The Empress of Beasts, page 79
part #13 of The Wandering Inn Series
The fiery needles struck the half-Giant. He howled. This time, he brought down the staff with all his might. The wood struck the barrier, and Montressa saw the magic ripple.
The staff broke. Montressa looked at Moore. He blinked, and she pointed her staff.
“[Reduced Lightning Bolt]”
The copper orb hovering around her staff discharged. Moore screamed and Seborn heard. He and Ulinde were dodging around the inn. The Selphid could push her body to move faster than all but Seborn, but she couldn’t lose him. She desperately tried to fire spells from both wands, but the [Rogue] was a shadow, leaping, dodging—
Cutting her. He had cut Ulinde across the face, arms, legs—deep blows some severing bones. But nothing to kill a Selphid. Montressa pointed at him.
“[Force Wall].”
The leaping shadow hit the shimmering barrier that appeared and Seborn stumbled back. Ulinde took that moment and pointed both wands.
“[Aerial Burst]!”
It caught him, but the [Rogue] was already tumbling, flipping sideways with the force of the blast. He began to leap backwards, but Ulinde leapt.
Anyone but a Selphid [Mage] would have been too slow. But Ulinde was Rampaging. The Selphid’s body moved as fast as Seborn, and her second dueling wand touched his chest.
“[Reduced Fireball]!”
Like Montressa’s spell, the fireball wasn’t as powerful as it could have been. But it still burst with a fiery bloom. Seborn went flying. His armor had soaked up most of the smaller explosion, but he was still thrown across the room. Ulinde pounced on him as he struggled to his feet. She pointed both wands at him.
“[Binding Ropes]!”
The magical ropes encircled Seborn. He kept moving, trying to break free. Ulinde shouted at him. He was cursing as the magical ropes tightened around his arms and legs.
“Just stop moving! I’ll have to hurt you otherwise—”
Across the room, Relc dove and Isceil’s breath blasted three tables and the chairs apart. The Drake was spitting lightning and frost now! Relc bellowed as he turned.
“Senior Guardsman! Surrender and lie on the ground with your hands over your head or I’ll—”
Isceil shot a ray of fire at Relc’s chest. The Drake spun his spear and cut the ray with the tip of his spear. It dissipated. Relc’s eyes narrowed. He turned and saw Seborn and Moore, down. His eyes widened as he spotted the half-Giant’s smoking chest. He whirled.
“Fine.”
Isceil was panting for breath. He raised his wand as Relc charged.
“[Stone Arm—”
The Gecko of Liscor slashed once. The thick stone appearing over Isceil’s scales vanished. The Drake stopped. He stared down at the spear and the spreading red slash across his stomach. Relc had pulled the blow, but it had still opened Isceil’s scales.
“Oh.”
He tried to raise his wand. Relc’s fist hit him in the face. The bigger Drake drew his head back as Isceil staggered, and then head-butted the [Mage]. Something in Isceil’s face went crack.
Relc waited as the Drake screamed. Isceil was still trying to raise his wand. Relc shrugged, then swung his fist with all of his weight behind it. The blow lifted Isceil as it hit him right across his cut stomach. The Drake turned white under his scales and passed out. Relc kicked him in the groin and turned.
“Anti-magic spear! He got Isceil!”
Ulinde screamed a warning. Montressa had already seen. The [Mage] raised her staff, retreating as she reinforced her barrier. Relc narrowed his eyes. He glanced at Moore and Seborn.
“You two suck.”
“[Flame Ray]! [Ice Spike]!”
Ulinde took advantage of the moment of distraction. Her spells shot at Relc. He leaned out of the way of the flaming beam and slashed. The [Ice Spike] didn’t even shatter; it just vanished as he cut it in half. Montressa gulped.
“We’re [Mages] of Wi—”
Relc kicked a chair at her face. It shattered against the barrier and she flinched. Relc leapt and his spear jabbed at her stomach. It slashed through the first ward and he cursed as it sank into the second.
“[Flame Swathe]!”
“[Ropes of Binding]!”
The Drake jumped backwards as flames roared from Montressa’s staff. He slashed down the four ropes Ulinde shot at him. She leapt to one side and he blurred and kicked her in midair.
“Whoop, nope.”
Something crunched around her pelvis. Ulinde made a sound and went crashing backwards, but then she was on her feet. Relc groaned.
