The Wizard's Heir (27 page)

“Alistair!” Tybolt shouted.

“We may have a bigger problem,” Alistair said weakly. “Rowan’s preparing for the transfer.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Griffon grumbled.

“Every time I think I know what’s going on, there’s always something else you haven’t told me,” Tybolt said.

“There hasn’t exactly been a lot of time,” Alistair snapped. “The transfer—it’s dangerous to say the least. The odds of Rowan surviving it are slim—the spell was designed to shred a man to ribbons. But if he can pull from the power of the wizards he has in the Hold while he performs the spell, he might be able to do it. I suspect he’s been waiting until I was found so he could transfer my power as well, but now that he knows who to kill and that you’re on the island…”

“Why tonight? Why not wait until he has word that Tybolt’s gone? Why not kill Tybolt
and
you, then he can have everything he wants?” Griffon asked.

“It has to be performed on the solstice. If he doesn’t do it tonight, he has to wait another six months. Without having all of Aja’s power, he probably can’t wait that long. He’s been paying Deasroc in rain—if his power runs out he’s in trouble. And he won’t be able to stop the natural storms from landing. Without the people depending on the palace for the little food they get, they will be less compliant.”

Tybolt groaned as he dropped back to the cot. “That doesn’t leave us any time to prepare. I still don’t understand why he would send
all
his Hunters out. It’s a risky move, leaving the city unprotected.”

“But if the Hunters succeed in finding and killing you, your magic would revert back to Aja, and then to Rowan. Even if he doesn’t kill you tonight, once the transfer is complete he will be the wielder of Eriroc's power. You die and your portion will revert to him.”

“What if we killed Aja?” Griffon asked.

Alistair shot him a nasty look.

“I was just asking.”

“His magic would move to Tybolt, as long as it happened before the transfer,” Alistair said.

“If Rowan has the spell, can’t he just take the magic from both of us?” Tybolt asked.

“No, you have to be in the same room, within a circle I would imagine. I’ve never seen it done. But once Rowan has taken the power from Aja, he’ll have much better control over it. He won’t need the rest of the wizards, or the Hold, any longer. I imagine they’ll all be killed.”

“We have to go,” Tybolt said. “Now!”

“Agreed.” Alistair nodded. “It has to be tonight.”

“Wait,” Griffon said. “We aren’t ready. If we keep Tybolt here in the Drop, they’ll never find him. It will give us the time to prepare.”

“I know,” Tybolt said. “But tonight will be the weakest Rowan will ever be. The Hunters are away, and part of his magic will be tied up in the transfer spell. It’s the best chance we’ll get.”

The camp was a hive of activity as both Tybolt and Griffon shouted orders. Everyone gathered any weapons they could find. Despite the hurry, the sun breached the horizon before everyone had gathered near the entrance to the tunnels. Tybolt wore the sword and dagger he’d brought with him. As much as he wanted a bow, he refused to short those who’d agreed to fight for him.

Auriella walked up and surveyed the chaos. “Are they ready?”

“I hope so. It’s now or never.”

He looked over at her, his heart heavy. He thought he’d have more time, a few minutes where he could carve out an intimate moment—pull her away from camp and pour his heart out to her. But now the time had been stolen. “I wanted to talk to you before…well, this.”

“I know.”

“I just…” He trailed off. There were a thousand things to say, and yet nothing seemed like the right thing to say. The juxtaposition of the two tangled his tongue, and he stood there looking at her with confusion and sorrow.

She gave a tender smile. “Tybolt at a loss for words. I never thought I’d see the day.”

His heart melted. She was more beautiful than anything he’d ever laid eyes on. It wasn’t the perfection she was wrapped in. It was what he saw deep beneath those emerald eyes, the strength and courage. He’d joked about her being soft-hearted, but it was true. She’d buried it deep and overcompensated for it, but it was there.

When he’d taken her out to show her what the villagers’ lives were like, she’d opened up. There was love and kindness within her, and it made her shine with the brightness of a thousand suns. He could only imagine what she’d be capable of when she learned how to meld the two parts of her—the warrior and the heart. He wanted to be there to see it, to be a part of it…if she’d let him.

“Thank you,” was all he said.

“For what?”

“For staying with me. Even with all—” He held out his hands. Even though they didn’t look different, they had changed inside. And he would never be the same. He sighed. “Even after you learned what I am.”

“What you are?” Her eyes filled with tears for a moment before she blinked them back. “You’re Tybolt. How could I ever walk away? You are…” She sniffled and hurriedly swiped at her cheeks. “You’re the first person who has ever really
seen
me.” She took his hand, but her eyes flitted away. “And I see you.”

Tybolt gripped her hand tighter. “Auriella, I love you.” His voice cracked on the words.

“Hey!” Asher shouted. “You two love birds done? We’ve got work to do here.”

Tybolt’s head dropped in defeat. The moment evaporated. “I knew I should’ve stabbed him earlier.” He glanced up. “I still could, you know.”

Auriella laughed and pulled her hand away, quickly brushing at her eyes before she turned to Asher, displaying the cold façade Tybolt was so familiar with. “Asher, you idiot. What did you call me?”

Tybolt stepped between them, happier than he’d been since he discovered he was a wizard. “Whoa, settle down. Love birds are very attractive, or so I’ve been told.”

“Yes, but they’re loud,” Asher said. “Don’t you remember when Deasroc sent a pair to Rowan? Obnoxious little beasts. It was so unfortunate when they escaped.”

Auriella tried to act shocked, but her grin overtook all else. “It was you!”

“I can neither confirm nor deny.”

