False Skies (Challenger's Call Book 5), page 39
I had asked Breena if we could have done something about our footprints, but the problem had been so rare that none of the Challengers in the past had ever needed to use it, and anyone tracking footprints this closely on a desert world also had the means to detect if someone had used magical means to conceal them, especially creatures like the Muhten.
But Salima’s spell left almost no trace of magical residue. If I hadn’t been nearby and already known where to look, I wouldn’t have been able to notice a trail at all.
It was one of the first two spells learned by every Wealthwalker, Salima sent, clearly feeling like she was stating the obvious, along with making trails obvious. The two things one needed to protect traveling caravans.
More lost magics discovered, Karim groaned over the mindlink. This, we will have to make note of.
Agreed, Weylin sent reluctantly.
Fuck, Eadric sent, with no reluctance whatsoever.
Why are they upset? Salima sent as she ran behind us, glancing to the sky periodically.
They don’t have time to answer you right now, I provided, but they’ll talk your ear off over it later. Not that it will make any sense whatsoever.
Their outrage at my words was delicious, but again, no time to dwell on that. I focused on the next part of our plan, and searched for a good rally point.
Salima suggested one, and it turned out to be an even better spot than any found in the memories of the two Muhten I had killed—mostly because of what our intentions were.
Our trail erased, we took a moment to catch our breath, and enacted the second part of our plan.
We reactivated Carnwennan’s shroud, with Breena’s and Petal’s spells set to work next right after it fell, and began laying our trap.
Salima observed what we were doing, then nodded in approval when Virtus explained—even as she still struggled to adjust with our explanation that he worked directly for me now.
We waited, still shrouded. It was possible for me to maintain it much longer if we didn’t move while I kept it running.
That, and this time, we actually wanted to be caught.
In time, I began to sense a group of concealed figures flying over our heads. I don’t know if they noticed our shroud, but I was sure that they noticed Virtus lying on the ground, motionless and clutching several pieces of soul jewelry.
A former ally of theirs was lying alone in the sand, holding some of their missing wealth. A smart thing to do would be for the nearby Muhten to relay this news back to their leader, set up a guard rotation, and wait for more Muhten to arrive.
But if they did that, they would have to share the found treasure, or give it up entirely to whoever the wake leader appointed it to. And potentially more than that, they would share whatever knowledge they gained from discovering that one of the deathless soldiers had somehow forced his way into their own timeless prison world.
After a while, one of the Muhten swooped down, his invisible form sending sand flying all over the place.
We didn’t react. Breena, Petal, and Val had all added their magics to reinforce mine, and we had put more concentrated enchantments over Virtus himself in an effort to mask any other magical residue.
So after another moment, that same Muhten swooped down again. When we didn’t react again, he swooped down a third time, finally landing and releasing his own veil.
He was one of the smaller ones, probably the lowest-ranking scout, and therefore the sacrificial pawn in case this was a trap. He hunched down defensively as soon as he dropped his veil, clearly expecting to be attacked as soon he was visible.
Again, we didn’t react. By now, my entire team was too experienced to do something stupid like spring a trap too early.
Eventually the cowering bastard realized that no attack was forthcoming and began creeping toward Virtus’ prone form. When he was close enough, he poked at Virtus, and the skeletal warrior let out a weak croak, since we didn’t think we could hide the fact that he was still magically animate.
When Virtus didn’t attack, the scout waited another moment, then signaled that it was safe to descend.
The others dropped their own shrouds and descended eagerly, lured in by the extra wealth and the potential discovery of a way out of this world.
When the last of their number joined the crowded circle around Virtus’ body, we acted.
Carnwennan’s shroud dropped, which the Muhten would have noticed if our carefully prepared trap spells hadn’t all gone off at once. As it were, our enemies became blinded by fire, thunder, and frost, as sharp rocks rose up all around them. Virtus also sprang quickly to his feet, grabbed the largest Muhten by the throat, drew his stone short sword and began stabbing into the surprised avian monster, since the two were standing in the one spot safe from all the trap magic.
There were over two dozen monsters in the beginning. Our traps had dropped a full third of them and wounded most of the rest. As the explosions and other magical effects began to die down, we let loose ourselves.
Since we wanted to avoid damaging Virtus, and because too much flashy magic might draw in another group before we were ready, we avoided fireballs and other explosive, indiscriminate magic. But Eadric was able to draw most of the Muhten into the sand with an Earth spell, and everyone else was able to launch arrows, javelins, or bolts of magic. I finished off three with a carefully aimed lightning bolt, and crushed another birdman’s skull by throwing Toirneach into it.
They had lost half their number by now, and were in full panic. Not too surprising, given how long they’d been trapped down here. But one of the bigger ones had the presence of mind to stretch his talons downward and dispel Eadric’s Sinking Earth spell.
Once they had freed themselves of the resolidified ground, the group began to divide themselves further, since the leader was still choking and gurgling in Virtus’ grip and unable to give any proper orders. Some tried to fly away, some turned to attack us, and the ones closest to Virtus tried to pile on him and bring him down.