“Damn. Selphids.”
He turned, raised his spear too late. The [Lightning Bolt] struck him and hurled him over the back of a table. Montressa lowered her staff. She saw the figure curse, leap to his feet, and roar.
“That hurt.”
“Spell resistance?”
Montressa turned pale. The [Guardsman] charged her and she shot another bolt of lightning from her staff. This time, somehow, he blocked the bolt of lightning! Relc ducked behind a table, then leapt, slashing a spell aimed at him as he maneuvered around Ulinde. Montressa backed up, desperately conjuring more protections.
“[Wall of Light]. [Steelcage]. Ulinde, back off! He’s too fast! Beza, get over here!”
The Minotauress was dueling Numbtongue next to the kitchens. She and Numbtongue swung; she had size and weight on him, but he was pressing her back! She stared as he caught a fist and kicked her in the kneecap. She felt something crunch.
“How—”
The Hobgoblin hit her again, through her raised hands. Beza’s head snapped back. She roared and grabbed two scrolls on her belt.
“[Steel Body]. [Haste]!”
The enchantments took hold as Numbtongue backed up. Beza charged him, head down. He pirouetted, letting her move past him. His eyes unfocused. Beza turned. She swung at him, her every moment enhanced. And he—
Dodged. The Hobgoblin leaned to one side as her fist passed by his ear. He stepped in and punched her in the stomach. Beza barely felt it. She kicked at him, enraged. He lifted his arm, catching her leg and heaving up.
Down she went. Beza hit the ground, surprised more than stunned, and then tried to get up. She met Numbtongue’s foot as the Hobgoblin kicked her as hard as he could. Beza’s head snapped back and she howled.
The Hobgoblin rubbed at one foot.
“Huh.”
Beza got to her feet and lunged. The Hobgoblin made a whuffing sound and swung. Beza’s head snapped back and she went crashing backwards.
[Power Strike]. The Hobgoblin watched her get up and walked around the bar. He came back with two bottles. He smashed one across Beza’s face, the burning liquid searing her eyes. He tried the other one and smacked his lips.
Pyrite.
Erin watched from the side, ducking back from the spells Relc was dodging. She pointed at Beza.
“I’ve got her, NumbPyrite! Get her!”
Beza roared. Her eyes were red with fury, but she felt a huge pressure weigh down on her as Pyrite in Numbtongue’s body smashed the second bottle across her face. His claw jabbed towards an eye and she recoiled. She felt sluggish! But she was [Hasted]! How—
Erin pointed at her, concentrating. Beza roared as she came at Erin. Pyrite tripped her. This time he leapt on her back and tried to twist her arm up, but Beza’s [Steel Body] made even that difficult. Annoyed, the Hobgoblin looked around. Beza swung at him as he danced back. He avoided her every swing as she came at him, keeping her just out of range, just out of range—
Then he flipped up the fallen pot Erin had used for curry and slammed it over Beza’s head. The horns pierced the bottom, and the pot stuck. Beza screamed, but Pyrite was hesitating. He grabbed a chair, smashed it across Beza’s head as she struggled to remove the pot—kicked her in the stomach—and then sighed. He looked at Erin.
“Can’t stop without killing. Acid?”
Beza tore the pot free. She looked down at Pyrite and charged. He jumped out of the way. He punched Beza in the back of the head, tackled her, sending her skidding across the slippery floor—
And his time ran out. One minute. Pyrite cursed—and Numbtongue stumbled. Beza swung and caught him across the ribs. The Hobgoblin stumbled back. Beza turned to Erin and lifted a scroll. The [Innkeeper] froze; her concentration wavered.
“Uh oh—”
“[Arrows of Light]!”
Erin dove as the arrows shredded the table she’d been hiding behind. Beza whirled. Numbtongue rose, looking for his guitar. It was at the bar. He squared himself, narrowing his eyes as he raised his fists. Beza roared, moving impossibly fast—
You? Do you need help?
The Hobgoblin’s head turned. Who had—
Numbtongue went crashing backwards as Beza struck him too quickly for Erin to see. The Hobgoblin struggled to get up—and met a second fist to the chest. He collapsed, and Beza reached for him, strangling him.
Erin screamed.
“Numbtongue!”
