Catalyst (Book 1) (33 page)

When I reached the bottom, the strike force already had the cell doors open, and the prisoners were filing out. I pushed my way through all the people, making my way to the front by Krystal’s side.

The Royal Guardsmen of Alexandria were nearly naked, wearing dirty rags that barely covered them. They stank and were undernourished. Ardimus was in the worst condition. He leaned more than stood. Dark bruises encircled his face, and blood was crusted on his swollen lips. Lacerations and cuts marred his arms. Even in his condition, when he saw the princess his smile was full of love and warmth.

No matter what ragged condition they were in, their angry eyes spoke volumes, saying they were ready for battle.

“There’s one bloody fight ahead of us,” Jastillian said. “Are you and your men with us, Ardimus?”

“I’m always willing to kill as many of those creatures as I can; however, my first duty lies with the princess.” Ardimus turned to Krystal. “May I be allowed to leave your side and save our fair city, Princess?”

“No, you may not,” Krystal said. “I'm going to need you. You're to come with me while we find my father.”

He bowed. “As you command, Princess. My men and I are going to need weapons. I believe Premier had our weapons taken to the armory. Gods willing, his despicable creatures won't have ransacked it. I believe he promised to give them to his favorites as prizes after the battle.” He gazed into the faces his men. “Does everyone know what to do?” he asked. “You are to help our friends take back what is ours! For Alexandria!”

The Guardsmen of Alexandria ignored their wounds and raised their fists in the air. They stood straighter, their pride and dignity showing through their rags.

“If Her Highness will lead the way,” Ardimus said. “Make way! Make way!”

I was the last to leave the dungeon's depths. I was anxious for battle, but I wasn't craving it like they were. I wasn’t a warrior. I just wanted to be rid of the creatures and Premier. I didn't want to see any more of the good people of Alexandria, Erlam, or Sharald die.

As I walked towards the armory, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being followed. I kept checking behind me and around the corners, but there was no one. Prastian sensed my uneasiness

“Is something the matter, Hellsfire?” Prastian said.

“Something
is
wrong,” I said. “I don't know what it is. But I can't shake the feeling of danger.” I shrugged. “I haven't seen anything. Have you or any of the other elves heard anything?”

Prastian's long ears twitched in different directions. “Nothing.”

“I pray you’re right.”

We soon arrived at the armory. Prastian left me and went inside with the Guardsmen of Alexandria. I stood outside the entrance as guard, along with the dwarves and elves. I glanced from side to side, but saw nothing, so I peered inside the armory, curious.

The armory was larger than I expected—a long room bristling with weapons. Arrows were bundled and leaned against the walls. Wooden racks held swords of all sizes, from short swords and longswords to huge broadswords. Light gleamed off their deadly, sharpened edges, slicing through the air. Crossbows and longbows hung on the walls. Wooden dummies wore helms, armor, and shields. The polished steel shone, and the red dragon emblems gleamed like rubies. Even though I wasn’t skilled with a weapon, that deadly beauty was entrancing.

The men and women of Alexandria wasted no time. They strapped on body armor and breastplates. One woman tucked her ragged hair under a helm. Another man strapped the gauntlets on his arm. A shorter woman picked up a heavy axe and swung it through the air, testing its balance. A man restrung a bow and plucked the string. He nodded, satisfied.

Their transformation was complete in a matter of minutes. They worked in silence, the only noises the hiss of swords into sheaths and the soft clink of chainmail. A nod here, a look there, was all they needed to communicate.

All the ragged, dirty-looking guards from the dungeon had recovered their armor, their weapons, and more importantly, their pride. With the dragon symbol emblazoned on their chests, they now looked like those heroic Guardsmen of Alexandria I had heard stories about. In front of them stood Ardimus, his chainmail gleaming and his sharpened scimitar at his side.

The Guardsmen’s faces became grim and their eyes gleamed with an angry fire. Blood and battle was on their minds. Gods help whoever stood in their way.

Ardimus walked towards me. “This is where we part ways,” he said. “Be careful, Hellsfire. I still owe you.”

“I will,” I said.

I turned towards Krystal and gave her my full attention. There were so many things I wanted to say to her, but all the words were inadequate.

“I'll be back to get you, Your Highness, once we see how the battle is going,” I said. “Please be careful.”

“You too, hero.”

She turned to walk away when I stopped her, “Wait!”

