Tiger reached the edge of the jungle, where the scrublands that lay in the shade of the Southern Line ended and a barrier of tall verdant trees began. Up until now, he hadn't encountered any resistance, but this place was made of deep shadows that even the giant could hide in, its air buzzed, whistled, and howled in a cacophony that was more than enough to hide the wraith's soft footsteps, and it's pungent mixture of rotting wood, flowers, and animal leavings worried Tiger that his nose would be useless here. His heart pounding, Tiger waited, listening, sniffing, watching, but he could find nothing. Cursing under his breath, he searched the edge of the jungle and finally found a set of deep footprints leading deeper in. This was going to be his only clue. He followed it into the jungle.

The armor.

Tiger stopped and glanced down at the golden armor. The thief had liked how showy it was, but its shine would draw too much attention. He'd have to leave it behind. After shirking the armor and hiding it under a pile of leaves, he adjusted the blue scarf around his neck and proceeded.

The northern edge of the Vanurian jungle was thick with trees, bushes, and a riot of greens, oranges, and blues that covered the visible signs of Liraya's flight, but Tiger persisted, pushing aside leaves and sniffing broken branches to keep on the Vanurian mage's trail. His concerns that the various smells of the jungle would render his nose completely unusable turned out to be unfounded as the scent of Liraya's magic cut through even the most fragrant flower, the most malodorous of shit. Following the scent and the occasional visible signs of Liraya's flight led Tiger to the edge of a clearing. Something thunked, and Tiger dove into a bush covered in orange flute shaped flowers. When the thunks continued unabated, he let out a breath and crept to the edge of the clearing, keeping his head low and his hand on his sword.

Here the trees had been cleared for several wir, and a massive contraption had been placed in the center. It was squat with a long arm tied between a bunch of strange black ropes, and all around it were the same pods that had rained on Walton two nights earlier. Dozens of Hounds milled around it like lost ants, most staring blankly into the trees and sky as if leaves and clouds were the most fascinating thing in the world. Tiger scanned the clearing, looking for Liraya but shrank back with his hands stifling a gasp. Another giant not alive lurked at the far edge of the clearing, its armor gleaming in the sun.

Not fair!

A crossbow twice Huan's size lay across the giant's lap. It was loaded with a bolt that could impale a half dozen men at once and keep going for the seventh. To take it down, Tiger would have to dodge the first shot, get in close, and stab it through the chinks in its armor. Fortunately, it wasn't his prey. Tiger searched the ground nearby and picked up Liraya's trail, which led to a footpath that had been cut into the undergrowth. After sliding around the clearing and staying out of sight of the new giant, he snuck up the path and found another much smaller clearing, and he ducked behind a tree, his teeth bared.

In the center of this clearing was a ragged mottled green tent covered in leaves and dirt, and standing to either side of its entrance were Amiam and Zeya. Both not alives stood stock still, feet wide, arms loose at their sides, eyes on a bound and gagged Lord Kalan who lay in front of an old campfire. Tiger licked his lips. If these two were here, then Liraya was alone. He could-

The witch stepped out of the tent with a small pink and white bird on her wrist. She rubbed its neck and it cooed.

Lord Kalan coughed and gained his enemies' attention. Amiam's hands curled into fists, and Zeya raised a knife.

Liraya stepped around them, drew her own knife, and pressed it against Lord Kalan's throat. "Cast and you're dead. Nod if you understand."

Lord Kalan nodded.

Tiger's lips curled. Weakling.

Liraya removed Lord Kalan's gag. "I have a few questions to ask you."

Kalan's lips pursed, but he said nothing.

"First, who is that red-haired child who keeps anticipating me? The one who took my little Vengehna away?" She pulled a vial filled with blue liquid out of her pocket. "You are a well known combat mage, but these potions are new. Who is she?"

Lord Kalan chuckled. "She's my niece."

Liraya went rigid. "She's Lord Gerald Gallus's daughter?"

Lord Kalan smiled. "Worse, she's the daughter of the Water Sage. Aren't you lucky she survived?"

