Chapter 10

  Alessandra

  A night sky glowed smoky orange from the print shop fire, burning both it and the bank to the ground. Allie hurried through the twisted streets of Avictfell. The direct absence of the bandits didn’t ease her sense of urgency. Allie clung against a building’s wall, squatting down, and peered around the corner.

  Alone and threatened, her heart raced. Every person she saw on the street drew her anxious glare. She studied them with meticulous analysis, looking for any hint of foul play. Wary of odd shapes concealed beneath cloaks. Apprehension squeezed her chest as suspicious strangers sauntered past. Her unexpected salvation came from the night’s darkness.

  She reached the southern stables and found them closed. So much for a horse.

  Both the intense physical exertion and Essemancy had made her thirsty. Cupping her hands, she scooped water from a trough and slurped it down. Traces of power from the salts still flowed within her. With her thirst quenched, she ate more salt and sent another message to Otto: I escaped with the Cipher Scroll. The bank has burned to the ground. I will meet you at the villa. Afterward, she sent a second message to Reinhard to notify her brothers back in Tarona.

  I need a knight. If only Nicco were here. Her thoughts swirled with indecision. She wanted to escape Avictfell at once but feared traveling alone in the dark, so she decided against it. How many more bandits lurked nearby? It could be none, but more than likely they had not acted alone. Criminals will be out in droves tonight because of the riots. She didn’t need a random thug mugging her on the streets.

  Her next thought was to seek refuge with the Crimson Cloaks, but if she did that, she would have to explain what happened. Can I trust them? Only hours ago, one of the Crimson Cloaks had tried to harm the poor, innocent girl. Otto had cautioned her in trusting them. They served their interest more often than those of the people. They would find the Cipher Scroll if they searched her. That could not happen.

  She spun the ring around her finger. Next, she considered hiding the Cipher Scroll somewhere in the city first and then going to the Crimson Cloaks. That might work, but what if someone stumbled upon it? What if someone watched her right now? She peered up at the rooftops and around her, determining it was too dangerous. Her knowledge of the city dwindled with distance from Arites Academy. She settled on keeping the Cipher Scroll in her possession and finding somewhere secure to hide.

  She didn’t dare return to her apartment near the academy. If she were being followed, they would know where to find her. Instead, she found an inn near the South Gate guarded by Crimson Cloaks. It was easier to leave a city than enter, but she needed her horse and the stables were closed. Besides, leaving at night would likely result in her being questioned by the Crimson Cloaks, whereas during the day she might slip out among the many people passing through unaccounted. She huddled against a stack of hay bails behind the stables and waited out the night. Her heart had slowed some, but worry lingered. She peeked over the hay bail, searching for any sign of trouble. She found none.

  A sudden sorrow stole her heart. She sank down, hugged her knees, and sobbed. Snot ran from her nose and mouth, hanging like a spiderweb between her lips. Mia’s face was frozen in her mind as Allie cried herself to sleep.

  The morning light awoke her. She bolted up, still unsettled. The night had been uneventful. She examined her surroundings and noticed nothing of interest. An unbearable urge to urinate pained her bladder and she relieved herself behind the stable. A street cart vendor sold her a sausage link skewer for breakfast. Allie refilled her water skin from the horse trough.

  A thin plume of acrid smoke wafted in the air. Judging by the size, the fire had likely burned out. She crossed the street and went to the now open stables. Inside the stable, a boy slept in a pile of hay. A kick to his boot woke him. Instinctively, she could feel his emotions flare disgruntlement but relaxed once he saw her. Last night’s residual salt power dissipated. Using Essemancy’s empathy had been accidental and undisciplined. She cursed herself.

  “Tack up my horse,” she said. The boy nodded and obeyed. The stable boy led a reddish brown palfrey with a white striped nose by the reins. She placed the Cipher Scroll inside the saddlebag. Allie swung onto her and took the reins. A click of her teeth and a gentle kick set her mount Ruby in motion.

