The next morning Magdala laid out why the Vanurian deportation should be delayed to her lord uncle, who listened while eating breakfast. When she finished, he swallowed and said, "I agree with Colonel Harvey."

Magdala's mouth fell open. "What?"

Lord Kalan's trembling fork cut into a sausage. "All of this has been a distraction from your studies. When your mother sent you to me, she expected you to be studying magic, not fighting foreign insurgents. As I have now recovered from the poisoning, your contribution to the defense of the gate would be... minimal."

Magdala's hands clenched her blue skirt. "Dwayne, do you agree?"

On the other side of the table, the Wesen mage stared at his full plate, searching for an answer. "I've seen your study plan." His eyes refused to meet Magdala's. "If you want to get through even a tenth of that before your mother-"

"One more day won't help." Magdala rose to her feet, her hand on her aching stomach. "And if you die, Lord Uncle, then why would any of it matter?"

Finally, Dwayne's eyes rose, meeting Magdala's. "I agree."

Those two words melted Magdala's frustration and her stomach pains faded.

Her lord uncle cut in. "Both of you are to deal with your assigned duties. While I'm impressed with what you've done so far, you-"

"The enemy is up to something." Magdala faced her lord uncle. "Where are they placing you? On the bridge?"

Lord Kalan's eyes narrowed. "Listen, you-"

"He'll be in front of the Gate." Dwayne pulled a letter out from under the table and slid it over to Magdala.

"Where did you get that?" asked Lord Kalan.

Dwayne started to eat. "Colonel Harvey sent it last night, and all of your correspondence still comes through me."

"Now that is above your-"

"So a squad will be placed in front of the Gate along with Lord Kalan's 'foreign male bodyguard'," said Magdala, putting the letter down on the table. "Huan, maybe? Meanwhile Saundra and Mei will conduct inspections on the drawbridge under the personal command of Colonel Harvey, and she requests Dwayne's help in order to expedite the process."

Lord Kalan put his silverware down. "The answer is no."

Dwayne swallowed his food. "She's betting that I know what to look for."

Magdala raised an eyebrow. "Do you?"

Dwayne nodded, his hand tightening on his fork.

Magdala reread the letter. "How are the Vanurians getting to the gate?"

"This is not your concern!"

Dwayne ignored his master. "For some reason, Elder Giordano is providing carts, wagons, and drivers. I got a note about that last night. It mentioned something about a 'good received.'"

Lord Kalan stood up. "You will not be on that drawbridge, Dwayne, and you, Magdala, will be here studying!"

They watched Lord Kalan as he struggled to stay upright, Dwayne's face creased with the same worry twisting in Magdala's stomach.

Letting out a breath, Dwayne turned to Magdala. "What about Sir Marcus?"

"He'll be on the drawbridge." Magdala put the letter down. "I think this plan will work, Lord Uncle. It's daytime, and throwing those things over the wall won't work if we're expecting it. I just want to help."

Lord Kalan eased himself back into his seat, covering his winces with his hand. "I've ordered my guards to escort you to your room and lock you in."

Heat flushed through Magdala. "That's an insult."

"It's necessary." Her lord uncle leaned in. "I cannot afford for anything to happen to the daughter of Iona and Gerald Gallus. Not at this time. Not ever." He stood up, bracing himself against the back of a chair. "I'm heading down to the gate."

Dwayne got to his feet. "I'm coming too."

Lord Kalan shook his head, but Dwayne drew himself up straight and said, "It's my duty to help the garrision. You want me to take over for you right?"

Lord Kalan's hand came to his mouth. "Yes, I... Very well. Let's go."

"Go ahead, sir. I'll catch up. I just want to give Magdala some... tips on studying before we go."

Lord Kalan raised an eyebrow. "Ah, really? Well, do not take long."

When the door closed behind her lord uncle, Magdala snorted. "Again, I know how to study."

Dwayne smiled. "I know." His smile disappeared. "I think you're Walton's best chance of survival."

Magdala's head jerked back. "Sorry?"

"We've been lucky. Lucky that Galkin knew the antidote for nish root poisoning, lucky that you were in the garrison when the enemy attacked, lucky that Huan was able to flush her out of her hiding place, but it's hard to imagine that someone as smart as the enemy wouldn't be able to take advantage of this deportation." Dwayne walked around the table and leaned in close, the scent of wood smoke filling Magdala's nose. "I left the study unlocked," he whispered in her ear. "There are texts there that you can use. Don't take them out of there. The Li-... just... don't try." He stood up straight and headed for the door.

Magdala shook off her shock. "Wait! What are you-"

Dwayne opened the door. "Galkin?"

The steward materialized in front of Dwayne. "Ready, my lord?"

"In a moment." Dwayne cleared his throat. "Has Lord Kalan given you any specific instructions regarding Lady Gallus?"

The steward's eyes flickered to Magdala. "No, he has not."

"Then I will. Assist her to the best of your abilities."