Liraya pressed her blade against Lord Kalan's throat again. "I have the Guardian of the Wall. That's a far greater prize."

Lord Kalan shrugged. "In the short term, perhaps."

Liraya snorted, then slid the vial back into her pocket. "What about the Wesen boy? How did you convince the Ri to allow a prince out of their clutches?"

Tiger bit back a gasp. Prince?

Lord Kalan winced. "He's not royalty. I just bought him to do my chores and transcribe my notes. I have terrible handwriting- ah!"

Liraya's knife drew blood. "No jokes. He has the Ri within him. I saw him cast a fireball. So, Guardian, where did you get a Ri royal?"

Lord Kalan stayed quiet.

Liraya relaxed a fraction. "You call him Dwayne. That's not a Wesen name, so I'm guessing he chose it for himself, and if he didn't know his true name when he was enslaved..." A grin wound its way onto her face. "Ah. Luckily, that doesn't have anything to do with me. My mission is complete." She stood up, sheathed her knife, and pulled a piece of paper out of the pile of scarves she wore for clothing. After rolling the paper up, she slid it into a tiny pouch on the bird's leg and then tossed the bird into the sky.

When she didn't ask any more questions, Tiger's hand curled into claws. Wait what about me? I found you. Twice!

Lord Kalan watched the bird fly away. "That's a slow form of communication. Don't you have faster ways to send messages? Better yet, faster ways of traveling?"

Liraya pulled the vial out of her pocket, her lips curling. "You know too much." She smashed the vial at Lord Kalan's feet, and blue smoke wafted up from the remains. Lord Kalan tried to hold his breath, but Liraya kicked him in the stomach, forcing him to gasp with pain. Soon, he was slumped on the ground, unconscious.

Liraya snapped her fingers. "Zeya, diluurle eh ma buantu."

While Zeya dragged Lord Kalan into the tent by his arms, Liraya faced in the direction of the other clearing, placed her hands together, and closed her eyes. "Fo Ri'u'ab'yui vuskerr i giesdruy."

Green light pulsed from her palms, filling Tiger with a ravenous hunger. His focus wavered for a moment, and he took two steps back towards the large clearing before he could force himself to stop. What was that?

Low groans raised the hairs on the back of his neck. Spooked, Tiger scrambled up the nearest tree and got into the canopy just in time for a trio of Hounds to push through the undergrowth right where he'd been standing. Leaning forward, Tiger licked his lips and readied himself to attack..

Wait. Where is she?

Tiger glanced back at the clearing and cursed. The witch had slipped back into the tent, leaving Amiam and Zeya on guard. Worse, the giant was slipping on armor just like its counterpart in the other clearing. As Tiger watched, his stomach curling in on itself, the giant not alive finished donning its armor then crouched down in the undergrowth and covered itself with dirt and moss. When Zeya resumed her place next to the tent, Tiger scowled and adjusted his seat in the tree. He'd have to wait for an opportunity to attack.

***

When they reached the treeline, Marcus called for a halt. "What do you see?" he asked Mei.

Sliding off Saundra's horse, Mei approached the wall of trees. Up to this point, the tracks that Liraya had left had been pretty clear, but where the open scrublands offered little opportunity to hide, the forest gave Liraya ample opportunity to lay traps. Keeping one eye on the tree line, Mei knelt and traced a heavy boot print with her fingers. Her brother had made it this far too. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she stood up straight. "They're in the jungle."

Maggie dismounted, staggered for a moment, and then composed herself with a cough. She nodded at the trees. "That will slow them down."

"And us." Saundra dismounted too. "I think we should leave the horses behind."

Marcus waved for the rest of the soldiers to get ready to enter the jungle. "I doubt Liraya is going to just charge through this territory. We heard back from the countess in this area, and she made it clear she doesn't want any trouble with Soura."

Maggie tilted her head. "What if she's putting up a facade?"

The knight shook his head. "This close to the Southern Line, she'd be risking retaliation. She even gave us permission to hunt the enemy in her territory."

