Blood Army (Amica Saga #7)

By Richard S. Tuttle

As the battle lines are drawn, an awesome weapon is forged in the north, an army that will destroy the Alliance before the war has even begun. Join Marcus and his allies as they race to prepare for war. In this penultimate volume of the Amica Saga, they must face Alfor's plots and the fearsome machinations of his nefarious rogue mage infiltrators, but the true danger lies in the coming Blood Army.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard S. Tuttle
• Release date: Oct 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370973682

Richard S. Tuttle

eBook Reviews Weekly called Richard “...one of this century's leading authors of innovative fantasy tales." Molly Martin calls him “...a skillful weaver of tales.”Richard S. Tuttle began his writing career in 1997 with the release of the Targa Trilogy (Origin Scroll, Dark Quest, Ancient Prophecy). That trilogy became the foundation for the Alcea Collection, a seventeen volume epic fantasy collection of three series (Targa Trilogy, Sword of Heavens, Demonstone Chronicles).His other works include the Forgotten Legacy, an eight volume series, Complement for a King, a two volume miniseries, and the Amica Saga, his most current work currently in its seventh volume.

Book preview

Prologue

Life Under the Mage Lords

400 years ago…

Gog was a small country on the shore of the Crater Sea, a huge inland sea in the center of Amica that was created by the impact of a massive meteor hundreds of years before. It was that impact that had destroyed Taragor, the previous land of the magicians. Now a vast, dense jungle ran west from Gog for hundreds of leagues, a jungle that had grown over the magicians' old homeland like an impenetrable wall of growth blocking any escape for the soldiers of Gog who were marching eastward to engage the army of Zotac once again.

The war between Gog and Zotac had raged for centuries, ever since the beginning of the Mage Wars, and it showed no signs of ending during the lifetimes of any of the current soldiers. The struggle would be passed down from father to son, just like it had been ever since the mages came to this area of Amica. The mage lords sent their soldiers out to battle their enemy with little regard for their well being. The magical kings only became concerned when the enemy appeared to be on the verge of reaching their own castle, threatening the safety of the kings themselves. Neither country had ever succeeded in conquering anything, but the magicians continued to try, year after year, as if something would eventually wear down their opponents.

Terrus thought the war was ludicrous, but he had little say in the matter. He was a squad leader and tasked to lead his men into battle. To refuse was to die, and Terrus had a beautiful wife and son to live for. He dutifully gathered his men and led them eastward towards the battlefield.

The battlefield was well within the boundaries of Gog, Zotac having driven far into the small country, but Terrus thought the battlefield looked the same no matter where it was. The land was barren and deeply pitted from hundreds of magical battles. The enemy used huge catapults and massive trebuchets that fired magically enhanced loads that smashed into the ground with tremendous force. Any unfortunates struck by the magical projectiles were killed instantly, and Terrus secretly hoped that if he died during battle, it would be in such a manner. There were far more agonizing ways to die on a magical battlefield. One could have his legs blown off by a magical lightning bolt, or be struck by a flaming projectile and die screaming for help that would never come. Terrus shuddered and tore his mind away from his thoughts of death.

I want you men to pay attention to me out there today, Terrus called to his men as they raced towards the battle lines. I want you to find deep craters to hide in until I give the order to charge. You can snipe the enemy if you get a clear shot, but you will not leave your holes until I give the word. When I do give the order, pay attention. You are to attack what I tell you to attack. Do not get distracted by anything else. If we want to defeat the Zotacans, we have to start pushing them back to the border and to do that we have to break their charge. Pick a hole! he shouted as the squad reached the front line.

The twenty men dove into craters as instructed and immediately peeked over the rims to assess the battlefield. Terrus ended up in a crater with a young soldier named Ferris, a new lad sent to the squad to replace one of the men lost the day before. Terrus was ten years his senior, and the squad leader glanced at the newcomer with a sigh when he saw him quivering in fear.

Listen to what I say, and you will survive this day, Ferris, Terrus said calmly. Peek over the rim and survey the battlefield. Create a picture of it in your mind because when I give the order to attack, you will be too busy to wonder where things are around you. We will race out of these holes and strike swiftly and then we will dive into new holes. We will do this all day until they sound the retreat.

Why don't we just charge like everyone else? asked Ferris.

Because I want you lads to live to see another day, Terrus smiled tautly. Our army has already suffered devastating losses in this campaign. We are running out of soldiers to fight and I aim to change that. We will kill more of the enemy by striking when they don't expect it, and we will get to go back to camp at the end of the day. All in all, I think you will see the wisdom of this tactic by the end of the day.