  The South Gate portcullis had been raised. Ruby trotted past the safety of the Avictfell walls. Her parent’s concern occupied her mind. She ate a pinch of violet salts and sent another telepathic message to Otto. She informed Reinhard as well. I have escaped Avictfell and now travel south along the Avictus Road.

  Ruby’s shoes clopped on the paved Imperial Road, which ran due south to the castle of Stirberg. Red-bricked and round, Stirberg castle sat upon the foothills of the Skywoods Mountains. After she passed Stirberg, she rode eastward, now through the deciduous Skywoods. The trees shaded the road.

  A cool spring breeze almost relaxed her. The rhythmic bounce in the saddle continued as hours of travel gave her sore thighs. She considered the past night’s events. Who would have robbed the bank? Why didn’t they rob the bank before Otto left if they wanted gold? Whoever robbed the bank was after the scrolls, but how had they known of the Cipher Scroll? One bandit had mentioned the scrolls. Had someone followed her from the academy?

  Mia’s scared face, frozen in death, overtook her thoughts. Mia reminded her of herself when she was young--eager to learn. But much braver than me. Mia was a young girl taken from this world far too early. She had only intended to calm Mia from shadows in the night. How many children awoke in the middle of the night afraid of specters and monsters lurking outside their window or beneath their bed? Allie had lied to Mia and made her believe she could do magic. Because of that, she died. Mia would be riding with her right now if Allie hadn’t instilled a false belief in her ability to use Essemancy. Allie wiped the tears from her eyes.

  Ruby’s canter ceased. Ruby neighed and spun about in a sudden fright. Allie squeezed her thighs and struggled to control her mount. Instead, Allie opted for a different tactic and pressed her gloved wrist against Ruby’s neck. With both of them now touching the rune, Allie connected to their Essences. Ruby’s Essence and will were no match for her own. She soothed the horse’s emotions with a discharge of Essemancy power. Such power was useful on animals, but in her research, she found it had little effect on humans.

  Two bandits emerged from up ahead. Behind her, another four men appeared. Allie kicked Ruby and steered her into the woods. Off-road travel was her best chance of escape. Thick grass muffled Ruby’s hooves. Allie hoped it would aid in her escape. She ducked low in the saddle; Ruby’s mane blew in her face. Peeking over a shoulder, the bandits gave chase. Her heart beat as fast as Ruby’s gallop. The bandits yelled and swore as they struggled through the forest. A chestnut tree brushed against her arm. Allie pulled the reins to the left and veered Ruby back toward the original direction she had traveled. Towards the villa. Faint rays of falling sunlight pierced through gaps in the trees. Once the sun set, she stood a better chance of escape.

  From her peripheral vision, a rock the size of a keg flew toward her. She ducked and turned Ruby away as a sudden sharp pain smashed against her right thigh. Ruby toppled over, spilling Allie from the saddle. Her head smashed into something hard, blurring her narrowed vision.

  A heavy man straddled her sitting atop her thighs. Instinctively, she tried to wrap him into a guard position with her legs, but couldn’t. He smelled of horse and foul sweat.

  “Where is it?” His hands assaulted her. Groping and frisking eagerly, searching for something. The bandit wore a mask that covered his nose up, but his eyes twitched with sinister intent. “I bet I know where you hid it.” His sick grin revealed crooked yellow teeth. Fabric ripped down the front of her dress, revealing a breast. The man ruffled her skirts up, searching her legs. She mustered all her strength and tried to push him off her, but it failed. Where physical strength failed, divine strength would prevail. She flicked her palm upward to telekinetic shove him off her with Essemancy. Nothing happened.

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  Panic consumed her.

  She had only ingested the violet salts which accessed the divination abilities. Alteration required blue salts. Allie reached down toward her belt pouch.

  “What’s this?” He grabbed her hand and patted her around her waist. “Hide it in your belt, did you?” He overpowered her and yanked the leather belt taut. The leather bit into her waist, pinching her skin. The bandit drew a steel dagger and cut through the belt.

  “Did you find it?” Another man asked from behind.

