Chapter Six

Shadowy Things

The night was growing cold and there was no moon to cast any light on the darkness that enveloped the small party dug in beside the road as it entered the 'mountains'. They had been crunched up in the shadows for what seemed like forever. From their position they could see the flickers of the bonfires that had been constructed around the wall the moment the sun went down. Shadron was due back a long time ago and Dagenheart was beginning to fret. If he had been killed or captured then they were all in jeopardy. Someone moved up beside her; Maestra. He gestured to her to inform her that Shadron was coming in; mission accomplished. A few moments later, the merc showed up, covered in blood.

"Are you hurt?" She asked in a low whisper.

He shook his head and held up three fingers. Good, three dead men would probably be enough to spook the Imperials into springing her trap. She faced the encampment again and willed something to happen. That paled fast as the bodies were not discovered till dawn. There seemed to be a great deal of commotion when they were found and not a candlemark after sunrise, there was a hunter-killer party trudging out of the gate.

"I think they are biting." She whispered to Maestra, "Go make sure everyone is ready. Let them get passed us a bit and take out officers first." She tried to get a count of how many men made up the party. Twenty? Thirty? She couldn't tell but enough to have an impact.

The soldiers shuffled sleepily up the road and, unknowingly, towards their ambush. They came on until they were close enough for Dagenheart to hear their grumblings, though she couldn't understand them. The commandos around her loaded their bows and took aim, waiting on her signal. Across the road, a second group led by Frickel and Alairus, did the same. Their shots would be taken low to minimize friendly fire. She waited until the slow moving column of men were a little more then half way through before shouting the attack. Arrows left bows and screams filled the air. Panic tried to grab the trapped men but they were better trained then the others they had faced. Their training took over and they charged off the road on both sides, coming towards their attackers. A second shower of arrows rained down and then the enemy was upon them. Dagenheart drew the short sword she had concealed in her robes and used it to hack and stab along side the elites. The fight only lasted a few minutes but it seemed like hours to everyone involved.

"Check the bodies." She ordered as she leaned against a tree and wiped the blood off the blade of her short sword. She squinted through the trees to see if the sounds of battle had alerted the men in the depot. From the looks of things, if they knew they weren't getting excited about it.

"They're going to get concerned when these guys don't come back to report in." Maestra said to her. She ignored him.

"Twenty-eight looks like. Be nice to know how many they started with." Shadron said as he puffed over to them. Frickel was a step behind him and Alairus two beyond him.

"Maestra, strip the dead make sure the bodies are well hidden. You three come with me." She sat off at a brisk pace towards the enemy camp, slowing, as she got closer to the tree line. She squatted down and watched. Shadron, Frickel and Alairus did the same.

"What now?" The Herald asked.

"Now we wait." She replied.

"This ain't gonna work." Frickel chuckled. "Didn't work last time, ain't gonna work this time."

"Will you give it a rest already. Nothing went wrong with the plan itself last time."

"I don't know Dagenheart. I got to agree with Frick. Stuff like this only happens in them stories and ballads." Shadron chimed in.

"For the sake of everything unholy, will you two be quiet!"

Alairus was staring at all three of them with a confused look, "What are you guys talking about?" He asked.

"Oh don't worry, you'll see soon enough. Gonna be a hoot, kid." Frickel laughed.

**************

A slow column of Imperials snaked up the road towards the gate of the supply depot. The gate creaked open as they approached it, dragging a young woman behind them. She was covered in dirt, gagged and fingers bound in what looked like intricate knots. A rope tied around both her wrists led all the way up to the lead man in the column. As they shuffled into the compound an Imperial officer descended a wooden staircase from the wall.

"Found something, eh?" He said in the elegant Imperial tongue. The headman of the line nodded and jerked the rope attached to the woman. She stumbled forward in weariness and collapsed at the officer's feet.

"She's a mage." The headman said in a rough voice.

