The Ancient Ones (The Legacy Trilogy Book 3) (17 page)

‘What have you done?’ Leopold asked, managing to prop both legs beneath him and standing unsteadily.

‘I am not sure ...’ came Samuel’s strained reply. It had lasted a few moments, but the effort had drained him substantially. A bead of sweat ran down his brow. ‘Rei is gone, but I don’t know what remains. I tried to take only the witch from her, but they were closely intertwined ...’

But the woman was not dead, even as motionless as she was in his hands. She blinked and opened her eyes, looking at Samuel unsure as she awakened from her slumber. He released her and she stepped back, taking her own weight.

‘Samuel?’ The voice was the same but the intonation was different, with no hint of the self-assuredness or demanding that it previously carried. Her posture and stance had changed; the seductress was gone. ‘What are you doing here? Where am I?’

‘You have been a slave to one of the Ancient Ones. I have saved you.’

‘Did you really?’ she asked. ‘I don’t know what has been happening to me. I thought it a dream; fragments of another woman’s life, strange and painful. It lasted forever. Oh, Samuel. I haven’t seen you for such a long time.’ She stepped closer and wiped a tear from his cheek. ‘You’ve been crying.’

‘I have missed you, Jessicah,’ he said and Leopold was again flabbergasted. He wondered if the magician’s words were true or simply another ruse.

‘I always wondered what happened to you after you went to Cintar, but I knew we would someday meet again. And who is this?’ She only now noticed Leopold standing beside them.

‘He is Leopold Calais, the Emperor of Turia—what’s left of it. Leopold, this is Jessicah—my cousin.’

‘Leopold,’ she said, disoriented. ‘I’m pleased to meet you.’

‘Likewise,’ he replied. He was surprised that this gorgeous woman was somehow related to the magician. The beguiling enchantress had left her, but she was no less beautiful. If anything, losing the forceful manner of Rei only made her more attractive.

‘Is something the matter?’ she asked him, concerned that he was staring at her.

He realised and averted his eyes. ‘I’m sorry. Forgive me.’

It was at that moment that she appraised herself, noting the sheerness of her clothes and their translucency.

‘My goodness! What am I wearing?’ she said.

The room was not lacking for clothing and she went to the side of the room where a mirror and wardrobe were located. She flung the wardrobe open and browsed the contents until finding a modest blue dress that was considerably less revealing.

‘These all look about my size,’ she said, noting the various items that hung there.

‘I think you’ll find they’re exactly your size,’ the magician told her, but she was too busy covering herself to pay much attention. She tied the dress at her waist, stunning in such a homely covering. How could she conceal such natural beauty?

‘There!’ she said, looking in the mirror.

‘Jessicah, I hate to rush you, but we need to hurry,’ Samuel told her. ‘There’s much I still need to do. Right now, I need to get you safely back to the ship.’

‘What ship?’ she asked.

‘Never mind. You’ve missed a lot and it will take time to fill you in. For the next day or two you’ll have to have faith in me.’

‘I always do,’ she said with a cheerful dimpled smile.

‘What about the battle?’ Leopold asked. ‘What about the people in Seakeep ... my half-sisters and the others?’

‘They do not concern us,’ Samuel said steadfastly. ‘Now we have removed Rei, her forces will be easily subdued. Captain Orrell has instructions on how to take the city. I’m sure he will prevail. I need to rest.’

‘But surely you can help them? And who will save the people in Seakeep. How can you be so cold-hearted? Is this all you care about—saving your own while letting others go to the slaughter?’

‘Samuel, what is he talking about?’ asked Jessicah, concerned.

The magician shifted his feet uncomfortably. ‘We have important things to do.’

‘This is important,’ Leopold told him. ‘You cannot sit back and do nothing.’

Samuel stalked the room angrily. ‘How can we save the world if we have to run around fighting every insignificant battle? People have to protect themselves, and suffer the consequences if they cannot. If we lose now, everything will be lost. All these lives will be lost for nothing!’

‘Please, Samuel,’ Jessicah said, trying to calm him. ‘I hate to see you upset. Come now. One more hug for my favourite cousin.’

She held his hands and pulled him into her embrace, hugging him tight. Leopold looked on incredulously. No one would believe the vile magician was behaving in such a homely fashion.

