Chapter Four

Dogfight

"To the Lady Lina of Misrule, Regent of the Helio Imperium,

We have not yet met, but I wanted to thank you for all you have done for the people of my homeland. From what Garrisan and Sir Donté have told me, you led the rebellion against the usurper, Shabarra, my uncle, and drove him from Rasolir. For this, I thank you, and you have my admiration and gratitude.

Because of you, my people are safe from tyranny, and Marci and I can at last return home.

We used to dream of returning to the Imperium, thinking that it would always be just that: a dream. You have made it a reality.

There is much I need to tell you. We have fought a terrible battle, and won. Once again, I must thank you. The reinforcements you sent arrived just in time. If we had lost, all of Creation would have come to an end. Thanks to you, we have won, though not without cost. Sadly, many brave warriors fell in the Battle of Dragon Keep. I'm sorry to tell you that Garrisan sacrificed himself too, alongside the Omniknight Purist Thunderwrath and Father Ritterfau of the Dragon Knight Order. We were unable to recover his body for cremation, but I will ensure that he and all those who fought in the Battle for Creation will be remembered.

By the time this letter finds you, I will be on my way back home, with Marci and perhaps some of the dear friends we have made on this journey. I look forwards to meeting you at last.

Though this should be a happy time, I'm afraid that I must make a request of you, Viceroy Kashurra and whoever is acting as Grand Legate: to prepare for war as best you can. Terrorblade may have been defeated, and the Battle for Creation may be over, but there will be another war soon. I have no doubt that you have seen the bleeding moon. It marks the fall of Selemene, and the return of Mene. Her followers have already struck their first blow, and I have been informed that they will soon seek to attack the Imperium.

I know that I am an exile, and a Princess in name only as of now, so I make this request as a friend and a subject of the Imperium. Please, defend the Imperium and its people as well as you can.

May the sun gaze warmly upon you.

Mirana."

Lina did not need to read the letter again, she could remember the words clearly. It had arrived two days ago, carried by a sphinx rider sent ahead of the fleet. And it did not make things easier for her.

Draxius had continued his attempts to coax her into following his plans. Though Lina did not want to assassinate the future Empress of the Helio Imperium, Draxius did make some compelling arguments. He had also promised strong support from the Senate, and to help her make the Imperium into a democracy.

And yet…

At the end of the day, Lina was no assassin. She had killed, but only ever in battle. It did not help that Kashurra spoke so highly of the Princess, or that Drysi too believed what he said. And now this letter had been preying on her mind too.

Just from that, assuming that Mirana had wrote it with her own hand—and Kashurra believed this was so, having recognised her handwriting—Lina knew that she was nothing like Shabarra. Shabarra would not have thanked her if she had led a rebellion in his name, nor would he have made a request rather than a demand, or acknowledged those who had fallen fighting at his side.

It was a shame about Garrisan too. He had been a good man. Kashurra had told her that Garrisan would have considered it his greatest honour to meet his end defending Mirana. She wondered if Mirana thought the same.

Lina sighed. She was exhausted. She had been sleeping badly these past few days, and it showed. There were noticeable bags under her eyes, and her usually bright fiery eyes were dim and unfocused at times.

Drysi in particular was worried about her. She kept recommending various remedies to help her sleep, but Lina needed to stay awake. She had to make a choice.

Kashurra had noticed too. He had not said much, only advising Lina to try to get some more rest if she could. But if anything, Kashurra being aware made her more tense. For all she knew, he might be aware of her meetings with Draxius. He had spies, after all.

And she did feel like she was being watched.

It was nothing certain. She had seen no sign of anybody following her, nothing unusual seemed to be happening. Yet there was this strange unease, and the hairs on the back of her neck would prickle at times. Whether she was being followed or not, the paranoia was hardly relaxing.

'Lina?'

Lina turned her head and blinked, clearing her bleary eyes. Drysi was staring at her, all concern. 'I'm sorry?'

'You were spans away.' Drysi stated. 'Lina…'

Lina sighed. 'I'm fine, Drysi.'

'No, you're not. And I'm worried about you.' She shuffled closer and lay her hand on Lina's shoulder. There was still a little tension in that touch. Lina could understand that. Drysi was still wary, even fearful, of fire, and Lina may as well have been fire personified. 'I can get you some syrup to help you sleep. You really do need to rest more.'

'I'll rest when Mirana returns.'

Drysi picked up on Lina's clipped, terse tone. 'Lina, please. You won't be any help to her like this.' With her other hand, she took Lina's and held it gently. Lina could feel the callouses and scars on her palm and fingers. 'What's troubling you, Lina? You can trust me. I promise.'

Yet again, Lina was sorely tempted to tell Drysi everything. Draxius. Her worries about him. Her worries about Mirana. How the allure of power had become so very tempting, yet also repellent. How she tired of all the politics, yet had a vision for what might be a better Imperium. How she felt that she was being watched and spied upon. How her dreams saw her taking up a crown and sitting upon the Solar Throne, and her nightmares depicted her becoming a heartless, ruthless tyrant like Shabarra, laying waste to entire nations with her power alone.

She opened her mouth, then shut it and sighed. Now she felt like she had done during those early days of the rebellion. She had no idea who might be listening, and who was to say that Drysi might not go running to Kashurra?

What would Gavenus have said about all this?

The clattering of armour made them both look up. Asar came hurtling around the corner, drawing stares from all around. His imposing form, combined with the distinctive armour of the Sun Guard and his poleaxe, drew attention wherever he went. 'Lady Lina, Drysi! The Viceroy needs to speak to you at once! Follow me!' He took off at a run.

Lina and Drysi exchanged glances both worried and resigned. Asar was… dedicated, to put it lightly. And when he ran, he was nearly impossible to keep up with.

Drysi shrugged. 'Race you there.'

Lina was now doubly glad that she still made time to exercise daily. She was almost out of breath by the time she reached the war chamber, but did not stop until she was inside. Drysi was still breathing heavily. Asar may as well have walked given how he wasn't even winded. Marsian, Turlenas and several other highly-placed individuals were present.

Of all of them though, it was Kashurra who surprised Lina the most. It wasn't seeing him here which threw her, it was the unconcealed worry plain on his normally unreadable face.