"Really?" The officer prodded the woman with a toe. She only cowered lower to the ground. He motioned to one of his men who came trotting. After whispering in his ear he sent the man off.

"Tell it." the officer commanded from the headman, who obliged. He rambled on in that same rough tone that somehow made it impossible to tell an accent. He told how they ran her down after she had attacked them with sorcery. The officer tried to ask questions but the man never stopped talking long enough. It wasn't until an older man dressed in rich robes came stalking towards them with arrogance in his every stride did the soldier shut up. The robed man held himself with a stomach turning pride as he walked, nose pointed up. Oh, I'm going to enjoy this. The woman thought as she dared raise her eyes high enough to see the approaching man. The man walked right up to her and towered above her, smirking down.

"A mage, eh?" He said.

She felt something push against her paper-thin shields, "Hmm, barely powerful enough to shield yourself. Poor creature. Poor, loathsome creature. I should be generous and put you out of your misery but I'm not really a generous man. I may have use for a pathetic creature like you but those shields have got to go." He smashed her shields with a puny spell that shattered them like glass.

Dagenheart surged up from the ground, bonds shedding away like fall leaves from a tree as the 'Imperials' behind her broke for selected strong points, weapons bare. In a flash the officer standing beside the mage was down, gargling through a throat filled with blood and steel. With a surge of dark energies, Dagenheart battered the other mage's shields until they were literally burned away by power and sent the man, screaming, to his knees in agony.

"Please, please. Don't kill me!" The man whined. His begging made Dagenheart want to vomit and fed her anger but she would deal with him later. She bond him with a spell so secure he couldn't even move his eyes and left him laying on the ground. She removed the block put on her Companion during her spellcasting.

::Come.:: She sent to him; he had been waiting out in the woods. Within seconds he came trotting in, she jumped and to her amazement managed to saddle him in mid stride.

::Quite the athlete aren't we?:: He teased.

"I'll never be able to do that again." She urged him forward into the fray with her short sword bare. The soldiers of the compound were not reacting very professionally and word of the attack hadn't even had time to reach twenty feet. Victory was a serious threat on the horizon. As the battle waned on, more enemy soldiers came to the battle but not in numbers large enough do any good. Once the last remnants had been swept up and dealt with, Dagenheart got her head together with the others.

"Maestra, take a few men and poke around, see what we got. Alairus is already relaying the news to the other Heralds. Shadron, you and Frick see to getting some pickets out so we don't get any surprises."

"Already got 'em out. Not likely to get any surprises unless they come wearing magic socks that make them invisible or something."

"Guess you have to admit it was a good plan now." She said with a smirk.

"Like hell, you was lucky. Plain ol' fashion lucky." Frickel bristled, "If these guys was anything like real soldiers they'd have sniffed it out in a second. Just like last time."

"I'm not going to argue with you. It worked, I'm happy. Go burn something."

She dismounted and stretched a bit, then returned her sword to its place inside her robes. As she worked out the kinks in her muscles she saw Maestra moving toward her, coming from a nearby building.

"We found something I think you might be interested in." He whispered to her.

"That was quick." She arched an eyebrow and followed him as he headed off toward one of the few stone buildings. There were no windows in the structure and she had to let her eyes adjust for just a moment. In the light that shown through the open door she could see the place was one large room with benches and worktables at one end. The other end was what caught her eye first though; three huge mounds of something stood half in shadow. The air had a very sharp and unpleasant scent. She knew that smell.

"Sulfur." Maestra said indicating the middle mound. "I'm pretty sure that one is just a heap of charcoal and I don't even have a clue as to what that it." The last pile of stuff he indicated looked like small, milky white chunks of rock and there was considerably more of it then the other two mounds. She moved over to it and used a bit of her personal power to summon up a few mage lights. She frowned as she studied it. She had no clue what it was. It didn't seem to have much of a smell or the sulfur was overriding it if it did have.

"Strange." She said, "What's on the tables?" She asked turning to stare across the room.

He gestured for her to go see for herself.

