“His name is Diamond Whiskey, but we all call him Whiskey for short. Take good care of him.”
“Yes, sir.” Janco tied on his bags, mounted and headed northeast, hoping to catch up to Valek.
PART 6 – YELENA
Consciousness swelled and died. During my lucid times, snippets of conversation reached me.
“…dangerous delay…what were you thinking?”
“…can’t do anything…Selene’s terrified…”
When I no longer drifted in and out, I assessed my situation. I remained on the floor of the travel shelter with two cracked ribs and one broken. All three ribs stabbed me with white-hot fire every time I moved. The bruised muscles around my torso throbbed with pain. And I didn’t have enough strength to heal myself. Not yet.
With no other option available, I kept still. I reviewed the whole encounter with the woman who had threatened Leif, and then I remembered Valek’s signal. It was hard to decipher through the haze of pain, but I dredged up the memories of his lessons.
Leif had been the better student, learning all the signals. I had memorized the basics—handy when we had a mission requiring silence, but now I mourned my lack of foresight.
Puzzling out the different gestures, I pieced together most of his message. He seemed confident that they would escape, and he warned me about Owen lying. Not exactly earth-shattering news, but he must have had a good reason to state the obvious. Too bad I couldn’t figure out what Owen might be lying about.
The day passed and, although Owen’s men gave me food and water, my energy level remained low. The tension between the men grew. I considered ways to increase the friction, including prolonging my recovery time.
Finally, Owen knelt next to me. “We need to go. Now.”
“Can’t move,” I said.
He studied my expression. I shifted, then winced as pain tore through my ribcage.
“How long?” he asked.
“A couple days.” My answer alarmed his men. Good.
“We don’t have that much time. Someone is bound to grow suspicious and alert the local soldiers.” He rubbed a hand over the dark stubble on his cheeks. White hairs flecked his growing beard. “I’ll share my strength with you. Heal your ribs only.”
So much for my plan. Owen grabbed my hands, allowing me to tap into his considerable magic. I pulled threads of power and repaired the damage to my body. When I finished, I yanked my hands back, but he held on.
“I communicated with my other team today,” he said. “Despite your interference, nothing has changed.”
Through his memories, I saw Valek pacing in a small cell. His expression was devoid of emotion—a bad sign. Perhaps escape was no longer an option. The view changed to Leif. He lay on the straw bedding, either asleep or unconscious. The bruises on his face stood out against his unnaturally pale skin. Blood soaked the fabric of his jumper on his right shoulder and chest.
“He’ll live,” Owen said. “For now. But any more tricks, and I’ll order Selene to stab him again. But this time, she won’t miss.”
Anger mixed with fear, and I reached for Owen’s soul. If I controlled his body—
He dropped my hands and erected a null shield between us. “Oh, no, you don’t.” The magician blinked at me as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. “What did I just say?”
“Company’s coming,” Reed called from his post by the front window.
Owen cursed. “Who?”
“Ixian soldiers.”
More curses. “How many?”
“A dozen.”
“Colors?”
“They’re wearing green and black.”
MD-5 uniforms. Not as concerning as the Commander’s soldiers. Owen pulled me to my feet. I wiped dirt from my shirt and pants. We all wore the purple and black uniforms of MD-3. Posing as miners returning to MD-3 from a delivery, we had the paperwork to prove our story. However, I hoped the forms we carried hadn’t been changed recently. Standard forms were altered on a regular basis to avoid forgeries. If they didn’t match the current form, we would be arrested. Not that I minded the idea of Owen and his goons being locked behind bars, but that wouldn’t help Leif or Valek.
The soldiers entered the shelter and took up defensive positions around us. It was time to find out if our paperwork would pass inspection.
The Lieutenant scanned our uniforms and our faces. I kept my expression neutral, even though disappointment settled in my chest. Logically, I knew Valek had been caught by Owen’s collaborator, Selene. Yet I had been hoping he’d had time to send me a few Ixian reinforcements. But I didn’t recognize any of the seven soldiers surrounding us, or the Lieutenant who checked our papers with care. Perhaps one or two of the five men the Lieutenant had left outside the travel shelter would turn out to be allies. Small chance, but I’d take any bit of optimism right now.