She could only guess of one thing which could worry him so: the Princess was in trouble.

He was pacing to and fro on the other side of the vast round table which dominated the circular chamber. Most days, the map would be of the world. Today, it was focused on the Golden Coast, points of light, gold, green and white dotted across it.

'Viceroy?' Drysi frowned. 'What has—'

'The fleet carrying Princess Mirana has been attacked.' Kashurra answered before she could finish, his tone clipped and brisker than usual.

'What?' Lina spluttered. 'How? Who is responsible? Is it Stonehall?'

Kashurra took in a deep breath, trying to stay calm. 'I do not think that Stonehall is behind this. Whoever was responsible used keenish skyships to attack the fleet, which itself was being attacked by levianths. Only a handful of vessels survived, and the Reprisal, our flagship, and the ship Princess Mirana, Marci and some of their allies were aboard, is among those destroyed.'

Drysi gasped, a hand flying to her mouth.

Lina swallowed. 'How do you know all of this?'

'I sent a sphinx rider to observe their progress.' Kashurra stepped closer to the map and pointed at the waters around the coast. 'They were attacked here, within sight of the coast. It is not known if the levianths and the crews of the skyships were working together, though eyewitness reports make that unlikely. According to survivors, Princess, several Imperium soldiers, and two others—a cervitaur named Aiushtha and a woman called Luna—were taken captive by the skyship crews.'

Drysi frowned a little. Something in that last statement had caught her attention, but Lina was too focused on the abduction to give it thought. Lina stared down at the arcane map, noticing the green spots. They were either keenish or Claddish vessels, part of the Mingin Accord. 'What do the keen and the Cladd Isles have to say about this?'

'I have already spoken to their ambassadors here.' Kashurra stated. 'Their forces were tracking the skyships, which they claim were stolen.' He paused for a moment, another spasm of worry creasing his face again. 'I believe them. They have no reason to attack us like this. And what's more, their sailors have been rescuing and aiding survivors of the attack. According to the reports, Marci, Sir Donté and Legate Patrodis were among those recovered from the sea.'

'The Princess is alive at least.' Drysi finally murmured. 'But where? If the attackers took her aboard a skyship, she could be spans away by now, and well out of our reach.' She still seemed rattled about something more. Lina made a mental note to ask later.

'I have already taken the precaution of doubling our aerial patrols.' Marsian announced. 'No skyship shall pass the borders without our knowing about it.'

'I pray that you are right.'

'I can dispatch soldiers too.'

'Your swiftest riders and most astute scouts,' Kashurra agreed. 'We need to find Mirana, and her companions, as soon as possible and bring them to Rasolir.'

'Of course.' Marsian nodded. 'As soon as we know where she is, I will send what troops I can. But we need to keep enough soldiers available to defend the borders.'

'Well, we can't do anything until Mirana is actually found, assuming she's still alive.' Lina said.

'If the attackers had wanted her dead, they would not have bothered to abduct her at all.' Drysi shrugged. 'Maybe they wanted a hostage. Maybe they were hired to kidnap her. Either way, I'd wager that she's still alive,' she sighed. 'I hope she is.'

'What's the disposition of the legions?' Lina asked.

Kashurra placed his hand upon the map. 'Isirios.'

The map rippled and obediently displayed Isirios, the closest military outpost to Rasolir. Large golden lights were forming within and around it, representing the legions gathering there. Kashurra had also received a message from Mirana, and he had taken her request to prepare for war seriously. He had started to gather the legions in various outposts, and his spies were gathering information.

Amongst other things, they had reported that Stonehall was also marshalling its forces, and calling upon various allies. Rumours spoke of changes, including the acceptance of a new deity.

'So far, fifteen legions are gathered in and around Isirios.' Marsian reported. 'From what we have been told, the First, Second and Third all suffered losses at Dragon Keep. The Third was effectively destroyed, its survivors absorbed by the First and Second. But with the fleet decimated, we may as well have lost all three legions. It's a sore blow to our military as a whole. We will need to recruit heavily to replenish our numbers.'

'Losing the fleet is also a great loss.' Kashurra added. 'Without it, we have no way to keep Stonehall's fleets in check.'

'Can they attack us from the sea?' Drysi asked.

'They can harry the port towns and naval outposts.' Marsian stated. 'But the real issue is that they will be able to gather supplies and fighters from abroad with impunity, and potentially prevent us from doing the same. Unless we can build more ships in a hurry, we are effectively cut off from the rest of the world.'

'My spies report that Emperor Galanius has made a pact with the Red Mist.' Kashurra said. 'Three-hundred thousand oglodi warriors are now encamped outside the gates of New Stonehall, and rumours suggest that another one-hundred thousand are on their way to join them.' He paused, as if weighing what he had to say. 'There is… more. Apparently, Shabarra has been seen in New Stonehall.'

'What?' Lina exclaimed.

'M'lor!' Drysi stared at Kashurra. 'They've captured him?'

Kashurra shook his head. 'That was my first thought, but the rumours suggest that he's being treated as a guest rather than a prisoner.'

'Why would Galanius bother?' Turlenas asked. 'What does he gain?'

'Shabarra may still have allies within our borders, and beyond them.' Kashurra answered. 'I believe that we should reinforce the garrison at Intention Hill. It's the closest castle to the Stonehall border, and if they were to invade, the valley there is the widest route into the Imperium from the east.'

'What makes you think they want to invade us?'

'Because that's what Stonehall wants.' Marsian answered simply.

'They might be planning to attack Exalian and the Cladd Isles.' Turlenas argued. 'Why else would Galanius make a deal with the Red Mist? They've always hated the keen.'

'The Red Mist would jump at the opportunity to conquer the Imperium too.' Lina said. 'But even if Galanius does want to attack the keen, we should be vigilant anyway.'

'Just as Princess Mirana suggested.' Kashurra agreed. 'It may be to our benefit to strengthen our ties with the Mingin Accord.'

'Forming an alliance with the Accord would make Stonehall think twice about them, and us.' Drysi concurred.

'Not to mention that the technology of the keen could benefit the Imperium.' Marsian added. 'Our Helios Sentinels are all well and good, but cannons are more portable.'

Kashurra looked to Lina. 'I can begin drafting accords as soon as we're finished here.'