She stabbed Beza. The Minotaur felt the searing pain in her side and looked down. Her enchanted body had been pierced! The kitchen knife stuck out of her side, two inches in. She looked up, and her eyes were crimson. Like a Goblin’s eyes. Erin backed up as the Minotaur tore the knife free. The [Innkeeper] raised her fists.
“[Minotaur Punch]! [Minotaur Punch]!”
The first punch hit Beza in the ribs. The second in the stomach. The Minotauress let her have both hits. She stared down at Erin and spat. Saliva and rum from the bottle Pyrite had hit her with. She shook her head.
“That hurts a bit. But it’s just an imitation. Who taught you that?”
“I learned it from a real Minotaur.”
Erin saw Beza’s eyes narrow. She saw the punch and ducked—but too slow. Beza struck Erin across the face and Erin stumbled. Her mouth was bloody. She got back up. Aura? Could she do something other than weigh Beza down? Where was—
The Minotaur grabbed her head with one huge hand. Erin punched at her, but Beza was unmovable.
“[Numbing Touch].”
Erin sagged. She made a sound as Beza let go.
“Huh—”
She hit the ground, a sack of bones and flesh, unable to move. Beza turned. She hesitated, looking at the unconscious Numbtongue, and then saw Relc stabbing Ulinde. His spear went right through her stomach, but she kept moving, twisting off it and shooting spells.
“Why the hell won’t you stop moving?”
“Drake!”
Beza roared and Relc turned. He blocked another spell from Montressa and shouted.
“You suck too, Numbtongue!”
He whirled his spear and Beza hesitated. She eyed the spear and raised her fists, gesturing.
“Come on, Drake. Drop your spear and let’s see how good you are!”
Relc stared at her.
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m holding back.”
He spun, pointing the spear at Montressa. She paused. Relc looked around. Ulinde, Beza, Montressa, and he was surrounded. Worse, Isceil was groaning and everyone was unconscious or ensorcelled. Relc sighed.
“Put down your weapons. Or I’ll start killing you instead of holding back.”
The Wistram [Mages] stared at him. Ulinde’s mouth moved incredulously. Beza lost her temper. She roared at Relc, spittle flying.
“Surrender? You have no idea who you’re fighting! I’m the best at hand-to-hand combat in all of Wistram! I’m—”
A presence behind her. The [Spellscribe] whirled. A huge Drake stared up at her. He was a bit shorter, but only a bit. And he was even more muscular than she was. He shook his head as Erin got up groggily, helped by a pale Raskghar, trembling with fury—
“Wistram’s standards must be even lower than I remember. Grimalkin. Strongest [Mage] in Pallass.”
“Grimalk—”
Beza jerked backwards. The Drake swung. She saw a huge, scaly fist and threw up her guard—
——
“I’m so glad to have your assistance, Watch Captain. If you’ll follow me?”
Palt trotted from Zevara’s office. She smiled.
“Certainly, Wistram’s representative!”
She followed him down the steps. She had something in her hand. A whistle, made of tin. Palt didn’t notice her as he trotted down the steps, using the handrails for guidance. Zevara put the whistle in her lips and blew it. It made no sound.
“I hope Miss Selys wasn’t too—upset. I trust we can amicably explain the situation. As I said, Wistram is willing to make a very generous donation—and recompense her for her trauma, of course!”
Palt murmured over his shoulder as he slowly reached the bottom of the steps. Zevara gave him a bright smile.
“Let’s go see, shall we?”
The Centaur trotted past the empty receptionist’s desk. He looked around the barracks, straightened his vest—
“Get him!”
The Watch hit him as he entered the barracks. Gnolls and Drakes yanked him off his hooves. Beilmark smashed a club across Palt’s face as he fell.
The Centaur didn’t even have time to utter a spell. The Gnolls and Drakes hit him with batons and clubs from both sides. He screamed once before they brought him down. Zevara shouted as the [Guards] made sure the [Mage] was unconscious.
“Enough!”
They stopped kicking him. Senior Guardswoman Beilmark growled, her fur standing on end.
“What was it, Watch Captain? He said he was a [Mage] from Wistram—”
“Maybe he was. He cast an enchantment on me. And he attacked—”
“He attacked Pisces!”
Selys pushed her way forwards. She was shouting and crying. Zevara turned to her.