The papers that might or might not pass said we were miners returning to our home after a delivery. I had warned Owen and his five men to keep quiet. Their accents might give them away. And I had asked Owen not to use magic, because some Ixians could detect its presence.
I wondered what Owen would do if they tried to arrest us. We were outnumbered, and his magic seemed limited to null shields and mental communication. Would a fight result in the end of his quest to steal the Ice Moon? Would it also be the end of Leif and Valek? Impotent fury simmered in my blood. Owen would pay for threatening the ones I love.
Even though he looked young, the blond-haired Lieutenant’s blue eyes held a sharpness that indicated he might be hard to fool. He asked Owen what goods we had delivered.
“Diamonds for General Ute,” I said.
His gaze focused on me. “Really? I hadn’t heard about it.”
“Of course not. We don’t like to announce we’re walking around with expensive diamonds.”
“Is that why your companions are armed?”
“Yes, sir.” I had learned from Valek to just answer the question that was asked and not to expand.
“Why did the General need them?” he asked.
“I don’t know, sir. I just follow orders.”
“I see. Where do you work?”
“Mine 3-19, sir,” I said.
Once again the Lieutenant studied us. He gestured to my side. “What happened to you?”
I glanced down. My shirt was ripped, and a large bruise could be seen through the hole. “I fell.”
As the Lieutenant peered at me with suspicion, Owen stiffened. The Lieutenant’s expression smoothed, then blanked for a moment before returning to normal.
“Your papers are in order. You may go,” the Lieutenant said.
Despite my warning, Owen had used his magic to influence the man. But the risk had paid off. We gathered our things and left the shelter, heading north. Once we were well out of sight of the Ixian soldiers, I sent a thin tendril of magic back to the Lieutenant. Scanning his surface thoughts, I sensed his befuddlement clearing. But before he could dismiss the strange incident, I planted a seed of doubt, hoping the man might report this strange incident.
PART 7 – VALEK
Five days after leaving Fulgor, Valek encountered a squad patrolling the area. The soldiers blocked his path, forming a circle around him. A young, blond haired Lieutenant ordered Valek to dismount. None of the fourteen soldiers knew who he was. And to make it worse, he still wore his nondescript Sitian clothes under his cloak. I really need to spend more time in Ixia. A shave and a haircut would probably help, too.
Valek slid from the saddle.
“Papers.” The Lieutenant held out his hand.
When Valek introduced himself, the Lieutenant laughed. “And I’m the Commander of Ixia. Want to try that again?”
He tried the code words that his special corps used in case they ran into trouble.
“Those are two weeks old. You’re under arrest. Bon, secure our guest so he doesn’t get any ideas.”
Valek eyed the big bruiser approaching him. He could easily slip past him and escape, b
ut then the whole squad would give chase. Losing them wouldn’t be a problem—-he worried more that his disappearing act would cause a widespread commotion that might reach Owen, tipping him off. And the Lieutenant couldn’t be faulted for doing his job. Despite his flippant attitude, Valek sensed the young man possessed a keen intelligence.
Frustrated with the delay, but unable to think of a better solution, Valek allowed the squad to arrest him. He hoped someone would recognize him back at their station house.
Valek’s luck ran out upon reaching the station house.
Manacled to a chair in an interrogation room, Valek realized that escape was now his only option. The Lieutenant asked him a series of questions—who are you working for, do you have any accomplices—all of which Valek ignored. Instead, he worked on unlocking the metal cuffs around his wrists.
Then the Lieutenant asked, “Are you connected in any way with those six miners who passed through here, claiming they were delivering diamonds to General Ute?”
That wasn’t a standard question. Valek leaned forward. “When did you see them?” he asked.
“I knew they were trouble. Something about them…” He shook his head as if to clear it. “Answer my question.”