Lina considered, then nodded. Whether or not Mirana returned, and whether she was fit to rule or not, it would be a good idea to gain allies—especially with Stonehall clearly preparing for war. 'Go ahead, Viceroy.'

'I suppose that means preparing some more trade agreements.' Drysi surmised.

'Was there anything else?' Lina inquired, feeling more conflicted than ever.

'Not right now.' Kashurra shook his head.

'Very well. Marsian, dispatch scouts, trackers and sphinx riders.'

'As you will, Regent.' Marsian snapped to attention.

'This meeting is adjourned.'

They started to file out, some of them talking as they went. Kashurra went alone, silent, and clearly troubled.

Lina caught Drysi's arm as they went through the doors, guiding her to follow her down the corridor.

'I have trade deals to draft.' Drysi said, but there was no sting in her tone. Kashurra was not the only one who was troubled.

'I was just wondering… something about Mirana or her friends seemed to spook you.'

Drysi blinked. 'It's just… one of those names reminded me of someone I used to know.' She shrugged. 'When I was younger, there was this girl in our enclave: Lleuafn. She was… different.'

'Different how?' For a moment, Lina wondered if this Lleuafn had been like her. Back in her home nation, she and Rylai had been greatly feared because of their powers.

'She wasn't an elf. Not a pure-blooded elf anyway. Nobody knows how she came to be.' Drysi sighed. 'I… had a soft spot for her. We were friends, for a time.'

'What happened to her?'

Drysi shook her head. 'She took a different path. She… she became known as the Scourge of the Plains.'

'What?' Lina stopped and stared at Drysi, aghast. 'You knew her?'

'I thought I did.' Drysi bit her lip. 'She was banished for what she did. I haven't seen her for years.' She sighed and waved a hand. 'I'm sorry. This "Luna" Kashurra mentioned probably has nothing to do with Lleuafn. It's probably a coincidence.' She huffed. 'Maybe I need more sleep too.'

Lina frowned. 'Luna is another name for the moon, isn't it? Here in the Imperium, anyway.'

Drysi nodded. 'That's what made me wonder. Lleuafn roughly translates as "Moonblade".'

Lina considered. With everything that had happened… but no. Surely Princess Mirana would not be friends with the Scourge of the Plains. It seemed so unlikely. 'It's probably a coincidence.'

'Probably.' Drysi murmured, though she did not sound convinced.

'Is that why…' Lina stopped, not wanting to pry. Drysi was worried enough.

'No.' Drysi answered, knowing what Lina had been about to ask. 'Shabarra just hates elves.' She grimaced. 'As if things weren't bad enough! I just pray that our troops find Mirana soon.'

Lina noticed. "Our troops." Drysi seemed to have embraced not only her new role, but also the Imperium as her home. 'We never saw this coming.'

'How could it come to this?'

Lina had no answer for her. She still had no answers for herself.

Kashurra closed the door of his quarters behind him with a faint sigh.

He felt so tired.

So near, so far. He had not anticipated Mirana being abducted within sight of the Imperium. He knew that Stonehall was not behind this, nor was the Invoker and the Dark Moon Horde.

Someone else was behind this, a rogue piece on the board.

Whoever they were, they wanted Mirana alive. That was fortunate. But for what, he did not know. And for how long they would keep her that way, he could not say. Nor could he trust that her value would keep her alive indefinitely.

At least Marci had survived. That was a stroke of good luck in his favour. He knew that she would do her utmost to find and protect Mirana.

'You can show yourself, Lanaya.'

Lanaya stepped out of the shadows in the corner, unfazed. 'You summoned me. Do you wish for another report on Lady Lina's movements?'

'Not right now. I have another task for you.'

'To find the missing Princess?'

Kashurra was not surprised that she knew. She might have been in the room for all he knew, or else had been using her psionic abilities to listen in. He made a mental note to have some wards drawn around the war chamber. There could be other spies with psionic gifts in the palace, despite his efforts to weed out intruders.

It was tempting to ask Lanaya to find Mirana, but it would take her days to reach the coast, by which time Mirana might be long gone. Besides, he still needed her here.

As frustrating as it was for Kashurra to not be able to act directly, he knew that he had other means at his disposal. Lanaya was not the only talented individual he had planned to call upon. He would just have to make the summons sooner than expected.

'I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Lina.'

'What about the Princess?'

'Time would not be on your side, even if you left for the Golden Coast right now.' Kashurra stated. 'But I do know of someone who can help. Leave the Princess' safety to me.'

Lanaya did not protest. 'As you wish.' She stepped out onto the balcony. Kashurra approached his desk, slipping a small key from inside a hidden pocket within his robes. When he looked up, Lanaya was gone.

Unsurprised, Kashurra unlocked one of the desk drawers, removed the scrolls within—innocent enough if examined—and pressed his finger into the corner. There was a false bottom inside the drawer, pretty thin, only really sized for documents. Tathen's discovery of his copy of the royal seal had been bad luck, but Kashurra had decided not to leave anything to chance, not now. He had hidden away certain items in other places, hidden areas nobody else knew of—not even Mirana and Marci, who had explored many neglected corners of the palace during their childhood—protected by subtle but potent wards and seals.

Kashurra removed a sheet of parchment from inside the drawer, a letter. He folded it and sealed it using his own seal. There was a single name written on the back, nothing more. Kashurra slid the letter into a leather pouch before leaving his study. Lanaya was needed here, but he had others who could act as messengers.

Kashurra slipped the pouch into his robes, but did not leave immediately. Right now, this was one of the few places where he could drop his guard, just for a moment. He exhaled heavily, trying not to dwell on the future. The longer this went on for, the worse it seemed to become. There should have been relief with the end drawing nearer, but knowing what he had to do…

He had to fix it. All of it. So many mistakes, including his own.

To think that all of this might have been avoided once…

Kashurra knew that it was no good to dwell on things, and time was of the essence. He rearranged his face, adopting his neutral, inscrutable mein once again, and thought only of the next move. Moves and countermoves, until it was over.

Kashurra unlocked his door and stepped outside, making his next move.

Gondar's ears twitched as he glanced up at the sky yet again. The other mercenaries and slavers all frowned, some gazing upwards.

