Mage Mangler -(Crucible of Ascension)

Back in our room on Naras, Loosh collapsed into the couch. "That was tense. I can't believe you convinced Twio with that bullshit about how horrible Peralt was. I could hardly keep a straight face as you spoke."

I dusted no dust from the lapel of my coat. "I take my role as an Echo very seriously."

"You did what you had to," Ree said. "But I hope, one day you will understand and support our cause fully, Earl."

I offered him a thumbs up. "I'll certainly try. Now, something that's been itching at me since it was mentioned down there."

"Yeah?" Loosh asked.

"What the fuck is a trident?"

Loosh snorted. "Only one of the most powerful tools the Siroth have."

"I'm going to be honest Loosh, I'm starting to get a little irritated at how often you've been snorting, eye rolling and looking down your nose at me the last few days. I really hope it stops, because I'm about one more insult away from snapping your fucking neck.

Ree leaned forward in the chair like a stalking big cat. Loosh grimaced at the threat, and I clenched and unclenched my fists ready to make good on my promise.

She held her hands up placatingly. "I'm sorry. You're right. I sometimes forget you aren't from here. Not even from the Union. And for what it's worth, I don't think you're stupid. Terrifying, yes. Ignorant, for sure. I'd even go so far as to say brilliant in many ways. We've just been under a lot of stress, so I'm sorry."

I looked in Loosh's eyes as she spoke. I believed every word she said. And I also knew, once I'd outlived my usefulness and the opportunity presented itself, she'd have me killed. I looked to Ree who'd relaxed a little but was still ready and was once again reminded, I was the outsider here. The Siroth were not my family. I was a tool and nothing more. I smiled at them both and let the tension fall from my shoulders. Who was I kidding. They'd only ever been a tool for me as well and I wasn't finished using them yet.

"So, without the sarcasm, let's try that again. What is a Trident and who is Nix?"

She smiled weakly. "They're a powerful team made up of a mind mage who specializes in altering memories, an offensive mage trained to subdue targets, and a warrior, trained in tracking and taking down targets. They're all well-trained Echoes, and each of them is at least Level 30.

"They are designed to go into hot situations and extract both information and people."

"Sounds handy. Are they joining us or will they just be doing their own thing?"

"From what I gather, we'll be introduced, but largely they operate on their own."

"I look forward to meeting them. They sound tough."

"They are. Now if you don't mind it's been quite a day and I want to get some rest."

"Wait, were staying here?"

"It's the middle of the night and I havent got the energy to deal with Peralt's goons if we run into them. They're probably scouring Lasital for us now."

I checked Ree's response. "You agree with this?"

He nodded. "We are safe in here and rest will do us all good. Especially you with that shoulder wound."

He wasn't wrong, but I'd expected to go home, so I was struggling to get over the change. Like Loosh he headed off to his room, and I stood there trying not to lose my temper again. Only the sight of a well-stocked drinks cabinet kept the beast at bay.

The next morning I was up and eager to go. Loosh walked out of her room and smiled. "They serve good breakfast here. Are you ready to head down?"

"They serve good breakfast at the Pilgrim." I lied. "Let's go there instead."

She groaned. "I can't believe we picked the coldest shittiest planet to settle on and you've picked the shittest inn to get breakfast. I'll go back but we're not eating there."

"Fair enough. I'm all packed. Just need you to activate the rod and we can go."

She grumbled a lot, but within ten minutes we were off again. Heading out of the tavern with an incredible array of scents that had my stomach rumbling, I'd be lying if I said I didn't regret my decision, but it was too late now.

The early morning streets were quiet and the walk toward the transport tower was a silent one for the first street at least.

That changed when a group of ten men dressed in thuggish leathers rounded the corner ahead of us. Our eyes locked and it was like time froze for a moment.

Their leader, a level 26 Unalaran hybrid, named Varnal, stepped forward and broke the spell. "You three need to come with us. Peralt wants a word."

I scanned the others in the group. Not one below level twenty. I saw a mage, who was also level 26 and rubbed my hands together. "Mage is mine," I muttered only loud enough for Loosh and Ree to hear.

"We're not at Peralt's beck and call," Loosh replied. Then muttered back. This is a runner Earl. Trust me."

"Ten's doable," I insisted as Trant shouted again. "'Fraid everyone's at Peralt's beck and call one way or another. Now come on calmly and you might live to see another sunset."

"Loosh is right," Ree said. "They were waiting for us. There's more down the alley to our left, and more behind us."

"So where the fuck do we run? I'd rather fight than be took out running like prey."

"Two doors up from the tavern there's a bakers. We go straight through to the back." Ree whispered. "We have routes. Just follow me."

"I'll shield our backs," Loosh said.

Ree nodded. Then the fucker was off like shit off a stick. I hesitated, but catching a glimpse of the other men he'd mentioned made my mind up and I sprinted after him. I'd been meaning to work on my speed again anyway.