“There were five of them! They—they said they were from Wistram. He wasn’t moving when—they put him in a box! And then they got the others! Ceria, Ksmvr, Yvlon—I saw it all! I was under a spell!”
“Guards!”
Zevara had heard enough. She bellowed and Liscor’s Watch looked at her. The Watch Captain turned. Palt’s spell had gone and all that was left was the kind of fury that was so overwhelming it was calm. Zevara turned.
“There are four [Mages] in the city that assaulted Miss Selys Shivertail and took a Silver-rank team hostage! I want the rest of them found now and arrested! Get an anti-mage team, Beilmark! Find Relc, Klbkch—get Jeiss and the other Senior Guards too! There’s no telling what levels they are, but they’re not leaving the city! I want this done quietly, without them getting a chance to loose any more spells—”
“Kill or take alive, Watch Captain?”
Beilmark growled. A Gnoll was growling as the [Guards] grabbed weapons. Another went for a bell.
“Alive unless they threaten you, Senior Guardsman. Belay that bell, guardsman! No alarms! Spread out! I want eyes on the walls—”
A thought hit Zevara. No, a certainty. She strode out of the Watch House. Selys and the Watch followed her. Zevara looked towards the east and cursed.
“Get that squad together, Beilmark. You five! Get to the eastern wall! Run! Check to see if there’s any activity around the inn!”
She ran. Selys stopped only to kick Palt in the face before she was hot on Zevara’s tail.
——
Beza the Minotauress was lying down. She realized it only when it turned out the wall was floorboards. She blinked.
“Huh? Why am I on the floor?”
That was what she tried to say. But it didn’t come out. Grimalkin squatted down and rolled her over. Beza stared up at him. He inspected her jaw and shrugged.
“Concussion. I didn’t break the jaw. I’m getting better at not doing that. Then again, Minotaur’s jaws are tough. Miss Solstice? [Dispel Magic].”
“Whuh—”
Erin jerked as the numbness left her. She stood, turning.
“Numbtongue!”
“Not hurt. Cracked bones. I’ll see to him. Are there any more?”
Grimalkin nodded at Beza. She was still staring at the ceiling, trying to say something. Erin looked around.
“There’s one in the city—they were going to leave—Seborn! Moore!”
“Alive. The half-Giant’s wounded.”
Grimalkin looked around the inn. His tone was conversational. Montressa was screaming something at Relc as he sliced closer. He was so casual. Erin tried to grab at him, but her arms were still hard to move.
“They were gonna—”
“I heard. You’re lucky I was coming to tutor Miss Springwalker. I got the message from your Gnoll at the same time as Miss Ivirith.”
“Miss—”
Ulinde was firing spells at Relc, screaming as she aimed two at Grimalkin. He blocked them with one claw. She whirled as something moved. A huge, Gnoll-like beast was bent over Moore. It raised its head. Ulinde froze.
No Gnoll looked like that. But what was it? Then she saw the dead eyes. And she knew.
Jelaqua leapt. She caught Ulinde, ignoring the spells that burned holes into her Raskghar body. She snarled. Ulinde screamed.
“I—I’m—I can explain! I’m—I’m a huge fan, Miss Ivirith. B-but—”
“Shut up.”
The Selphid [Mage] did. She stared at Jelaqua, trembling. The Raskghar’s mouth opened.
“Hey. You know what’s going to happen next?”
“Wh—”
“Pain.”
The two crashed across the inn. Montressa, spinning, screamed as she saw her friend.
“Ulinde!”
Jelaqua was ramming the younger Selphid’s head into a wall. Two blows and the skull caved in. But there was no brain. The broken face jerked backwards, trying to utter a spell around a shattered jaw. Jelaqua grabbed Ulinde by a leg and swung her into the wall.
Bones broke. The Selphid [Mage] made a sound like a bag of dirt hitting the ground. Again. And again—
A spear at Montressa’s chest. Relc cursed and backed up. Montressa uttered a spell and he cut it as the scythe swung at his chest.
“How many barriers do you have?”
“Stop! We are [Mages] from Wistram! We’re—”
Montressa looked around. Ulinde’s head was gone. She was lying on the ground. Her chest had been torn open and something orange was oozing into her. Another Selphid. Ulinde was screaming with her real body.
