Falling Ashes (42 page)

‘What is that?’ asked Jack. Of course, he knew what it was; Avalon. They’d arrived, but Jack saw nothing in the sky.

‘It’s the sirens!’ said Ethel. ‘It means there’s been an intrusion!’

‘Are you sure?’ said Jack, stalling for time. ‘We’ve been guarding the gate all evening. The perimeter is surrounded by guards-’

‘There are other ways to get in, Jack,’ said Ethel. ‘Like if someone can fly, or jump, over the fence. There are even Mages who can teleport.’

‘Okay, so what do we do?’ he asked, feigning stupidity.

Ethel huffed impatiently. ‘Don’t you remember anything from your initiation? All guards will be called into position to search for the trespassers.’

‘What should I do?’ he asked.

‘You’re a Healer,’ she snapped. ‘
Heal
anyone who needs it.’

Without another word, Ethel sprinted towards the Realm Headquarters. Jack watched as she grew smaller, until finally she reached the large doors that led inside the building, but she didn’t do inside. Once there, she spread her arms wide, as if inviting someone for a hug. Jack watched in awe as an electric blue current exploded from her hands, engulfing the entire building in a translucent dome. She had placed a protective shield around the entire circumference. Jack was impressed, but couldn’t help but fear for Avalon’s safety.

The sirens continued, and Jack noticed an immediate increase in activity within the gates of the Headquarters. Guards poured from the living quarters, some even taking up arms. Many Mages in red cloaks emerged from the front doors, passing easily through Ethel’s shield. It would only keep out unwanted guests; all allies were unaffected by its Power.

The cloaked Mages began to form a protective ring around the spherical shield. There were at least one hundred of them. Their presence cast an eerie effect over the grounds. The guards, who were all dressed in the same grey uniform as Jack, lined up in front of Sergeant Jenson, Ethel included. They formed neat rows, each standing with their backs perfectly straight.

Jack, meanwhile, had been standing stationary for several minutes, watching the commotion take place. Realising he was meant to be standing in line with the rest of the guards, he quickly rushed to join them, taking his place two rows behind Ethel. She glanced over her shoulder at him, an incredulous expression on her face, as if to say ‘
What’s gotten into you
?’

Sergeant Jenson had to yell over the sound of the sirens.

‘We have received intelligence that there is a planned attack on the Realm this very evening. The rebel Fire-Mage has been spotted entering the city with a small army of followers. We believe that these Mages are dangerous, and will stop at nothing to bring the Realm to its knees.’ Jenson paused for the effect of his words to sink in. A few guards turned to one another and began muttering, but quickly snapped their attention back to the front.

‘Thanks to Ethel’s quick thinking, we have a shield around the building, but as we don’t know what these Mages are capable of, it is not a secure form of defence. Our intelligence informs us that the group consists of around twenty Mages, so we should have no trouble in holding them off.  To be sure, however, many employees of the Realm have volunteered to protect it.’

Jenson waved a hand over his shoulder, indicating to the numerous cloaked Mages standing around the circumference of the shield. Jack wondered how many of them were projections created by Xara.

‘Now, I need each and every one of you to stand in formation in front of the doors. Those with defensive Powers will take the front line.’

Jack glanced at Ethel and knew that she would be in front. It was strange how a father could order his daughter to stand on the front line. Not that it mattered. Avalon would not walk through the gates, or climb the fence as they imagined. She would fly overhead upon Hawthorne.

Part of Jack wanted to warn them, to let them know that their formation was useless. They needed to spread out across the grounds, not huddle together.

Almost at once, he felt bad for thinking such a thing. This was Avalon, his girlfriend. What kind of person would he be if he allowed her to come to harm?

A small voice in Jack’s head countered that question, though. What kind of person would he be if he allowed innocent Mages to come to harm? True, not everyone who worked at the Realm was innocent. Many sectors of the government were corrupt; Jack knew that. He didn’t want anyone to come to harm, not if he could help it.