Most of the stuff looked like junk. Bits of wood and metal but then she spied something that looked somehow complete. It was strange looking and without even knowing what it was, she knew that it was something that was going to kill a lot of people. An elongated metal box three feet long had been fastened to the head of a wooden pole that looked to be about six feet long. Atop the metal box was what looked like a giant double-bladed arrowhead. She extended her sense and felt nothing unusual about the item. Carefully she picked it up and was surprised by its weight. It felt like it was loaded down with lead.

"Dagenheart, come here." Maestra's voice called from outside. She carefully placed the thing back on the table and walked to the door then followed him around to the back of the building.

"That explains where they got the charcoal." She said as she walked up to the massive fire pit that had been dug out. As she got closer she could feel heat still radiating form it. About twenty feet away stood almost half an acre of nicely chopped and neatly sorted firewood.

"What do you figure that is?" The commando asked her, pointing to a large area that lay beyond a small fence, well away from the fire pit. The land there was covered with a thick, ugly cloth that was raised about a foot off the ground by wooden stakes.

"Lets go take a look." She led the way but before she got to it, she smelled it. The smell almost made her gag. Maestra caught one whiff and shielded his nose with his hand.

"That's disgusting."

Dagenheart bent down and picked up the corner of the cloth tarp and pulled it back half expecting a mass grave or pit of cobras.

"Oh, that's pleasant." She said to the mounds of rotting vegetables, leaves and gods only knew what else.

"It smells like piss." The commando said through his hand.

She dropped the tarp and wiped her hands on her robes, "It does indeed but damned if I know what purpose it serves. Get someone to get some of that white stuff packed up. Might prove useful. Tell them to be careful though, there is no telling what that stuff is."

He saluted her and went off to see her orders carried out.

::That is nasty.:: She had not heard her Companion come up behind her.

"Yes it is. Lets go play with our mage friend. Maybe he knows something." She climbed into his saddle, still trying to figure out what the Imperials were up to.

The Imperial mage was still where she'd left him, a motionless heap on the ground. She weakened the spell containing him enough for him to be able to speak, though with some difficulty.

"You have had some time for reflection and I have some questions. You are going to give me answers, please understand that. I'm pretty sure you know what will happen if you try to resist. Now, what are you people trying to make here?"

The man looked at her confused for a moment then she saw him realize what she was talking about.

"I. . . Know. . . Nothing." He rasped.

::Stay yourself, Chosen.:: Elrin sent to her sensing her intentions.

"Nothing, huh?" She drew from her own power and made a quick gesture with her right hand and then clinched it into a fist. The man on the ground uttered a gargled moan that wanted to vent like a volcano.

::Is this really necessary?::

::Yes it is. What he knows may save countless lives.::

"You might not know much, but you know something. Spill it."

"Please. . . All. . . I. . . Know. . . Is. . ." He gasped and struggled to continue, "Alchemy. . . We. . . Were. . . Testing. . ." He continued his struggle.

"What were you testing?" She demanded.

"Weapon."

"What kind of weapon?"

"Fire. . . Explosions. . .I. . . Wasn't. . . Over. . . It. . . Was. . . Very. . . Secretive."

::Perhaps if you'd stop the spell he'd be able to speak better.::

::He had his chance to do it the easy way. Besides, I've heard enough.::

She reached into his tormented mind and began sifting through his thoughts without regard for his screams as he grabbed his head. She didn't find anything particularly interesting but what she did find disgusted her. He did not really know anymore about this 'weapon' then he'd revealed. She pulled on the twisted energies in her soul and convinced them they were death energy and wove a nasty little spell meant to run along lines of control from 'pet' to 'owner'. The Imperials had always been partial to magical enslavement and she intended on sending this one's owner a fatal surprise. She was so focused on the defenseless man that she forgot to block out her Companion and yet, Elrin wasn't trying to stop her. The mage whimpered as she set to cast her spell.

