They strained to hear any sound that might indicate danger. Finally, assured they were alone, they mounted the stage, climbing over its edge to view the body curled up and turned away from them. Its face was hidden from view, but there could be little doubt it was a man. Something about his clothing caught Natalia's breath.
"No!" she shouted. "It can't be!" She rushed forward, heedless of the noise she made.
"Who is it?" Athgar called out.
In answer, she turned the man onto his back, shock on her face.
"It's Stanislav!"
"How can that be? You left him in Karslev, didn't you?"
The doors burst open, flooding the room with lantern light. Athgar could make out numerous men, the glint of steel off their swords quite evident. Their leader soon emerged from the shadows, the same man they had followed.
"At last," he said. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment, Natalia Stormwind."
Natalia stood, turning to face this new foe. "Nikolai. I knew it was you."
He smiled. "It's been so long since we last met. My, how you've grown."
"I don't understand," said Athgar.
"How unforgivably rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nikolai Ratislav. I'm a mage hunter, though I must admit I'm here today in a completely different capacity."
"What do you want?"
"It's quite simple, really. There's a bounty on young Natalia's head, and I aim to collect it."
"You won't take us alive," said Natalia.
He shook his head. "I'm afraid you mistake my meaning. I'm not here to capture you, I'm here to kill you!"
He stepped closer, and Athgar raised his hands, ready to cast. "I warn you, we're both mages. We shall not hesitate to fight back."
"Of course," said Nikolai, "I would expect no less."
He turned to his men. "Kill them!"
Athgar noticed movement to his left. Turning quickly, he thrust out his hands and sent a streak of fire across the room.
Natalia raised her hands as well, seeking out a target. She spied a small knot of men advancing towards her and called forth her power, but instead of unleashing her magic, she felt an icy chill in her stomach. Doubling over in pain, she collapsed to the stage floor.
Athgar's flame lit the room for a moment, revealing dozens of men rushing towards him. He abandoned his magic, seeking his axe even as his eyes searched for Natalia. Her plight gave him cause for alarm, delaying his actions just long enough for the point of a sword to prick his left arm. He swore, twisting aside as his foe followed through with the attack, and then his axe came down, hacking into his enemy's shoulder. The man's blade flew from his grip, scattering across the room.
"Save yourself," shouted Natalia through gritted teeth. She tried to concentrate on her magic, but pain lanced through her again. A sword suddenly appeared in front of her eyes, and she looked up to see it held steady by the sure hand of Nikolai.
A pair of crossbow bolts whizzed past Athgar, one narrowly missing his head. He pointed again, loosing off more fire, banishing the darkness if only for an instant. Someone screamed in agony and fell to the floor in flames.
Athgar moved towards Natalia, but Nikolai was there, his sword held to her throat.
"I wouldn't if I were you," the mage hunter taunted.
Athgar was wracked with indecision, for as he took a step towards Natalia, the tip of Nikolai's sword pricked flesh, and blood appeared.
"Give me any more trouble," said Nikolai, "and I'll make sure she suffers a painful death."
"Please, Athgar," called out Natalia, "if you stay, you'll surely die. I couldn't bear that."
"Listen to her," added Nikolai. "She knows you cannot defeat me."
Another bolt shot forth, scraping along Athgar's thigh. He winced at the pain, feeling blood flow, but fought back, picking out a lantern someone had placed on the floor. He concentrated, once more calling on his inner spark. Thick black smoke began billowing from the light source, quickly filling the room.
He staggered forward, seeking Natalia, only to be blocked by three men. His axe descended on one, but then others called out, and suddenly bolts were flying once more. One whizzed past his ear, and he tried to dive to the side in desperation, but his foot slipped on some blood, and his leg shot out from under him, driving him to his knees with a resounding thud. Another bolt sang out, whistling over his head in the smoke. Now the enemy was firing blindly, desperate to take down the Therengian.
Athgar, his lungs burning as he fought for breath, cast about, no longer sure of his bearings. Feeling a slight breeze, likely an open door, he made for it, his eyes stinging, his breath now coming in ragged gasps. Staggering into the hallway, he was desperate to breathe, while behind him came the sound of coughing and yet more crossbows firing off their bolts.
Fresh men appeared down the hallway, crossbows in hand, their eyes squinting against the smoke. Something hit his boot, and he dove through a window to his left, desperate to be free of the danger.
He could hear yelling now coming from within the theatre. Doors opened, and men flooded out into the street. By Athgar's reckoning, there were close to a dozen of them, far more than he could fight by himself. He cursed his feeling of helplessness and then turned, fleeing down the alleyway.
Nikolai stared down at Natalia, a cloth held over his face. Finally, the yelling subsided, and the smoke began to dissipate.
"Well, well," he said. "What have we here? The mighty Natalia Stormwind, helpless and weak. This is an unexpected delight."
Natalia clutched her
