A/N: Argh! Sorry this was so late. All this damn jumping from character to character, I think my brain has gone into overdrive. I swear, trying to fit so many split bits of story into some thing that's remotely coherent… -shakes head-. There's a couple of random bits stuffed in this chapter…I probably should have deleted them but feh.
Disclaimer: The world and the characters blah, blah, blah all belong to Tamora Pierce.
Chapter 9: Beginning of the End
Nawat sat leaning against the wall as close to the fireplace as he could get to the warmth while chained. The twins were already fast asleep, and he wondered at their ability to simply fall asleep despite the circumstances. He smiled fondly at the two, as his eyelids grew heavy. He could never bear to lose either of them.
……………………
The wind increased suddenly as Aly turned to once again face the old keep.
It was strategically placed on the southernmost point of Malubesang, blocked off on one side by mountains and the other by sheer cliffs. Surrounded by a thick wall, which had remained intact through the years, it was approachable only from one direction, up a steep winding road leading to its elevated perch. It was said to be impregnable, but had been abandoned soon after its construction. It was a place of rumours and superstition. The locals avoided it when at all possible.
Aly smiled, its reputation was hardly a mystery to her when the sheen of magic literally radiated from the place. She sighed,
"I don't suppose that actually getting into the keep will be as easy as you taking us there?"
Heishi smiled wirily. "Maybe once. But now? This is as close as I can get us with that spell. Any closer and my gift'd set off the wards he's riddled it with."
Aly grinned broadly. "I didn't think he'd make it that easy but there was always the chance he'd be either ignorant or stupid." Noticing Heishi stared at her she added, "What?"
"You're smiling and we have to get into a keep placed on one of the better defensive positions on the Malubesang, and the best magically protected one."
Aly was tempted to mention that she knew a better one but considering that that information was meant to be top secret she decided against it. "Oh but this'll be fun!" She grinned brightly.
Heishi looked at her sceptically, "If you can call being caught in this storm," he gestured at the horizon where is loomed ominously. "running over all this damn wet ground, to save the family that was taken from you by your own patron god 'fun' not to mention…" he let his voice trail off.
Aly grinned. "Oh but it is! All this running around! I haven't left Rajmuat on an assignment for…," she gave up and waved her hand with a dismissive gesture. "Oh ages!"
Heishi gave up. "Well at least one of us is enjoying themselves," he muttered darkly.
Aly laughed. "Good. You have fun and I'll get us into the keep."
Heishi stared. "I think all this travelling by magic from one spot to another has done something to your head. Oh gods! How will I explain that to your husband!" He sat down hard on the ground head in his hands.
Aly laughed again and patted him on the head. "There, there. I was only joking." (A/N: OK that bit was random. No idea why I kept it in…)
Heishi snorted still wary. "Some joke." He groaned. "I should have known better than to be within a hundred kilometre radius of one the trickster favoured."
Aly looked around. "For once he didn't appear with a comment. Kyprioth, I'm impressed."
The god's voice materialised right next to her ear. "Well if you insist…"
Heishi laughed in spite of himself. "I think you jinxed it."
Aly grinned. There was no warmth in her expression. "Oh by the way Kyprioth. Since this was your doing I spose you have a way of getting me'n my family back to Rajmuat with out being arrested and tried for treason?" Remarked Aly innocently.
Kyprioth sighed dramatically. "Well this is all very well and good, and I'd love to continue on this subject… But shouldn't you be heading towards the keep right about now?"
Aly grinned. "Stall all you want-,"
"Well my dear, it's been a pleasure however my godly duties call." He turned to Heishi. "Goodbye, assassin." His presence faded.
Aly stared at the place where his voice had come from moments ago.
"What?"
"He's never done that before."
"What?" Repeated Heishi.
"He's never said goodbye."
……………………
Monashi stood before a window peering out into the growing gloom as the storm approached.
"Soon," he murmured. "Soon they will come. And then we will see an end to all this." He summoned a ball of fire and 'tossed' it out the window. It grew as it gained height forming a beacon that hung in the sky lighting up the ground surrounding the keep.
A small figure was outlined starkly in the light it cast.
He smiled grimly. "Very soon."
……………………
At the battlefield not far away General (Duke) Vurquan Nomru stood with other staring at the fiery globe that had appeared in the sky moments before from the direction of the old keep, that current intelligence suggested was controlled by the resisting soldiers. He winced at the thought. It was easily one of the most defensible positions on Malubesang unapproachable from any direction except straight on. It had been abandoned years before and was believe to be haunted by the locals. Anyone who had been sent to scout out the keep or the land around it had not returned, and now they refused to go.
