like the kings of old.”

  Sam shook his head. “Small world.”

  “Indeed,” I said.

  “Here,” said Sam. He handed us two of his fish. “For the road.” He chuckled. “Or the sea.”

  We tossed them on the fire he’d built while we made idle conversation. The fish were amazing. After we said our goodbyes, we pulled the boat to the water. I willed the undead to grab onto the back of it and they kicked in unison until we were moving quite quickly.

  “It’s a good thing they don’t get tired,” said Oswald.

  “Yeah,” I said. “We’ll make it there in no time.”

  Several hours later, we pulled onto the shore at Garrigill. In the distance were several huge boats at the dock. I released the undead, and all three of them turned to ash. The ocean claimed their ashes and pulled them out to sea.

  I shook my head. “So many innocents touched by his magic.”

  Oswald put a hand on my shoulder. “That’s why we’re here. We’ll stop him. One way or another.”

  We hitched a ride on a wagon heading for Ashbourne. Being that we were actually teenagers, it was easy to pose as a couple of kids going camping. Especially when we carried our fishing poles over our shoulders. A couple of hours later, the town of Ashbourne grew bigger and bigger. A group of travelers was at the front gates arguing with the gatekeepers.

  Oswald let out a sharp whistle, and the wagon master stopped.

  “Thank you for the ride,” I said as I hefted my pole onto my shoulder and my bag on the other.

  “No worries,” he said. “Good luck on catching breakfast!” He waved to us as we slipped into the forest between the road and the lake. It didn’t take long for us to run parallel to the road and reach the town. We found a place in the wall where water from the lake flowed beneath and used it to get into the town proper.

  “Where to?” I asked.

  Oswald shrugged. “I’d guess the gaudiest, biggest building.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Fair point.”

  We made our way to the building at the center of town and snuck in through an open window. Voices echoed down from farther up the hallway. We poked our heads around the corner and eavesdropped.

  “Ahh, Captains Ashford and Orin. It’s been too many years.” The older man smiled. “I see you have apprehended the criminal Abalonious. Can I assume you are here to claim the bounty?”

  The centurion captain frowned. “Actually, we were hoping to clear his name.”

  The older man’s face darkened. “Preposterous!” he snapped. “This man and his associates are known criminals of the kingdom. They’ll hang for taking the crown prince against his will.”

  The ship captain stepped forward. “Those responsible stand there, at your side, my lord.”

  One of Damon Tod’s men, a really big one, actually looked hurt. “Us? My good captain, we are but simple mercenaries, hired by Lord Monroe to search for the king’s lost prince. Our only folly was to not apprehend this criminal before you.”

  “What a crock of shit,” said Abalonious.

  “Silence!” bellowed Lord Monroe. “Criminals do not have the right to speak in my presence.”

  Abalonious’s body tightened, and his expression hardened. “Then, as the accused—and as the Sword Bearer—I hereby demand trial by combat, to commence forthwith.” He glared daggers at the lord of Ashbourne.

  His eyes widened. “If his claim is legitimate, then he will best me.”

  Lord Monroe looked over at Damon Tod’s man who nodded. “Then let it be done.”

  The guards led everyone through a doorway at the back of the chamber. Through it, we could see what looked like an arena.

  I motioned back toward the hallway from which we’d come. Oswald nodded, and we left the area before we were discovered. The hallway wrapped around the outer edge of the building. We quietly followed it for several minutes until a hand grabbed my shoulder. Oswald yelped.

  “Heya there, kids, where ya goin?” asked a man with a basso voice between our heads. The strength of his grip stopped us, and my feet almost came out from under me.

  “Uh, well, you see,” started Oswald, “we’re on our way to your mum’s house.”

  I nodded. “We heard she’s a real fox and figured a couple of teenagers would be what she needed tonight.”

  “Real cute,” said the man. “Real cute. Lemme show ya what we do to cute kids in these parts.”

  “Uh, no thanks,” I said. “I’m flattered, really, but we aren’t into guys.”

  “Not that there’s anything wrong with that!” added Oswald.

  “Right,” I added.

  The man roared and threw us into the wall. “I’ll teach ya smartasses some manners!”

  The impact with the wall shoved the air from my lungs. My vision darkened more than I would have liked. Then again, I had no intention of being thrown into a stone wall to begin with. Oswald and I collapsed to the ground.

