Clash (The Arinthian Line Book 4) (16 page)

“But Mrs. Stone has lost contact with us,” Bridget said. “We don’t know what’s going on.”

A grave look passed over Constable Clouds’ wide face. “That is most disconcerting. I know Lord Sparkstone has stepped up efforts to track her down. He has three warlock squads who trade the divining rod off with each other, so there is always a squad hunting for her.”

Augum felt queasy. If they were hunting her that relentlessly, how could she even sleep? She would have to go to opposite sides of the world to get away. Maybe that is why they had not heard from her—she was too busy evading. But what about the explosion they heard from the orb? Was that a squad getting close? He only hoped she had not already been captured and stripped of the scion, for it was keeping her alive.

“Without Mrs. Stone,” Mr. Haroun began in a quiet voice, “I fear any resistance movement has little chance, not unless we somehow gather an army as powerful as the Legion.”

A moment passed in which all that could be heard was the pelt of rain on the cabin roof.

“The Agonex,” Augum said at last.

Mr. Haroun looked up. “The Agonex? What is that?”

Leera gripped Augum’s hand tighter, whispering, “Can we trust them?”

“We have to,” he replied. It was time to take a risk. He only hoped these men were genuine. He placed his gaze on Constable Clouds and Mr. Haroun. “We captured an ancient artifact that can control Occulus’ undead army. The army is equipped with Dreadnought steel and stands waiting for command under Bahbell. There are tens of thousands of soldiers. I saw them for myself.”

“You jest with us,” Mr. Haroun said.

“No, it’s true,” Leera interjected. “It’s a bronze disk engraved with skulls and stuff.”

The constable nodded. “The Legion is looking for the Agonex. I must confess, we were not sure who had it. I am glad to hear it is in the right hands. Most glad indeed.”

“The only thing is, we don’t know how it works,” Augum said.

“And it’s in Harvus’ room at the inn,” Leera added. “We were just going to get it back. He’s keeping it hostage, and we think he plans to sell it the moment he figures out how to break Mrs. Stone’s protective enchantments.”

Clouds immediately turned to his guards. “Get to the inn and find that artifact.”

“I’ll come with you,” Bridget said, handing the Orb of Orion to Leera.

Both guards looked at her as if she had lost her mind, not realizing this was something the trio routinely did—danger was a constant in their lives and they were quite used to it.

Bridget glanced between the two of them. “Harvus probably enchanted the door handle with Object Alarm. Unless you know the counterspell, I’m coming along. It’s best to disarm it, just in case.”

“Neither of us are warlocks,” Cobb confessed.

“What degree is this Harvus anyway?” Briggs asked.

Bridget’s face was impassive. “9th.”

The guards glanced at each other.

Bridget did not wait for them. “Come on then,” and strode through the doorway, blue robe billowing.

Jengo began biting his nails. “If Harvus wakes up and finds the Agonex gone, he’s going to kill us all. I mean it. It will be cold, ruthless murder.”

“Who is this Harvus?” Clouds asked.

“A vile piece of useless dung,” Haylee said.

“He’s our mentor,” Augum said. “Well, sort of. Nana—Mrs. Stone, that is—hired him to train us while she evades the Legion. Thing is, he hasn’t been paid, so I think he wanted to sell the Orb of Orion and the Agonex.”

“The man is a fool then,” Clouds replied. “The greatest reward lay under his charge the entire time.” He eyed Augum appraisingly. “But he is dangerous. If he figures out how much you are worth to the Legion, he might actually kidnap you and turn you in. We ought to tie him up and drug him immediately, while we still have the chance. He is drunk at this moment, is he not?”

Augum nodded. “Passed out cold on the floor of our cabin.”

Mr. Okeke strode to a closet and dug out a coil of soot-stained rope. “I second the notion. He is too dangerous.”

Clouds waved his cane. “Wait for my men to return.”

Mr. Goss grabbed his woolen coat. “What if it is too late by then? I agree with Kwabe, it should be done immediately. Augum and Leera know a great deal of arcanery. I trust them to protect us more than swords.”

“Is there an apothecary in town?” Clouds asked.

“There is.” Haylee turned to Chaska. “Does your father have a sleeping draught in his shop?”

Chaska frowned in concentration. “I think so, yes.”

“Then let’s get it.”

“Allow me to administer it,” Constable Clouds said.

Haylee and Chaska exchanged a hesitant look but nodded.

“Meet you at the cabin in short order,” Constable Clouds said to Mr. Okeke.

The three departed, Haylee hobbling as quickly as she could, Chaska and the Constable waddling along.