As they kept talking, Mei looked over the jungle, which was verdant and full to bursting with life that Mei had only seen in picture books. She stepped forward and cupped a blue bell shaped flower, and a buzzing insect, black and red, flew out of the flower and disappeared into the green shadows. Smiling, Mei tried to follow it in, but her foot hit something hard. She looked down and her stomach dropped. It was the golden armor that Huan had been wearing, and he hadn't left the mask behind. The beast was still with him. She had to find him and stop them. After kicking the armor deeper into the forest, Mei returned to the group and announced, "I will go in and find the camp."

Maggie and Marcus stopped talking and the two of them stared. Mei met their gazes, holding her breath.

Maggie shook her hand. "No, you- We have to do this together."

Saundra crossed her arms. "We don't want a repeat of milady going into that house again."

Blushing, Maggie nodded. "We're better together."

A weight lifted from Mei's heart, and her breathing became easy again. She rubbed at her eyes. "Okay, but only the three of us."

Marcus glowered at her. "No."

Mei met his eyes. "This many is too loud."

"This many is safe."

Maggie stepped up next to Mei. "We just need to get the lay of the land so we can plan a rescue." When Marcus didn't respond, she put her hands on her hips. "You know she's right."

The knight scowled. "Fine. But if I hear any screaming or if I think you're taking too long, I'm charging in."

Saundra saluted. "I would expect you to, sir."

While Marcus got the others ready, Mei led Maggie and Saundra into the jungle. With her friends watching her back, Mei followed Liraya's trail of crushed leaves, broken branches, and hastily covered footprints to a wide clearing. She put her hand up to stop Maggie and Saundra and then pointed to the other side of the clearing, her heart pounding in her ears. Maggie started to bounce, an action Mei stopped by grabbing her shoulders and pressing down.

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Subsiding, Maggie kept her voice low. "That's a catapult!"

"And the giant has armor," said Saundra.

Maggie's eyes widened.

In fact, Mei had stopped because of the giant, which was leaning against a tree in heavy metal armor, but what had excited Maggie sat in the center of the clearing. It was a strange contraption made of black cords and wood. Seeing the familiar pods around it, Mei came to a realization and shoved her friends back into the jungle, shushing both of them before they could protest. She waited, her ears perked up for the slightest sound.

"Grruuuh..." Two Hounds shuffled into the clearing right through where Mei, Maggie, and Saundra had been.

Maggie's breath caught and Saundra let out a soft curse. One of the Hounds paused and looked around, its milky white eyes peering into the trees and undergrowth. Mei's hand dropped to her axe, ready to behead the fiend, but it turned away and joined its partner in the clearing. There was a tap on Mei's shoulder, and she barely kept herself from jumping. She turned to Maggie, who pointed back the way they had come. Mei shook her head. The Hounds had come from that direction. Maggie frowned, but Saundra tapped her on the shoulder and wrote something in the dirt. Mei's lips pinched together. The words in the dirt meant nothing to her so she had no idea what Saundra was saying. More importantly, they hadn't finished their task, and considering how dumb the Hounds were, Mei could slip by them easily, but Maggie and Saundra, though earnest, were not quiet. Getting their attention with a wave, Mei pointed to herself, held up one finger, and then pointed across the clearing. Saundra cocked her head, but Maggie shook hers, and so Mei reached out and squeezed Maggie's hand, mouthing, "I will come back."

Then she slipped into the underbrush. After skirting around the edge of the clearing and staying out of sight of the terrifyingly armored giant, she discovered a well used foot path that had been recently cut into the forest. She followed alongside it, not wanting to meet whoever had made the path.

"Grruuuh..."

Clutching her axe, Mei hid behind a tree, crouched down, and waited for three Hounds to shuffle by. Where humans would look around and maybe hide their approach, the Hounds just ambled along, relying on their hearing to find anything suspicious. Mei could hear dozens of them now, and though she wondered why they were suddenly on the move, she couldn't just wait here. She took three slow breaths and then continued forward. The path ended at another smaller clearing where the wraith Zeya stood guard next to a tent and a strange looking rock. Unlimbering her rifle, Mei searched for any signs of Huan or Lord Kalan, but found nothing. The tent flap opened, and Liraya stepped out and stretched her limbs, completely unaware of the danger she was in.