  The brute laughed. “Aww, is that all ya got? The way you two snuck in here, I figured you’d be some fun at least.”

  “We’re just not—" Oswald coughed. “Not that into you, man.”

  “Yeah,” I said. “Stop trying to touch us, you pervert. We’re just kids. I’m sure there’s a law against that somewhere.”

  The man roared again and charged forward. I willed the bloodmist around me and charged my spell into a kinetic wave and fired it off in his face. The impact sent him flying backward. He landed and slid across the stone floor and into the wall. He looked up, his eyes locked with mine, and he glared daggers at me. Then he grinned menacingly. Uh-oh.

  “Damn it, Cristof,” said Oswald as he stood. “I think you just made him more excited to touch you.”

  “You little shits!” bellowed the man.

  “What’s going on here?” asked a man from farther up the hallway. All three of us turned to look at the source of the new voice…and there stood Damon Tod with Flint at his side. Surrounded by henchmen. I gulped audibly. I felt Oswald tense up next to me.

  The big man we had been fighting with was the first to speak. “I caught these two sneaking around down here.”

  Damon Tod turned from him to look at us. His eyebrows raised. “You two...you are the boys from the tavern in Haran.” He frowned. “So, Ysabel must have been one of your mothers.”

  I gritted my teeth. “Don’t you fucking dare speak her name.”

  “You two are a long way from home.” He shook his head. “All of that growth and potential and for what? Vengeance?” Damon Tod sighed. “What a pity.” He walked past us. “Kill them. We will reanimate them after we have dealt with the Sword Bearer and his companions.”

  The brute took a step toward us. “Well, you heard the man. Time to—”

  “Damon Tod!” I yelled. He stopped but didn’t turn around. “I will kill you! I swear it on my mother’s soul.”

  The man chuckled and continued walking. He and Flint rounded the corner and were gone.

  “Aww, that’s too bad, little guy.” The brute grinned. “But to be honest, Damon Tod is big fish. Better to fight someone like me.” I slowly turned toward him. Two other henchmen flanked him. They all grinned.

  Oswald sighed. “It’d be us, you big idiot… There’s three of you.” He shook his head as the three looked at him, mouths agape. “I mean seriously. First, you’re trying to touch children inappropriately. And then—”

  “Big word,” I said.

  “Huh?”

  “You used a big word.” I frowned. “If he can’t count to three, I doubt he’s going to know what inappropriately means. Come on, Oswald, don’t be a dick. Use smaller words so he doesn’t get lost.”

  He sighed dramatically. “Fine.”

  The big henchman’s face turned crimson, and he began to shake, his anger finally getting the better of him. He yelled a battle cry and drew a wicked scimitar from his waist. He charged forward, blade held high.

  10

  Ulrich

  I willed as much power into my strength and speed as I could on such short notice. The monster smashed into my chest and took me from my feet in an attempt to tackle me to the ground. I rolled backward with its momentum and kicked up into its hips. It flew over me and landed hard on the packed sand. I used the opportunity to channel even more power. Red motes of energy began to flicker and dance around my body. I grinned.

  We charged at each other with explosive force. I ducked under its meaty fist as it swung through the air and slammed my fist into its gut. I added a blast of force for good measure. Its body lifted slightly, and it exhaled with the blow. Its knee came up and sent me flying. I hit the ground hard but managed to keep my breath.

  My legs shook a bit as I stood. This is taking too long. I’m going to run out of energy before I can win this fight. I shook my head and channeled power again. There was no helping it. The monster charged and swung, its claws extended. At the last moment, I jumped and brought my knee up under its chin with every ounce of momentum I could gather. It flipped backward, and we landed at the same time facing each other.

  “Enough!” bellowed Damon Tod. The monster and I both stopped mid-attack and turned to look at him. Phillip lay at his feet, Damon Tod’s staff inches from his face. “Surrender. Or he dies.”

  I sighed and relaxed my stance as I let the built-up power dissipate. “Fine. We’ll call it a draw.”

  The monster snorted as if to correct me.

  “Bring him,” commanded Damon Tod.

  The monster huffed with apparent disappointment. It gripped me by my shoulder and pushed me forward without much effort. Its talons dug into my skin as a painful reminder I was quite vulnerable and shouldn’t attempt anything stupid. Not much hope of that. For now.