"Well now we know something's definitely going on down there." He commented to the officers next to him. He shivered involuntarily. "You can feel the power emanating from that place from kilometres away." He added reluctantly as though it was an afterthought, "And the fear."
……………………
Heishi jumped. "What the hell was that!"
Aly swore and dropped to the ground as light lit up the area surrounding the keep.
"Down!" She hissed. She enhanced her sight zeroing in on the keep. She swore again at the flicker of movement at one of the windows. She stood, "actually don't bother. I just felt like laying down."
"He saw us?"
Aly nodded.
"Damn."
"That was a mild way of expressing this situation." She remarked amiably. "If he's expecting us we might as well go the fast way. If you think you haven't over reached yourself using that spell repeatedly."
Heishi grinned, teeth flashing white against the dark surroundings. "It takes very little power. One of the many benefits."
His gift gathered around him again and then they where in a stone room.
"We're in the keep?"
Before Heishi could reply, a voice Aly had heard before through Dyami's ears in a dream spoke.
"Yes you are in the keep. I take it you are the spymaster." Monashi looked at Heishi. "So Uindo, what the dark-one said was true. You would commit the final betrayal by brining the Spymaster here for us. It was a good thing it benefited the Dark-one. Now I can have the pleasure of killing you, like the rest of your interfering family."
Power gathered in the room, the smile turned into a leer. His power slammed forward and stopped a multicoloured cloud of gift where it clashed with the shield Heishi had hurriedly thrown up.
Blinded for a moment by the magnitude of both gifts, Aly furiously blinked eyes that watered frantically adjusting her sight to accommodate the magic flying through the room. The next spell knocked her to the ground and she hurriedly scrambled to her feet, backing towards the far wall as the two mages battled on, dodging a stray spell she hurled herself through the only exit to the room she could see. The door to the room snapped shut by itself with a feeling of finality to it. One of those in there would live. The other would die.
"What a waste of life." She muttered. She unsheathed one of the many knives she carried. Turning from the door she looked at the flight of stairs that led away. The only direction she could turn. She just hoped it led to her family.
The stairs eventually reached a landing. Turning to look both directions down the hallway she chose the left and passed two doors seemingly with no lock but that blazed with magic in her sight. Pausing before the first she asked,
"Nawat are you in there?"
There was no reply. Hesitating she sheathed the knife and gingerly raised a hand to open the first door. Magic blazed.
……………………
It seemed he had only just closed his eyes before Nawat found himself awake and on his feet. He frowned.
I could've sworn someone called my name…
The door to the room swung open, a wind blown and dazzled Aly stood in the doorway blinking furiously, trying to regain her sight. Nawat stood stock-still in surprise.
"Aly?" He asked tentatively.
She let out a small plaintive cry nearly flew into his arms. To her embarrassment she felt tears well in her eyes, and giving in she began to cry softly as Nawat held her.
……………………
The two mages battled on. Each spell took more and more effort. Heishi knew surviving this fight would not be decided, not by knowledge or power, but endurance and by whoever made the first mistake. Without warning Monashi crumpled to the ground. Seizing his chance, Heishi lunged forward, sending a fistful of condensed air to his neck, enough to crush his windpipe. With that blow he released all the anger, hate and sorrow he held within himself,
"My family, my stolen life; they are avenged."
He collapsed to the ground exhausted from the massive expenditure of magic. Then to his horror, he felt himself lifted from his position on the ground and slammed into the wall. He looked to see what held him and screamed as the very shadows rose and twined around him, squeezing most of the air from his lungs. Monashi rose before him, arm out stretched, the ball of compressed air churning before his hand.
"Aren't they beautiful, Uindo? The dark-one lent me their service to defeat you." He smiled, madness shining in his eyes. The shadows contracted more and Monashi's laughter escalated echoing around the stone chamber. Gasping for breath the assassin slumped helplessly, images flashing before his eyes.
Flashback:
Her screams echoed through the keep. Hollow things full of desperation and terror. The echo's bounced through the room an eerie accompaniment to Monashi's laughter. This time Heishi watched, watched as his life was destroyed before his eyes. The only things dear to him ripped asunder and tossed to the four winds. He watched his only family destroyed, the movie replaying in his mind over and over. His sister the Shang horse lay crumpled before him and Monashi, defiant, stubborn and fearless even as she faced death…then later he was alone as she died. Lifting her hand to touch his face, as though to confirm he was still really there, she half gasped, half whispered,
"Don't blame yourself for my death Heishi. And... p-promise me you'll never listen to them, work for the willingly, won't let them hurt another as they have our family. Promise me."