Raising her rifle, Mei took aim, held her breath, and placed her finger on the trigger. She could end this now. She could pull the trigger and spill Liraya's brains, her blood sinking into the leaf matted ground. Her aim shook. If she killed Liraya here like this, there would be no chance for surrender. Stifling a sob, Mei let her rifle drop. If she killed Liraya in cold blood, she'd be a different person, one she wouldn't recognize. Mei had almost become that person two nights ago when she'd shot Liraya in the neck, and even though that had been to save her friends, the image still haunted her. She shouldered her rifle.

It took Mei moments to slip back through the Hound patrols and get back to Maggie and Saundra.

Maggie opened her mouth to ask a question, but Mei shook her head, wiped away the message Saundra had written, and drew a tent and two stick figures in the dirt. She pointed at one and mouthed, "Liraya."

Smiling, Maggie pointed back the way they came, and Mei nodded.

When they'd gotten out of earshot of the clearing, Mei said, "I'm sorry."

Maggie frowned. "What for? You found her."

Saundra looked back. "Are you okay?"

"I had the shot." Mei sniffed. "I'm sorry." They would have to do this the hard way because of her.

"Don't be," said Maggie.

Mei blinked.

Maggie kept walking. "If you'd taken the shot, then all of those Hounds and things would have attacked you. I'd rather have you alive then Liraya dead."

Saundra patted Maggie on the back. "That's sweet, milady."

Maggie's ears turned red. "I'm just stating fact."

Mei smiled.

When they reached Marcus and his soldiers, Mei described what they saw.

Sir Marcus's hand came to his chin. "So they were using a catapult? From there? I didn't know that they could get that kind of range."

Maggie started bouncing again. "Right? I think the ropes they were using were Qe-made somehow."

"But the giant's armor is the real problem, milady," said Saundra. "We could barely hurt that thing before."

Maggie settled down. "And all of those Hounds... we're going to get swamped if we go in recklessly."

The knight turned to Mei. "What about Huan?"

Mei shook her head. "He is here. I found his armor."

Sir Marcus's shoulders rose. "Damn, I hoped he'd given up."

Mei blinked. "Why do you care?"

The knight's eyes met hers. "I don't want to see a bright light get snuffed out," he said, "or fall into the shadows. So, Lady Gallus, do you have a plan?"

Maggie paced back and forth. "I think... we should give Liraya a taste of her own medicine."

***

Tapping her fingers on her knees, Magdala considered her plan. Had Liraya, before sending the wraith to attack Lord Kalan, sat up late worrying if it would all work out? Were she and Magdala the same person just on opposite sides? Pushing those questions out of her head, Magdala stood up. The enemy had her lord uncle, and she, no they, were going to get him back. Using the materials that Galkin had packed into her knapsack before she'd descended from Walcrest, she had created two firebombs and a couple of concussives but hadn't bothered to create any more sedative bombs. They only worked on humans after all.

Around her, soldiers checked their weapons and adjusted their armor, and in the shade of the trees, Saundra led a group in a quiet prayer to Cueller, and Mei cleaned her rifle. The scene reminded Magdala that regardless of how similar she and Liraya might be, the Vanurian mage was alone and Magdala was not.

Saundra bowed her head. "Amen." She opened her eyes and nodded to the group. "Now off to your sergeants."

"Yes, ma'am!"

While the soldiers dispersed, Saundra brushed herself off and faced Magdala. "Ready, milady?"

Magdala straightened up. "Ready."

"I'm ready too." Mei reassembled her rifle and slung it over her shoulder.

Magdala turned to the knight. "Sir Marcus?"

The knight bowed. While Saundra and the rest of the soldiers had kept on their armor, he'd removed his, leaving on only the steel gray tunic and deep blue slacks he'd been wearing underneath. Mei had declared his armor to be too loud for their part of the plan. "I'm ready. Just give the word."

