Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [105]
"They will be coming this way soon," said the king. "Our final test is upon us."
"You will not be tested," said a deep voice.
The Magistrates accompanying the king pulled their swords.
"You will not be tested," repeated the voice, "because you have already failed."
Suddenly the field outside the courtyard, still except for the occasional dead leaf falling to the ground, erupted in movement. The landscape transformed, turning from brown to black as more than a hundred assassins materialized around the king and his men. Humans stepped out of the dead hedges ahead. Ores dropped from the rooftops behind them. Half-elves appeared as if from thin air. They filled the field and the courtyard, more appearing with each blink of the eye.
Captain Kaden, King Korox, and their Magistrate escort found themselves trapped and surrounded. It seemed every hired killer in Erlkazar was here, all wearing black robes and masks-the golden-haired symbol of the Church of Waukeen emblazoned on their chests.
"You have betrayed your kingdom, Korox," said a man who-had appeared from the dead brush. "You have traded in our lives for the life of your daughter.
We are here to take your throne and end your rule." The assassin pulled a pair of long, thin blades from the sheaths at his waist. "The Matron sends her regards."
The assassins attacked.
"Magistrates!" shouted Captain Kaden. "Surround the king!"
A tight circle formed around King Korox as the men prepared to fight for their lives.
+++++
Quinn came out of the narrow passage into a high-ceilinged room. His skin tingled in anticipation as he realized where he was. The creatures he followed had led him directly back into Xeries's throne room.
The black beasts were nowhere to be seen. The floor hummed from the magical contraption far below his feet, and the open room was completely empty-except for the arch magus himself.
Xeries stood in front of his throne, intently watching something on the floor, his hunched back and head covered by a heavy robe. Beside him, a half-drunk goblet of wine tested on a short table. If he heard Quinn come out of the tube, he gave no indication.
Lifting himself onto his feet, Quinn stalked silently across the floor. As he drew closer, he could see a swirling image displayed at the foot of the throne. Some sort of scrying spell Xeries had likely cast. Whatever he was watching, it had his full attention.
Moving up onto the dais, Quinn moved into position to cut Xeries's throat. He lifted his left hand, and placed his blades just under the arch magus's throat. He was poised and ready to kill the man who had threatened his king, stolen his love, and neatly destroyed his home. This was why he had come to the Obsidian Ridge. His mission was nearly complete.
But something made him pause.
This all seemed too easy. Why had those beasts led him to the throne room? Why was Xeries unguarded? Something wasn't right.
Looking down at the image at Xeries's feet, Quinn could see two figures. One was clearly Xeries in his heavy robes. The other was less clear, so he moved his head slightly to get a better view.
A chill ran down his spine. The second figure was him.
Quinn and Xeries were looking down at an image of themselves. The arch magus had been watching him sneak up from behind. He knew that Quinn was there, yet he hadn't moved.
Grabbing Xeries by his robed shoulder, Quinn spun him around and pulled back his hood-revealing Princess Mariko. A look of desperation filled her eyes, but she didn't speak.
Pulling the robe from her shoulders, Quinn could see that she-was holding a strange furry creature in her bound hands. It wiggled its nose and sneezed.
Then it looked up at him and said, "It's a trap."
The air seemed to waver and bend-like waves of heat coming off a hot stone road. The empty throne room filled with Xeries' minions, the invisible turned visible. Hundreds of them surrounded Quinn and Mariko. "
They pounced on Quinn, knocking him