Leera tugged on Augum’s sleeve. “Try to reach Mrs. Stone.”

Augum put his ear to the orb. “Nana, can you hear me? Nana—” but there was no response. He did however hear something faint—“I hear voices,” he blurted, and everyone froze. Multiple voices, all fading in and out, as if people were walking by. And there was a rustling of grass that came with their footsteps. Oddly, there was the sound of crickets too. It was almost as if—

“I think she lost it,” Augum said, staring at each of them in turn. “Nana lost the pearl somewhere.” But what that meant, he did not know.

“We’ll have to worry about that later,” Leera said. “Let’s go and tie Harvus up now.”

Mr. Okeke gathered his coat. “Jengo, stay here with Leland and Priya please.”

“Yes, Father.” Jengo exhaled as his body relaxed.

Augum handed Leland the orb. “Listen to this, Leland, and see if you can make anything out.” The boy, happy to be given a mission, eagerly complied with a moan.

Mr. Okeke armed himself with a shovel, handing Mr. Goss the coil of rope.

“Can’t believe we’re really going to do this,” Leera said as they exited the hut.

“I can’t believe we’re working with the Legion,” Augum countered.

The dark forest was quiet other than the sound of steady rain dripping through the branches. Wet pine needles squished underneath their boots as they pressed on in single file. Soon they were slipping down the soggy bank of the valley, the two cabins materializing before them in the downpour.

Augum and Leera, holding hands, crept along in front, blue robes soaked through. Augum pointed at the hastily-erected cabin before tiptoeing to the door, which stood slightly ajar. He pushed and it opened with a squeak. When he spotted the interior, a terrible chill ran down his spine.

Harvus was gone!

Just as he turned to report that fact, someone slurred, “Flustrato!” and a dull look passed over Mr. Goss’ face. He began to mumble while chewing on the end of the rope.

Augum, whose arm flared with three lightning rings, reflexively shoved at the air where he saw nine glowing green rings. “BAKA!” but Harvus summoned his shield—a hodgepodge of bark and twigs—and blocked the spell, stumbling a step back in the process.

“Shyneo!” Leera called, palm rippling to life with a cool watery glow, three rings appearing around her own arm.

Mr. Okeke, meanwhile, charged at Harvus with the shovel.

Harvus flicked his wrist. “Disablo!” and the shovel went flying from Mr. Okeke’s hands.

Augum pointed at the shovel, which twirled in midair, and caught it with Telekinesis, shooting it at Harvus.

Harvus, wobbling from the wine, barely dodged the clumsy attempt, countering with a slurred, “Dreadus Terrablus!” Had Harvus not been so drunk, his spell might have been too strong to block. Augum blocked it with Mind Armor, though not before he lost a moment fighting the feeling that he was about to drown in the rain.

Mr. Okeke lunged for Harvus, yet the man jumped out of the way—and it was no ordinary jump, but an arcane one, high and unnatural looking. Unfortunately, Harvus had not orientated himself properly and slammed into the branches above, tumbling to the ground a moment later in a soggy heap.

“Summano elementus minimus!” Leera called as she finished drawing the shape of a small elemental, but the attempt garnered nothing more than a fizzling sound.

Harvus cackled, slurring, “A terrible effort, girl. You are a poor student!”

Mr. Okeke dove for Harvus once more only to end up slamming into Mr. Goss, who had absent-mindedly wandered across Mr. Okeke’s path. The pair of them tumbled right into the stream with a splash.

Augum pointed at Harvus. “Flustrato!” but the man squinted as he used his Mind Armor to block the spell.

Harvus, now muddy as a hog, pointed at Augum’s throat. “Voidus lingua!” and Augum felt his throat close. This time his Mind Armor had failed.

Leera shoved at the air before her. “BAKA!” but Harvus, lying on his back, still managed to summon his shield in time.

Augum charged. Harvus flicked his wrist at Augum’s foot and he tripped, slamming into the sodden ground face first.

Harvus staggered to his feet. “Annihilo bato!” he shouted, slamming his wrists together. Two thick ropes of vine shot forth at Augum’s head. Augum closed his fist over his reflection crystal, hoping to cast Reflect, when he remembered he had been muted. Luckily, “BAKA!” shouted a girl’s voice from nearby, violently shoving Augum out of the way. He rolled into the stream with a splash. When he looked up, he saw Haylee raise her ice shield in time to block another of Harvus’ vine attacks. The attack was so powerful she was sent tumbling out of sight. At the same time, Chaska fumbled trying to nock an arrow while Constable Clouds bravely tottered forward, dagger in one hand, a vial in the other, cheeks puffing with every breath.