Gondar was as at home in the wilderness as he was in any settlement. He had hunted across the plains, in the forests, over the seas, amongst the hills and the mountains, and he knew that listening was crucial during any hunt or trek. Taking heed of wild animals, especially birds, could mean the difference between life and death.

Today, the birds had been consistently agitated. From the tiniest sparrow to the largest eagle, there was something out there which was bothering them. It was not just the caravan either. For the last few hours, Gondar had heard an odd, distant throbbing sound. It was too continuous to be his imagination.

'Send the wagons ahead, and get them under cover.' Gondar ordered. 'We may have a problem. Bring me a spyglass.'

One of his men obediently brought forth a spyglass. Gondar extended it and peered into the sky. He hadn't expected Admiral Kunkka to pursue them into Imperium lands, but if he had, he would of course send scouts, and he knew of the keenish gyrocopters being produced for the Accord.

The skyships were long gone by now, being taken elsewhere. That did not trouble Gondar though. He wanted to escape pursuit. There was every chance that Imperium soldiers had survived the destruction of the fleet, and they may well have somehow struck a deal with Kunkka and his crew.

There!

Gondar focused on the small flying object high above. Yes, it was a gyrocopter. It seemed to be flying in the wrong direction though, which was good.

But he could also see the glint of the sun on what might be a spyglass, or whatever keenish contraption fulfilled the same function, and that was roving in his direction. He could barely see the top of the pilot's goggle-clad head, but he could see the passenger in the gunner position more clearly: a human, of all things, an auburn-haired woman he thought. One of Kunkka's crew perhaps? She seemed to be wearing Claddish garments.

Gondar swore. 'Get those wagons moving! We're being followed. Come on! We need to get under cover!'

He had to admit that the gyrocopter was a serious problem. Not only might it spot them, it could do worse than report their position. The Accord's military gyrocopters were all armed with fearsome weaponry, and there would be little they could do to stop it from the ground. They had some bows and crossbows, and a few firearms, but it could easily move out of range, then come back for another attack. All that would limit it was ammunition.

There was a grove of willow trees ahead—part of a wider stretch of woodland—by the river they had been following. Their beasts of burden needed water, and by good fortune the river ran past their destination.

Gondar and his men hurried under the cover of the trees and began to grab bows, crossbows and firearms. They would do little good if the gyrocopter attacked, but they would want to fight back anyway. Perhaps they could score a lucky hit and drive it off, or even ground it.

Their hostages were far too valuable to abandon because of one flying nuisance.

Gondar loaded a crossbow and aimed it at the sky. Hopefully they wouldn't be seen here, or if they were, perhaps the pilot and his spotter would assume they were just another trade caravan heading to Misrule.

The gyrocopter continued on its course. Maybe the spotter hadn't seen them.

Gondar did not relax though. In fact, he was fairly certain that they had been seen. 'Send a rider ahead to the estate. Tell them that we have a pest in the sky.'

Mirana strained her ears, then nudged Luna. 'Luna?'

Luna grumbled and opened her eyes. 'What?'

'Listen! Something's spooked them.'

Aiushtha cocked her head, frowning. 'It's not a bird, whatever it is.'

Mirana noticed the sole pangolier sauntering over. He'd been lingering around their wagon for a while now, offering to fetch water and food for them. He'd been doing the same for the other captives too. He did not challenge Gondar or the others, but he obviously did not like what they were doing.

'What was his name again?' Luna murmured.

'It is Nico, fair lady,' he reminded her, not at all offended. 'No need to be afraid, my friends. We should be safe here.'

'What's happening?' Mirana whispered as he approached.

'A gyrocopter seems to be following us.'

'A what?' Aiushtha spluttered.

'Ah!' Luna exclaimed. 'I've heard of those! The last I heard, some keenish inventor was trying to invent a flying machine. It sounds like he succeeded.'

Mirana had heard of them too. Unlike Luna, she had heard about the first prototypes taking flight. Luna had left the Imperium years before she and Marci had.

Marci…

Thinking about Marci now, not knowing what had become of her, physically hurt. Mirana's heart ached, full of longing to see Marci again, hope that she still lived, guilt over leaving her to an uncertain fate. If Mirana had possessed Marci's strength, she would have bent the bars and fought her way free, just for the chance to find Marci.

But she did not have Marci's strength, and she had never felt so powerless, so helpless.

'Before I cover the wagon, would you like some water? Fruit?' Nico asked.

'Cover the wagon?' Aiushtha repeated nervously.

'Gondar's orders.' Nico murmured sourly. 'That gyrocopter might be looking for you.'

Mirana felt a little surge of hope deep in her heart. Maybe…

Part of her still thought it was too much to hope for. But she clung to the hope regardless. She had to. If Marci really was gone…

'Hurry it up, Hieronimo!' another merc called.

Nico gave them an apologetic look. 'Sorry, ladies.' He took hold of a pair of ropes and pulled, covering the wagon.

Mirana waited a few moments, listening intently. After a few moments, she leaned forwards, gazing intensely into Luna's eyes. 'Luna.'

'I'm not going to like this, am I?' Luna guessed.

Mirana sighed. 'If there was another way, I would take it. Please, I need you to trust me.'

Luna sighed, then nodded. Her face barely changed as Mirana explained her plan, but she could see the conflict in her violet eyes. She did not like the sound of this at all, but they were, frankly, desperate.

Luna sighed by the time Mirana was done and looked away.

'Luna, please! We have to try!' Mirana pleaded.

Luna huffed. 'Well… it's a good thing Marci isn't here to see this.'

Mirana felt her face crease, and her eyes grew moist. But she nodded anyway. 'Go on. I'm ready.'

Aiushtha stared at them both, shaking her head incredulously. 'You're both mad! I just hope this works.'

'This is all your fault, you fucking whore!'

Nico spun round. There was no mistaking Luna's voice, or the hatred poured into every word.

'Quiet down!' his fellow guard, Folsk, hissed.

'Who are you calling a whore?' Mirana retorted. 'If someone didn't want to bed you, you'd just murder them!'

'You…' the venom in Luna's voice made Nico shiver. 'You bitch! I should have torn your damn intestines out and strangled you with them! Maybe I fucking will! Come here! I'll send you back to Selemene in pieces!'