Terrus saw the young soldier frown, a question forming on his lips. The squad leader chuckled softly.

Because if all of the squads fought this way, Terrus answered the unspoken question, it wouldn't work at all. Our success depends upon surprising the enemy. It wouldn't be much of a surprise if everyone fought this way. As it is, most of the enemy soldiers who witness our methods die before they can report on it. Trust me, Ferris. This will work.

Suddenly, the Zotacan mages let fly with their siege engines and flaming balls of fire rained down on the Gog army. Screams rippled through the air, and heavy smoke wafted across the charred land. The barrage stopped, and enemy soldiers advanced through the smoke.

Moments later, the enemy's vanguard pushed past Terrus and his squad as the Zotacans pushed deeper into Gog. Terrus patted Ferris on the shoulder and then whistled loudly. The hidden squad leaped out of their craters and attacked the enemy from the rear. Within moments the squad had managed to kill twice their number and Terrus whistled loudly again, the signal to find craters to hide in. The squad disappeared from the battlefield as the Zotacan charge faltered, a large gap in their ranks near the center of the line. Twice more the Zotacans tried to advance under the cover of smoke, and twice more they retreated after Terrus's squad broke their ranks. The Zotacan mages knew that something was going wrong, but they could not detect what the problem was. In frustration, the Zotacan mages started peppering the battlefield with magical lightning. The Gog mages retaliated in kind, and the battlefield sparked and glowed so brightly that Terrus just closed his eyes to the brilliance.

The lightning streaked down out of the cloudless sky, flashes of light erupting everywhere. The brilliance was so intense that even the mages could not tell if they were striking the enemy forces or their own, and no one seemed to care. After several minutes, the barrage suddenly ended. An eerie stillness pervaded the battlefield, the stillness only broken by distant moans of pain.

Terrus eased his eyes open and peeked over the rim of the crater. He became aware of Ferris presence moving alongside him before the young man spoke.

Is it always like this? Ferris asked in a quaking voice.

No, Terrus replied softly. The Zotacans are pushing more boldly than ever before. Gog has lost a lot of men. Zotac must sense that Gog is weak enough for them to finally win.

Terrus's eyes swept the battlefield, and he frowned as he gazed upon the bodies strewn across the ground. He shook his head and sighed deeply as he viewed the carnage.

Maybe they are right, Ferris said anxiously as he nodded in the direction of the city of Plockton. It looks like Gog is sending women into the battle. We've never done that before, have we?

Women? scowled Terrus as he turned to see what Ferris was talking about.

Off in the distance, Terrus could see scores of women marching towards the battlefield, their gaily colored dresses out of place on the drab scorched battleground. They carried swords awkwardly and glanced around in fear. Any thought that the women might have volunteered instantly vanished when Terrus saw their minders prodding them forward. A hooded mage and six soldiers were herding the women before them, and the women glanced around nervously as if searching for somewhere to run and hide.

Garafin! shouted a voice from a neighboring crater.

Terrus snapped his head toward Zotac, his eyes straining to see through the drifting smoke of the battlefield. It took only a few seconds for the squad leader to locate the monstrous towering beast of evil magic. The garafin stood four stories tall, and the ground rumbled as it strode forward. Its clawed feet smashed into the parched soil crushing everything in its path, while its grotesque head swiveled, looking for something or someone to eat. The claws at the ends of its scaled arms snapped open and shut as if limbering up for the battle to come.

I had heard stories of these creatures, Terrus said softly, but I never thought I would live to see one. The Zotacans must be desperate to conjure up one of these. I heard that it takes immense magical powers to create one, and it leaves an evil taint upon the mages who create it.

How do we kill it? croaked Ferris

I do not know, admitted Terrus, but kill it we must. It will eat everything in its path, and it will not care about the color of the uniforms it devours. Pay no attention to any Zotacan soldiers around you. They will be fleeing from it as quickly as our own men.

So are we fleeing or trying to kill it? a confused Ferris asked.

Everyone will be fleeing from it, answered Terrus, but there will be nowhere to flee to. It will continue to kill until it is stopped. The creature must be killed, and we are probably the only ones who will dare to try. Gather rope from the other men of the squad, he instructed. We will need to trip up the monster before we can get close enough to kill it. Go!