Since neither of us were panicking and we retained our command structure and ability to coordinate directly with each other’s minds, we reacted more effectively. Weylin and Salima began firing arrows into the Muhten trying to fly away, and I could feel the elf’s surprised respect for the golden woman’s skill as the monsters fell just as quickly from her arrows as they did from his. Breena and Petal added their own firepower to catch any of the airborne cowards that the two archers missed.
Eadric, Breyn, Gabin, and I charged the attackers that were turning to deal with us. Three more of the monsters had the presence of mind to use their theft magic on us.
I felt Breena’s spell over me flicker, and suddenly I lost the knowledge of how to bake triple chocolate fudge waffle batter cupcakes. Judging by the way my enemy started blinking, my former burden had now become his own.
Fortunately for him, I was feeling merciful, and decapitated him when Toirneach returned to my hands.
I summoned Colada, the blade of fear’s bane. Their panicking increased, because they refused to let go of their fear, while Karim wrapped them all up in another magical net once most of them had already used their spell-stealing abilities.
It stopped being any semblance of a fight by that point. We put the last of them down mere moments later, and I probed through the mindlink to see if anyone had gained any injuries.
Virtus was a little banged up, but his armor and wards had held up pretty well under the Muhten’s claws and swords, and his vital guard was already recovering at a rapid rate.
Let’s move again, I told the group. Salima, what’s a good rest point that’s also very far away from this one?
I’ll show you, the ancient woman from the world of the Golden Sands said, but how often do you plan on doing this?
As often as it takes to completely disrupt whatever defenses they made as soon as they detected our entry into this world, I answered.
Good, she sent to me, and good choice, the woman said to the rest of the group. You picked a smart Lord to elect to Avalon.
No, we didn’t, Eadric grumbled, as we began to run again.
You didn’t pick him, or he isn’t smart? the golden woman asked playfully.
Yes, Weylin answered for his two friends.
Salima chuckled at that, and we continued running.
Then, she apparently seemed unsatisfied with our speed, and began singing, so quietly that we could barely hear her from a few feet away. Our footsteps became quieter, lighter, and fell much faster. The sand began to pass quickly under our feet, without tiring us or making any noise.
Song magic, Weylin marveled through the mindlink, you can use it?
Of course, she replied through the mindlink, still singing out loud. I detected just a hint of pleasure and pride from her. It is a necessary tool for one who travels as much as myself… don’t you agree?
Her last words sounded like a challenge.
Weylin’s thoughts seemed jumbled for a half-instant, and then he cleared his throat, lowered his head in concentration, and began singing softly as well, in a pitch that complemented Salima’s own voice almost perfectly.
The golden-skinned woman turned to consider him for a moment, smiling in approval as Weylin kept up with her change in tempo, before turning forward to keep guiding us. Our speed became even faster.
Weylin and Salima continued to weave their song together, and I realized I didn’t have the skill to sing with them even if I had wanted to.
Not yet, at least.
While we traversed the shifting dunes, I tried to determine her race, hopefully without being too obvious. The two most numerous races of the Golden Sands were a variety of elf and a variety of human, labeled gold elf and goldfolk, respectively—go figure. But so far, every one of Avalon’s worlds also had an ancient race that dominated the planet at the time before Avalon was conquered and sealed. Salima was likely a member of whatever race was native to the Golden Sands at that time.
Unfortunately, I had no idea what that was, because while she had slightly pointed ears and slightly curved eyes, her build could have just as easily passed for a human, or someone from both races—like Merada had been.
To my horror, she somehow figured out what I was doing, and confronted me about it.
If I am reading your mind properly, you are trying to determine my race, she sent to me, as she continued to sing with Weylin.
Shit.
Yes, and I apologize for the offense. Much has changed since Avalon’s invasion, including the populations of planets.
Who walks my world now? she asked, not seeming offended. Which guaranteed absolutely nothing, so I kept apologizing.
Beings of many races, from what I understand, including dwarves and fairies, but the most common are human and elven, called goldfolk and gold elves, respectively. I did not know if I should ask you.
That’s certainly interesting, the golden woman said with a shrug. I’ll have to ask more about that later, but my people call themselves the Dunegraced. It will be an honor to inform you of our history when we have more time, my Lord Earthborn.
Great, I thought back, still uncomfortable with all the obsequiousness that people from before Earth’s current history felt it appropriate to offer me. We’re almost there, right?
Just around the next dune, she confirmed. That should be far enough from the last location to enact the next part of your plan.
We arrived at another small outcropping of red rocks that only rose to my knees. We were surrounded on all sides by sand dunes, ones high enough to conceal us from anyone not directly above us.
Wait, I asked, I thought sand dunes moved all the time. I can understand knowing where these rocks are, but how did you know this place would be so well concealed right now?
What do you mean? Salima replied, sounding confused. I’m a Wealthwalker. Figuring out the best routes is literally my job.
It’s okay, Breyn explained helpfully, they didn’t know much about our groups either. They barely knew what a Gaelguard was.
