Guild Wars_ Ghosts of Ascalon - Matt Forbeck [104]
“You’re alive,” said Dougal, and realized how happy he was.
“Only for the moment,” said the asura. “Get me to my pack.”
Dougal looked at where Riona had disappeared, then back up the hill to where the packs still lay. He half walked, half carried the asura back up the hill, where he dug through his pack filled with waxed-paper wrappings, finally producing a reddish philter. He drank it down without further comment, and then spent a long moment spewing up black powder. The flesh on his bare limbs crusted and fell away, revealing new flesh, a lighter shade of gray, beneath.
Dougal looked down into the valley. The Flame Legion troops were breaking, and the Blood legionnaires were upon them, cutting them down in ones and twos. More importantly, Ember and Gullik had engaged the effigy, the charr dancing forward and lancing the creature with the tip of her sword, enraging it, while the norn hacked at its burning legs with the zeal of a crazed lumberjack. As Dougal watched, the huge creature swayed, then fell backward in a flurry of burning wicker and sparks.
Dougal turned back toward where Riona had disappeared, but Kranxx grabbed the chain. “No,” said the asura. “She’ll be back. I hope.”
Dougal had to nod. Already the battle had abated to the point that members of the Blood Legion were pointing up at them on the hillside, and about a half-dozen members of the victorious legion were hustling up to collect them. Dougal had time to stow his picks and stand there docilely while Kranxx, conspicuously holding the other end of the chain, tried to look both in charge and nonthreatening.
The charr patrol gathered up their gear and pushed Dougal down the slope to the rest of the troops ahead of them. Ember was already arguing with some officer when they arrived.
“These are my prisoners,” said Ember. “I demand you release them to me at once.”
“We appreciate your help, Doomforge,” replied the officer, another female charr with tawny fur, “but I cannot allow you to pass without knowing your business.”
“I am on the business of Malice Swordshadow, the Ash Legion imperator,” said Ember, snarling. “I cannot and will not tell you the nature of my mission.”
“Nor should you,” came a deep, resonate voice from the perimeter of the discussion. “I will be dining with Swordshadow at the end of the week, and I shall take the opportunity to ask the imperator about it.”
The soldiers parted to reveal the commanding charr, the one with coal-black fur and hard, angry eyes. His fiery blade was now sheathed. Dougal could tell by his ease and swagger that he was the top cat in this army.
What surprised Dougal most of all was the way that Ember immediately stiffened with the arrival of the newcomer, coming fully to attention and executing a perfect salute. She was more intimidated by this charr commander than she was by even Almorra Soulkeeper.
“Ember Doomforge, Ash Legion, Detached, sir!” she barked.
“At ease, soldier,” said the dark-furred charr. Ember did not relax a single hair. “These are yours?”
“Yes, sir!” said Ember. “I am taking these prisoners in for questioning. They were found near the Dragonbrand!”
The dark-furred charr grunted. “You said ‘prisoners.’ Plural. I think you’re missing one or more of them.”
Ember wheeled and for the first time realized that Riona wasn’t there. A look of shock and fear spread across her face. “Where is she?” she hissed at Kranxx.
The asura stammered for a moment, then managed, “We were assaulted by a Flame rifleman. We drove him away, but in the confusion the female human escaped. I express my deepest apology and will offer a refund.”
“Just wonderful,” muttered the dark-furred commander. Louder, he shouted, “We have a mouse loose! I want it caught—now! Get trackers on it, starting up on the hill.”
“Sir?” said Ember, and Dougal could almost sense the fear on her. “I need the … prisoner … alive and