Ferris quaked with fear, but he dutifully leaped out of the crater and raced to another one not far away. Terrus watched the young soldier disappear and then turned his attention back to the garafin. When a body moved next to his, he thought it was Ferris returning, but it was his old friend, Lamont.

It's Anna, Lamont said with an urgent tone in his voice.

Terrus snapped his head to stare at his friend and saw Lamont pointing towards the women that were being forced to enter the battle. Terrus's gaze turned back towards Plockton, the capital city of Gog, and he stared at the frightened women. His eyes narrowed as he recognized his wife among the group of women being herded towards the front line.

The squad is yours, Lamont, Terrus shouted as he leaped out of the crater. Bring that beast down and destroy it.

Terrus raced back towards his wife as hundreds of other frontline soldiers also retreated having learned of the presence of a garafin. As he got closer to the women, they too noticed the monstrous creature heading towards them, and they turned to flee from it. The mage herding the women forward was oblivious to the threat at the frontlines. He took the retreat as an act of defiance against his powers, an act that must be punished swiftly, and he immediately reacted by shooting sheets of flame at the retreating women. The women burst into flames, and their screams tore at Terrus's heart. He slid to a halt near his wife's burning body and tried to extinguish the flames, but there was nothing that he could do. Anna was already dead.

Disobeying a mage was reason enough to be executed; threatening one promised a painfully torturous death, but threats of punishment held no sway for a man whose world had just been crushed. Terrus rose to his feet and glared threateningly at the mage. The six soldiers accompanying the mage immediately drew their swords to protect the magician, and the mage smirked knowingly at Terrus's predicament. He was so confident of his protective detail that he did not even bother with a physical shield. That overconfidence cost him his life.

Terrus drew his sword and attacked so fast that no one saw it coming. He leaped forward and speared his sword into the stomach of the mage, ripping his blade upward as he glared into the magician's startled face. The mage's bodyguards were awestruck by the speed and audacity of the attack. They froze with indecision. As the mage's body slid off of Terrus's sword, they stepped away from Terrus, their swords still raised, but in a defensive manner, no longer threatening the squad leader.

You will not get far, Terrus, one of the guards said softly, but at least we can allow you time to say goodbye to your son. Hurry along or you will lose even that small boon.

Terrus nodded thankfully to the soldier and took off running towards the city of Plockton. The sun had set before he reached the city, but he did not stop running until he was inside his small home. He entered the one room house and immediately heard the sobbing of his ten-year-old son. He sighed in relief that Seth still lived.

Where is Momma? Seth asked as he realized his father had returned.

She is not coming, Terrus said sadly as he started filling a pack with provisions. Get a sack and put some clothes in it. We are leaving this place. Bring only what you can carry. Nothing more.

What happened to her? asked Seth. Tell me what happened.

She died, Terrus replied curtly. What does it matter how she died. We are nothing but toys for the mages to play with. Our lives mean nothing to anyone but each other. Get your things together. We have no time to talk now.

Will we be able to get through the battle lines? sobbed the boy. Won't they kill us, too?

No, Terrus answered distractedly. We are not going near the battle lines. Our only escape is into the jungle.

The jungle? balked the boy. Are we fleeing only to die somewhere else then? No one returns from the jungle.

Terrus paused and sighed. He put down his pack and knelt next to his son. We will not be returning, he explained softly, but neither will we die. You and I are going to leave this forsaken land and start a new life somewhere better, but we have to hurry. I am sure that the only way they could have gotten your mother to the battlefield was to threaten your life. That means that the mages will be searching for both of us now. We must leave immediately if we are to survive.

Seth nodded with acceptance and hurriedly finished filling his sack. Within minutes, father and son left the home and crept along the city streets. They slipped into the jungle and began moving away from the city.

The jungle was not very dense near the city of Plockton. In fact, the residents of the city harvested many herbs from the edges of the jungle, and there were many paths crisscrossing the first league of foliage, but those trails didn't last. Within an hour, Terrus and Seth faced what seemed to be an impenetrable wall of dense vegetation. Terrus halted and studied the barricade before him. He knew that they had to put a great distance between themselves and their inevitable pursuers, but he did not want to blaze a trail for his enemy to follow. He calmly searched the area until he found a natural opening in the jungle wall.

Follow me closely, he whispered to Seth. Make no noise unless your life is in danger. If you need to speak, pull on my tunic, and I will halt so you can whisper to me. We are trying not to leave a trail so disturb as little of the plants as possible. I will train you in this in the coming days, but for now we must move quickly. They will send soldiers after us.