Galkin bowed. "Of course, my lord."

Magdala's heart raced. What was Dwayne doing?

Dwayne lowered his voice. "Lord Kalan has ordered the guards to keep Lady Gallus here."

Galkin gave a slight nod. "That will not be a problem."

"Good. And thank you." Dwayne disappeared down the corridor.

Magdala stood and stretched. "Well, I guess I'm going to the study."

The steward didn't respond.

"Galkin?"

The steward turned to her, a smile already on his face. "May I suggest a change of clothes first, my lady?"

Magdala glanced down at her pale blue blouse and floor length navy skirt. If Dwayne was implying what she thought he was, then this outfit wouldn't do. "Of course. My room first. Then the study."

***

Huan tugged at the collar of his new armor, a black and gold affair so bright he was afraid distant primitives would worship it instead of the sun. The morning had started with the joyous occasion of his official expulsion from the Souran army, but then it had been ruined by Lord Kalan's declaration that Huan was his one and only bodyguard and that Huan had to wear this garish armor as a result. The armor was archaic and somehow smelled of dust and rot, despite how shiny it was. He shifted the breastplate around, knocking his scarf askew and revealing a corner of Tiger's mask. Cursing, he shoved the thing back under the scarf.

"Aren't you looking shiny?" Nathan, still dressed in the standard mottled brown and red armor of Soura's finest, tapped Huan's armor with a gauntleted fist. When it made a solid thump, Nathan made a theatrical "oh" of surprise. "It's not just for show. I was hoping they were going to use you as a distraction."

A snarl tumbled out of Huan's throat, but Nathan didn't even flinch. "Do you understand your orders?"

Huan bared his teeth. Somehow, even expelled from the army, he still had to follow orders, which he'd found next to his discharge papers. "What's it to you?"

Nathan's face stilled into seriousness. "Just do your job." He turned to his squad, who were milling about the wide road to the Northern Gate. "Form up. We're the last line of defense, and if that witch attacks us again, let's make sure that this is where she stops!"

The soldiers saluted. "Yes, sir!"

Leaving them to it, Huan strolled over to a small wooden platform that had been erected in front of the Gate. He looked up at the massive portal, wishing that it would open and allow him into the land of opportunity, but only the guards in the gatehouse and the authority of either Colonel Harvey or Lord Kalan could do that. Sighing, he climbed onto the platform and stood next to a small wooden chair. In front of him, Nathan's squad took position on either side of the road, spears in front, bows in back.

Very impressive, and expected of a bunch of soldiers who'd recently had their asses kicked. Huan rubbed his hands together to work the tingling out of them. Where is she?

"Oh good, you're already here." Lord Kalan climbed onto the platform and settled into the wooden chair.

Huan looked around. "Where's Dwayne?"

The noble mage scowled. "He's on the drawbridge, helping."

Huan's fingers went cold. "That's... great! He'll be able to burn them excellently from there."

"He'd better not," said Lord Kalan. "I forbade him from using his... own magic. For his own good."

The blood that had escaped Huan's fingers went to his head. "So no Ri magic?"

Lord Kalan glared at him. "Please, say that louder."

Huan let out a chuckle. "Is that an order, milord?"

Lord Kalan harrumphed, but said nothing.

Straightening up, Huan returned to the part of bodyguard. Interesting. If Dwayne wasn't using his fire magic, then it would be easier for Liraya to attack. However, there's always... Again, he looked around. "What about Lady Gallus?"

Lord Kalan stiffened for a moment and then took a deep breath. "Ah, you mean my niece. She's at the estate, studying."

Huan raised an eyebrow. "At this time?"

"Harvey insisted." Lord Kalan tapped his fingers on his knee. "Do you know that girl went right up to the colonel and demanded the deportation's delay? She'll be a terror when she fully realizes her parents' blood. My sister's determination and her father's imperiousness will soon be a scary thing."

"As you say." Huan eyed Nathan and the soldiers. So they're her only obstacle.

"They just don't appreciate everything I've been doing for them," said Lord Kalan.

Huan shrugged. "They won't until you're gone."

"Too true. Marcus told me about last night."

An unexpected chill rippled through Huan.

"It was a failure on my part," said the noble mage. "I didn't think I needed a bodyguard, and I've let both you and your sister's skills go to waste. Be honest with me, Mr. Ma." Lord Kalan looked up at Huan. "What do you really want to do with your life?"

Be free. "Go into business," said Huan aloud. "I really didn't get the chance to blossum in Tuqu."

"What would you sell?"

"Fireworks. My parents taught me all about them before they died."

Lord Kalan's eyes widened. "I... I didn't know that. When did it happen?"

Huan ignored the memory of ropes creaking. "A long time ago," he said, pushing his shoulders up and down. "We were just kids really."

Lord Kalan looked away. "You still are."

A horn sounded, its bright sound emanating from the north.