“No. You’ve wasted enough of my time.” Valek dropped the manacles on the table between them and stood.
The Lieutenant scrambled to his feet, but by the time he reached for his weapon, Valek had already taken it from him. He pressed the tip of the sword against the man’s throat.
“Now let’s talk, Lieutenant.”
PART 8 – JANCO
Janco kept to the main roads. So far, all the patrols he’d encountered hadn’t seen any sign of Valek or Yelena’s group. After three days on the road, he passed a solider. It took him a couple seconds to realize the man must be a messenger. Janco turned Whiskey around to question him.
“The message is for Captain Penter,” the private said, giving Janco a snide look. “Not you.”
Janco slid from the saddle. “I outrank your captain. Now hand it over, puppy dog.”
“You’re just an adviser.”
“I’m Valek’s second-in-command.”
The private laughed. “Good one.”
Annoyed, Janco lamented the lack of…proof of his position. It wouldn’t be that difficult to have badges made, or get tattoos, or make special uniforms. However, no one else thought it was needed.
Bah. Anonymity was useful—until it wasn’t.
“Do you really think the Commander would let just an adviser ride his favorite horse? Look at the diamond on his forehead. Ya think that happens in nature?” His tone indicated that only an idiot would believe that. A little improvisation never hurt anyone. Right?
“Uh…”
“Besides, I already know the gist of the message, anyway.”
The man straightened as if he realized he’d been duped. “Sorry, sir, but I have my orders.”
“It’s about a strange group of citizens traveling north.” He hoped.
A nose twitch gave the private away. Ah ha! “Just tell me where you encountered them and where they’re headed, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
He glanced at the horse, then said, “You need to talk to Lieutenant Darren. He’s at the station house. He’s the one who saw them. This…” The messenger waved the parchment. “Is just asking if the captain knows anything about a diamond delivery for General Ute.”
“Which station house? Two or three?”
“Three, sir.”
Too bad, two was closer. Janco mounted. “Thanks.” He spurred Whiskey into a gallop, heading east.
Two days later he arrived at the station house. Spotting Onyx tied up outside, Janco relaxed. If the black horse was here, then Valek had to be nearby. Onyx snorted a greeting to them. No surprise since both horses spent time together in the Commander’s stables.
Janco entered the station.
A sergeant scrambled to his feet to intercept him. “Are you the messenger from the Commander?”
No, but he doubted they’d believe him. These guys tended to be a bit isolated out here in the boondocks. “Yes.” Janco debated about mentioning Valek’s name. Sometimes his boss preferred to remain incognito. Instead he asked, “Is Lieutenant Darren here?”
“He’s interrogating a prisoner, but I’m sure he’ll want to see you right away. Wait here.” The solider hustled off.
Prisoner? Janco followed and when the sergeant entered a room, Janco moved to the side, staying out of sight, but able to hear the conversation.
“LT, a messenger from the Commander has arrived. He wishes to speak with you.” A pause. “Oh!”
“Escort the messenger in here, or I’ll skewer your lieutenant,” Valek said.
Janco muffled a chuckle as he back-tracked to where he was supposed to wait.
With his face bright red, the sergeant ran to Janco. “The prisoner has the lieutenant at sword-point! He wants you, but I have to alert the—”
“Don’t alert anyone just yet. I’ll handle this.”
“But he’s armed, and—”
“I’m the Commander’s messenger. Did you think we only deliver messages?”
“Uh…yes?”
Janco tsked. “We are trained to handle any contingency.” Wow, he was on a roll today. He strolled into the room and took in the situation. The frightened lieutenant sat in a chair. Valek stood nearby with a sword at the ready. His boss appeared happy to see Janco.
“Can you please tell this lieutenant who he has arrested?” Valek asked.
“Can do,” Janco said with a smile and then he couldn’t resist adding, “Lieutenant Darren, let me be the first to congratulate you on capturing the elusive and legendary Kelav. He’s been wanted in Ixia for years on multiple counts of espionage.”