"I promise…"
Her body went limp and her eyes went glassy, finally relieved of the pain. For the first time in his life, Heishi wept for the death of another.
End Flashback. (A/N: Ok I take back what I said before. That was random.)
Heishi looked up slowly as Monashi called. There was a flash and men wearing battered and well used armour and weapons appeared- part of the resisting army-. Monashi turned to them.
"This assassin is finished. The spymaster, the crow and the two kids are somewhere in the keep. Find them and bring them to me, but make sure you do not harm the spymaster. The rest do not matter, bring them in pieces if you must."
Heishi stared at Monashi and made a decision. He hadn't kept that promise he made…but he wouldn't break it again. Rage surged through Heishi like a living thing. As though he unlocked another wellspring of his gift hidden deep within his core, power gathered to do his bidding. It amassed in such a quantity that it was visible as light. Monashi was flung across the room to slam into the opposite wall, and the whole room shook with the impact. There were audible shrieks of pain from the shadows that bound him, their grip slackened slightly, most dropped away completely. It was all he needed. One movement and he was free, twin katana drawn and ready.
Monashi cringed, as he carefully stood hunched over to one side. Clutching his ribs and shoulder.
"He broke some ribs and probably his collar bone," thought Heishi coldly. "That had to hurt."
The light had exploded form Heishi's body slowly faded. Now once again Monashi laughed looking scornfully at the beaten figure before him.
"Those mere swords will never harm me Uindo, even in my present state. Impressive as that display was, you cannot afford to use anymore of your gift, unless you want to faint when you're needed most." He added thoughtfully, "That would make the dark-one's job easier."
Heishi's mind raced. While he had more than enough power left to scorch Monashi of the face of the earth, he would need that power later, when the true mastermind came. Unfortunately, the bastard was right.
Monashi continued. "And so you will die, Uindo. Defenceless, and without honour." He sneered. "Your time has come, you will die here, tonight."
Heishi smiled coldly. "Where does it say I need my gift to defeat you? That these swords could not harm you?" The cold certainty in the assassin's voice was enough to make Monashi retreat a step.
Heishi lunged forward one blade extended the other slightly behind. They were deflected just before they could injure Monashi. Heishi smiled grimly and instead of pulling back, as Monashi expected continued falling forward, bringing one leg around sweeping Monashi's feet from under him. Distracted Monashi's control over his spell lapsed. Heishi regained his balance lightning fast and before Monashi could fully comprehend what had happened and defend himself, he was dead on the point of one of the blades. Darkness seemed to explode from the body around the Katana, it gathered then shifted to form the figure of a man, one the assassin had only heard about.
…………………
Aly felt a tug on her cloak and looked down at the two small faces that peered up at her.
"Ma?" Aleda asked, frowning. Aly looked down and smiled wearily before bending down to the twin's height and spread her arms. They slammed into her, each clamouring to be heard first.
Despite herself Aly laughed. "There will be time to talk after we leave this place," she added to herself, 'I hope.' Turning back to the she said. "We've got to leave, now."
Aleda sniffed imperiously, "This place is cold." Tears grew in her eyes, "He locked us in here Ma, and it was dark. Then Da came."
Aly smiled reassuringly as she unlocked the chains that bound the girl. "And he won't lock you in here again. A friend has a debt to settle-where's Dyami?" She looked around catching sight of the boy standing stiffly staring out the door.
"The Dark-one," he whispered, his words echoing dissonantly around the room. "He's finally come."
"Here? Roger is here?"
Her son turned to her his eyes seemed to glow in the gloom. The power he held it now controlled his movements. Another being, be an ancient patience and wisdom seemed to inhabit Dyami. Whatever it was the person who looked back at her now was no two year old.
"He is here and we will fight him."
"We?"
"You know Spymaster. A two year old child would hardly have a chance of surviving let alone winning. When that time comes I will serve the purpose I was created for and try to keep him alive."
Aly nodded dumbly, staring at whatever had changed in Dyami's eyes. And then it was gone. Just as quickly as it had become visible it was again, hidden with the boy. Aly picked the lock to Dyami's chains, then turned and did Nawat's.
"Well that was unexpected." Commented Nawat dryly as she worked. "I think I'm going to have to take this up with Kyprioth."
"Save your breath and don't bother." Suggested Aly, finishing. "It's already been done and there's more than one god in on this."
Nawat rubbed his wrists. He was prevented from replying by the sound of boots on stone. Aly turned to the door grabbing Dyami's hand and towed him out the door.