Without another word, Terrus eased into the jungle growth, and Seth followed.

Chapter 1

Mage Assassin

Thousands of mages clogged the streets of Batavia where the mage ships had deposited them after arriving back from the mainland. There were seamen, enforcers, merchants, and other travelers, and they had all been expelled from Amica because of the declaration of war, a declaration that was unthinkable. The city was chaotic as the mages struggled to make sense of it all. Their lives had been disrupted, and now they had been dumped in Lantana's capital city with nowhere to go. The inns were full, and the ferries to the other cities of Lantana were packed to overcrowding. There were no horses to rent or purchase, as those few available had already been taken. Some of the mages chose to hike back to their home cities, cities that they had not called home in many years. Others thought the expulsion from Amica must be a mistake, a diplomatic gaffe of some sort, and they merely sought a place to rest until the situation was resolved. The vast majority of the crowd lingered around the docks and the area of the city nearest to them.

One of the mages, a sturdy man with a two-handed sword strapped to his back, moved inland away from the crowd. Those who noticed the stranger pegged him as an enforcer, for no other mage would walk around with a sword riding upon his back. Their passing glances held no hint of surprise or curiosity, and the stranger was soon forgotten. Those reactions were pleasing to Samar. His survival depended on not being memorable, and his task was already dangerous enough to cause him a bit of anxiety. He didn't need any further complications.

Samar continued moving away from the docks, and soon the chaotic crowds were a distant memory. Deeper in the city, the assassin moved towards the government complex where the most important mages of all resided. His brow creased as he began to focus his thoughts on the next step of his mission. Although he was dressed as an enforcer, he was not one of those privileged to enter the government complex. He carried no enforcer medallion that would open the doors to admit him. That meant that he needed to find a way inside, or he would have no chance to kill the councilors. The assassin knew that the councilors were aware that he was coming. Alfor had already warned him, and that meant that they would not forego the protection that the government complex afforded them. Samar chuckled to himself.

Protection? he whispered to himself. There is no protection in the world that could save them from Alfor's most trusted assassin.

Samar turned a corner and saw the front doors of the government complex. He slowed his pace as his eyes took in the details of the plaza before him. There were no crowds of people, but the plaza was not empty, either. A dozen people were passing through the plaza or heading for the complex. Samar casually altered his course towards a tree on the edge of the plaza opposite the entrance to the complex. He leaned against the tree as if he had time to waste and chose to spend it watching the pedestrian traffic. His actions drew no attention to him, and he was content to stand and watch the people pass by. He saw an enforcer leave the government complex and almost followed him, but caution prevailed. While he thought he could easily best the enforcer, those who had graduated from the academy were less likely to reveal the information that the assassin needed. Samar decided to wait for a more pliable target.

For over an hour, he watched the comings and goings of the people until he saw a young man leave the government complex. The man was dressed like a clerk, and he carried a satchel under one arm. The clerk sported a broad smile and gazed skyward at the fluffy clouds in the sky as if he seldom got the chance to venture outdoors. As the clerk moved across the plaza, Samar pushed off the tree and followed at a distance. Once the clerk had exited the plaza and moved into the confines of one of the city's streets, Samar closed the gap between them until he was a mere pace behind the young man. He waited until the clerk came abreast of the mouth of an alley.

Halt, demanded Samar as he stepped forward and placed a restraining hand on the clerk's shoulder.

The clerk spun around and saw the enforcer behind him. The smile slid from his face.

I have permission to be out, the clerk blurted out. I am on an official mission.

Are you now? Samar grumbled. And what mission is that?

I have documents that need to be delivered to the enforcer academy, answered the young man. Kyzara is expecting them. If you don't believe me, he will vouch for me.

Will he also vouch for your violation of protocol in the government complex? growled Samar.

The clerk's face clouded with confusion and fear. What do you mean? he stammered. I have done nothing wrong. I have Zattu's permission to leave the complex.

Samar sighed as he turned and looked both ways in the street. He shook his head as he reached out and wrapped an arm around the young man and turned him towards the alley.

Perhaps you are unaware of your failings, Samar said in a sympathetic tone. Let's step out of the street so that this doesn't unnecessarily embarrass you.

The clerk nodded agreeably as the enforcer guided him into the alley. What did I do wrong? he asked.

Your identity tag caused an alarm on the doors to the complex, explained Samar.

I issued it correctly, vowed the clerk. The doors opened to let me pass through.