“Yes, Hellsfire?”

“Take this.”

I pulled my dagger from underneath my robes. I clasped it in my hands, enchanting it with minor, temporary magic. My hands glowed and transferred power to it.

“Here,” I said, handing it to her. “I doubt you’ll need it but if you do, unsheathe it the slightest bit and you’ll activate its magic. I’ll know you’re in trouble and where you are.”

“Still looking out for me?”

“Always.”

We shared a smile before departing.

We ran toward the entrance. I pushed thoughts of the princess’s safety out of my mind so I could focus on the upcoming battle. As soon as we were out of the castle, the blinding daylight struck us, disorientating us for a moment. Then we picked up the pace. The weight of the soldiers’ gear didn’t slow any of them down. They hungered to lighten the load by burying their blades and arrows into Premier’s creatures.

The keep had emptied out—the main battle was at the wall by the city’s south gate. As we ran through the courtyard, two giant shadows passed over us, and we heard an inhuman scream. I stopped and looked up. Cynder was overhead, locked in a battle with a giant bird of some sort. It must have been Premier's own guardian. The bird's sharp talons dug into
Cynder's
flesh, and he cried out. Cynder stretched his long, reptilian neck, snapping at the bird’s feathery side until he was free. I wanted to help my friend, but there was nothing I could do for him. I prayed the dragon would survive.

We passed through the castle gate. It was unnerving to see the silent temple and the streets so empty of people when there were crowds the last time I had passed through. Even the beggars and prostitutes would have been a welcome sight.

We ran down the hill, heading for the square where Alexander’s statue stood, when the magic hit me like a sledgehammer to the head. I wobbled, nearly toppling over. I put my fingertips to my forehead, and the throbbing pain settled until it became a buzzing haze. I looked back at the castle.

The princess was in trouble.

Most of the Guardsmen were still running, but my friends stopped. “Hellsfire, what is it?” Prastian asked.

“I’ve got to go back to the castle. The princess is in trouble.”

“Then I’ll go with you,” Jastillian said. “I promised Wizard Stradus I’d watch your back.”

“And we’ll go, too,” one of the women of Alexandria said. “She’s our princess.”

I shook my head. “No. I’ll be faster alone.” I pointed to the southern walls where the battle raged. “The princess needs you to help with that.”

From our height, across the city, it was hard to see what was going on. The fire and smoke obscured most of the battle. But what I saw was enough.

Tiny silhouettes fought hard on the wall. Our forces had climbed sections of the wall, but were bottled up. The creatures’ hulking forms pushed our forces back. On one section of the wall, the creatures were like a dragon’s mouth, swallowing our soldiers whole.

“Alexandria is more than just the crown,” I said. “The princess knows that. Do your duty. Rally the people. Open the gates. I’ll go back to the castle.”

“What about you?” Prastian asked. “What about your duty and what you promised Wizard Stradus?”

“My duty lies with the princess.”

I turned and ran back to the castle. The fire building inside of me became hard to contain. It oozed out of my hand and through my eyes, the more I thought about Krystal. I left a fiery trail behind me. If any harm had befallen her, it would be all my fault.

CHAPTER 24

I sprinted into the castle. I followed the magic in my dagger, the haze lessening the closer I got to it. The princess still had it with her. I hoped one of the creatures lurked nearby so I could vent my anger. I didn’t find any. I found something much worse.

Inside the keep, at the top of the main staircase, were the bodies of Krystal’s guards. One man lay on his stomach, his neck twisted so that his vacant eyes stared at the ceiling. Another guard’s face was so charred and blackened I could see half her skull.

I crept to the nearest body. She slumped against the wall, leaving a bloody trail against it. There was a fist-sized hole in her chest. I bent down and put my fingers to the blood. It was still warm. Whatever caused it could lurk nearby.

I worried that Krystal was amongst these bodies, even though the magic I felt wasn’t near here. It was off towards the end of the corridor. But the dagger could have been taken from her. I checked the bodies, and they all wore the armor of Alexandria.

I kept my guard up and crept forward, stepping over the dead bodies. Something moved. I created a very hot and hungry fireball in my hand.

“Help me,” said a weak voice. It was coming from one of the hunched, shadowy bodies. He tried to move again, and cried out in pain.

I crept toward the voice, still scanning the area. It could be a trap waiting to spring when I helped the wounded soldier.