It will take some time to get used to just how much has changed, Gabin said. Breyn and I will try to bring you back up to speed when we get a chance.
The Dunegraced woman nodded, and I summoned the two sarcophagi from storage.
This was our best chance to revive Salima’s two companions, so we took it. Since she was a former victim of the Muhten’s soul theft abilities, and also familiar with the nature of the storage caskets, she was able to help us move the ritual along faster. It still released a lot of energy, which meant that we would have to move again soon, but for now, but the result was worth it. Two more cloaked figures stumbled out of their coffin-like containers, clutching bows and curved daggers.
Their names were Rashem and Epham. Salima brought them up to speed as best she could. Most of the new information went over their heads, as it had her own, but they grasped that they were finally gaining a chance to strike back and retake Avalon.
I began to send a request for the two new Dunegraced to join me via the mindlink, but the connection grew foggy and broke when I reached out to them. That was unfortunate, but the records I had uncovered regarding the mindlink had stated that might happen. They also described how to fix it, but I would have to wait until I could free more people from their coffin containers.
Speaking of which, I thought, before reaching out to Salima, why did you all hide in coffins? And why did you even have coffins here?
Coffins? she asked, sounding confused, and angry that she had something else to feel confused about. What coffins? We don’t have any coffins here.
Sarcophagi, then, I corrected, suppressing my frustration. Instead, I projected the definition of sarcophagi to her, a long narrow box with someone’s likeness shaped into the cover. Her confusion vanished instantly.
Oh! I see. No, they only looked like that because we were inside them. The containers are designed to display an image of whatever is locked inside them. They were intended to be foolproof ways of transferring valuables. But when Avalon was besieged, we had to improvise. We did not wish for our future Lord’s wealth to fall into the hands of these wretched creatures, so most of the Wealthwalkers grabbed what items they could to lock away with them. To give them time to do so, a number of us tried to lure the Muhten away, to containers in other locations that had yet to be designated with a purpose. This is why you found us alone, and with only ourselves inside the coffers. She paused for a moment. It is unfortunate that the Muhten still found ways to take from us. But if they have not somehow broken the other containers, the rest of your wealth should be safe, my Lord.
Then she noticed the faces of Rashem and Epham, and frowned as she realized they hadn’t been able to hear her thoughts.
“Not too worried about treasure right now,” I said out loud, for their benefit. “My main concern is retaking this place, and using what I can to deal with my other problems. I’ll fill you guys in on those when all the Muhten are dead. For now, though, we need to move again—and then you all can tell me where the nearest caskets are located.”
That was, unfortunately, not a foolproof plan, I realized, because if I did not have the right piece of soul jewelry, then I couldn’t do anything, even if the Dunegraced led me to another coffin.
We would have to kill the right Muhten to get the right jewelry pieces, recognize said jewelry pieces, and then pair them up with the right caskets.
Which, realistically, would probably be impossible to do every single time.
“New plan,” I said out loud. “Breena, Petal, Karim, you can all create more decoy signatures, right?”
“What do you mean?” Karim asked cautiously.
“I mean that, since the souls have been freed from these pieces of jewelry, they’re currently useless to us,” I replied, holding up the necklace that had previously trapped a portion of Salima’s soul. “No offense, Salima and company. I know these were meant as tribute and are probably very valuable, but I was thinking of imbuing them with signatures, and turning them into bait and drawing more Muhten out with them.”
“That may not work,” Rashem, the taller of the two male Dunegraced said. “By now, they should have figured that you are trying to pick them off one by one. The next time they investigate, they will bring a much larger force.”
“Not sure that’s a bad thing,” Val cut in. “They haven’t exactly been impressing us with their combat performance.”
“No,” Rashem agreed, “they are strong, but no match for the Wealthwalkers, much less Earthborn such as yourselves,” he told her. “But every single one of them can strip away some of your magic. The stronger ones can thwart your active spells, and the strongest of them have learned magics of their own from doing so over the years. If they are not surprised, then they will completely lock down your magics while maintaining mastery of their own, and overwhelm you with numbers. As they did with us,” he added unhappily.
“Got it,” Val said with a nod. “Guerilla warfare, it is.”
“I think you are still not listening,” Epham said hesitantly. “We were just explaining how the invaders are going to be more careful next time.”
This is a lot harder when everyone can’t just read my mind, I reflected, before speaking again.
“The ambush won’t be where the bait is,” I informed everyone. “They’re going to look around, find nothing and then return to their roosts. From what I’ve seen, these things are super territorial, so they’re going to keep the same number of creatures at each roost, instead of all huddling together for protection. We’ll head to their roosts when they all slip out, kill any guards they might leave, and then ambush the rest when they return. This might work only once, so we’re going to pick the largest roost we can get away with attacking. That will cut down on their numbers significantly, which will help us think of what to do next.”
I wished I could claim that I’d had a grand plan that involved specific steps to lead us all the way from start to finish, but the reality was that I was making things up as I went. But I couldn’t help it. I was still learning my enemy’s numbers and capabilities.