‘I missed you so,’ she said, before putting her mouth to his ear. She whispered something, too softly for Leopold to hear.

When they released, she looked content, turning and idly examining the room, but Samuel’s expression had changed. His face had greyed and he looked full of worry.

‘What is it?’ Leopold asked, stepping closer.

The magician shot Leopold a scathing glare that told him to shut up, before looking back to his cousin. ‘Very well. I have changed my mind and will do as you ask, Leopold,’ he announced. ‘We will save Captain Orrell and his men and then we’ll see about Seakeep, but I will get you to the ship first.’

‘Can’t you leave us here?’ Leopold asked. ‘It seems safe enough.’

‘It may be safe for the time being, but I’ve given Captain Orrell instructions to blow this whole tower to the ground, so I suggest we move rather quickly. Come.’

He led them to the balcony and Leopold and Jessicah were surprised to be looking down from a remarkable height. Jessicah breathed sharply and stepped back, unsure at being so near to the edge, despite the safety of the guardrail. Far below, almost as if they were looking down from the clouds, they could see the city around them, sitting amidst the pond of the ocean. The Farstride and the remainder of the fleet were upon the water, with landing craft moving between them and the city.

Much of Cintar was burning, and the brisk wind that remained was carrying the smoke away. The gold and blue of Captain Orrell’s men could be seen in a cluster, fighting their way along the broad approach that led to the palace. They were surrounded by countless dark figures—Rei’s Order. Larger things walked amongst Rei’s army and they punished the Turian men with unbridled violence.

Every street and corner throughout the city was filled with debris and bodies. Samuel’s storm had significantly reduced the size of Rei’s defending forces, but still they greatly outnumbered Orrell and his men.

‘Rei’s army has not lost its enthusiasm as you expected,’ Leopold noted.

‘So it seems,’ Samuel said with annoyance. ‘I must have erred. One of her subordinates must be directing her Order. Hmm ... Ruardin. I will soon take care of him, but first, the captain needs breathing space. Come, I will put you somewhere safe.’

Before either protested, he clamped his hands around their waists and, with a sudden lurch, they were airborne.

‘By the gods!’ Leopold cried and he clutched to the magician’s side tenaciously, while Jessicah shrieked with fear.

‘Don’t wriggle so much, or I will drop you!’ Samuel declared.

‘Then give us warning next time!’ Jessicah gasped, finding her voice.

‘What’s that!’ Leopold called out, and he freed one hand from holding long enough to point to a cluster of dark shapes that were flitting towards them.

Samuel moaned. ‘Demon spawn. Why is nothing ever easy?’

‘Who are you to ask, Magician?’ Leopold asked with annoyance.

‘Lord Magician!’ Samuel returned sharply. ‘Now hold your tongue while I save your life again.’

The enormous batlike creatures screeched towards them, swooping in and snapping past with jagged beaks and razor claws.

‘Hold on!’ Samuel bellowed, for they were descending rapidly towards the top of another tower.

They slowed enough before landing so that their legs were not broken, but the three of them spilled over, with Leopold and Jessicah gasping in pain, skinning their knees and elbows.

Samuel rolled away, knotted in his cloak, up first and pointed to each flying creature in turn. Their wings ceased beating and they plummeted out of sight.

‘Why didn’t you do that before we nearly broke our ankles?’ Leopold asked sorely, peering over the tower’s edge after the fiends.

‘I was too busy holding onto you to think about it. Hold your tongue. You live, so stop whining.’

‘What were those things?’ Jessicah asked fearfully.

‘Beasts from another plane. Rei’s forces are men that she has subverted with her powers. To bolster them she has summoned many creatures from other worlds—monsters and ghouls beyond comprehension.’

‘Who is Rei?’ she asked.

‘That’s one of the details I will explain later,’ Samuel replied.

‘Can you not stop these things?’ Leopold asked of Jessicah.

She shook her head. ‘Why would I be able to stop them?’

‘Enough, Leopold,’ Samuel told him bluntly.

‘What is that?’ Leopold pointed excitedly to a huge shape that was stomping through the houses. It was building-sized and mobile, wreaking havoc upon the city, sending up plumes of dust and smoke in its wake.