Valek’s expression darkened into a murderous glower. “Janco.”
Oops. One lie too many. Although Darren’s open-mouth gape was quite amusing.
“Sorry, boss. Just having a bit of fun,” Janco said. “I can’t believe these guys didn’t recognize you. You wouldn’t have had this problem if we had badges.”
No response, only a hard gaze that promised pain if Janco continued. He hurried to explain to Darren who he’d “captured.” After stammering out an apology, Darren filled them in on the group of six miners he’d encountered.
“They said they worked at Mine 3-19 in MD-3 and were headed north. That was five days ago,” Darren said.
Valek shot to his feet. “Let’s go.”
“Now?” Janco was hoping to sleep in a bed and eat warm food tonight.
“Yes. Now. Although I doubt we’ll make it in time.”
“In time for what?”
“To help Yelena fight Owen once he gets his hands on the Ice Moon.”
PART 9 – YELENA
We reached the border between MD-5 and MD-4 on the twelfth day of our trip and four days after the encounter with the Lieutenant. The cold air blowing from the west sent shivers down my spine, despite my heavy cloak. My unease could also be attributed to the daily images Owen showed me of Leif and Valek, who were still incarcerated in Sitia.
With nothing but worry to occupy my mind, I replayed over and over the first time Owen had shown me Valek. He had signaled a message to me then, but hadn’t since. He warned of Owen lying to me, which wasn’t earth-shattering news. So what had he meant? I cursed myself daily for not memorizing all of Valek’s hand signals. Two motions still eluded me--they had to be critical to deciphering his whole message.
An MD-4 border patrol stopped us at midday. They scanned our party and papers with bored expressions. I searched their faces, looking for a recognizable feature or a hint of intelligence, but was disappointed.
That night, as the wind wailed through the many cracks in the travel shelter and we all huddled close to the campfire, I asked Owen about the Ice Moon.
I chose my words with care. “How did you know the Commander…stole it? Not many do.”
“My great-g
reat-grandfather created it,” Owen said. “Perhaps you’ve heard about Master Magician Ellis Moon?”
“Bain Bloodgood was my history teacher at the Keep.”
A rare smile flashed on his face. “Bain is a stickler for history, but I’m sure he didn’t tell you the truth about the Ice Moon.”
“He said it was a desperate measure when Master Magician Sefton Cowan had gathered the power blanket. A measure that was never used.”
“True. But did he tell you why they never used it?”
“They didn’t need to. The other six Masters found Sefton’s hiding place and attacked, along with every magician in Sitia not working for Sefton.”
“And almost all of them died. Of the Masters, only Ellis and Rivana survived. Had they deployed the Ice Moon, not a single soul would have been lost.”
“Bain indicated that there had been a great risk in using the Ice Moon. It could have backfired.”
“There was no danger.”
“How do you know?” I asked.
“I found Ellis’s notes and read through them. He was a genius. The other Masters were cowards. And now the Commander has the Ice Moon, believing he is keeping Ixia safe by preventing us from using it against Ixia. He has no idea that he possesses the single most powerful weapon he could possibly have against magicians.”
“Since he doesn’t know, it’s safe with him,” I said.
Owen scoffed. “Would you give a knife to a small child who doesn’t know it can kill? No. The Commander could accidently trigger the Ice Moon. Or he could learn its true nature and do what he most desires—rid the world of magic.”
I blinked at Owen, sure I had heard wrong. His superior demeanor remained in place. Owen had no idea what the blanket of power was—the souls of all those who have reached the sky, also known as the world’s soul. Not many did. I had told the Master Magicians, but we had agreed to keep the knowledge to ourselves for now.
I studied the arrogant man sitting next to me. The icy wind keened through the travel shelter’s cracks, causing the flames in the hearth to pulse.
“I don’t believe you,” I said to him. “Nothing can destroy the power blanket. Magicians can mangle it, rip holes in it and move it, but not erase it.”