  He tossed me back in my cell after the door had been repaired. He was quiet as he bled me. For much longer than before, I noticed. Likely wants to make sure I’m too weak to put up a fight.

  “How are you going to take out the garrison?” I asked. “Surely you don’t have enough of a force to take the garrison soldiers even with my blood fueling your magic and that huge monster of yours.”

  Damon Tod grinned. “Quite right, Your Highness. Quite right.”

  “So what’s your endgame?”

  He laughed. “Endgame? You think this is the final push?” He laughed for several more seconds until he calmed down to a chuckle. His grin vanished, and his face became as serious as death. “My dear boy, this is but a step along a long journey.”

  “Really?” I asked. I need to get him to talk so I can figure out what he’s after. And this man seems the type to gloat once you get him going. I just need a few more provocations. “Because it seems to me that you’re betting quite a bit on taking the garrison.”

  Damon Tod shrugged. “They have something I want. As for how, that is quite simple. We know of a spell that will turn a volunteer into a living explosion of power.”

  I scoffed. “So you’re going to get one of your lackeys to blow themself up just because you said so?”

  Damon Tod’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes. Precisely.”

  “It won’t work,” I said. “No one could be that stupid.”

  “I assure you it will work. My underlings would give their lives for me. You shall see.” He healed the wound on my arm. “Until tomorrow, Your Highness.”

  A guard came to fetch me in the morning. Behind him was the monster I’d fought yesterday. Likely in case I had any bright ideas. It grinned at me, a look of challenge in its eyes.

  I shook my head. “Not today, big guy.” I stood and groaned as the guard unlocked my shackles. “Your boss took too much blood. I wouldn’t be a fitting challenge for someone as strong as you.” Its grin faltered and it nodded once. Are these things intelligent? I was ushered out of my cell and met up with Phillip on the way out of the makeshift building.

  “How are we doing?” asked Phillip.

  “Been worse,” I said.

  “Really?” he asked.

  “No.” I tried to laugh. A groan escaped my lips instead. The guards chuckled and shoved us forward. We marched for a few hours through the open desert until the rocky cliffs ahead grew in size to reveal a garrison. The walls had been built across a gap in the cliffs. Even from here, I could see the commotion we’d caused the soldiers patrolling the wall tops.

  “Halt!” yelled someone from atop the wall as we neared. An arrow whistled through the air and embedded itself in the sand at Damon Tod’s feet.

  He held up a closed fist, and his group came to a stop. The soldiers of the garrison had drawn their line in the sand as a warning and a challenge. Damon Tod turned to the woman next to him. “Belandra, are you ready?”

  “I am,” she said sternly. She exuded confidence. She had fully committed to the course of action he had planned out.

  “You don’t have to do this,” I said.

  “You’re mistaken, Prince Ulrich.” He grinned as he caressed her cheek. Ever so slowly, he ran his lips across her neck. “She wants to do this.” He nibbled across her carotid artery. “As I said yesterday. She would do anything for me. Wouldn’t you, my dear.”

  “Anything,” she gasped.

  “You’re a sick fuck, Damon Tod.”

  “Perhaps.” He removed the pendant from her neck. “Belandra, it would please me if you would clear the way for our forces and punch a big hole right through their front gates.”

  She nodded once. “If it pleases thee, I will make it so.”

  She ignored my pleas to reconsider and sauntered past us. Damon Tod lifted his hand and made a gesture. I watched as the large group of undead rushed forward. Belandra screamed and chased after them, lightning arcing all around her as she ran. The archers rained arrows down on the group as they charged forward. Undead fell by the score, but Belandra made it to the wall. She let out a horrific scream as the lightning engulfed her.

  The blast was deafening. The ground shook. When the dust and smoke settled, little remained of the wall, save for a giant crater where the gates had once stood. Damon Tod’s army charged forward and through the broken walls.

  Our handler jabbed us in the back with his staff. “Move!”

  Phillip and I trudged forward trying to keep our footing in the loose sand.

  “Prince Ulrich, your little escape attempt earlier cost me many, many thralls. While I commend you for your effort, it is time to pay the price. The blood of these soldiers is on your hands. On your conscience.” The grin on his face stretched ear to ear, smoothing out some of the wrinkles on his chin.

  “Wait, what are you—”

  He turned away from me. “Leave none alive!” bellowed Damon Tod.

  Men and women scattered in every direction and engaged the soldiers.