The [Aegiscaster] looked around. She saw Beza, struggling to sit up, throwing up. Isceil, bloody, down. And then Grimalkin. He stood up as Erin poured a healing potion on Numbtongue’s jaw.
The staff broke. Montressa looked at Moore. He blinked, and she pointed her staff.
“[Reduced Lightning Bolt]”
The copper orb hovering around her staff discharged. Moore screamed and Seborn heard. He and Ulinde were dodging around the inn. The Selphid could push her body to move faster than all but Seborn, but she couldn’t lose him. She desperately tried to fire spells from both wands, but the [Rogue] was a shadow, leaping, dodging—
Cutting her. He had cut Ulinde across the face, arms, legs—deep blows some severing bones. But nothing to kill a Selphid. Montressa pointed at him.
“[Force Wall].”
The leaping shadow hit the shimmering barrier that appeared and Seborn stumbled back. Ulinde took that moment and pointed both wands.
“[Aerial Burst]!”
It caught him, but the [Rogue] was already tumbling, flipping sideways with the force of the blast. He began to leap backwards, but Ulinde leapt.
Anyone but a Selphid [Mage] would have been too slow. But Ulinde was Rampaging. The Selphid’s body moved as fast as Seborn, and her second dueling wand touched his chest.
“[Reduced Fireball]!”
Like Montressa’s spell, the fireball wasn’t as powerful as it could have been. But it still burst with a fiery bloom. Seborn went flying. His armor had soaked up most of the smaller explosion, but he was still thrown across the room. Ulinde pounced on him as he struggled to his feet. She pointed both wands at him.
“[Binding Ropes]!”
The magical ropes encircled Seborn. He kept moving, trying to break free. Ulinde shouted at him. He was cursing as the magical ropes tightened around his arms and legs.
“Just stop moving! I’ll have to hurt you otherwise—”
Across the room, Relc dove and Isceil’s breath blasted three tables and the chairs apart. The Drake was spitting lightning and frost now! Relc bellowed as he turned.
“Senior Guardsman! Surrender and lie on the ground with your hands over your head or I’ll—”
Isceil shot a ray of fire at Relc’s chest. The Drake spun his spear and cut the ray with the tip of his spear. It dissipated. Relc’s eyes narrowed. He turned and saw Seborn and Moore, down. His eyes widened as he spotted the half-Giant’s smoking chest. He whirled.
“Fine.”
Isceil was panting for breath. He raised his wand as Relc charged.
“[Stone Arm—”
The Gecko of Liscor slashed once. The thick stone appearing over Isceil’s scales vanished. The Drake stopped. He stared down at the spear and the spreading red slash across his stomach. Relc had pulled the blow, but it had still opened Isceil’s scales.
“Oh.”
He tried to raise his wand. Relc’s fist hit him in the face. The bigger Drake drew his head back as Isceil staggered, and then head-butted the [Mage]. Something in Isceil’s face went crack.
Relc waited as the Drake screamed. Isceil was still trying to raise his wand. Relc shrugged, then swung his fist with all of his weight behind it. The blow lifted Isceil as it hit him right across his cut stomach. The Drake turned white under his scales and passed out. Relc kicked him in the groin and turned.
“Anti-magic spear! He got Isceil!”
Ulinde screamed a warning. Montressa had already seen. The [Mage] raised her staff, retreating as she reinforced her barrier. Relc narrowed his eyes. He glanced at Moore and Seborn.
“You two suck.”
“[Flame Ray]! [Ice Spike]!”
Ulinde took advantage of the moment of distraction. Her spells shot at Relc. He leaned out of the way of the flaming beam and slashed. The [Ice Spike] didn’t even shatter; it just vanished as he cut it in half. Montressa gulped.
“We’re [Mages] of Wi—”
Relc kicked a chair at her face. It shattered against the barrier and she flinched. Relc leapt and his spear jabbed at her stomach. It slashed through the first ward and he cursed as it sank into the second.
“[Flame Swathe]!”
“[Ropes of Binding]!”
The Drake jumped backwards as flames roared from Montressa’s staff. He slashed down the four ropes Ulinde shot at him. She leapt to one side and he blurred and kicked her in midair.
“Whoop, nope.”
Something crunched around her pelvis. Ulinde made a sound and went crashing backwards, but then she was on her feet. Relc groaned.
“Damn. Selphids.”