  “No.” He threw the belt aside. The blue salts spilled open. “Check the saddlebag. I’m going to enjoy myself before this job is over.”

  The second bandit approached Ruby while chuckling. “I want a turn after.”

  “Ruby!” Allie clicked her teeth.

  Ruby lay on her side, kicked the air, and found her footing. The contents of the saddlebag rested where she had once lain--the Cipher Scroll. But the bandits did not indicate that they recognized the scroll. Ruby spun and kicked, keeping her opponent at bay. Inspiration and hope permeated within Allie.

  Allie had frozen before and it cost Mia her life. Fleeing had failed. Without her Essemancy, she chose the only remaining option--fight. Her frail skinny arms clawed at the bandit’s face with every ounce of strength she could muster. A finger found an eye. The man screamed in pain and shifted his weight. She pivoted on her shoulder and shrimped out to the side like Nicco had taught her. Now free from his weight, she crawled on hands and knees, desperate to reach the scroll and salts.

  One benefit of having grown up with three bigger brothers was learning self defense skills. Nicco had taught her the most basic self-defense and more practical moves. Drills focused on disarming a knife, ground combat, and body control of herself and an opponent. She found herself suddenly very grateful for all the bruises she had earned in the past.

  The bandit yelled. “Bitch, you scratched my eye!”

  A hand clutched her ankle. She grasped the scattered saddlebag contents with both hands. Her right hand clasped the Cipher Scroll, her left gloved hand slapped against the black salts. She squeezed a clump of dirt and salt into her fist. The bandit jerked her leg, causing her to fall on her stomach and face. Her jaw clacked together, and she bit her tongue. The warm taste of iron filled her mouth, and she spat blood.

  Allie rolled back over so he couldn’t mount her back. She tried to eat both black salt and dirt, but the man grabbed her wrist and twisted it. The pain made her scream. Attack the vulnerable parts. Nicco’s past instruction commanded. She flicked her wrist toward the man and released the salt and dirt into the man’s eyes.

  He turned away, shaking his head. “The cunt did it again.”

  “She’s a fighter, eh?” the other man chuckled.

  “I can’t see!”

  “I didn’t know this was your first time.”

  “Fuck you,” the blinded bandit spat, “and fuck this whore.” Eyes squinting, he sliced at the air with his dagger. Allie tried to use the wooden bars of the scroll to block the attack but failed. The blade cut under her forearm. She cried out in pain at the sudden sting. Blood ran fast, dripping onto the ground. Panic pulled her. She grasped the cut with her left hand. Another sting, but this one was a warm welcome. The familiarity of salt-infused Essence seeped into her body. Each pump of her heart pushed the power coursing through her. She released the wound and looked at her left hand, where black salt stuck to parts of her fingers. Blood rushed from her arm again.

  I’m going to bleed out.

  The bandit snarled, revealing stained crooked teeth. His grip was firm on the dagger, ready to send her Essence to Tellius. Now panic powered her. Nature’s instinct for survival--fight or flight. Fear. Chaos in the purest form. She held the scroll in her right hand. She flicked her hand to telekinetically push him away. Only nothing happened. No invisible divine force pushed the assailant away. Instead, the pain won.

  Perhaps it took longer to empower through the blood than by eating? She dismissed the thought now, feeling the warm power of Essence flowing within her.

  Confused, she tried once again. The result was a crude gesture of fingers and a thumb pointing toward the assailant. She overdrew her salts, pulling upon every trace of the Essence.

  A sudden deafening crack of blue lightning shot from her fingers and knocked the bandit back. A high-pitched ring shrilled in her ears. Ruby bolted upright and kicked with silent fright, then darted through the trees. The other bandit stumbled and fell. Scampering, he crawled to his feet, chasing after her horse into the woods.

  Her mouth tasted of dry, crisp ash. She had never experienced such an exhilarating release of power--she feared it. In the distance, another bandit sat upon a horse. Allie pointed her hand at the bandit to scare him away. He held his ground, extended a hand toward his side, and swiped it toward Allie. A log flew forward, smashing into her arm. An Essemancer!

