Shadow Magic, page 9
Yosef returned. “The staves have been found.”
“Good.” Vilos silently thanked his father for those lessons years ago. Now he just prayed he could remember them all. “How long will it take their champion to arrive?”
“Not long, the temple is only ten streets away.”
“I’d better get ready then.” They left the wall and walked down to the gardens. The quartermaster was waiting with two six-foot-long iron-capped staves. Vilos took one and gave it a few experimental twirls. He grinned as the lessons came back. He spun the weapon around his body, moving it from one hand to the other, trying to get his muscles limbered up.
He had just about finished his preparations when the main gate opened. In paraded Saladin and two underpriests. They had changed into formal white robes and wore amulets featuring a crisscrossing chain design.
The priests formed a triangle around a dark-skinned native with more muscles than any three Vilos had seen. The champion carried a scimitar in one hand and a punch dagger in the other, the two most common weapons in the High Kingdom.
Perfect.
“In The Binder’s name you are challenged,” Saladin said. “I present the champion of our temple, Ukla.”
The huge man stepped forward and flexed his muscles. They looked even bulkier than before.
Vilos managed to suppress a smile. With a body like that, Ukla would have neither the speed nor the agility to keep up with Vilos though the man was twenty years his junior.
“I accept your challenge. Your man won’t need those weapons.” Vilos nodded and the quartermaster carried the second stave over to Ukla.
“You expect mighty Ukla to fight with a stick?” one of the underpriests demanded.
“I have the right to choose my weapon, do I not?”
“Of course,” Saladin said. “Your choice took us by surprise, that’s all.”
“If your man’s afraid, I understand,” Vilos said.
“I fear nothing,” Ukla said. He handed his weapons to the priests and stepped forward to accept the staff. He held it at one end like a giant sword and swung it around over his head as hard as he could.
Vilos shook his head slightly; angry and incompetent, a perfect combination.
Ukla turned to bow to the priests. When he turned back, Vilos drove the tip of his staff into Ukla’s nose. The champion staggered, blood gushing down his face.
“Bet that hurt,” Vilos muttered.
Ukla came roaring at him, enraged beyond all reason.
He swung a blow that had it landed would have sent Vilos’s head sailing over the outer wall.
Vilos ducked under it, letting Ukla’s momentum unbalance him.
He staggered.
Vilos stepped in and struck with an uppercut blow to the groin that made every man watching wince.
Ukla’s eyes rolled up and he collapsed.
Vilos took the staff from Ukla’s limp fingers. “I’d say that’s the end of the match, wouldn’t you?”
Saladin scowled so hard it looked like his face might break, but he nodded and went over to help Ukla to his feet. The man came to just about the time they got him up.
“You have no honor,” he roared and launched a vicious straight right at Vilos’s head.
Before it could hit, Ukla’s fist encountered the magic shield that protected Vilos from unenchanted weapons.
Every bone in his hand broke with an audible crunch.
Understanding dawned on the priests’ faces.
Vilos nodded. “That’s right, he never had a chance.”
“The Binder doesn’t approve of trickery, Sultan,” Saladin said.
“I don’t imagine he likes sore losers either. You challenged and you lost. I don’t expect to see you again.”
“You won’t.” Saladin spat on the dust and led the group toward the exit.
The priests and their battered, bloody champion retreated out the gates. Vilos ran up on the wall and raised his fists over his head. The mob roared. He pumped his fists again as the priests slunk away.
The crowd began to disperse, so Vilos climbed back down to the garden where Yosef waited. “Do think that was wise, rubbing their noses in defeat?”
“The people needed to see me. Now if the priests try and challenge me again they’ll have less support.”
“They don’t take defeat well. They may visit the Reaper’s Guild to buy some revenge.”
“You think they’d stoop to assassination?” Vilos asked.
Yosef held out his hands and shrugged.
Vilos massaged his temples again. His headache was returning. “All right, have the temple watched.”
“Yes, Majesty.”
“Heaven’s mercy, I hope Shara’s doing better than us.”
“She could hardly do much worse,” Yosef said.
Chapter 14
Daktari woke at midnight. He rolled out of his feather bed, pulled on his purple and black robe, and strode out into the tunnel connecting his bedchamber to the lab. Bane waited for him outside his bedchamber. Daktari had never met Silvermane but she had a reputation as a skilled wizard, one of the strongest in the kingdom. Underestimating her would be foolish despite his own considerable strength.
“You won’t accompany me tonight, Bane,” Daktari said as they entered the main cavern.
“Why, Master?” Bane asked.
“It’s too dangerous. Silvermane is wizard enough to attack me through our mind link. I can’t be worrying about you while I’m fighting someone of her skill.”
“What about me?” Ulibo oozed out of the shadows.
“You will remain here as well. I’ll summon you if I need help.”
Daktari went around to two of the stone tables, collecting a few minor items, the last and most remarkable of which was a black pearl the size of his thumb knuckle.
“Stay alert,” he said. “I think I can handle her alone, but I’ll be on Silvermane’s ground. If I run into trouble, come at once.”
“I’ll be listening, Master,” Ulibo said.
Daktari nodded then vanished into the ether.