'To the hells with you, murderer!'

'I'll send you there first, kochi!'

'Hey! Stop!' Aiushtha cried. 'No! Stop it!' Nico heard a blow landing, heard Mirana cry out, and Luna snarl. Aiushtha continued to wail. 'Help! Help! She's going to kill Mirana! HELP!'

Gondar heard and swore. 'Sort it out!' he barked, still focused on the gyrocopter.

Nico and Folsk ran back to the wagon, from which they could hear punches and kicks being exchanged. From the grunts and the shrieks of pain, it sounded like Luna was beating Mirana to a bloody pulp. Aiushtha was screaming at Luna to stop, oddly muffled, as if her face was covered.

Nico swore and yanked the covers away, ripping them free. Folsk gasped.

It wasn't an act. Luna was sitting astride Mirana, her face all hard edges and her teeth bared in rage, blood spattered across her mouth and nose, her manacled arms raised to deliver yet another blow. Mirana was trying to shield her face, blood pouring from her nose and lips. Luna instead slammed her fists into Mirana's abdomen. Mirana screamed, spitting blood across Luna.

Aiushtha, barely able to move inside the cage, was still yelling. She had one hand clamped across her face, and Nico could see blood dripping from it. Luna had punched her too.

Nico raised his spear, pointing it at Luna. They were under strict orders not to damage any prisoners unless they had to. 'Back off, Luna! Back off!'

Folsk drew his sword. 'Get off her, or I'll run this through your gizzards!'

Luna snarled down at the whimpering woman beneath her. 'This isn't over. You'll get what's coming to you, you fucking harlot.'

Mirana sobbed and clutched at her stomach as Luna clambered off her.

'Help her!' Aiushtha pleaded. 'Please! She's hurt!'

'Damn it!' Folsk hissed. 'Now what?'

'I'll unlock the cage, and watch your back.' Nico said, keeping a tight hold on his spear as he pulled the keys from his belt. 'Pull the Princess out.' He inserted the key and turned it.

Luna jumped to her feet, but stepped back when Nico pointed his spear at her. 'I don't want to hurt you, Luna, but I will run you through if you try anything.'

Luna glowered at him, specks of blood covering her face and tunic.

Folsk placed his hands under Mirana's arms and dragged her clear. Mirana gasped and yelped, fresh tears leaking from under her closed eyelids. Her face was covered in blood.

'Hells!' Folsk hissed as he lay Mirana down. Nico quickly locked the cage again. 'You'd better get the physician over here.'

'I'm a healer!' Aiushtha called, a hand still clamped over her nose.

'No!' Folsk protested before Nico could say anything. 'Gondar's orders: do not give the cervitaur her staff under any circumstances.'

'I'll get Vold then.' Nico decided. 'He's got experience as a physician.'

'Get on with it then!'

Nico looked over at Luna, who was still glowering at Mirana and rubbing her bloodied knuckles. Mirana was still sobbing.

Nico took off at a run, leaving Mirana with Folsk.

Folsk cursed quietly and looked round at Luna. 'If this one is damaged permanently, you'll be paying for it.'

'I know how to damage people.' Luna muttered. 'Consider yourself lucky that I'm not about to damage you.'

'Oh, screw you, you—' he never got to finish.

Mirana flung her arms over the man's head and yanked them back, constricting his throat with the chain as she pulled him down. She fell onto her back, teeth gritted, pulling the chain tighter, using her legs to hold his. He flailed as he choked, trying to both remove the makeshift garrotte and reach for a weapon. In his panic, he managed neither and Mirana pulled even harder, squeezing her eyes shut and praying that the man made no sound. If he managed to scream, they would be on her in seconds, and she would never get a second chance.

Mirana felt the man's struggles grow weaker, his choking gasps becoming slower. Just a few more seconds…

Finally, with one last gasp, his arms fell back and his writhing ceased. Mirana sustained the pressure for another couple of seconds, just in case he was faking it, then loosened her hold. She turned her hand and pressed her fingers into his neck.

There was a pulse. Mirana exhaled, her chest burning. She hadn't realised that she had been holding her breath. She'd killed many times, either from a distance or face-to-face, never from behind, never in cold blood.

Even so, she was glad that she had seen Marci do something similar in training, both in Rasolir and in the Nightsilver Woods: grabbing an opponent from behind and cutting off their airways.

Marci…

'Mirana!' Luna hissed. 'Hurry the hell up!'

Mirana quickly pushed the unconscious man away. She turned him over and searched his belt. If he had a key for her manacles, she could try to steal a bow. That would tip the odds a little more in her favour.

She was a mess, but Luna had not hit her nearly as hard as the mercs thought she had. Mirana had insisted that she put some force behind her blows though. The assault had needed to be believable, and so Luna had given her a hearty nosebleed to start with.

'Hurry!' Aiushtha whispered. 'Nico will be back any moment!'

Mirana groaned, annoyed. Of course he didn't have a bloody key! Gondar wasn't that stupid. Grimacing, she settled for taking the man's sword. She had only moments.

'There's no key!' Mirana breathed.

'Just go then!' Luna ordered.

'Not without you.'

'For the love of the gods, Mirana,' Luna rolled her eyes. 'This isn't the time! Just go! Get that gyrocopter's attention if you can. Maybe he'll come back for us.'

'Mirana, go!' Aiushtha babbled. 'Go! Nico's coming!'

Mirana swore and hurried away. Luna and Aiushtha were right. Mirana had no intention of abandoning them though, and she had no illusions. She couldn't hope to run. Gondar was too good a tracker for that.

Clutching the sword awkwardly in her manacled hands, Mirana ran beyond the treeline and stopped on the riverbank. Glancing back over her shoulder, she saw that the mercenary was still unconscious. She moved forwards and stepped into the clear water, grateful that it was shallow enough to stand in. She would be more visible in the middle of the river.

Now heedless of stealth, she splashed out into the water and looked to the sky.

Was the gyrocopter still there? She could see a small object in the sky, but that could be a bird, a sphinx, a wyvern, maybe even a distant dragon.

Mirana dipped the blade of her stolen sword into the water and lifted it into the air.

Aurel continued to fly south, as Marci had requested. He had gone quiet since then.