Magdala nodded and raised her hand. "Move out."

With swords, spears, and crossbows at the ready, the soldiers followed Mei into the jungle in squads of four, their boots trampling the undergrowth. Magdala winced at how loud they were, recalling what Mei had said when she'd presented the initial version of her plan. They were far too loud for a real ambush, and so Magdala had had to change tactics, but her strategy, her goals, stayed the same. Resolving to have Mei teach her how to move silently later, Magdala reentered the forest. They'd been traveling for a short time when a screech cut through the bird calls and insect buzzing. The Hounds had found them.

"Stay together!" Magdala drew her knife, but the garrison troops had already speared and beheaded two Hounds. As the jungle swallowed their dying screams, they continued onward. Nervous, Magdala searched the undergrowth for more Hounds. When she wiped sweat off her forehead, she caught the flash of pale grey skin from the corner of her eye. "Watch out!"

Wailing, three Hounds burst out of the undergrowth, their jaws wide and ready to bite. Yelping, Magdala kicked one in the head, knocking it down, but it crawled forward on all fours, still groaning. When she tried to kick it again, it grabbed her foot and pulled her towards it.

"Get away!" She jabbed her knife into the fiend's eye and pulled hard to the left. With a crack, the head twisted around, and its owner gave a strangled wheeze and went still. Getting back to her feet, Magdala caught her breath. She'd had the most trouble; Mei and Saundra had dispatched their Hounds with ease.

After pulling Magdala to her feet, Saundra looked her over. "Are you all right, milady?"

Magdala waved her away. "I am."

Saundra smiled. "Good. You took one down. Without magic!"

"Yes, but-"

"There's more!"

The Hounds had gotten behind them, cutting off their retreat and forcing the soldiers to slow down to keep the group together. Behind them, Sir Marcus's sword, wet with ichor, stabbed into fiends right and left, but Magdala couldn't allow the knight to get bogged down here.

She grabbed Saundra's shoulder. "Keep us moving forward. Don't leave anyone behind."

As Saundra nodded and moved to the front, Magdala pushed her way to the rear and reached Sir Marcus, who was breathing hard

He raised an eyebrow when he saw her. "You should be up front."

Magdala pointed at the Hounds. "Don't try to kill them. If we get stuck here, we won't make it."

Sir Marcus considered the problem. "Strike them in the legs!"

As one, the soldiers' spears dipped down and stabbed into thighs, knees and ankles, and with a wail, the Hounds fell to the ground. While they could still crawl, they couldn't run.

Sir Marcus wiped his brow. "Good call. We've got it here. Just let me know when you're ready for me to do my part."

Magdala nodded and returned to the head of the column where Mei and Saundra were carving their way through the Hound patrols.

Saundra grinned. "We're doing it!"

Mei socked a Hound in the jaw. "We're here."

When the column broke out of the undergrowth and into the clearing, Magdala lobbed one firebomb into the massed Hounds and another into the catapult before the giant could react. Glaring at them through the smoke and flame, it got to its feet and achieved step one of Magdala's plan: make a distraction.

She peered at the giant's face, a chill going down her spine. "It's not the same one."

Saundra decapitated a Hound. "What?"

"That's not the same giant. It doesn't have any scars!"

The armored giant picked up a weapon so huge Magdala couldn't recognize it at first, even as the giant looked down its length.

"Get down!" Magdala pulled both Mei and Saundra down to the ground.

A twang, a scream, a crack, and dirt, dust, and splinters rained onto Magdala and her friends. When it all stopped, Magdala turned around and found that a massive crossbow bolt had blasted through a soldier and brought down a tree. Now, Hounds descended on the stunned soldiers, who gaped at the destruction, and on the other side of the clearing, a steady ticking sound started. The armored giant was loading another bolt.

Magdala spat out dirt and cursed. "Mei, change of plans. We have to break that thing before it kills us all."

The hunter's grip tightened on her axe.