He turned, raised his spear too late. The [Lightning Bolt] struck him and hurled him over the back of a table. Montressa lowered her staff. She saw the figure curse, leap to his feet, and roar.
“That hurt.”
“Spell resistance?”
Montressa turned pale. The [Guardsman] charged her and she shot another bolt of lightning from her staff. This time, somehow, he blocked the bolt of lightning! Relc ducked behind a table, then leapt, slashing a spell aimed at him as he maneuvered around Ulinde. Montressa backed up, desperately conjuring more protections.
“[Wall of Light]. [Steelcage]. Ulinde, back off! He’s too fast! Beza, get over here!”
The Minotauress was dueling Numbtongue next to the kitchens. She and Numbtongue swung; she had size and weight on him, but he was pressing her back! She stared as he caught a fist and kicked her in the kneecap. She felt something crunch.
“How—”
The Hobgoblin hit her again, through her raised hands. Beza’s head snapped back. She roared and grabbed two scrolls on her belt.
“[Steel Body]. [Haste]!”
The enchantments took hold as Numbtongue backed up. Beza charged him, head down. He pirouetted, letting her move past him. His eyes unfocused. Beza turned. She swung at him, her every moment enhanced. And he—
Dodged. The Hobgoblin leaned to one side as her fist passed by his ear. He stepped in and punched her in the stomach. Beza barely felt it. She kicked at him, enraged. He lifted his arm, catching her leg and heaving up.
Down she went. Beza hit the ground, surprised more than stunned, and then tried to get up. She met Numbtongue’s foot as the Hobgoblin kicked her as hard as he could. Beza’s head snapped back and she howled.
The Hobgoblin rubbed at one foot.
“Huh.”
Beza got to her feet and lunged. The Hobgoblin made a whuffing sound and swung. Beza’s head snapped back and she went crashing backwards.
[Power Strike]. The Hobgoblin watched her get up and walked around the bar. He came back with two bottles. He smashed one across Beza’s face, the burning liquid searing her eyes. He tried the other one and smacked his lips.
Pyrite.
Erin watched from the side, ducking back from the spells Relc was dodging. She pointed at Beza.
“I’ve got her, NumbPyrite! Get her!”
Beza roared. Her eyes were red with fury, but she felt a huge pressure weigh down on her as Pyrite in Numbtongue’s body smashed the second bottle across her face. His claw jabbed towards an eye and she recoiled. She felt sluggish! But she was [Hasted]! How—
Erin pointed at her, concentrating. Beza roared as she came at Erin. Pyrite tripped her. This time he leapt on her back and tried to twist her arm up, but Beza’s [Steel Body] made even that difficult. Annoyed, the Hobgoblin looked around. Beza swung at him as he danced back. He avoided her every swing as she came at him, keeping her just out of range, just out of range—
Then he flipped up the fallen pot Erin had used for curry and slammed it over Beza’s head. The horns pierced the bottom, and the pot stuck. Beza screamed, but Pyrite was hesitating. He grabbed a chair, smashed it across Beza’s head as she struggled to remove the pot—kicked her in the stomach—and then sighed. He looked at Erin.
“Can’t stop without killing. Acid?”
Beza tore the pot free. She looked down at Pyrite and charged. He jumped out of the way. He punched Beza in the back of the head, tackled her, sending her skidding across the slippery floor—
And his time ran out. One minute. Pyrite cursed—and Numbtongue stumbled. Beza swung and caught him across the ribs. The Hobgoblin stumbled back. Beza turned to Erin and lifted a scroll. The [Innkeeper] froze; her concentration wavered.
“Uh oh—”
“[Arrows of Light]!”
Erin dove as the arrows shredded the table she’d been hiding behind. Beza whirled. Numbtongue rose, looking for his guitar. It was at the bar. He squared himself, narrowing his eyes as he raised his fists. Beza roared, moving impossibly fast—
You? Do you need help?
The Hobgoblin’s head turned. Who had—
Numbtongue went crashing backwards as Beza struck him too quickly for Erin to see. The Hobgoblin struggled to get up—and met a second fist to the chest. He collapsed, and Beza reached for him, strangling him.
Erin screamed.
“Numbtongue!”
She stabbed Beza. The Minotaur felt the searing pain in her side and looked down. Her enchanted body had been pierced! The kitchen knife stuck out of her side, two inches in. She looked up, and her eyes were crimson. Like a Goblin’s eyes. Erin backed up as the Minotaur tore the knife free. The [Innkeeper] raised her fists.