"Fortunately for you, you poor creature, I am generous." She sneered and let the energies flow into him, snuffing his life-force like a flood of cold shadow. Then she pushed the spell up along the control line. The energies fought her and screamed as they ran along the line until they reached their target and then it happened. Something touched her mind. Something terrible and old and unmistakably evil. The presence rocked her to her core and broke her concentration. Elrin went rigid between her legs as he caught a whiff of the thing.

"Oh no. No. No. No." Dagenheart repeated to herself over and over.

::What was that!?:: Elrin shrieked.

Dagenheart couldn't respond. It wasn't possible.

::What was that thing!:: Elrin demanded, fear filling his voice.

"We. . we have to go. Now! Shadron! Frickel!" Her scream was edged with a madness that sent the two men running to her side.

"What!? What's wrong!?"

"Get the men together, get them moved out." She was almost hysterical.

"What the hell has gotten into you, girl?" Frickel asked.

"We are leaving. Now. We have to go."

"But. . ."

"JUST DO IT!" She focused her mind and all her personal power on weaving a shield around the threads in her soul, terrified that He could somehow use them to find her.

::At least tell me what is going on!:: Her Companion sounded almost as terrified as she was. ::That. . . that thing. I've never felt anything so. . . evil.::

Dagenheart couldn't respond. Her mind reeled at the implications of what she had just experienced. Her heart pounded like it was going to tear itself out of her chest. It took both Elrin and Frickel several candlemarks to get her calmed down and then she sort of lapsed into a numb state of shock. She slumped down against one of the buildings and stared into nothing. Shadron had taken charge and was seeing that the mission got carried through.

"This is not good." Frickel said to no one in particular as he stared at his friend. Elrin shorted agreement. The old merc raised his hand and patted the Companion's back. "Don't suppose you know what happened?" He asked.

Elrin shook his head.

"Didn't think so. Best go find that Herald fellow."

Elrin huffed and pounded a hoof on the ground then shook his head.

"Fine, I'll go fetch him." He left and returned with Alairus in toe. The Herald squatted down next to the sorceress and touched her arm gently. She didn't respond. He closed his eyes for a moment and concentration wrinkled in his forehead.

"I don't think she is shielding herself at all, yet her mind is a blank. No thoughts at all. It's like she is just wandering around inside herself."

"Can we get her aboard the horse?" Frickel asked.

The Herald looked puzzled.

"She told us to move out. We'll head back to the first depot I reckon."

"We could probably strap her into the saddle. She ever done this before?"

"Not that I've ever seen." The merc sounded troubled. "You'd best get a hold of someone and let them know what's happened. Let them know were gonna fall back."

They left the compound half a candlemark later after setting fire to the supplies and buildings. With them were four soldiers and one woman, who had been captives being held by the Imperials. The soldiers were from Hardon but there was no telling where the woman was from. She never spoke. She had been found in an iron cage in the room used by the mage to practice his magics and looked the worst for wear. Alairus had gotten in touch with a Herald at the front and told them that they were falling back due to what he called 'unforeseen circumstances'. He told them that he would deliver more news when they arrived in friendly territory, which judging by the last report was even further away then before.

*************

Dagenheart sat, stooped forward by the small fire with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Across from her Shadron lay sprawled out, head resting on a tree trunk, snoring. Alairus sat beside him on the same fallen tree mending one of his uniforms. The sorceress stared into the flames for a long, long time until something happened inside her and her eyes moved as she looked around.

"Where are we?" She asked, suddenly shedding her funk.

Alairus' head popped up so fast it should have broke off his neck.

"Dagenheart? Are you alright?" He tossed his uniform down and moved to sit beside her.

"I think so." She looked around again. Her eyes snapped to the freed prisoners, "Who are they?"

"Soldiers from Hardon's army. They were prisoners at the depot."

"And the woman?" Dagenheart studied her with critical eyes. There was something there; barely detectable. Something not really magical. It was more the feeling she got from Alairus and the other Heralds.