Marci could have sworn that she had seen movement to the west. By the time they had been close enough for her to use the keenish farscope, there had been nothing. She thought she could see something through the hanging curtains of the willow trees, but the farscope was not picking anything out. It wasn't perfect, obviously.

Marci gave it a little shake, pushed some of the buttons, then looked again. Still nothing. Maybe trees confused it? Not that clever a device if trees could confound it.

'Luna!' Aiushtha hissed. 'He's going to see!'

Nico was jogging back, with another mercenary behind him—probably someone with medical training.

'M'lor!' Luna spat. She leaned forwards. 'Hey! Let me out of these manacles, if you're man enough! Come on! I want blood!'

'She's crazy!' Aiushtha piped up. 'Don't leave me in here with her! I think she's going to eat me!'

'Only the deer parts, unless these kochi feed me something better in the next hour.'

'Please help me!' Aiushtha pleaded.

'Sod them,' the merc following Nico waved a hand. 'Where's the Princess?'

'She's not so pretty right now, and you won't be either if I have my way.' Luna growled.

'Luna, you stay away from Aiushtha,' Nico warned. 'I don't know what's come over you, but I won't let you cause any more harm here. Understood?'

Luna scowled in response.

'Wait,' Nico frowned. 'Folsk? Folsk? Where are you?'

'He ran off.' Aiushtha lied.

'Needed a piss.' Luna added.

'Nico!' the other merc had moved around the wagon, and seen the obvious: Folsk, lying supine upon the ground, with Mirana nowhere in sight. 'The bitch strangled him!'

'What?' Nico hurried over, clutching his spear tightly. 'Is he dead?'

'No, but he's out of it for the time being. We have to find her before Gondar skins us alive! She took Folsk's sword. This might get bloody.'

'No hurting her.' Nico ordered.

'Is that because of what Gondar ordered? Or because she's pretty?'

Nico ignored him. 'This way! Come on!'

'Nico? Vold?' Somebody was shouting. 'Where is she?'

Mirana swore. Her absence had at last been noticed. Gondar would be coming for her. She knew that she had no chance against him and his allies, even if they had been ordered not to harm her, not with their numbers against her and her hands manacled.

No looking back, not yet. She raised the sword again and waved it, hoping that the steel blade, dripping with water, would catch the sunlight, and the attention of the gyrocopter's crew. 'Come on! Come on! See me! See me and blast these scumbags to the hells!'

'Gondar!' was that Nico? 'She came this way! She has Folsk's sword.'

'Spread out!' Gondar barked, obviously heedless of noise now. And why should he be worried? She could hear the gyrocopter from here, a distant throbbing. They'd never hear anything so high up, over the sounds of their own engines. 'Find her and keep her from running! Anybody who causes permanent damage to her gets damaged too!'

'Damn it!' Mirana spat. 'Come on!' Unlike Gondar, she wouldn't risk raising her voice. Instead, she moved forwards, splashing further down the river, still holding up the sword. 'Come on!'

Marci sighed, lowered the farscope and rubbed her eyes. She was not going to give up, not even if the gyrocopter fell out of the sky. If it did… well, she'd just have to walk. And she'd keep walking. Keep walking until she found Mirana, keep walking until she got her back to Rasolir.

'We'll have to land soon, lass.' Aurel warned her. 'We need to refuel.'

Marci grimaced and raised the farscope again. If she had wanted to hide from an airborne threat, she would go for the trees. On the other hand, for all she knew, their quarry might have found some cave or burrow to hide in. For all she knew, they had secret tunnels.

But she had to try anyway.

She had to.

Marci peered at the canopy, lamenting not being able to see through it. Keenish technology, defeated by willow trees.

Marci tried to force away the memories. A willow tree by the pool where Mirana had taught her to swim. They had sat under it from time-to-time, water dripping from their hair, cool even in the summer sun. The trees they had sheltered under after fleeing across the sea, waiting for the rain to stop, holding each other to stay warm.

It was where she would go if she needed to hide.

Marci tapped Aurel's shoulder.

'What the hell? Did she… wait! There she is! Get her!'

Mirana swore again, turned and lowered the sword. Gondar and some of his men were rushing towards her, pointing bows, crossbows and arquebuses at her.

Gondar levelled his crossbow at her. 'Drop the sword and get over here. No funny stuff.'

Mirana bared her teeth. 'Or what?' She pointed the sword at him. 'You're not going to kill me, I know that for certain. You're not going to risk shooting me. I'm too valuable to you.'

Nico lowered his spear. 'We're not going to hurt you, Princess. But we can't let you run. Just put down the sword and come with us.'

'I'm not going back.' Mirana hissed. 'I won't!'

Gondar aimed his crossbow lower, perhaps considering putting a bolt through her knee. Mirana gulped, and tried to prepare herself for the pain. She had no hope of deflecting the bolt, and little chance to evade it.

She'd had her leg broken before. She could remember the pain of it, enduring what had come after. How could she prepare for the pain?

Gondar pointed the crossbow at the ground. 'Tareckt! Bring the Scourge out here. Keep her restrained.'

Mirana stared at him. 'I'm not going back!'

'I think you will.' Gondar stated. 'In fact, I know you will.'

Marci was about to give up on the trees, when something caught her eye: a sparkling of light.

Marci peered at it with the farscope, turning one of the dials. It zoomed out. She sighed with irritation and turned it the other way, until it zoomed in. There was definitely something shining in the middle of the river.

The River Vitrus. Marci recalled the name from the lessons she had attended alongside Mirana. Kashurra had always said that in order to lead the Imperium, Mirana had to know it. In her case, Marci had supposed that knowing the land might be useful if she had to guard Mirana on a journey outside the city. The river was named for a hero of legend, supposedly a general who served under the first Prince of the Sun. He apparently died holding the river against invaders, his blood mingling with the water running to the sea. The river was often considered a place of pilgrimage for legionnaires and other warriors.

Marci kept her gaze fixed on the river.

Tareckt and another man dragged Luna towards the river. She was writhing and snarling, trying to kick and bite her captors. There was a third man behind her, the point of his glaive aimed between her shoulder-blades.

'Mirana, I told you to bloody run!' Luna grated.