Indeed, Samar smiled thinly, but that is only part of the security procedure. If that were the total of the security, there would be no need for guards at the doors.

I don't understand, admitted the clerk.

That much is obvious, agreed the enforcer. You are young and inexperienced. That is why I think I can overlook this incident if you cooperate.

I will cooperate, vowed the clerk. What is the problem?

While you satisfied the doors' protocol with a code that matched your identity tag, explained Samar, there was no record of you entering the complex with that same identity tag. How is that possible? Do you have more than one identity tag?

The clerk shook his head vigorously. I have only the one that was issued to me when I started work at the archives, he responded.

Let me examine it, demanded the enforcer.

The clerk handed over his identity tag, and the enforcer made a show of moving his hand over the small block of decorative wood as he mumbled under his breath. There was no spell that would reveal the identity codes embedded within the tag, but Samar was betting that the young clerk did not know that.

What is your identity code? asked the enforcer.

The clerk frowned. He had been told when he joined the staff of the archives that his identity code was to be kept secret.

I have already read the code on this tag, scowled the enforcer. Either you know it or you don't. I will have the truth of it now, or you will be dragged in front of the Supreme Council to explain your treasonous ways.

The change in the enforcer's tone sent a ripple of fear racing through the young clerk. His legs began to tremble, and he blurted out his secret code. The enforcer immediately smiled and held the tag out for the clerk to retrieve. As the young man reached for the tag, it fell from the enforcer's hand and bounced off the ground. As the clerk bent down to retrieve it, the enforcer's hands grasped the young man's head and twisted it sharply. The crack echoed off the walls of the alley as the assassin lifted the clerk's body and moved towards a pile of debris deeper in the alley. He dumped the body and then scattered the contents of the satchel as if someone had been intent on searching for valuables. He returned to pick up the identity tag and make his way out of the alley.

Samar made his way back to the plaza before the government complex. He angled towards the front doors of the complex and mounted the steps with confidence. He raised his palm towards the door and sent the purloined identity code towards it. The door magically opened, and the assassin strode inside. His entry drew no notice from the guards inside or outside the building, and he confidently made his way towards the area of the complex where the councilors had offices. As he approached his destination, the traffic in the hallways diminished to nothing. He had expected to find visitors vying for a chance to speak to the councilors, but no one was around. Samar raised an eyebrow, wondering if something had changed over the years since he had last been in the complex. He made his way unhindered to the office of Councilor Telgard. He paused outside the door and casually glanced in both directions before cracking the door open.

Samar saw no one inside the office, so he slipped in and silently closed the door. He started to look around the room for a place to hide should the councilor suddenly return to his office. That is when he saw the bloodstains on the desk and the wall behind the desk. He moved curiously across the room and found the headless corpse on the floor before the desk. He stared in wonder, trying to figure out what was going on. While he could not identify the corpse, he suspected that he was looking at the remains of Councilor Telgard. He moved behind the desk, searching for the missing head, but it was not to be found. He searched the body and found an identity tag that indicated that the corpse belonged to a councilor of the Supreme Council. That was sufficient proof for Samar, and he hastily beat a retreat from the office.

His next stop was the office of Councilor Saratella, and he found the door to that office wide open. There was no one in the room, and there were no signs of a struggle. He glanced at a notepad on the desk that indicated a session of the Supreme Council was occurring. The assassin frowned. There was no potential for killing a councilor in the chambers of the Supreme Council, but the assassin felt a need to verify the truth. He left the office and made his way towards the council chambers.

When Samar arrived in the corridor outside the Supreme Council, he heard voices emanating through the doorway. He thought that was unusual, as he knew that the clerk's office sat between the corridor and the council chambers, and that the door to the council chambers would be closed. Unless the members of the council were screaming at one another, he should not be hearing any voices. He stealthily approached the door to the clerk's office and saw that the door was wide open. As he angled for a better view, he saw that the door to the council chambers was also open, although he could not see any of the participants from his position in the corridor. The only person that Samar could see was the clerk, and that man's face was pale with fear. His gaze was unfocused, and sweat was pouring off his brow. He looked as if he had just awoken from a frightening nightmare. As Samar watched, the clerk moved haltingly from his chair behind the desk, as if he were trying to sneak away without being noticed. Samar silently dashed along the corridor and stepped into an alcove. A moment later, the clerk came stumbling by. Samar reached out and snared the clerk, dragging him into the alcove and pressing a knife to his throat before the old man could issue the spell to erect his shields.

What is going on in there? Samar whispered threateningly.