Of course, Jack disagreed with the enslavement, registration, and processing of humans, but there had to be a better way to stop the slave-trade than with mindless violence.

Jack knew she was doing it for Helena. Avalon was always one to act first and think later.

Jack realised that he had been lost in thought for several minutes and hadn’t been listening to Sergeant Jenson’s instructions. He only caught the end of what he was saying.

‘At no cost is an enemy going to enter the premises. Medical staff meet at the arranged point. Right, is everyone clear on what they need to do?’

‘Yes, Sergeant!’ everyone said in unison; everyone except Jack.

He was part of the medical staff, and had no idea where he was meant to go. Jack looked around for another Medic and quickly followed in as inconspicuous a fashion as he could muster.

Those unable to defend themselves, such as Jack, were taken inside the Realm Headquarters for protection, Medics included. It was the first time Jack had stepped into the halls since he and Avalon had come here all those months ago. The marble gleamed, and Mages, cloaked in red, bustled about as the sirens continued to blare. Behind the receptionist counter stood Xara. Their eyes met, and they shared a nod of understanding.

If Jack could slip away from the other Medics unnoticed, he would be able to free Xara from her stasis chamber, though he knew many of her projections would vanish once she was disturbed from her trans. Concentrating on hundreds of things at once required complete serenity, which is why her body had to remain in stasis during work hours. To Jack’s understanding, she could only project herself a few times when outside of the chamber. 

He knew what he had to do.

Jack backed away from the other Medics, his expression vacant. Everyone was talking amongst themselves, preparing for the inevitable battle. They brought supplies into the entrance hall of the headquarters; everyone bustling about setting up cots and healing stations.

Jack ducked over to the reception desk where Xara stood, watching and waiting.

‘Hey,’ Jack muttered, looking around quickly to make sure no one was paying them any attention.

‘Hello, Jack Greenwood,’ she said in her robotic voice. Xara’s white hair was tucked into her robes, and her red eyes were wide.

‘H-how did they know?’ he asked at once. ‘About Avalon.’

‘She was spotted on the outskirts of town by a child,’ said Xara.

‘So she’s … she’s really here?’ said Jack, breathlessly.

Xara nodded. ‘With a group of followers.’

Shit
. Frankie had been right.

‘Where is the stasis chamber?’ Jack asked her quickly.

‘I am currently located on the fifth floor,’ she said. ‘You will require a pass code to enter the chamber. My projection on the fifth floor will help you.’

‘Can't a projection release you from the chamber?’

Xara shook her head. ‘My body cannot come in contact with a projection. Please hurry, or they will become suspicious.’

‘Is the chamber being guarded?’ asked Jack.

Xara nodded. ‘It is guarded by a man called Victor, who is a Paralysis-Mage. You shouldn’t have much trouble getting past him as you will be able to heal your way through the paralysis. He won’t be able to hear the sirens from inside – these rooms are sound-proof.’

‘How do I get rid of him?’

‘Knock him out,’ said Xara, without a change in expression.

‘What? Club him over the head?’ asked Jack, already feeling uncomfortable.

Xara stared at him, unblinking. ‘Is that a problem?’ 

Jack frowned. ‘Erm … no, I guess not.’

‘Go, Jack Greenwood,’ said Xara.

He nodded, leaving her without another word. No one seemed to notice his absence over the confusion of the sirens.

Jack raced up the flight of stairs, taking two at a time. People passed him on the way up, panicked expressions on their faces. Employees of the Realm who were not willing, or able, to defend the Headquarters were being evacuated by other guards.

Jack ran, passing the second and third floor within seconds. He was out of breath by the time he reached the fifth and final floor, which was home to those with great Power within the Realm. Lucky for Jack, no one took much notice of him. After all, he was a guard, and an army medic.