When he reappeared, the first thing Daktari noticed was the ocean waves crashing against the shore. Silvermane made her home in a converted lighthouse on the southern tip of the High Kingdom. He could see it now, towering sixty feet above a rocky cliff.
Daktari had appeared about three hundred yards away from the lighthouse. He planned to approach on foot in case she had any shields that might interfere with magical travel.
As he approached he could sense the magic that bound a small fire elemental to the lighthouse, a much more efficient way to maintain the light than using oil.
The closer he got, the more pleased he felt at his decision to walk. Teleportation wards crackled around the lighthouse. He couldn’t tell what they all did at a glance, but he doubted any of it would be pleasant for an intruder.
“Stop!” a voice thundered.
Silvermane stood on the balcony surrounding the glass top of the lighthouse. A slight breeze caused her long, silver-gray hair to swirl around her wrinkled face. A white robe with a high collar covered her from chin to ankle.
The aura of power surrounding her was strong, but nothing he couldn’t handle.
He magnified his own voice with a thought. “Good evening, Silvermane.”
“It was. There’s nothing here for you, sorcerer. Leave, before I throw you out.”
Arrogant witch. She must sense his power exceeded her own. Why did she sound so damn confident?
“I desire no conflict, Silvermane. Will you come down here so we can have a civil conversation instead of yelling at each other?”
He blinked and she was standing ten feet away. “I have nothing to say to you, Daktari.”
He smiled. The witch thought she knew his true name. That explained her confidence. Such knowledge in the hands of an experienced wizard would let their magic tear through an enemy demon binder’s defenses. Pity for her that she only knew the name he’d chosen to use for the past several decades. That knowledge would gain her nothing.
And even if she did know his true name, he’d taken precautions when forming his pact with the demon to keep that particular weakness from ever being an issue for him.
“I want to know where your magic sent Princess Shara. Tell me now and you may continue living.”
A shadow of doubt flickered across her face. She mastered it quickly though. “I’ll tell you nothing.”
She began to chant the words of a banishment spell.
“Stupid.” Daktari raised his defenses with a thought. Purple fire blazed around him.
Silvermane completed her spell. “Be gone, Daktari.”
He felt the spell wash over him. Silvermane was a powerful wizard, but without his true name the spell affected him no more than a night breeze.
Daktari stood, arms crossed, in the center of the flames. The look of horror on Silvermane’s face revealed all. Any advantage she thought she might have had vanished.
“Last chance,” Daktari said.
“Never. Solar Flare.” She threw out her hand and a blast of searing white light shot out at him.
Daktari raised his hand palm out. “Eclipse.” A beam of pure darkness struck the solar flare, negating the spell.
“You are overmatched, witch. Tell me what I want to know and I may have mercy.”
“No.” She looked to the heavens. “I call on the light. Aid me.”
What foolishness did she intend now?
Daktari felt the power in her words. Another power answered. A point of light appeared in the night. It grew larger as it drifted closer.
Daktari snarled as it grew brighter than he liked. It was more than the brightness. Since he was contaminated by corruption, the holy light made his skin crawl and his eyes burn.
In the center of the globe of light a figure appeared. As it grew more distinct Daktari saw a tall being with a face to make women swoon and the wings of a dove. The angel wore archaic plate armor made of silvery metal and carried a longsword forged of the same material. When the angel had fully manifested it gave off a pure-white glow.
It appeared Silvermane had friends in high places. A celestial knight of Heaven’s army was no weak opponent. With Silvermane’s magic to back it up, their power equaled his and then some.
Daktari swore under his breath. Everything seemed difficult lately. “I see you need an angel to do your fighting for you, witch.”
As he spoke he tried to get a feel for the celestial’s power. It glowed in the ether just as it did in the physical realm. His best guess put it about midrank in Heaven’s army. Not good for him, but far from overwhelming.
“This good woman is under my protection, evil one,” the angel said. “You shall not harm her.”
Daktari almost gave in to a powerful urge to flee. The angel’s voice carried an otherworldly power. Still, though he shuddered, Daktari held firm. He also got a better feel for the creature’s limits and smiled.
He was no match for Ulibo.
Daktari straightened and shot the pair a contemptuous look. “You aren’t the only one with allies, Silvermane. Shadow demon, come forth.”
Daktari’s shadow stretched and elongated as Ulibo manifested. The shadow demon rose and took the form of a black, bat-winged angel sporting four arms that ended in long talons. Ulibo threw out an aura of darkness that surrounded and muted the angel’s divine light.
Daktari felt immensely better enfolded in the darkness.
“You called, Master?”
“I thought you’d like to meet Silvermane’s pet angel.”
Ulibo’s claws lengthened and he rubbed them together. Silvermane and the angel had their heads together. They seemed to be arguing.
He glanced up at Ulibo. “Do you suppose they’ve forgotten us?”
Daktari conjured an orb of black energy and hurled it at the pair. The angel leapt into the air with Ulibo right behind.
The orb shattered against Silvermane’s personal shield.
Rather than retaliate as he expected, Silvermane’s attention was directed up, toward Ulibo.
Daktari felt a spell building.