It's a surrender, stammered the clerk. Lantana has surrendered to the Avenging Shadow.

What? balked the assassin. What are you talking about?

It's a surrender, repeated the terrified clerk. The Avenging Shadow killed all of the councilors who voted to go to war against Amica. He just delivered their heads to the remaining members of the Supreme Council.

How many councilors did he kill? asked Samar.

Seven, answered the clerk. There are only five left.

Saratella? pressed the assassin.

He was the seventh, answered the clerk. The Avenging Shadow killed him in the council chambers.

And you did nothing? scowled the assassin.

I was drugged, stammered the clerk. I only awoke moment's ago. Besides, I am no match for them.

Them? questioned Samar. The Avenging Shadow has others with him?

Enforcers, the clerk said. There are five or six of them aligned with the Avenging Shadow. They are all in the council chambers right now. They carried the heads of the other councilors to the chambers.

Are you sure about Saratella? pressed the assassin.

You can see his head from my desk, answered the clerk. I am certain.

Samar frowned. While his mission was now complete, he didn't think Alfor would be happy to hear the news. The assassin was not privy to Alfor's plans for conquest, but he had no doubt that the Avenging Shadow had just spoiled the plans of the rogue mages. He wondered what Alfor would command him to do next.

Where are you scurrying off to? Samar asked the clerk.

Away from the Avenging Shadow, answered the clerk. Please do not harm me. I have done nothing wrong.

And where do you hail from? Samar asked.

Alfor's Landing, answered the clerk, although I have not been back there in years.

Samar smiled and withdrew his knife. I think you should hurry home, he said with a smile. I should think that the people back home would like to hear what is going on in Batavia. I will let you live if you promise to do so.

Then I am going home, the clerk said with a sigh of relief.

You must leave after I do, Samar said with a smile. My trust in my fellow man only goes so far.

Samar slammed the hilt of the knife down on the clerk's head. He grabbed the old man's body and eased it to the floor. The assassin knew that if the clerk's body was discovered before he regained his senses that the complex would be shut down to search for intruders. He swiftly made his way to the doors and exited the building while he could. He walked away from the government complex and entered the woods at the edge of the city. When he was sure that he was alone, he activated a gem that connected him with Alfor.

Samar, greeted the head rogue mage, I hadn't expected to hear from you so soon. Have you been successful already?

Sort of, frowned the assassin. Both Saratella and Telgard are dead, but not by my hand. They were killed by the Avenging Shadow.

What? balked Alfor. The Avenging Shadow is dead. I killed him myself.

Evidently you did not, retorted Samar. Lantana declared war on Amica, and the Amicans struck first. They banned all mages from their lands and forced them to return to Lantana. Evidently, the Avenging Shadow returned with them. He killed the seven councilors who voted for the war and then demanded the surrender of Lantana. The remaining councilors agreed.

You can't be serious, scowled Alfor. You have been misinformed. If there are dead councilors, they must have died some other way. The Avenging Shadow is dead.

Seven heads were delivered to the Supreme Council, countered Samar. There is only one sword that is capable of such a feat, and we both know it. While I did not see all of the heads, I did find Telgard's headless corpse, and the clerk of the council personally saw the head of Saratella in the council chambers. The Avenging Shadow even has five or six enforcers working for him. The Avenging Shadow is alive, Alfor.

A long period of silence fell over the conversation as Alfor digested the report.

Where are you now? Alfor eventually asked.

In the woods outside Batavia, answered the assassin. I had to confront the clerk of the court to learn the truth of the matter, and that meant that I could not dally inside the complex. What do you want me to do? Am I to confront the Avenging Shadow?

Another long period of silence ensued as Alfor thought about his options. He eventually sighed and shook his head.

No, Alfor replied. You are no match for the Avenging Shadow and a group of enforcers. I will use your talents only where you can bring a definitive solution to a problem. Head to Alfor's Landing and foment some turmoil so that the Amicans cannot afford to enlist the help of the Lantanans in the coming war. Make them think that a civil war is brewing, and that will keep all of their forces tied down on the island. I will deal with them later.

I already ordered the clerk to do exactly that, replied Samar. He is from Alfor's Landing, and he heard the discussion of surrender personally. Still, I will need to make my way down there eventually. I will make sure that the word is spread.

Then you have done well, Samar, stated Alfor. Find a way off the island. I may need your services on the mainland.