‘That, young Leopold, is the general of her armies. It is—or at least it once was—General Ruardin, a proud and noble giant of man, bent to Rei’s will and transformed into this monstrosity. His golden armour is now turned to stone. I’d wager his presence keeps Rei’s forces directed. I was hoping the captain could take care of everything from here, but it seems he is having his own difficulties. Argh!’ he then grunted. ‘Now the damned man is going the wrong way. This will never do.’

‘What will you do?’

Samuel sighed. ‘I’ll have to help Captain Orrell take care of him, but I need you to do something for me.’

‘What is it?’ Leopold asked.

He left Jessicah standing by the tower’s edge and took Leopold to speak quietly. ‘Part of being a magician—of being in any conflict—is not letting our enemies know our strengths or weaknesses. The battle so far has strained me, and I am nearing my limits. I need rest. I can use Rei’s power to do what I can, but after that I risk exhausting myself , and then ...’ He trailed off, distracted.

‘What is it?’ Leopold prompted him.

‘If I overreach my limits, there is a danger. I have something inside of me ... many things, dark things. They have always been within me, whispering quietly, but in a moment of desperation I gave in and welcomed them into my being. We are one, and I must struggle against their efforts to control me. Normally, I withstand them, but if I tire too much, I may be overcome. Then, I will need you to help me.’

‘What would I do?’ Leopold asked dubiously.

‘Get me into my casket and close the lid. Do not open it for one full day. After that, it should be safe.’

‘But your casket is on the ship.’

‘Then that’s where you’ll have to get me.’

‘What happens if I can’t get you into it in time?’

‘Then I would be overcome, a powerful tool of darkness and a danger for everyone.’

‘It’s not enough the world is filled with demons, you are full of them, too?’

‘Demons have been fighting each other for control of this world since an unfortunate fool led them to it. The ones within me would challenge Lin if they received the opportunity—though I doubt they would succeed. Such chaotic beings inherently battle each other for supremacy. The result would be disastrous for everyone here, our mission would be a failure.’

Leopold was thoughtful. ‘Very well. I will do it.’

Samuel nodded. ‘Good.’ He looked to Jessicah. ‘I don’t want her to know. Not yet.’ He then called her over. ‘I will go now. I will be back for you when it is over. If everything goes badly, close your eyes and wait. It shouldn’t take long.’

‘For what?’ asked Leopold, concerned.

‘To die,’ the magician said with finality.

‘But couldn’t we run or make for the ship?’

‘You could.’ He moved beside Jessicah, and Leopold chased after him.

‘Wait! Are you just going to leave us here?’

‘It’s safer here atop the Mage Tower than down there, believe me. I will come for you when I am finished. Don’t worry. With luck, it should all work out.’

‘That doesn’t sound very reassuring,’ Leopold declared.

‘I have seen this battle before and I know the High Tower shall fall ... it’s pivotal to our victory. In my vision, however, this tower was still standing, so just pray my memory remains sound. It’s been a long time.’

‘That’s not comforting, Samuel,’ Jessicah said.

Samuel gave her a rare, genuine smile and, unbelievably, winked. ‘Have faith in me. Besides, you have the charming young Emperor to keep you company.’

With that he turned his back.

‘But what if more of those flying things come?’ Leopold shouted after him, but Samuel had already stepped from the tower’s edge and dropped away, black cloth fluttering wildly.

Leopold stepped carefully to the edge to watch the magician in flight. He fell halfway to the ground, and for a moment Leopold thought the man might hit the ground, a fatal puff of dust and shattering of paving stones, but he curved away from the tower wall, swooping over rooftops.

From the shadows of the city, more flying things rose to meet him. Brilliant streams of lightning streaked from the magician, and Leopold flinched as the bright beams dazzled his eyes. The stricken beasts glowed red hot for an instant, then fell like broken kites from the sky, spiralling down into the city streets.

Jessicah came to his side and clutched his hand for support as she also followed Samuel’s progress. Leopold looked to their clasped hands nervously. He had imagined being hand in hand with a beautiful woman, but never like this. He held onto her tightly to calm his jittery nerves.

‘Are you really the Emperor?’ she asked him. Her question broke him from his thoughts.

‘Ah, apparently so,’ he replied. ‘Don’t I look like one?’

‘I wouldn’t know,’ she said. ‘Samuel and I would play tricks on each other all the time when we were young. I wasn’t sure if this was one of them.’

‘What he said is true. I don’t think he plays many games anymore.’