Rise of the Blade - Charles Moffat [57]
Pierce and Draque looked at each other and then across the room to the magically protected door. The Doctor could sense the evil behind it, seeking to get out of its confinement. "Bait?" they said in unison.
"Perhaps," muttered Pierce. "Let's start by letting more people know about the fact that you fixed it. When word leaks down to Chev, it might be the one thing that will draw him it. Lets start by trippling the guards in case he comes back for the sword earlier than we expect."
Chapter 9
Ko'Ragur crouched in the darkness and hoped she didn't step on a twig. It would have been somewhat ironic had she been hunting and stalking a deer, but right now she'd only end up dead. The idea played with her imagination and chilled her to the bone like the rain that trickled through her collar, down her neck, and along her spine.
For a brief moment she was too afraid to move. She felt vulnerable and exposed out here and yet she knew quite well that she was safely hidden behind a row of bushes and a sturdy maple. Paralysed and agoraphobic, she stayed hidden in the shadows of the tree.
Beside her she heard the sharp tapping of raindrops steadily dripping into a tin bucket meant for collecting maple sap. She couldn't stand such irritating sounds. With her adrenaline tapped she leapt the wall of bushes and landed silently beside Chev.
The veteran warrior spared her only a glance and saw the white in her eyes. He was beginning to doubt whether or not he should have blackmailed her into this mission. He could have compared this mission to walking into a dragon's maw, and he wondered how far she would go. He could only hope her nerves wouldn't be totally ruined by the time they reached the vault or else the effort would be for nothing.
There was over a hundred yards to the door and there was no cover. A guard pranced nervously beside it in the rain while another two sat near the gate. If the first guard gave a shout…
Licking her already wet lips, Ko'Ragur set a crossbow to her shoulder and lined up the sights with shaking hands. Chev refused to watch as she pulled the trigger and there was an eerie silence.
A solid thud and the guard slumped against the wall with a crossbow bolt in the neck. Long legs bolted and the woman ran across the yard. She seemed impossibly fast to Chev's eyes and yet to her own, those seconds seemed an eternity of being shieldless and vulnerable.
Chev ran after her confidently, trying to ignore his own fears should the guards glance this way. He moved more slowly and avoided slipping on the wet grass. If he slipped and was caught out here…
Working frantically, Ko'Ragur recocked her crossbow and held it upright against her shoulder. Chev cracked the door open, and together, fearless now that they were safe indoors, headed down the corridor.
The sheer number of guards lurking within the Academy walls was testimony to Chev's reputation. By Valeska's estimate however, the sheer number of guards left dead in their wake was a greater reason to fear Chev. As she watched, the warrior never broke stride, never grimaced, never even paused to wipe his blade clean as he strode down the hallways.
"Like watching death incarnate," she muttered in the drow tongue and followed behind in the shadow of the avenging warrior. She wondered if she might actually live through the night. Turning a corner she nearly ran into the warrior and would have impaled herself were it not for Chev's lightning fast reflexes.
Holding her steady, Chev turned back towards the twelve-foot tall bronze doors that was the entrance to the vault. On both doors, just above the keyhole, was a black and white swirling insignia bearing the letters "MD."
The half-drow swallowed and let out a silent prayer to Ao. "That's Marque Draque's Insignia of Protection. A god couldn't even break those doors."
Chev crossed his arms severely. "So? Dispel them."
"Dispel them?!" Valeska nearly shrieked but Chev clamped a hand over her mouth. She tried to calm down and took several deep breaths