'I'm not leaving you and Aiushtha behind!' Mirana protested.

'Nobody is leaving now.' Gondar growled. 'Tareckt, if Mirana does not drop the sword and come with us now, remove one of the Scourge's fingers.'

Mirana gasped, horrified, but Luna simply laughed. 'Is that the best you bastards can do?'

Tareckt, still holding on of Luna's arms, drew a saw-edged knife.

Marci focused on the shining object, zooming the farscope in closer, as close as it would go.

Her eyes widened and she nearly dropped the farscope. She gasped and leaned forwards. Had she not been restrained by the belts, she might have fallen out.

Standing in the middle of the Vitrus was Mirana. She was without her tiara, her hair was a mess, her clothes were torn and dirty, there was blood on her face, but it was unmistakably her, holding a sword.

Marci quickly scanned the area around Mirana. She wasn't alone, but she couldn't see who was facing her, not clearly.

Whoever they were, they weren't friends. Mirana did not threaten friends with a sword.

Marci reached over and tapped Aurel's shoulder frantically, whistling shrilly, still focused on Mirana, as if she might lose her if she looked away even for a moment.

She wanted to get down there right now! Even when Mirana was not in trouble, her place was at the Princess' side. And Mirana needed her. She needed her now.

'You've found them?' Aurel shouted. 'Where?'

Marci pointed frantically.

'The river? All right, coming about.'

Marci kept her eyes fixed on Mirana, ready to jump from the gyrocopter if she had to.

'Looks like there's an estate or something further ahead,' Aurel reported, peering at something on the other side of the willow grove. 'I wonder if that's where they're going.'

'You think I can't live without a finger?' Luna sneered. 'You think I haven't had worse? I can take it and then some!'

'Luna! Stop!' Mirana was ready to drop the sword. Luna might be able to take some pain, but she was not going to let her suffer, not like this. 'All right, Gondar! You win.'

'Kochi!' Luna barked. 'Coward!'

'I can't let them hurt you, Luna.'

Luna gave her a fierce, withering look. 'Don't. I'm not worth it.'

'Maybe she can withstand some pain,' Gondar mused. 'But can your cervitaur friend? She's less valuable to me. We could afford to have her carved up.'

Luna stopped struggling. Mirana had been prepared to surrender just for her sake. The more people Gondar threatened, the more the Princess' resolve crumbled.

She cared. It was her weakness, a weakness which would cost them, even though Luna couldn't help but admire her for it.

Mirana sighed and dropped the sword in the river.

Marci whistled sharply, urging Aurel to coax more speed out of the gyrocopter. Mirana had just dropped the sword. She was surrendering.

Marci knew that Kunkka, Donté and the others were following, but she and Aurel had a chance to save Mirana, Luna, Aiushtha and any other captives down there right now. She had a simple plan: she would leap from the gyrocopter, and as Aurel sowed havoc from above, she would fight and kill to free and defend Mirana and the other prisoners.

She was ready to rouse her power, to unleash it fully. Nothing would stop her, and she had no intention of dying either.

She had made promises, to Mirana and to Davion. She was going to keep them.

'Marci!' Aurel called. 'I think we've got company.'

Marci still did not take her gaze from Mirana, even as she was forced out of the river and back under the willow trees.

I'm coming for you, Mirana. I'm going to save you. I will save you, I promise.

Luna sighed as Mirana was led towards her, damp, dejected and defeated. 'I'm sorry.' Mirana whispered.

Luna shook her head. 'I'm not ungrateful, Princess.'

'Shut up and move!' Gondar ordered. 'You won't be repeating that stunt, Princess. Hieronimo! I want them all watched every hour until we reach the Nesrius Estate.'

'Nesrius?' Mirana repeated. 'Nesrius?'

'I've heard that name.' Luna murmured. 'I think I robbed some of his caravans.'

'But he was…'

'Hey, Gondar!' Mirana was interrupted by a shout from one of the mercenaries. 'They're here!'

'Good,' Gondar looked up at the sky. 'About damn time.'

Mirana and Luna both looked up, and saw the winged shapes swoop overhead, five of them, and there was no question as to what they were after.

'Shit.' Luna breathed. 'I hope whoever's piloting that gyrocopter is ready for a fight.'

Mirana hoped so too. She knew as well as Luna did that Gondar would not make the same mistakes twice, nor would they have another chance to escape before reaching the Nesrius Estate.

Just what did Aridin Nesrius want with them?

'Marci!' Aurel pointed at something ahead of the gyrocopter's nose. 'We've got incoming. These are your people, aren't they? Reckon they're friendly? Kunkka won't want us to tangle with the military.'

Marci reluctantly looked away from the willow trees. Mirana was out of sight now, and the farscope was once again befuddled by the foliage. She tilted it up, and more keenish runes blinked in the lens. It picked up the airborne creatures much faster, and Marci zoomed in for a closer look.

She recognised the horse-like creatures at once, having seen some before, in books and in person. Though they had the bodies, legs and heads of horses, they had curved, hooked beaks, feathered wings ideal for swooping, and instead of hooves they had talons like those of an eagle on the end of each leg. Instead of manes of hair, their necks were covered in feathers, and their tails were long, brightly coloured plumes.

Pegagriffs. Though the legions sometimes used the agile and speedy pegagriffs as scouts, they preferred the tough and powerful sphinx for airborne assaults. That, combined with the assorted armour and liveries of the men riding them confirmed Marci's guess: these were not members of the Imperium legions. They were mercenaries.

Marci tapped Aurel's shoulder to get his attention, pointed at the approaching pegagriffs, pointed at Aurel and herself, then drew a finger across her throat like a knife.

Aurel's moustache twitched. 'Not sure we can outrun them, Marci. Looks like we're in for a dogfight.'

Marci frowned. Dogfight? What did dogs have to do with this?

Aurel pulled a lever. Marci felt a jolt, and then her seat turned around so that the handles of the turret were facing her. She just felt more confused.

'I'm going to need you to shoot.' Aurel explained. 'I can hit what's in front of me, not what's alongside or behind. Brace yourself,' he adjusted his grip on the stick. 'This will be wild.'

Marci reached out gingerly and curled her fingers around the odd handles of the turret. It didn't blow up, so that was something. But there was one problem: she had no idea how to use it.