“The princess…you must help her.” My heart beat fast at that. That meant she was still alive.

I rushed to the man, ignoring the possible trap. I had to find out what he knew. It was Ardimus. Fresh cuts and bruises marked his face, and blood trailed from a large gash in his right arm, dripping into a puddle on the floor.

“Are you all right?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

“No, but I'll live.”

My eyes scanned the shadows and open doors. There were far too many hiding places. “Is there anyone else here?”

Ardimus shook his head.

I ripped off a fallen soldier’s tunic and tied it tightly around his open wound. The cloth darkened with red. It wasn’t enough, but it would have to do. I helped Ardimus up, taking his left hand. He grunted in pain and touched a hand to his right side. It came back with more blood.

“What happened here? Where's the princess?”

“Premier came. He attacked us with magic and took her.” Ardimus shook his head in shame. “I failed.”

Ardimus’s clothes had disintegrated over his chest, but his chainmail remained intact. I sensed magic coming from the chainmail. I latched onto some mana and touched it. It hummed in response.

“How did you—”

“My chainmail and sword are enchanted. They were a gift, long ago, and provided some protection.” Ardimus squirmed in pain. “But they weren't enough.” He looked at the dead bodies strewn across the floor. “My people…the princess. We've got to help her.”

“No, I will find her.”

“But—”

“You're in no shape to fight Premier. If you weren't hurt, I would be honored to have you by my side. I need you—no, the princess needs you to guard King Furlong. Will you do that?”

“I will follow her orders,” he said, the embers in his eyes growing into flames. “Please give me my sword.”

I walked a few paces away and picked up his scimitar. Magical power lurked within. I handed Ardimus his sword. He drew himself erect and proud, even though it hurt him to do so.

“Make him pay dearly for what he's done, Hellsfire.”

“You have my word.” I left Ardimus and called the wind to help me in my race.

I followed the magic, running through the empty hallways and down another flight of stairs. It was strange to be inside the castle with no guards or servants. The enchantment led me down familiar corridors until I realized there was only one place Premier would have taken her—his tower.

When I arrived at the northwest tower and stepped through the doorway, I had my magic at the ready. I didn't summon any mana in case Premier could sense it, but it lurked just under the surface. I prayed Premier would be alone. I didn’t want to have to worry about that damn ogre of his.

I expected they would be down in his workroom, but my spell pulled me upstairs. I crept up the stairs and hid at the top, peeking around the corner. The haze in my head disappeared when I saw them. Premier and Krystal stood in a large, spacious room. Parts of the stone walls were cracked, bits of them scattered on the floor. Black scorch marks spotted the walls. There was no furniture. The starkness and condition of the room reminded me of the training room in the White Mountain. The princess still had the dagger; I could sense the hidden weapon.

“For the last time, I will not give you what you want!” the princess said. Her hands were bound, but she stood tall and proud before Premier.

Premier turned to the side, a thoughtful look on his face. “I underestimated you. I had thought you weak. Who would have thought that the blood of Alexander would run so strong in a girl?”

In a calm but deadly voice he continued, “If you don't give me what I want, the line of Alexandria ends here. The creatures of the Wastelands will be free to wreak havoc on Northern Shala. That will be your legacy, princess. That will be what people remember. But before that happens, your people will die, your father will die, and I will turn this entire city into a barren wasteland. I will force you to watch, and then I will kill you.”

Krystal's violet eyes were full of fire and anger. If looks could kill, Premier would have dropped dead. I prayed she didn't do anything that would anger him further.

She did. She spat in his face. Premier calmly wiped his face before backhanding her. Krystal fell to the ground. She stood up again, blood trickling from her nose. I focused, suppressing my rage and my fire.

“That's unbecoming of you, Your Highness,” Premier said.

I had to figure out how I could attack Premier without hurting Krystal. I thought of a quick and easy spell, one I wouldn't need too much mana to perform. Then we could escape, or she could, while I faced Premier alone.

I waited until Premier's back was turned, then darted out of my hiding place, sprinting as fast as my long legs would carry me. The distance wasn't far, but it seemed to take forever. I gathered in wind mana, preparing to unleash it on Premier.

Without looking at me, Premier reached out and grabbed Krystal by the neck. “Tell me, boy, have you ever forced the manas upon someone? I have. It’s fascinating. Though it appears to be a very painful way to die.”

I froze in my tracks.