"Here comes the reception committee. Lets not be cornered in this room."
Nawat nodded and followed Aly out the door bringing Aleda with him. He took a single look at the line of battle-hardened warriors systematically searching the hallway before the turn which hid them,
"Aleda, take your brother and go up the stairs over there. Keep on going till you get to the roof of the keep. Stay there till we come for you."
Aleda nodded silently grabbing Dyami's hand she towed her twin towards the stairs. Aly and Nawat watched until they disappeared up the stairs.
"This doesn't bode well for how Heishi fared against Monashi."
"You trusted the assassin?"
"His life was destroyed by that monster. 'My enemy's enemy is my friend.'."
There was a shout from ahead as they were spotted. Aly unsheathed two knives and settled into a street fighter's crouch. Nawat stood apparently relaxed beside her as the seven men advanced slowly spreading out into a line. Nawat tensed and then suddenly they attacked, trying to circle around them to block off any retreat.
Aly glanced at the long heavy broadsword carried by one man who faced her and simply threw her knife. It caught him in the throat, killing him instantly. She darted forward retrieving the knife and turned to face another man.
Nawat used a more direct approach then Aly. He simply ran toward the closest man dodging his hasty thrust with his blade ending coming up behind him. He grabbed the man's arm before he could trust again digging his finger into his wrist. The sword clattered to the ground. He brought his other hand smashing don on the soldier's collar bone. There was an audible crack and the man fell to the ground clutching his shoulder. Hefting the sword Nawat turned to face his next opponent.
Boots pounded on stone and Aly swore anticipating more men. Instead the line of warriors in front of them seemed to explode outward, forced by magic. A gap was created and a frantic Heishi dashed through. Halting before them he gasped,
"Get to the roof. We need space." Without another word of explanation he continued to the steps and disappeared from sight. Aly and Nawat exchanged a look before running after him.
Emerging onto the keep's roof, Heishi looked frantically around. Spotting two small figures huddled in the centre he hurried towards them.
"You're Aleda and your Dyami?" He asked.
They nodded slowly, eyes wary. Heishi smiled. "This place isn't going to be safe much longer." He nodded towards the corner of the low wall that surrounded the edge of the roof. "Stay as far away from the door as possible; if you're in the shadows over there you're less likely to be seen."
Shouts echoed through the door and into the night.
"Go."
Together the twins hurried away.
Aly and Nawat pounded up the stairs and emerged on the roof seconds later. Heishi stood a couple of meters from the door katana drawn. When he saw who it was he relaxed slightly. Aly looked around frantically,
"Where're Aleda and Dyami?"
Nawat gestured towards the corner, "I think that's them over there."
Heishi smiled grimly, "It is."
Boots pounded on stone again and Heishi turned to the door engaging the first soldier to emerge, and shoving him back down the stairs into the man trying to come up behind him. Stepping up beside Heishi as two men tried to come through at the same time. Aly asked as she knifed one,
"Why were you in such a hurry back there?"
Heishi caught the man's thrust with his sword on one blade and ran him through with the other. "I managed to get rid of Monashi. Only after I killed him someone else appeared; the former Duke Roger of Conté." Heishi paused as three men, two of which fought in tandem with an efficient practiced manner converged on them both.
Fighting in tandem was dangerous at best when you tried it with someone you hadn't fought with before. However, when practised by people who knew what they were doing it was deadly. Heishi blocked one man's sword only to have the other thrust at him. He swore vehemently, all he could do was defend.
Aly dodged a wild swing from the other man. He pressed the advantage pushing past her and the other two men before she could recover. She swore and shouted,
"One's through!"
"Was." Came Nawat's voice from behind her, the man lay crumpled on the ground, unconscious. Aly risked a glanced behind her and backed away from the door.
"Can you help Heishi? A sword has a longer reach than one of my knives. I'll deal with anyone who gets past."
He grinned. "I was wondering when you'd ask."
"But I was having fun." She stepped to face another man who'd gotten through. Knifing him in the shoulder spinning him around, then knifed him again in the back.
Nawat snorted then lunged at one of Heishi's assailants. Heishi shoved the remaining attacker down the stairs again.
"That still doesn't really explain why you were running full pelt down the corridor." Commented Nawat dryly.
Heishi shrugged. "As I was saying, I didn't think I could beat him in my current state and ran before he materialised properly." He ducked another sword blow once again pushing the soldiers back.
"And you ran to us why?"
"Because whatever he was after was in this direction so I figured he'd come to me. It also gave me a chance to rest."
"And that would be?"
"Well the spymaster or Dyami over there. Or both of them."