  Allie crawled over to the salt pouch and ate more black salts. She turned, ready to defend herself, holding her hand out before her as Nicco would his sword. The mounted bandit regarded her for a moment, turned their horse, and spurred it away.

  Her hands quivered. The ringing in her ears faded, but her cut wrist still stung, throbbing in pain. Shaking hands tore the hem of her dress and wrapped it around her wrist to stop the bleeding. Next, she covered her exposed breasts as best she could. The dress strap had torn, making it impossible to fix without needle and thread. Instead, she folded the fabric up and over and tucked the strap between her breasts as she would a towel. For some absurd reason, she sighed in frustration at her ruined dress despite having nearly been murdered.

  She glanced around, looking for Ruby, who was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness until she barely saw in front of her. She clicked her tongue several times, but Ruby did not come.

  “Ruby, come.”

  Her foot kicked something big. The stink of singed skin stung her nostrils. The dead brigand rested at her feet. No blood was visible, but jagged red lines snaked up his neck and face. A sudden fear seized her as she hyperventilated. She had killed a man. His violent death at her hand disturbed her the most. Her heart filled with intense guilt. Allie bent over and vomited up the horror and shame from within.

  Her feet shuffled away. She kicked something else. Her eyes still unaccustomed to the dark. Looking down, she saw her belt. She tied the drawstring on the salts and slung the cut belt over the back of her neck, wearing it like a scarf. Then she retrieved the Cipher Scroll, hugging it like a mother protecting her child.

  Dizziness and muscle weakness now festered. Her tongue ran over cracked lips. Her throat and mouth tasted like dry wool. The Essemancy had taken its toll on her. Overdrawing the salts had dehydrated her. She uncorked her waterskin and drank.

  She trudged through the woods toward the direction Ruby had darted, clicking her tongue every so often. After several minutes, she heard Ruby neigh, and the heavy rustling of the leaves grew louder. Finally, Ruby emerged from the darkness beyond. Ruby hopped and pranced with nerves. Allie intended to soothe her emotions with the Essence but didn’t because of how dangerously close she had overdrawn the salts already. She couldn’t risk blacking out with bandits still lurking around at night. The fight was over. Better to ensure her stamina in case of another attack. Instead, she tried to calm Ruby the traditional way.

  “Praise Tellius. Good girl. Good girl.” She whispered, relieved. Allie ran her hand along the horse’s striped nose. “I gave you a fright, didn’t I?” Ruby snorted. “I know. I know. I frightened myself as well. Thanks for keeping one of them busy for me. I promise extra apples when we get to the villa.”

  Ruby snorted.

  “Good Ruby.” Allie gently took hold of the reins and pet Ruby’s neck. Once it appeared Ruby had calmed down, she placed the Cipher Scroll back in the saddlebag, grabbed the saddle horn, and mounted up. She admired the plum night sky of sparkling sprinkled stars. Unfortunately, summer fast approached and the thick foliage of Highblossom blocked out much of the sky.

  Allie considered waiting where she was until morning. But she didn’t dare remain still near the attack location. Daylight would enable her to find the east and return to the road. Wandering at night increased the risk of getting even more lost. Fortunately, she had traveled this road many times in her life and knew it ran almost directly east of Stirberg. Her memory focused for a moment, remembering she had fled south off the road. She knew the road lay north of this place. Once she found the road, she would follow it to Medistein Villa. She steered Ruby back north at a slow trot.

  Allie’s adrenaline waned. Pain, exhaustion, thirst, and fear took their place. Suppose she stumbled upon the bandits? Such thoughts were unnecessary. They fled for their lives after seeing the lightning. She would have done the same.

  Specters steal me. What manner of Essemancy had she discovered? How had she even cast it? Questions she could address once she reached the refuge of the villa. She let Ruby meander through the woods, taking her time and finding her footing. She couldn’t afford for Ruby to stumble and break an ankle. Horses had excellent memories and she would place her trust in Ruby’s ability to guide her back to the road again.

  She prayed to Tellius. No shame in asking for a little divine intervention.