The thieves finished assembling. Tybolt gave Asher a good pat on the shoulder and reached over to squeeze Auriella’s hand. “It’s time.”

Auriella squeezed back. “They’re all yours, Your Highness.”

Asher chuckled. “Nope, can’t get used to that.”

Tybolt addressed the group. “Carac will lead you as far as the city walls. Once beneath them, you will continue to the first ladder. That will bring you up into a small house near the wall. Remember, we need to be inconspicuous. Only a few of you should go out to destroy the markings. Once that is done, one of you will signal the wizards and start the attack. And don’t forget, you must be quiet in the tunnels. You can be heard above ground, and with every Hunter in the forest, it is a very real possibility that you will be found. Any questions?” Tybolt looked around, but no one spoke. “Good. Remember, there is no
us
and
them
. We must work together and trust each other.” He gave a nod to Carac. “Let’s go.”

Carac led the group, and one by one they disappeared into the tunnels. Violet strolled by them with a bow slung over her shoulder. She gave Tybolt a coy look. “If this works, I expect an invitation to the palace.”

“Of course.” He jerked his head towards Asher. “He’ll need a dinner date.”

Violet grinned. “Not as handsome as you, but I’ll take him.”

He heard Auriella huff behind him, and Tybolt laughed as she strutted off.

“Nothing like being second choice,” Asher muttered.

“I thought you’d be used to it by now,” Auriella said. “Or third, or fourth or—”

“I got it.” Asher shook his head and mumbled, “I’ve definitely got it.”

Tybolt laughed. He was feeling better, which was odd. Maybe it was the fact that he was settling into his new identity. He was Tybolt, son of Aja, and he would be damned if he let Rowan mistreat his people for a moment longer.

“It’s like watching molasses,” Alistair said, coming up next to Tybolt and crossing his arms. “They aren’t moving fast enough.”

“I know that,” he said in a low whisper. “What would you like me to do, throw them down the hole?”

Alistair seemed to contemplate the offer.

“I wasn’t serious.”

“We have to reach Eriroc before sundown. If the Hunters decide to return to the city, our odds of winning decrease dramatically.”

“He’s right,” Asher said.

“I know!” Tybolt snapped. “But again, what would you like me to do about it?

The people streamed down one by one until finally there was only Griffon, Tybolt, Auriella, Asher, Alistair, and the thief, Jamison. With almost everyone in, Tybolt descended. The air was thick with dust from pounding feet.

Asher coughed and gagged behind him. He leapt the last few rungs and landed behind Tybolt. “We’re going to asphyxiate before we get there.”

“Come on,” Tybolt said. “Pull your shirt over your nose.”

He hadn’t made it more than a few steps before Alistair’s voice rang out behind him. “Stop!”

“Wha—” Something magical wrapped around him and jerked him backwards. He smashed into Asher, and they both flew through the air. Landing hard, they rolled past the ladder.

Tybolt shoved to his feet, ears burning. “What in the name of Aja was that?”

A loud snap sounded, and then a spider-web of cracks ran through the roofs and walls.  “Oh no.”

“Tybolt!” Auriella screamed.

“Stay up there!” he shouted.

The center crack widened—once, twice—and then the whole ceiling gave way. Tybolt threw his arms over his head and dropped to the ground as pounds of earth rolled over him. When the rumbling finally stopped, Tybolt stood but couldn’t see anything through the haze. “Alistair! Asher!”

“I’m all right,” Asher said.

“Get out, both of you!” Alistair shouted. “I’ll be right behind.”

“No, you first,” Tybolt said.

“Get out, you stubborn, idiotic boy! I’m holding up the earth above us, but my magic can only do so much.”

Tybolt stumbled to where he hoped the wall was, his hands out in front of him. He finally felt dirt walls and then the rungs of the ladder. He crawled up, and Auriella grabbed his arms, pulling him the rest of the way. Asher was already topside. He stuck his head back down. “We’re up!” Tybolt held his breath until Alistair’s head emerged from the hole. He grabbed his uncle’s shoulders and yanked him up.

“I told you the tunnels were dangerous,” Alistair growled as he rolled to his back, coughing. “But nobody wants to listen to me.”

“What happened?” Griffon demanded.

There was more rumbling and then, like a scene ripped straight from his nightmares, the land in front of them completely collapsed, filling in the tunnel where they’d just been.

“No, no, no!” Tybolt stumbled forward, following the sunken earth until it mercifully stopped collapsing. He dropped to his knees and put his ear to the ground, desperate. He could hear the sound of feet and shouts still moving through the tunnels. A deep relief rushed through him.

Griffon was at his side a moment later. “Are they all right?”

“I think so. We could’ve lost some, but I don’t know. Where’s the next entrance to the tunnels?”

“The one you came down originally was the closest, but that area is frequented by Hunters. We need to head for the one farther out—a few miles away, at best.”

“Then we better get moving. Every minute we wait, the harder it’ll be to get through the forest without being caught.”

Griffon handed Alistair a hat with branches and leaves sprouting out of it. He peered at it as you would a rotting piece of meat served up at the dinner table. “You must be joking.”

“Do you want to get yourself thrown in the Hold?”

Tybolt buttoned up the shirt he’d been given, which was also adorned with foliage. “I’ve been in the Hold. Put the hat on.”

Jamison shrugged into a net covered in leaves and branches. “Is it really as bad as they say?”

“Worse, much worse.” Tybolt looked over the small group that now resembled walking pieces of forest. “All right, we’ve got a long ways to go and no horses. We need to move quickly but carefully.”