Leera swept her arms out. “Centeratoraye xao xen!” and began half-tumbling and half-running at Harvus, who had gotten to his feet and was shoving at the air, shouting, “Baka!” between trying to spear her with shooting arcane sticks and vines that appeared out of nowhere. Leera deftly cartwheeled over the strikes before shoving at the air. “BAKA!” Harvus failed to raise his shield in time and was sent flying into the forest, landing in the bushes. An arrow from Chaska whizzed through the spot he had been standing, thwacking into a tree trunk.

“Effectus xadius!” Harvus shouted from the darkness. Leera immediately began to move in slow motion.

Augum and Mr. Okeke had risen by then and charged.

“Let me show you how it is done!” Harvus slurred from the forest. “Summano elementus minimus!” A moment later a small green elemental plowed awkwardly through the bush, its movements clumsy, as if it too was drunk. It tried to tackle Augum but he jumped over it, though it did manage to knock Mr. Okeke’s legs out from under him.

Harvus leaped from the undergrowth straight at Augum, moving surprisingly quickly for his girth. He grabbed Augum in a bear hug and threw him against a tree, knocking the wind out of him. Augum, coughing and gasping for breath, realized the man had to have cast some kind of strength spell—his grip was like iron.

Mr. Goss, who had evidently recovered from the Confusion spell, grabbed Harvus’ shoulders. Harvus spun around, casting, “Flustrato!” Mr. Goss, now drooling from being confounded a second time, stumbled off into the woods, mumbling gibberish.

Constable Clouds had finally reached Harvus and bravely jabbed at him with his Legion dagger. Harvus let go of Augum and weaved out of the way, scoffing at the large man. He let him take two more stabs, which he danced out of reach of, before yanking at the air. “Disablo.” The dagger twirled out of Clouds’ hand, jamming into the mud.

Chaska loosened another arrow, but Harvus saw the attack coming and did something Augum had never seen before—he pointed at the incoming arrow and
bent
its flight path with Telekinesis, striking a hapless Constable Clouds in the back of a shoulder. The large man grunted and fell to his knees, wheezing. Behind him, Chaska cried out in despair.

Augum slammed his wrists together, “Annihilo!” but nothing came out. He was still mute.

Leera aimed a kick at Harvus’ chest, but she was way too slow. He dodged easily and punched her in the stomach with his arcanely-enhanced strength, sending her flying to the soggy grass, where she writhed in slow motion. Something fell out of her pocket and into the mud.

Harvus’ nostrils flared when he saw what it was. “You filthy little witch …” He weaved over and picked up his hairpiece, face firing multiple twitches.

Augum frantically gestured at the dagger. It dug itself out of the ground and shot at Harvus. The warlock, who was glaring at Leera, did not see the attack coming and the dagger lodged into his side up to the hilt. Harvus gasped and whipped around.

Augum quickly waved at Chaska, who let another arrow fly. This time, it struck true, burying itself in Harvus’ stomach almost to the feather.

“Ah,” Harvus exclaimed, weaving, eyes on Chaska. Augum scrambled to his feet, but Harvus raised his arm and arcanely pinned him to the trunk, all the while staring down Chaska, who had another arrow nocked but did not let fly, perhaps fearing Harvus would perform another telekinetic feat and hurt someone else.

The group was a mess. The minor elemental had disappeared, leaving behind Mr. Okeke, who lay in a heap, exhausted from wrestling with it. Mr. Goss was in an arcane stupor, lost somewhere in the forest. Constable Clouds was on his knees breathing heavily, a disbelieving look on his face and an arrow sticking from his shoulder. Haylee had crawled back over the crest of the shallow valley, gasping. She was missing her cane and had a defeated look on her face.

Harvus flashed Augum, still pinned and mute, a victorious look. “Lessons are done, my boy.” He snatched Leera by the hair and yanked her up. She howled in pain, eyes unfocused in the deep confusion that came as a side effect to Centarro’s expiration. “Say goodbye to this little harlot. She has offended me for the last time. Impetus peragro bato!” There was a reverse sucking sound and Harvus and Leera were gone, leaving Augum to scream silently in the downpour.

The Chase

Augum barely knew what he was doing as he stumbled back to the village, still trying to catch his breath, back aching. He had left everyone behind, thinking of one thing and one thing only—he needed to find a horse and rescue Leera. Luckily, the Object Track spell he had cast on Harvus’ turnshoe was still in effect, ever so gently pointing him in the direction of the foul mentor. Unfortunately, Augum was not experienced enough to judge the distance of the enchanted object yet. For all he knew, Harvus could have teleported her to the other side of Sithesia.