Jack spotted another of Xara’s projections waiting for him. He quickly walked to her side, and without speaking, she led him down a marble corridor. Jack followed; looking around to make sure no one was watching them. Xara led him further inside the Realm, past unfamiliar rooms and Mages, until they reached a steel door.

Xara pushed it open, revealing a dark, cement corridor beyond, lit by white flames.

‘I am down here,’ she said, her projection flickering. It was strange to hear Xara talk about her body as though it were another person.

Jack followed, their footsteps echoing down the hall eerily. Xara’s projection flickered more.

They ran down the hall, until they came to another steel door.

‘Victor is on the other side,’ she said. ‘You will need to disable him quickly.’

‘With what?’ Jack asked urgently, rather intimidated by the idea of knocking someone out. He’d never done it before. After all, the only person Jack had ever hit was his own father.

‘Your fists will suffice,’ said Xara, matter-of-factly.

‘My fists?’ Jack scoffed. ‘Are you kidding me?’

‘I don’t kid,’ Xara replied, her face impassive.

Jack closed his eyes and prayed for patience. Pressing his lips together and taking a deep breath, he nodded at Xara, who opened the door.

The chamber beyond was a small room, containing only a desk, a chair, and another door on the opposite wall. Victor was a portly, balding man. As the door opened, he stood up from his chair, a confused expression on his face.

‘Xara?’ he said with a frown. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Haven’t you heard the sirens?’ she asked.

‘No, of course not,’ Victor frowned. ‘You know that no sound penetrates the stasis chamber.’

‘You’ve been asked to join the other guards downstairs,’ she lied. ‘We’re under attack, and your Power is needed.’

Victor pulled a face. ‘Erm, no, I don’t think so. I’m under strict instruction never to leave your chamber unsupervised. Wait … who is that with you?’ He pointed to Jack who had entered the small room after Xara.

Xara looked over her shoulder and gave Jack a knowing look. ‘This is another guard,’ she said, ‘sent to take over your position.’

Victor became suspicious. ‘You know I’m not supposed to leave the chamber until your shift is over.’

Jack knew the time had come to render Victor unconscious. He was becoming suspicious. Jack stepped in front of Xara, and instantly, Victor’s body language changed. He became tense and raised his hands in defence.

‘It’s all right,’ said Jack, thinking on his toes. ‘I don’t want to hurt you.’

‘You’re a medic,’ said Victor, pointing to the green lead embroidered on Jack’s shoulder. ‘What are you going to do to me?’ He scoffed as though it were impossible.

Jack stepped towards Victor but was immediately paralysed on the spot. It hurt, but the effects didn’t last long. Jack began to move as though he were walking through thick water. The paralysis felt as though his muscles were cramping up, but he quickly overcame the cramps.

‘What? How are you doing that?’ Victor demanded.

Jack reached Victor with ease. ‘I’m really sorry,’ he said before raising his fist and punching Victor in the face as hard as he could. Jack felt his knuckle crack with the force, though, of course, the fracture was fixed almost immediately.

Jack expected Victor to collapse to the ground, however, he only held his nose, howling with pain.

‘Ow!’ he cried, blood spurting down his face. ‘Whad did ewe do dat fow?’

‘I’m so sorry!’ said Jack.

‘Ewe boke by dose!’ he said thickly.

‘Let me fix that for you!’ said Jack, panicked.

‘Jack,’ said Xara, ‘you were meant to knock him out, not fix him up.’

‘Erm, right.’ Jack looked to Victor, an apologetic expression on his face. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Wait!’ said Victor, holding up a bloody hand. ‘Pease. Dun hid be again.’

‘What?’ Jack couldn’t understand him with the broken nose.

‘Don – hid – be - again.’

‘Don’t hit you again?’ Jack repeated.

‘I’ll leb ewe in!’ he said, standing aside. ‘Ewe arent goin’ do kidnab her are ewe?

Jack glanced at Xara. ‘He said he’ll let us in. Do I have to hit him still?’