Before she could attempt to ask, Aurel pulled back on the stick. Marci's stomach lurched as the gyrocopter flew upwards. The pegagriff riders followed, and Marci heard and felt something ping off the fuselage. An arrow, she guessed.

'Scratch my paintwork will you?' Aurel snapped. 'You'll need more than a new coat of paint when I'm done here!'

Marci now felt the craft shudder as a series of rattling explosions issued from the front. Her first thought was that something had gone wrong, but then she realised that Aurel had triggered his flak cannons.

The pegagriffs scattered. They were neither as tough nor as well armed as the gyrocopter, but they had the advantages of numbers and speed.

One of the pegagriffs soared around the back of the gyrocopter. Marci saw the rider aiming a crossbow straight at her head.

Marci ducked, and heard the bolt clatter off the hull.

'Shoot them, Marci!' Aurel barked. 'You know how to shoot, right?'

Marci lifted her head and tried to move the turret. That was easy enough, but how did she use it? She tried turning the handles. Nothing. She tried whistling to it. Nothing.

The pegagriff was coming back, this time at a higher angle.

'Press the studs!' Aurel ordered. 'Point it at him and press the studs!'

Marci pointed the gun, looking down the length of it, through the odd circular object atop the housing, and searched for the studs. Her thumbs alighted on smooth metal dimples atop the handles.

The pegagriff rider took aim.

Marci pushed downwards with her thumbs. The gun roared and bucked in her hands, taking her by surprise. She let go as it recoiled on instinct.

The third and fourth shots went well over the pegagriff's head, but the first two struck their marks. Blood sprayed, and the pegagriff fell from the sky, huge chunks blasted from its front, its rider helpless and doomed.

Marci took hold of the gun again and adjusted her grip. She could do this. She had to.

Another bolt hit the gyrocopter, but did not bounce off. This one fizzed, and bits of metal peeled away and fell to the ground. The gyrocopter shuddered and the engines sputtered.

'Acid!' Aurel warned. 'Keep them off the engines! Lose 'em and we'll crash!'

Marci turned the turret and opened fire. Shooting guns was new and alien to her, but at least her strength allowed her to control the recoil.

The pegagriff she was aiming for spun aside, the shells flashing past harmlessly. Aurel fired again, cursing as his shots missed too. The gyrocopter was nowhere near as manoeuvrable.

'Hang on tight, lass,' Aurel ordered. 'And be ready on the triggers.' He yanked the stick back and the gyrocopter began to climb, flying straight up into the sky. The pegagriffs gave chase, weaving and zig-zagging to avoid the shells Marci fired at them.

'Here goes!' Aurel cried. He smacked his control panel.

The engines went horribly silent. The rotors stopped spinning. The gyrocopter began to tumble in a slow somersault.

Marci would have screamed if she could. She got ready to unbuckle herself and jump.

'Shoot, Marci!'

Aurel was not panicking, and it took Marci a moment to realise that he had planned this. Even now, he was firing up the rotors again. The pegagriff riders had assumed that they were crashing, and had stopped dodging.

Upside down now, Marci whipped the flak turret round, lined up a shot and jabbed her thumbs down. The gun boomed and one of the pegagriff riders flew off his mount—or rather half of him did. The rest of the fusillade hit the pegagriff, which fell in a bloody tumble of feathers and ruptured hide.

Aurel hit the panel again and the engines roared into life. He guided the gyrocopter through a spin, launching a rocket as he did. It caught the third pegagriff, and both beast and rider vanished in a thunderous fireball.

'When I get the damn things to home, this 'copter will be unstoppable!' Aurel boasted.

Marci couldn't help but agree. If the keen ever loaned any of these to the Imperium, Stonehall would think even harder before risking its ire.

'Marci! Six o'clock high!'

Marci swung the turret around, her teeth bared, and opened fire. The pegagriff nimbly wove through the barrage, folding back its wings and diving. The rider would be able to launch a bolt at their right engine if Marci didn't get him.

Marci led him, firing ahead. A good idea. But this was still new to her, and she was too quick.

Her shots did not hit her target. They hit her target's target.

Marci stopped firing and gasped, her eyes going wide behind her goggles, as the right engine exploded. What was left of the rotor fell away and spiralled to the ground. The gyrocopter lurched and began to list, losing height.

'What happened?' Aurel yelled, still looking straight ahead. 'The engines…' he turned his head and saw the smoking ruin which had been a functioning engine moments ago. Marci hastily tilted the barrels of the flak gun away.

Aurel turned to her, his eyes narrowed. 'They got us?'

Marci nodded sheepishly.

'Damn!' Aurel turned back to his controls. 'Right… I… I don't think I mentioned that this thing really does need all of its engines to stay aloft, did I?

So… we're going to crash now. Ever been in a gyrocopter crash? They're never pretty.'

Marci let go of the gun. The remaining pegagriffs were peeling away and flying off. They rightly assumed that the gyrocopter was doomed.

'Either hang on or get ready to jump, lass!' Aurel yelled. 'I don't crash half as well as I fly!'

'Look!' Aiushtha pointed southwards, towards the coast. 'Smoke!'

Mirana felt her heart sink. Small dots were heading towards them in the sky above, growing larger with every moment, eventually revealed to be two of the pegagriffs. Their riders were whooping as they guided their mounts home.

Mirana groaned. The gyrocopter had been destroyed, and their hopes had gone down with it.

'Well… it was worth trying.' Luna muttered. She was now chained to the bars of the wagon itself, as was Mirana. Neither could move at all.

'Maybe we can figure something out when we get to this estate.' Aiushtha whispered.

Mirana shook her head. She didn't have much hope left, if there was any at all. 'Nesrius will have plans for us. None of them will be good.'

'How do you know him?'

'I didn't know him very well.' Mirana said, leaning back. 'He was a Senator when my father was Emperor—an important and influential one. But he was exiled, for plotting against my family.' She sighed. 'No doubt he wants revenge.'

Aiushtha shook her head. 'Something tells me it's not going to be as simple as that.'

My thanks to Annbe11 and WhereverMySITakesMe once again, for helping me to come up with some viable options for this chapter, and further thanks to Annbe11 for helping me to design the pegagriffs.