The three of us barreled through the bakers, the back door to the building was in straight line from the front and the door thankfully open outward.

Outside, Ree took a left, straight up some conveniently stacked

wooden crates that easily held the weight of a grown man. Up we went onto a wide wall that ran to the back of the property's yard. He jumped over a narrow back lane and onto the wall, another property and then down onto the low roof of a outhouse with a resounding thud.

It all happened so fast, but I swear the stone tile he'd landed on sunk under his weight and though I can't be certain I swear a window to the first floor of the property swung open.

He rolled away from the jarring impact and dove through that open window and I followed, bemused at just how well things were working out for us in the escape and full of wonder at how much work head went into these routes Ree had mentioned.

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Once in the property, he ran straight on through the bedroom and onto a landing. He practically leapt down the stairs, before slowing to a leisurely walk.

I was right behind him and almost bumped into his as we entered a clothes shop. There were a few customers, and we received a few glances but nothing to cause alarm.

Ree casually removed his jacket and walked over to a linen covered table, thrusting the coat underneath in a smooth movement. Barely stopping as he made his way to a hat display. He chose headscarf common to the area.

I followed suit, glancing behind me to see Loosh doing exactly the same. She caught my eyes. "Split up outside. Meet back here in half an hour,"

I nodded and turned to see Ree had already left the shop, turning left at the door. Loosh was past me a moment later, crossing the street and heading straight. I grabbed a bowler type hat, before leaving the shop and taking a right turn, part of me still waiting for the shop owner to call out the theft.

No shout came and I strolled down the street with a smile on my face. I didn't like to run from a fight, but that escape had been the most fun I'd had since going toe-to-toe with Dalgom. Maybe even more.

About halfway down the street I saw a tavern and not fancying walking around for half an hour in the blistering heat, I slipped inside and ordered mug of amber ale.

The barmaid served me without barely a second glance, and I went and found a dark corner to enjoy a few minutes peace.

As I didn't have a watch on, I drank the mug at a slow and steady pace that usually amounted to around half-an-hour. I felt refreshed and energized when I stepped back out into the now bustling street.

When I entered the clothes shop again, I eyed the shopkeeper who was pointedly minding their own business.

Loosh hurried in after me. "Thought you'd be early," she grumbled. I've got your gear in this rod. We need to remain in disguise until we're back home. Make your way to the transport tower and I'll see you back there."

"What about Ree?"

"He'll have already gone. It only takes one of us to get our gear, and I only had you come back because you don't know what you're doing. Now come on. The longer we're together the more likely we are to be spotted."

"Fair enough." I turned about to head out.

"And Earl?"

"Yep?" I said over my shoulder. "If the way is blocked just find another inn and come back here every day at noon."

My brow raised in confusion. "Sure."

I set off walking with a bit more purpose, eyes on the swivel looking for signs of trouble. I possibly should have made a detour to the transport tower, but I figured a direct approach would be the most unlikely, so that's the one I chose.

I made it a several streets over before I saw any signs of our pursuers. Three of them. Two level 21 Bhalrim and a level 23 Unalaran. They were looking left right and center, popping their heads in shops and occasionally asking passerby's if they'd seen three people matching our descriptions. It did cross my mind that I should properly stop following them, but I had a debt to pay and the sooner I started paying it the better.

As the Unalaran popped his head in the shop. I walked slowly past the two Bhalrim, standing to either side of the door like bouncers. Their eyes slipped over me as I approached but didn't linger for long. My white shirt and bowler hat were apparently a much better disguise than I'd given them credit for.

As I passed the first, I slid out my knife, and with as much strength and violence as I could summon—which was quite a lot as it happens—I thrust it up through the underside of his jaw. It went deep in the soft flesh and struck brain with little trouble.

As he dropped, the Bhalrim next to him took a long shocked moment to react. By which point I was already running to the nearest back lane. The fool should have shouted for his friend, but blind rage had him chasing.

As soon as I entered the back lane I looked for ambush options. Nothing presented itself so I kept running full sprint to the next turn in the lane. The moment I rounded the corner, I slammed myself back into the wall, and tried to slow my rapid heartbeat so I could hear the Bhalrim's footsteps.

Turns out it wasn't that hard. The dopy prick was chasing full speed, and his footfalls echoed of the walls. He came flying around the corner which really helped my knife go extra deep into his eye socket. Not the most accurate of shots, as it glanced of his prominent green cheekbone first. But the result was the same. He was essentially dead, even if it took a moment for his twitching body to realize that was the case.

He dropped to the floor, just out of sight of the bend, which saved me a job of dragging him out of sight. He'd also brought a very nice axe with him. I pried it from his flaccid hand then with knife in left and axe in right, I waited for the next set of heavy footprints to arrive. Apparently the Unalaran had heard the shouts, but unlike his companion, he came around the corner at a far more cautious jog. He also had the sense to have his sword out ready, and to give the tight corner a wide berth.