Nawat frowned. He payed for the slight distraction by being to slow to fully doge a blow aimed at his head. He hissed in pain as it left a long gash down his arm. Running the man through, he backed away, switching the sword to his other hand.
Suddenly, the attacks ceased. A bunch of soldiers before them stepped to the side and a figure stepped past. Darkness seemed to move in his wake and before him. The scant light outside hit his face but were seemingly absorbed. No features could be made out save for two eyes that glowed the colour of old blood. The shadows that had gone before and after him faded slowly away in to the surrounding area. Heishi watched them uneasily. Being held by shadows was not an experience he wanted to repeat in this lifetime. Roger simply walked through the now abandoned doorway, the remaining soldiers followed. His eyes fixed on the trio who stood together. All were in fighting stances, weapons held ready before them.
The former duke smiled. He turned to Aly, "So we finally meet spymaster." He studied her closely. The smile widened, and Aly was given the distinct impression of a predator closing on its prey. He waved his hand and power blasted from it knocking them down and sending the weapons they carried flying out of their hands. The shadows returned and surged around him, he frowned as though listening. Stepping towards them he asked pointedly,
"Where is the brat?" There was a startled cry and he smiled coldly. "Never mind." He turned towards the corner where the two twins huddled terrified. For the third time in her life Aly found herself unable to move. Growling in frustration she struggled mentally with a body that wouldn't respond.
"Now, now don't hurt yourself trying to move. After all, when this is over I believe you are long over due for a visit home."
Surprisingly Aly found herself able to speak,
"When what's over?"
"When I've got rid of the minor annoyance that is your son. Pity really. You have only the god's to blame. If they hadn't 'gifted' him with that power none of this would be necessary and my plans would have gone unhindered."
"If only I could reach another knife," she thought.
Roger sighed, "You're going to be difficult. Oh well, after those here are dead I'm sure I'll have convinced you to behave."
Aly found herself fully paralysed again and watched as Roger turned towards the twins. Shadows dragged them both towards him. He took a look at Aleda then gestured with his hand. She was tossed as though only a rag doll towards the three adults where she lay stunned; also paralysed.
The former duke turned to Dyami shadowy magic streaming around his hands. "And they," he gestured to the shadows that bound the boy, "warned me that you might present a problem." He smiled triumphantly. "They advised patience and caution, but I was right." He glared at the shadows, and then turned away. "Kill him."
Shadows converged on Dyami smothering him then constricting. Roger laughed. Then, as though in slow motion he was tossed forward on a wave of air as light literally exploded from behind him. He lost control over the spells holding Aly and the others. Halting himself in midair Roger turned slowly, amid shadows that screamed and fled in terror from the source of the light. Dyami.
Roger stared, and then snarled. "How did you do that?"
Once again the other 'being' inhabited Dyami. The boy laughed,
"That may be hard for one such as him to break free from," he nodded in Heishi's direction, "but for one who holds my power, that is as simple as breathing." He smiled. "It will take more than your 'magicked' shadows to get rid of this child."
Roger's eyes narrowed, "This child?"
"Well a two year old could hardly survive this. He's two young. I just help out."
"Helped or not he will die." Roger raised his hand and sent a globe of darkness towards the small figure. It made the air hum as travelled growing in size. White electricity seemed to cover the sphere. Crackling now it halted in mid air, then flew directly back at Roger. He missed being hit by his own spell by diving to the side the ball of energy skimming over his head.
"That's it you die now."
…………………
Nomru looked apprehensively at the horizon as a dark vortex of energy exploded over their head, "Well something's happening over there," he muttered, "something big and I'm not sure I want to know what."
…………………
A storm loomed ominously on the horizon as the fight on the roof of the keep stumbled on.
Aly threw her last knife into a guard's neck, and then turned to watch as her son fought against what had been Roger. Dyami's eyes were wide and uncomprehending as the comparatively ancient being attacked him furiously. The power he possessed was controlling his actions, the only thing keeping him alive. She watched in mounting horror as Roger pushed the boy closer and closer to the edge of the roof. He stumbled into the low wall.
Dyami's scream shattered the night into a million tiny pieces. The world seemed to freeze, and for a moment he seemed to hang just on the edge, then he toppled over, his scream lingering on the air.
Then, as though it was a signal, the storm finally broke and it began to rain.
…………………
A/N: I probably shouldn't have left it there…oh well I had to finish somewhere. I blame you Lettuce. Your evilness must have finally worn off on me :P…or maybe it was just the hyperactive insanity… ohhhhhh…SHINY! o.o lol.