“They say it shreds the soul, while destroying the body. It doesn't work on those like you and me, but the princess can't perform magic, can she?” Premier squeezed her throat even tighter. I felt him gathering mana.

“Stop,” I said. “Leave her alone.”

Premier squeezed once more, then dropped Krystal. She fell, gasping for air. The magic Premier had summoned vanished.

He turned to face me and said, “You're beginning to become an annoyance, boy. First the elves, then the dwarf, and now this.” Premier closed his eyes and put his fingertips to his temple. He opened them again. “What I don't understand is why.”

I met his dark gaze. “It's the right thing to do.”

Premier studied me, his expression incredulous. “You're serious?” Premier chuckled, then gave a full-blown laugh. “Such heroic nonsense.”

I watched the princess struggle to rise. Premier's gazed followed mine. He kicked her hands out from under her. I took a step forward and narrowed my eyes at him.

“Ah, that's why you're doing this,” Premier said. “Not because of some silly moral code. Because of her.” Premier gave the princess and me an evil smile. “You may yet be of use to me, boy.”

“It ends here,” I said, finding my words surprisingly steady. And if I failed, there would always be Master Stradus.

“Boy, I have centuries on you. You couldn't comprehend the things I've learned and the sort of power I have.” He focused on Krystal. “One last chance, Princess. Give me what I want or he dies.”

Krystal’s eyes met mine. Hard and full of fury against Premier, they softened when she looked at me. Sadness and guilt lurked in them. She shook her head, strands of her sun-streaked hair flying.

She said quietly, “I can’t. Forgive me, Hellsfire.”

 
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I said.

“Ah, youth,” Premier said. “How sweet.”

Without warning, Premier summoned a torrent of black mana, casting it with lightning speed.

The last thing I saw was Krystal, still on the ground, shouting, “Hellsfire!”

Then the darkness engulfed me. Premier and Krystal disappeared, and there was nothing but the pure blackness. I had used black mana before, but never felt its touch like this. It was as icy and cold as death. I collapsed under its oppressive weight.

I tried to summon white mana to counteract it, but I couldn't grasp it. It flickered and sparked but wouldn't come. I sank lower to the floor, gasping for air. The magic was crushing me. I reached out, trying to break free. I couldn't do it without the proper magic. I was enclosed by invisible darkness, pressing against me until it suffocated me.

The darkness lifted. The princess had thrown herself at Premier, breaking his concentration. Premier snapped his fingers, summoning a wind that pushed her away. She flew into the wall, her head hitting the stone hard. She collapsed on the floor.

“Krystal!”

I tried to get up. Premier's attention re-focused on me. The black mana hit me like the touch of a feather, but with the force of an avalanche, sending me back into the darkness.

I couldn't get the princess out of my mind. That head wound might have killed her. I pushed aside my fears, letting the darkness and my rage fuel my magic.

My greatest strength—fire—came out to battle the blackness, though. I knew it would be useless against Premier’s black mana. I needed the mana of life. I thought the fire would be devoured as it pushed out against the shadows. It wasn’t.

Instead of trying to overcome the darkness with its own light, the fire absorbed it. It swayed and roared with power, sucking the black mana within itself. The room spun into view again. I slowly got up, calming the fire and forcing it back within myself.

Krystal lay on the floor, very still. I ached to go to her, but it would be suicide. I thought I saw her take a shallow breath before I turned my attention to Premier.

“How did you do that?” Premier asked, taking a few steps closer. He seemed to have forgotten all about the princess. “That spell is far too advanced for a whelp like you.”

I had no idea how I’d done it, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. “I told you. I'm going to stop you.”

The curiosity left Premier's face. Good. I wanted to anger him, so his complete attention would be focused on me instead of the princess. I circled around him. Premier countered my move. When he was safely away from Krystal and before he realized what I was doing, I attacked.

I summoned a small portion of my fire and tossed it at Premier in the form of a fireball. He deflected it easily, and it bounced off the wall and dispersed. The next time, I used both hands. Premier knocked aside the fireballs as if he were swatting flies.

“You showed promise with your counterspell earlier,” Premier said. “Don't disappoint me now with these simple spells.”

I performed the same spell again. Right before Premier deflected it, I split each ball into two. He blocked the first two as I had expected, but the other ones broke through, heading straight for his head. I thought they were going to hit him, but he dissipated them without even blinking.