“[Minotaur Punch]! [Minotaur Punch]!”
The first punch hit Beza in the ribs. The second in the stomach. The Minotauress let her have both hits. She stared down at Erin and spat. Saliva and rum from the bottle Pyrite had hit her with. She shook her head.
“That hurts a bit. But it’s just an imitation. Who taught you that?”
“I learned it from a real Minotaur.”
Erin saw Beza’s eyes narrow. She saw the punch and ducked—but too slow. Beza struck Erin across the face and Erin stumbled. Her mouth was bloody. She got back up. Aura? Could she do something other than weigh Beza down? Where was—
The Minotaur grabbed her head with one huge hand. Erin punched at her, but Beza was unmovable.
“[Numbing Touch].”
Erin sagged. She made a sound as Beza let go.
“Huh—”
She hit the ground, a sack of bones and flesh, unable to move. Beza turned. She hesitated, looking at the unconscious Numbtongue, and then saw Relc stabbing Ulinde. His spear went right through her stomach, but she kept moving, twisting off it and shooting spells.
“Why the hell won’t you stop moving?”
“Drake!”
Beza roared and Relc turned. He blocked another spell from Montressa and shouted.
“You suck too, Numbtongue!”
He whirled his spear and Beza hesitated. She eyed the spear and raised her fists, gesturing.
“Come on, Drake. Drop your spear and let’s see how good you are!”
Relc stared at her.
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I’m holding back.”
He spun, pointing the spear at Montressa. She paused. Relc looked around. Ulinde, Beza, Montressa, and he was surrounded. Worse, Isceil was groaning and everyone was unconscious or ensorcelled. Relc sighed.
“Put down your weapons. Or I’ll start killing you instead of holding back.”
The Wistram [Mages] stared at him. Ulinde’s mouth moved incredulously. Beza lost her temper. She roared at Relc, spittle flying.
“Surrender? You have no idea who you’re fighting! I’m the best at hand-to-hand combat in all of Wistram! I’m—”
A presence behind her. The [Spellscribe] whirled. A huge Drake stared up at her. He was a bit shorter, but only a bit. And he was even more muscular than she was. He shook his head as Erin got up groggily, helped by a pale Raskghar, trembling with fury—
“Wistram’s standards must be even lower than I remember. Grimalkin. Strongest [Mage] in Pallass.”
“Grimalk—”
Beza jerked backwards. The Drake swung. She saw a huge, scaly fist and threw up her guard—
——
“I’m so glad to have your assistance, Watch Captain. If you’ll follow me?”
Palt trotted from Zevara’s office. She smiled.
“Certainly, Wistram’s representative!”
She followed him down the steps. She had something in her hand. A whistle, made of tin. Palt didn’t notice her as he trotted down the steps, using the handrails for guidance. Zevara put the whistle in her lips and blew it. It made no sound.
“I hope Miss Selys wasn’t too—upset. I trust we can amicably explain the situation. As I said, Wistram is willing to make a very generous donation—and recompense her for her trauma, of course!”
Palt murmured over his shoulder as he slowly reached the bottom of the steps. Zevara gave him a bright smile.
“Let’s go see, shall we?”
The Centaur trotted past the empty receptionist’s desk. He looked around the barracks, straightened his vest—
“Get him!”
The Watch hit him as he entered the barracks. Gnolls and Drakes yanked him off his hooves. Beilmark smashed a club across Palt’s face as he fell.
The Centaur didn’t even have time to utter a spell. The Gnolls and Drakes hit him with batons and clubs from both sides. He screamed once before they brought him down. Zevara shouted as the [Guards] made sure the [Mage] was unconscious.
“Enough!”
They stopped kicking him. Senior Guardswoman Beilmark growled, her fur standing on end.
“What was it, Watch Captain? He said he was a [Mage] from Wistram—”
“Maybe he was. He cast an enchantment on me. And he attacked—”
“He attacked Pisces!”
Selys pushed her way forwards. She was shouting and crying. Zevara turned to her.
“There were five of them! They—they said they were from Wistram. He wasn’t moving when—they put him in a box! And then they got the others! Ceria, Ksmvr, Yvlon—I saw it all! I was under a spell!”