That meant he narrowly avoided my wild axe swing. He stumbled back to avoid my follow up blow, his eyes flicking down to his Bhalrim gangster buddy. "You dirty bastard," he snarled,

I gestured at the blood covered white shirt. "I know right? I make such a mess. I really need to learn how to slit throats and stay clean. Though I will admit, my first mistake was wearing white."

He charged me, sword cutting an arc through the air. I ducked the attack, but he reversed the swing of the sword like an expert and I had to take another step back before delivering my answering blow.

The main difference between our attacks was that I let go of the axe at just the right time to knock him on the conker.

Clearly not expecting me to throw the weapon he was caught off guard and left an opening in his defense that a tank could have rolled through.

Time for a little stabby stabby. I thrust at his gut, but his armor and toughness defeated the effort and he knocked me back with an elbow as he tried to bring his sword back to bear.

I moved with the blow circling him to retrieve the axe. Probably wouldn't throw it again but it had done its job and now he was suffering from blood running into his eyes.

I avoided another sword swipe and raised my axe back sharply before thrusting it forward as if I was going to throw it again. His right arm came up to protect his face, and I reigned in the move and dragged the axe low to hit his knee instead.

Such was the expertly delivered angle of the blow, he crashed to the ground in a squalling mess. I raised up the axe again to finish the job when an bolt of black clanged into it and knocked my swing off course.

Fuck. I turned to face the newcomers, when I was hit with a wave of turquoise energy. It made moving a fraction harder, so, guessing at its intent and I froze in position.

"I have him!" the Mage of the group said. There were four of them, but I especially recognized him as one of the ten who'd approached us first.

I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be able to talk or not in this thing so I remained silent as the mage dictated the plan.

"You two," he said pointing to the two-level twenties in the group, get around the back of him and get his hands tied together. "Jina," Who was a level 22 Grunir with a spiked mace. "You bash his skull in if they can't hold him."

Jina raised his mace. I tightened the grip on my axe, and dumb and dumber walked around the back of me, their swords returned to their sheathes so they could manhandle me.

"On the count of three," the mage said.

"One… Two…" I struck hard and fast to Jina's knee to drop him and then up to his face as he fell. It was all in one fluid movement and success or not, I didn't stop to see the result. I spun fast, catching the first clueless warrior behind me in the bicep as he struggled for his sword. The pair of idiots if they'd just attacked instead of trying to draw weapons could have stopped me with ease, instead, as he clutched his arm screaming, I jutted the axe forward into the one currently uninjured warrior japing him in the face, before swinging at his knee.

Apart from the mace wielder Jina who was dead, they were all screaming now. Even the mage who frantically summoned a ball of purple energy to throw at me.

I buried the axe in the still standing warriors forehead as he clutched at his arm, then bathed in an explosion of purple, I hacked into the back of the second warrior. Leaving only the Unalaran and the Mage left alive.

The mage fired at me again, seeming unwilling to believe the evidence of his own eyes as I shrugged off his attacks, and I was glad of his stubbornness, because I wanted to savor his death. As I buried the axe in the back of the Unalaran trying to desperately crawl away I felt a familiar but distracting tingle in my mind. A point in Mental acuity. I grinned and turned back to my prize.

"Fuck." He was running. So much for improved Mental Acuity.

I took a few steps forward, and hurled the axe. End over end it spun and I prayed it would hit blade first, as I chased after them both. To my dismay it clattered off a magical shield.

"Double fuck," I snarled again, and sprinted faster. I really didn't need him getting word to Peralt that I was immune to magic.

He made it out onto the street screaming for help. The crowd slowed him enough for me to gain the distance I needed. I launched myself from the curb diving to take him out.

His shield flared but it made no difference to my fists. I rained down blows on the back of his head and was amazed when his skull cracked open after the fourth blow. "Bloody hell, fella. You must have literally put no effort into increasing your toughness at all."

I stood and let the sounds of the street filter back in. There was a lot of screaming and running. I grinned a bloody smile at them and was about to walk off when hands grabbed me. I twisted away, but they were strong hands and held me tight.

I'd assumed it was more of Peralt's gang and I thrashed even harder to break free. As one hand slipped loose and I turned, I discovered it was two members of the city guard. Both mid-twenties in level.

As they barked orders for me to stop struggling, four more armored guards arrived, all with swords or spears out and looking ready to use them.

"Triple fuck."

Beyond them, fifty yard down the street I saw more of Peralt's men, hiding in shadows watching proceedings as I was shackled.

I watched as they sloped off when more guards arrived to deal with the bodies and calm the populace and with them came an armored horse-like beasty, pulling a carriage especially for me.