The princess hesitated for a moment. She barely knew this girl. Should she trust in Martha’s and Duncan’s teachings? If she gave Mallory permission to act, what would the young woman do? Shailiha knew that there was nothing deadlier than an adept who controlled the craft, but could not control his or her emotions. The princess finally nodded.
“Thank you,” Mallory said softly. She looked at the Minion officer. “If he still lives, find Ivan and bring him here,” she ordered.
Unsure whether he should accept orders from a Fledgling, the warrior looked to hisJin’Saiou. Shailiha nodded. The warrior quickly marched down the hall.
Anxious moments passed. Lothar was about to protest his innocence again but apparently thought the better of it. Then Ivan and the Minion officer entered the room. Pressing his sword tip against Ivan’s back, the officer prodded him toward the center of the floor. When Ivan saw Mallory, he smiled.
“Hello, my pretty,” he said arrogantly. “Come for some more, have ya?”
Mallory walked closer. “No,” she answered quietly. “Fall to your knees.”
“I don’t think so.”
Taking a step closer, Mallory raised one arm. Suddenly the guard felt a crushing weight atop his shoulders, forcing him to the floor. Even so, he looked up at Mallory with defiant eyes. She took a step back.
Still unsure about what Mallory might do, Wigg looked worriedly at Shailiha. The princess held her breath.
Mallory raised her arms again. Calling the craft, she closed her eyes.
But as everyone watched in silence, nothing seemed to happen. Perhaps Mallory is still too weak for whatever she had planned, Shailiha guessed. She gave Wigg a questioning look, but all the First Wizard could do was offer one in return.
Opening her eyes, Mallory looked Ivan in the face. “Stand up,” she said quietly.
The guard stood. “What’s the matter, sweetie?” he asked. “Couldn’t use the craft, after all?”
“Unlace your trousers,” Mallory said.
A confused look crossed Ivan’s face. “What for?” he demanded.
Mallory raised her arm again. “Just do it,” she growled, “or I’ll kill you where you stand!”
The guard untied his britches.
“Pull them down,” Mallory said.
Looking around the room, Ivan hesitated.
“Do it!”Mallory shouted.
Finally he complied. Everyone in the room started howling. Ivan screamed hysterically and nearly fainted away. His testicles had vanished.
Trying to control her laughter, the princess again looked at Wigg. Smiling, the First Wizard shook his head and rubbed his brow.
“You bitch!” Ivan shouted hysterically. “What have you done?”
“That should be obvious,” Mallory answered. “Be thankful that I left your other part intact for…convenience’s sake. Although from what I see, it wouldn’t be much of a loss.”
Finally Ivan had withstood all he could. His dark eyes rolling back into his head, he fainted onto the floor. Lothar immediately fell to his knees.
“Mercy, First Wizard!” he screamed. “From this day forward you can trust me to do anything you ask!”
His grim gaze returning, Wigg stepped closer. “I wouldn’t trust you to take your next breath,” he answered.
Lothar started sobbing. “What will happen to me?” he asked.
“With the princess’s indulgence, I’m going to imprison you here,” Wigg answered. “We will study your ledgers. I’m sure their tally will match what we find in your safe. The funds will be redistributed among the debtors’ payees. Aside from a rotating group of Minion warriors who will feed you, this shop of horrors is officially closed.”
Wailing uncontrollably, Lothar fell to the floor.
Wigg watched Mallory walk over to Shailiha. The Fledgling bowed respectfully.
“Thank you for your trust,” Mallory said. “At first I wanted to kill him. Then I came on a better idea. But if Your Highness believes Ivan’s punishment too cruel, it can be reversed.”
The princess smiled. “That won’t be needed,” she answered.
“By the way,” Wigg asked, “how did you manage that? Master Duncan never taught you such a spell, I’d wager!”
A sheepish look overtook Mallory’s face. “Master Faegan taught me,” she admitted. “When the idea came to me, I revisited him late last night in his laboratory. Something told me I might still find him there. After meeting him the first time, I realized that he seemed like the type who might agree with my idea. When I explained it to him, he positively cackled!” Then Mallory bit her lower lip. “Was it wrong of me?” she asked.
Snorting a laugh down her nose, Shailiha placed one hand atop Mallory’s shoulder. “Well, it wouldn’t do to make a habit of it,” she said.
“It’s time to go,” Wigg said. “Our work here is done.”
As they turned toward the door, Lothar staggered to his knees. “When will I be released?” he demanded.
Stopping in midstride, Wigg turned around. “Never,” he answered quietly.
As they walked down the hallway, the fat jailor’s screaming followed them for a time, then faded away.
CHAPTER XXIII
It is not only for ourselves that we fight the Vagaries, but also for those who left behind so many treasures- such as the Tome, the Paragon, and the Scroll of the Vigors. We fight to preserve the legacy of the Ones Who Came Before.
SMILING TO HIMSELF, EINAR WATCHED HIS SERVANTSgo about their work. From where he and the others waited they could see only glimpses of the fighting, but they knew it would be intense. Serena’s lead consul had no doubt about the outcome.
Peering out from another camouflaged cone formed by his envelopers, Einar looked to the sky. It was midday in Parthalon. Dark clouds were forming, and it would rain soon. He hoped to take his latest victory before the storm broke.
Some of his consuls and Valrenkians had been left behind to oversee the Ghetto while a contingent of envelopers and swamp shrews protected them there. By the time this new prize had been secured, those left behind would be well along in their part of the plan.
Although the distance between the Ghetto of the Shunned and this new place was short, Einar had taken great care that his forces not be seen. The Parthalon population was most concentrated in the north. Though Einar knew that the populace could give him no real trouble, it was in his best interests to remain unnoticed-at least until this second goal had been secured. He knew it would not fall as easily as the Ghetto. But taking this place was paramount to the Heretics’ plan, so it had to be done. Smiling again, he returned his gaze to their newest prize. They would capture the Recluse.
Built with slave labor more than three centuries past, the Recluse sat on a high island in the middle of a lake. The large water body surrounding it rippled slightly in the freshening wind. The castle was reached by a long bridge, which was the only way in or out.
The wooden drawbridge meeting the lake bridge was lowered, and flanked on either side by high barbicans. Just beyond, the outer courtyard areas would be filled with desperately fighting Minion warriors. Beyond the first two gate towers were another two towers. Another portcullis stood between them, banning entrance to the inner ward. These two gate towers seemed to be the only opening in the walls surrounding the castle. They also