"We don't know. She won't speak. She keeps up and does her own tending but hasn't said a word." He turned to look at the woman as well.

The bushes behind Dagenheart rustled as Elrin came up and nudged her with his nose.

::You came back to us, I see.::

She reached a hand up and stroked his neck.

::Yes, my love, I have.::

"I'll leave you two alone." Alairus said with a faint smile and grabbed up his uniform and headed off towards his own Companion.

::What happened?:: All the fear in his voice had yielded to extreme worry.

::I touched something. Something that couldn't possibly be here but it is. When I touched the master of that mage he. . . his power was exactly like mine. No one can use shadowcraft without having faced the Arcane Mirror.::

::Arcane Mirror?::

::What's the woman's story? She feels like she's. . . what do you people call it? Gifted?:: She sent ignoring his question.

::She does feel Gifted but not in anyway I have ever seen before and I can't figure out how it works or what it is. She hasn't said a word since we rescued her.::

::Can you control her if she uses that 'gift' for less then noble purposes? I dare not use magic; not until I find out what is going on.::

::I don't think her power is anything dangerous. I don't think.:: He didn't seem entirely sure.

::Just keep on eye on her please. I'll be back.:: She got up and walked out to the sentry line that surrounded their campsite. She traded passwords with a commando on duty as she neared his location.

"Anything?" She whispered.

The man just shook his head. She stood there for a moment, staring into the darkness, listening for something. She double-checked the shields covering her power source. They were possibly the hardest, tightest shields she had ever created and maintaining them left her completely shieldless.

She walked back to the campfire and took a seat by Elrin, who laid down beside her.

"Wake up, merc scum!" She hollered at Shadron.

He came up with a shot, blubbering something incoherent, hand reaching for a blade he wasn't wearing. Dagenheart laughed evilly. He focused on her a moment then realized who she was.

"You nasty little witch." He grumbled. "I see you finally decided to man-up and be useful."

"I see you helped yourself to an entire bottle of wine while in hostile country. Not the smartest thing you've ever done."

"Did not!"

"I can smell it on your breath from here. So, where are we headed?"

"We figured on going back along our old route. Be safest I think."

"I don't think we should. I say we cut east and north, we could skirt around their main forces and reach what is left of un-occupied Hardon."

"Over country we don't know with enemy forces moving?" His eyebrows rose.

"I got a feeling that the search for us has already begun. It will take a lot longer to backtrack."

The old merc thought for a moment, "What if we just turn east and circle around the first depot and pick up our old route from there. I can deal with longer if it's safer."

Dagenheart reviewed the maps of the area in her head. That would make the trip considerably shorter and she had to agree that it would be safer.

"That may work. What time is it anyway."

"About four candlemarks till dawn, I'd guess." He said, looking at the sky.

She grunted. No point in sleeping now.

"So what's going on between you and this Herald?" Shadron asked slyly.

"What? Nothing. Don't even joke like that." She growled.

"Nothing you say? He hasn't let you out of his sight since you went all weird on us. Moped around like someone ate his favorite puppy or something."

She was stunned. "He did?" She squeaked.

"Damn near it."

She shook her head to clear it, "He's probably worried that if something happens to me his boss will kick his Heraldic ass. Wild horses couldn't drag me to him."

::What about a Companion.::

::No one is talking to you.::

"So. . uh, what, uh. . ." He scratched the back of his neck and looked away from her, "What happened to you back there anyway?" He sounded worried.

"Magic stuff. Bad, magic stuff." She said.

He looked at her like a hypochondriac hearing a new disease. She couldn't help but laugh, "Don't worry though. I'm fine, though my magic is. . . not working at the moment. You think it would be a good idea to give those Hardonians some weapons and armor?"

"Be a fine idea. They are in the mood to do some serious head busting. What about the woman?"

"As long as she doesn't make problems she can travel with us. She might end up being useful."

Shadron grumbled something about having a use for her on her back.

"Reign it in till we get to civilized country, then get a whore. We better get ready to move out before dawn."