Magdala winced. "I know you want to find Huan, but we can't save anyone if that thing takes us all out."

Mei stayed silent, her face hidden from Magdala.

Then a weathered hand landed on her shoulder. "I'll get your brother back," said Sir Marcus.

Mei looked up at him. "Promise?"

"Promise." Sir Marcus patted her shoulder. "Your brother will be returned to you. And we'll get Lord Bart too. Just point me in the right direction."

Mei pointed westward, and the knight saluted and slid into the undergrowth. On the other end of the clearing, the ticking continued.

Magdala caught Mei's eye. "Can you break that giant crossbow?" she asked.

Mei peered over the grass. "I need a clear shot."

Magdala nodded. "We'll get you one."

***

Resisting the urge to scratch himself, Tiger kept his eyes on the opening to Liraya's tent, waiting for her to step out. On both sides of the tent, Zeya and Amiam continued to play their parts, the wraith as a statue, the giant as a dirt covered rock. Their performances were aided by the fact that they didn't need to breathe, yawn, speak, fart, or do anything that resembled life. They only needed the word and magic of their master.

What powers them? The thief was pacing around in the back of Tiger's mind. Magdala did something to kill the little one, but what?

Huan had decapitated Melany, but Liraya's magic had brought her back.

Tiger bared his teeth. We threaten the one who can die. That was the only way the thief would get what he wanted.

A screech cut through the air, and Liraya jumped out of her tent, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.

Tiger's nostrils flared. She was asleep?

Some of the screeches cut off, and shouting took their place. Magdala. The red haired mage was on Liraya's trail, and Mei was definitely following close behind. Tiger's hand tightened on his sword then loosened. They were attacking the large clearing; there was still time to grab what was his. Below him, Liraya chewed on her nails and paced back and forth.

Tiger watched and waited. There was no way she'd hold back now, not when she was so close. Come on. Do something!

Liraya stopped and listened to the sounds of battle, now tapping her foot. A crack split the air, but the sounds of battle resumed.

Tiger leaned forward in the tree, ready to jump. She just needed to send one of the not alives away. Just one.

Liraya approached Zeya, shook her head, then walked over to Amiam's hiding place. "Amiam, be ah alehtar e Vircha."

The giant got to its feet, dirt and moss falling off of its armor, and marched in the direction of the big clearing.

Tiger smiled a toothy grin, slipped down the tree, and padded to the edge of the clearing, using the undergrowth as cover. Zeya's eyes were searching the shadows, but the distant battle caught most of her attention. With the wraith distracted and LIraya out of the tent, this was his chance. Tiger drew his sword and charged.

From the other end of the clearing, Zeya caught sight of him. "Maestra!"

Tiger slapped away three black-handled knives and reached a wide-eyed Liraya, roaring in triumph, "I'm the one you should fear!"

When a red-handled knife hit the dirt in front of a shocked Liraya, Tiger ignored it and raised his blade, but a kick to his stomach knocked the breath out of him. Sucking in air, Tiger tried to see how Liraya had kicked him from a neutral stance and found Zeya standing in front of him.

He looked back at where the wraith should have been standing. "How?"

Zeya closed and slashed at Tiger's throat, forcing him back. Tiger tried to go around her and make for the tent, but Zeya intercepted him and sank one knife into his shoulder and another in his side. Howling, Tiger finally faced Zeya, acknowledging that he had to get rid of her first. He charged the wraith.

"Stop!"

Zeya sidestepped Tiger's downward slash and flipped over to her master.

Liraya, who had pulled Lord Kalan out of the tent, pressed a knife to the noble mage's throat. "That is enough. Back down or I slit his throat."

Tiger straightened up and shrugged. "Go ahead. I want my title, not his life."

Liraya's brows twitched.

What was that?

Tiger ignored the thief and pointed his blade at Liraya's throat. "Now, the title you promised."

Liraya smiled, the expression failing to reach her eyes. "Oh, is that all? The price has gone up quite a bit. That red haired witch has made sure of that."

Tiger faded, and Huan returned and removed the mask. "What do you want?"