* * *

In the chambers of the Supreme Council of Lantana, five councilors sat around the large table. Antioch and the Avenging Shadow stood discussing the terms of the surrender and the new charter for Lantana. Four enforcers stood guard.

It says that the Supreme Council will double in size, stated Councilor Bacardi. Why is there a need for such a large number? It is already hard to get everyone to agree to anything.

It is to make a reoccurrence of this dastardly episode near impossible in the future, answered Antioch. A council of twelve can be subverted with only a handful of people. With twenty-four members, it will be much harder to chart a dangerous path. My idea here was to continue the present structure of three councilors from each of the great cities of Lantana. That will ensure that each region of Lantana has a voice in the affairs of the country. The other twelve councilors should be chosen at large without regards to their home city. Their task is to make sure that the council focuses on what is best for the entire island, not any one particular region. I also think that the citizens of Lantana should have a say in who these new councilors will be.

Do you mean an election? balked Councilor Delaporte. That is not the way of Lantana. The council should be made up of the most powerful mages, not the most popular.

How has that worked out so far? interjected Marcus. The councilors were so powerful that no one dared to oppose them. Besides, power does not make a mage wise. I mean no disrespect to the people on this council, but having great power does not make you wiser than others.

Marcus is right, stated Antioch. Lantana was meant to be a place where intellectual advancement was the cornerstone of our society. Terrus envisioned a society where we would meet to discuss ways of making our island a better place to live. He felt strongly that such advancements would spread throughout the world, increasing the health and knowledge of all mankind. We went astray from what he envisioned as our future, and now we are paying a price for that deviation.

We? questioned Councilor Caliserta. I seem to recall that you opened this meeting by renouncing your citizenship in Lantana.

Marcus glanced at Antioch, and the archivist nodded that the councilor was speaking the truth.

You are correct, agreed Antioch, but that does not mean that I am not suffering from our failures. I am willing to accept my share of the blame for what our society has become. It is my heartfelt desire to see Lantana return to the visions that Terrus had long ago. If I can help in that regard, I pledge to aid you however I can.

And help you he shall, stated Marcus. While Antioch may no longer be a Lantanan, neither is he an Amican. Still, I plan to press him into service for the betterment of both of our peoples. The new charter calls for an exchange of ambassadors. Alistair is acceptable to the Amicans as a representative of Lantana. While the Amicans will eventually present their choice for a representative, Antioch will fulfill that need in the meantime.

The charter says that the ambassador will be a participant in the council meetings, frowned Councilor Delaporte. He will even become the deciding vote if there is a tie in the council. Isn't that like making Lantana a vassal of Amica?

Not at all, answered Marcus. Your ambassador will be given the same rights in Amica.

There is a reason for that clause, explained Antioch. Relations between Lantana and Amica must be open and above board from now on. Only in secrecy can treachery reside. Besides, the ambassadors can only vote when there is a tie. In those rare cases, an outside opinion should be quite valuable.

We are getting off topic, interjected Councilor Mabon. This council now stands at only five members. We need to be at full strength to implement any of the changes required by the terms of the new charter.

There is something we need to discuss before that, warned Councilor Kaslin. While the five of us have come to terms with this surrender, the citizens of Lantana are ignorant of what has transpired here today. Have any of you given thought to how this news should be presented to the public? We need to plan for this before we go any further, or we will find nothing but chaos waiting for us outside this complex.

As soon as the words of warning registered in Fallon's mind, he turned and noticed the door yawning open. He silently moved away from the table to close that door, but as he drew close, he noticed that the clerk was missing. He frowned deeply and signaled Red to join him. Red left the chamber unobtrusively and Fallon eased the door shut.

I thought the clerk was incapacitated? asked Fallon.

He was, nodded Red, but it looks like he is gone. Are you concerned?

Aren't you? challenged Fallon. If he is out spreading the word that the Avenging Shadow is in the government complex, how do you think Marcus is going to get out of here?

Red's eyes widened in understanding. I will head for the exit doors, stated Red. I will make sure that no one leaves the building until the council permits it. You search for the missing clerk.

Chapter 2

Council Chamber

In the chambers of the Supreme Council of Lantana, Marcus and Antioch stood discussing the new charter with the five surviving councilors.

The public perception of our actions might be misunderstood, frowned Councilor Kaslin. While it is true that seven of our councilors voted for a war against Amica, they did so to preserve our people, not for personal gain. We will be seen as usurpers who sided with an enemy to take advantage of the situation.