It seemed the witch meant to attack Ulibo, ignoring Daktari altogether.
Annoyed, Daktari struck her in the head with a telekinetic blast.
She staggered, her spell ruined.
Before she could start another one he encircled her body with three bands of shadow fire.
With her arms pinned to her sides she couldn’t direct her magic.
Daktari strolled over. “Don’t struggle. If those flames touch you, they’ll burn your arms off.”
Silvermane glared daggers but said nothing. They both turned their gazes skyward to watch the show.
Demon and angel circled each other. The celestial held its sword point out trying to ward off Ulibo.
The shadow demon charged straight in, counting on its superior strength.
Four clawed hands slashed and hacked, trying to get through the angel’s defense.
To Daktari’s surprise the celestial knight managed to fend off all of Ulibo’s strikes.
They circled each other, making two full rotations before Ulibo attacked.
Claw and sword, shadow and light flashed in the night sky. This time the angel’s defense wasn’t good enough.
One swing made it through, smashing in the front of the celestial’s armor.
Daktari looked over at his prisoner. Silvermane chewed her lip and cringed when she saw the dent in the servant’s armor.
He understood now. The angel was more than a summoned ally. The creature meant something to the old woman.
Daktari got a nasty idea. He sped the thought to Ulibo who responded with delight.
They continued circling.
Ulibo feinted like it was going to charge in again.
As he did Daktari created an illusion of Ulibo pressing the attack. The demon circled around the angel.
When the celestial’s sword passed through the illusion he realized his mistake.
Too late.
Ulibo crashed into the celestial knight from behind, forcing him to the ground.
His sword went flying on impact.
The pair landed about fifty feet from where Daktari and Silvermane stood. With a gesture Daktari dragged his prisoner over to where her ally lay. Ulibo stood triumphant. It held the celestial down with one taloned foot.
Daktari beamed. It seemed his hawk had caught Silvermane’s pigeon.
“Now, Silvermane, before this foolishness began, I asked you a question. Where is Princess Shara? Now I ask again. This time, if you don’t answer, my friend will rip chunks out of your pathetic guardian.”
The angel looked a good deal less impressive now, lying in the dirt without his sword. Still, the fool creature had nerve. “Tell them nothing.”
“Perhaps you doubt my sincerity,” Daktari said. “Tear his wings off.”
Gleeful, Ulibo repositioned his foot directly between the angel’s wings. The demon reached down and grabbed the wings at their base. With one mighty effort Ulibo ripped both wings out of their sockets. The angel roared in pain.
Silvermane looked away.
Daktari gestured and a telekinetic force pulled Silvermane’s face back and pried her eyes open. “You can end his suffering. Tell me what I want to know.”
“I can’t,” Silvermane whispered.
“Pity,” Daktari said. “Left arm.”
Ulibo grabbed the angel’s left wrist.
Silvermane screamed, “Wait!”
Too late.
Ulibo hauled back, tearing the angel’s left arm out of its socket. A splash of pink blood came out with it.
“You don’t understand,” Silvermane said. “I can’t tell you because I don’t know.”
“You take me for a fool? You must have chosen a destination when you empowered the ring.”
“No. At the sultan’s request I wove one hundred safe locations into the spell. At the moment it was triggered, one of those locations was chosen at random. The sultan insisted no one know her destination.”
“Very clever.” He turned to Ulibo. “End it. We’ll gain nothing more here.”
The demon seemed inclined to argue, but a glare from Daktari silenced him. Ulibo grabbed the celestial’s head in two hands and ripped it off. The body vanished in a blast of white light.
Daktari turned to Silvermane and took a black pearl from his pocket. He held it up for her inspection. “Do you know what this is?”
“A pearl.” Her shivering betrayed her fear. She knew its purpose. “Please, just kill me.”
“Sorry, I may have more questions for you later.” He tossed the pearl in the air where it hovered two feet from Silvermane’s head. Daktari invoked the Soul Siphon. The pearl emitted a spiral of purple magic.
The spiral bore into Silvermane’s forehead. After a few seconds it reversed course and came out with a ghostly image of Silvermane trailing behind it. Both were absorbed by the pearl.
Daktari caught the pearl as it fell and tucked it into his pocket. With the old witch’s soul trapped, he could question her at leisure. Her body stood vacant, staring at nothing. Daktari snapped his fingers and shadow fire consumed it in an instant.
Ulibo drifted over. “Such fun, Master.”
“Enjoyed that, did you?”
Ulibo nodded. “Many years have passed since I last battled an angel. Most flee when they see me.”
Daktari nodded, brooding.
“You don’t seem pleased, Master.”
“I’m not.”
Ulibo shied away. “I did something wrong?”
Daktari chuckled. “No, Ulibo, you did very well. The problem is, I came here looking for information and didn’t get it.”
“Ah, the location of this princess that obsesses you. Why do you seek her with such great zeal? I know several succubi that would be happy to entertain you.”
Daktari smiled. A demonic matchmaker, how novel. “I don’t seek her for myself. After two hundred years the pleasures of the flesh no longer tempt me as they once did. No, Ulibo, even as you serve me so do I serve a greater power. That power commands me to seek the girl.”