“Guards!”
Zevara had heard enough. She bellowed and Liscor’s Watch looked at her. The Watch Captain turned. Palt’s spell had gone and all that was left was the kind of fury that was so overwhelming it was calm. Zevara turned.
“There are four [Mages] in the city that assaulted Miss Selys Shivertail and took a Silver-rank team hostage! I want the rest of them found now and arrested! Get an anti-mage team, Beilmark! Find Relc, Klbkch—get Jeiss and the other Senior Guards too! There’s no telling what levels they are, but they’re not leaving the city! I want this done quietly, without them getting a chance to loose any more spells—”
“Kill or take alive, Watch Captain?”
Beilmark growled. A Gnoll was growling as the [Guards] grabbed weapons. Another went for a bell.
“Alive unless they threaten you, Senior Guardsman. Belay that bell, guardsman! No alarms! Spread out! I want eyes on the walls—”
A thought hit Zevara. No, a certainty. She strode out of the Watch House. Selys and the Watch followed her. Zevara looked towards the east and cursed.
“Get that squad together, Beilmark. You five! Get to the eastern wall! Run! Check to see if there’s any activity around the inn!”
She ran. Selys stopped only to kick Palt in the face before she was hot on Zevara’s tail.
——
Beza the Minotauress was lying down. She realized it only when it turned out the wall was floorboards. She blinked.
“Huh? Why am I on the floor?”
That was what she tried to say. But it didn’t come out. Grimalkin squatted down and rolled her over. Beza stared up at him. He inspected her jaw and shrugged.
“Concussion. I didn’t break the jaw. I’m getting better at not doing that. Then again, Minotaur’s jaws are tough. Miss Solstice? [Dispel Magic].”
“Whuh—”
Erin jerked as the numbness left her. She stood, turning.
“Numbtongue!”
“Not hurt. Cracked bones. I’ll see to him. Are there any more?”
Grimalkin nodded at Beza. She was still staring at the ceiling, trying to say something. Erin looked around.
“There’s one in the city—they were going to leave—Seborn! Moore!”
“Alive. The half-Giant’s wounded.”
Grimalkin looked around the inn. His tone was conversational. Montressa was screaming something at Relc as he sliced closer. He was so casual. Erin tried to grab at him, but her arms were still hard to move.
“They were gonna—”
“I heard. You’re lucky I was coming to tutor Miss Springwalker. I got the message from your Gnoll at the same time as Miss Ivirith.”
“Miss—”
Ulinde was firing spells at Relc, screaming as she aimed two at Grimalkin. He blocked them with one claw. She whirled as something moved. A huge, Gnoll-like beast was bent over Moore. It raised its head. Ulinde froze.
No Gnoll looked like that. But what was it? Then she saw the dead eyes. And she knew.
Jelaqua leapt. She caught Ulinde, ignoring the spells that burned holes into her Raskghar body. She snarled. Ulinde screamed.
“I—I’m—I can explain! I’m—I’m a huge fan, Miss Ivirith. B-but—”
“Shut up.”
The Selphid [Mage] did. She stared at Jelaqua, trembling. The Raskghar’s mouth opened.
“Hey. You know what’s going to happen next?”
“Wh—”
“Pain.”
The two crashed across the inn. Montressa, spinning, screamed as she saw her friend.
“Ulinde!”
Jelaqua was ramming the younger Selphid’s head into a wall. Two blows and the skull caved in. But there was no brain. The broken face jerked backwards, trying to utter a spell around a shattered jaw. Jelaqua grabbed Ulinde by a leg and swung her into the wall.
Bones broke. The Selphid [Mage] made a sound like a bag of dirt hitting the ground. Again. And again—
A spear at Montressa’s chest. Relc cursed and backed up. Montressa uttered a spell and he cut it as the scythe swung at his chest.
“How many barriers do you have?”
“Stop! We are [Mages] from Wistram! We’re—”
Montressa looked around. Ulinde’s head was gone. She was lying on the ground. Her chest had been torn open and something orange was oozing into her. Another Selphid. Ulinde was screaming with her real body.
The [Aegiscaster] looked around. She saw Beza, struggling to sit up, throwing up. Isceil, bloody, down. And then Grimalkin. He stood up as Erin poured a healing potion on Numbtongue’s jaw.