Then you need to present them with the truth, retorted Marcus. Saratella led this council towards war supposedly to avoid the threats of Alfor, but that is a lie. Saratella believed that Alfor was dead. In fact, Saratella was the one who sent an assassin to kill Alfor, yet he withheld that information from this council.

Why would he do such a thing? asked Councilor Kaslin.

Saratella planned to replace Alfor as the leader of the rogue mages, answered Antioch. After he thought that Alfor was dead, he made his move to get the council to join Lantana and Alfor together. You were played, Councilor, but so was Saratella. Alfor faked his own death to find out who tried to assassinate him. Saratella only found out recently that Alfor is still alive. He had Telgard searching the archives to discover the methods that Samar might use to extract Alfor's retribution.

I'm confused, frowned Councilor Bacardi. Who is Samar?

He is an assassin, explained Antioch. He has been one of Alfor's henchmen for hundreds of years. Some say that he has assassinated hundreds of Alfor's opponents, but the truth of that claim is vague. Many of the deaths attributed to Samar were ruled to be accidental deaths.

We are off task, sighed Marcus. Our time is better spent dealing with the problems at hand. Antioch is well versed in the history of Saratella's machinations, and he will gladly share his thoughts with the council as you prepare a public notice. The first task is the reformation of the Supreme Council. The sooner that is accomplished, the sooner your ships can return to Amica.

At that moment, the clerk of the Supreme Council came stumbling into the room followed by Fallon. Everyone turned to stare at the intruder.

I found him unconscious in an alcove not far from his office, stated Fallon. He has a nasty bruise on his head, but not the type one would get from stumbling. He was attacked, but he will not speak to me about it. The door to this room had been inadvertently left open. Your words would have been easily heard in his office. I fear that he was hurrying off to spread word of the surrender. I thought it best to bring him here.

What is your story, Hurkel? asked Councilor Mabon. Why have you left your office while the council is in session?

The clerk shook his head as if to clear away some stray thought. His lips remained closed.

Did you not hear? growled Councilor Mabon.

Maybe the bump on his head made him forget? posed Councilor Delaporte.

Nonsense, groused Antioch. I nominated Hurkel for his current position. I did so because he is close-lipped and has a fantastic memory. He is afraid to speak the truth, but that is foolish. Hurkel, what you should fear is the reaction to your failure to tell us everything. The Avenging Shadow is a fan of the truth. I strongly advise you to present it to him immediately.

The clerk's eyes darted towards the Avenging Shadow, and Marcus understood Antioch's intentions. He stepped close to the clerk, pulling a mage collar out of his belt as he did so. He slapped the collar around the man's neck.

You will tell us everything that you remember since you woke up at your desk, commanded Marcus in a menacing tone. You will tell us what you saw and what you heard. You will tell us where you were going and who attacked you. You will leave nothing out, no matter how insignificant you think it is. Am I clear?

Hurkel's eyes glanced at the faces of the five councilors and saw no sympathy in their faces. He knew that none of them would intervene to rescue him. He swallowed hard and nodded. Slowly he began to tell his story. As Antioch had said, the clerk had an amazing memory, and detailed everything he had heard or seen. He ended the telling at the point where he was hit over the head and passed out.

Did you recognize your assailant? asked Councilor Mabon.

I have never seen his face before, answered Hurkel, but I know who it was.

Explain, commanded Marcus as Red reentered the room.

I used to work in the archives under Antioch, answered the clerk. The man was a frequent visitor many decades ago. His appearance has changed a great deal, or maybe he was using an illusion to change his appearance, but I remember his voice. It was Samar.

Then our secret is no longer a secret, frowned Councilor Bacardi. If Samar leaves this complex, word will spread like a wildfire. We need to make a public announcement soon or things will get out of control.

No one is leaving the complex until this council authorizes it, stated Red. I have seen to that. If Samar is still inside, he will remain inside.

He is probably already gone, sighed Marcus. Jarel, take Hurkel to an artist and get a drawing of Samar's face. Hurkel is to talk to no one other than the artist, and that is limited to providing a description. Can you do that?

Jarel is not familiar with Batavia, interjected Mari. I will take care of it.

I want you by my side, Marcus said as he thought about his own need to exit the government complex. Such an exit might become necessary on short notice. Red, can you do it?

Red nodded and led the clerk out of the chambers.

I think we should proceed as if Samar has already carried word out of this complex, Marcus said to the councilors. If Alfor wanted to foment a civil war, how would he do so?

Alfor's Landing, answered Fallon. "That is Alfor's home and the seat of his power. The people