Huan coughed. "Let's just get this done."

Lord Kalan's fingers stilled. "Yes. Let's."

***

A cart rumbled up to the head of the drawbridge, where Mei stood. After a quick glance at the Souran driver, she walked to the back of the cart, jumped in, and inspected the faces of the ten Vanurians who were huddling on the dirty straw.

"You're supposed to ask first," said Sir Marcus.

The young had tear-streaked red eyes, the old carefully blank expressions, and all had life so Mei back climbed down.

"Mei."

"Takes too long to ask." Mei waved the cart forward. She wished Magdala were here with her plans and ideas to stave off the hordes.

"Mei!"

Saundra patted Sir Marcus on the shoulder. "Sir, I'll talk to her."

Sir Marcus nodded. "Just... tell her." He stomped off.

The next cart rolled up.

"Soura for Sourans!"

Rotten fruit and vegetables pelted the Vanurians who shielded themselves with arms and bags. Again, Mei jumped into the cart, but this time she moved to shield the Vanurians while she inspected them. The missiles didn't stop though, and she took a cabbage to the shoulder, its slimy leaves falling into the cart.

The Vanurians, a family of six, shrank back from her.

"Your faces," said Mei.

"Murderers!"

Another volley hit the cart, but Mei spread her arms wide and took the brunt of it.

The eldest Vanurian looked up, a question in their eyes.

Mei answered it. "Just your faces."

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The Vanurian tapped their companions and whispered something, and soon Mei could see all of their faces and confirm that not one of them was the wraith or the little devil. She nodded to Saundra.

"Let them through!" shouted the corporal.

Mei leapt down off the cart, and it passed onto the drawbridge.

While another cart rolled in front of them, Saundra said, "I wish Lady Magdala was here."

Mei climbed up into the new cart, swatted away rotten fruit, checked faces, and then climbed down. "Why?" She waved the cart through.

The corporal blushed and looked away. "She's, uh, good company." She stopped Mei from climbing up onto the next cart and did so herself. When she was finished, she climbed down and scratched at her scalp. "Mei, if you wanted to show Magdala something totally amazing, would taking her to the top of the wall count?"

Mei frowned as she parsed the question. It was a welcome distraction from the growing unease constricting her chest.

"Hey, you're taking too long!" said a Souran driver.

Saundra gave him her sunniest smile. "Have a good day, citizen!"

Mei took the opportunity to check the next cart herself, which took less time because there were fewer rotten missiles. After she climbed back down, she caught the corporal sneaking glances at her. Still considering the question, Mei looked at the top of the Southern Line and imagined Magdala standing on there. She had been really excited about that blue hole they'd fallen into at Yumma. "She would love it."

Saundra blinked and then grinned. "She would? Yes!"

"What are you two talking about?" Dwayne walked up to them.

"Nothing, my lord," said Saundra, her expression stern. "May I ask what you are doing here?"

"Inspecting the carts." Dwayne looked out at the crowd, which had stopped throwing fruit but had gotten rowdier. "What's happening over there?"

Mei turned to the crowd, which she'd been steadfastly ignoring up till now. The garrison soldiers were having trouble keeping the citizens of Walton back as they pushed forward harder and harder. When someone screamed, the whole mob rushed at once, breaking the line. Screaming and wailing, one citizen leapt on a Souran soldier, and sank his teeth into the soldier's neck.

"By the cup, we're under attack!"

Mei unlimbered her rifle and took aim, but Saundra pulled the barrel up.

"No, you'll hit citizens."

Dwayne cut off Mei's reply. "We have to get to Lord Kalan now."

"Where is he?" Saundra drew her sword, her eyes still on the fiends.

"The Gate. Let's go!"

Mei, Dwayne, and Saundra ran past two carts and pushed through soldiers running towards the chaos. When they passed Sir Marcus, he shouted out a question that Saundra stopped to answer, but Mei and Dwayne kept going. They got through the crowd just in time to see Melany place a small box on the far end of the drawbridge and light it. As Dwayne began to intone a spell, Mei brought up her rifle and fired, but the little monster dove out of the way, and before Mei could reload, the box exploded and Mei was knocked back, down, and into the water, which swallowed her.

Disoriented, Mei flailed, but then she was swimming to the surface, her rifle clutched in her right hand. Surfacing, she looked up then dove out of the way of the drawbridge splashing down into the moat.

"Help!" Dwayne thrashed , his frantic movements only barely keeping his head above the water.

Mei swam towards him then pulled back. Panic could drown two just as well as one. "Dwayne!"

"Help me!" His eyes were wide.

Mei's voice was calm and clear. "Dwayne, hold your breath."

Dwayne's eyes widened, but he nodded and let himself sink. Mei dove beneath the surface, grabbed Dwayne around his waist and pulled him up. When they surfaced, strong arms reached underneath him and helped Mei pull him to the edge of the moat.

Once they were on land again, Saundra shook her head. "Why can't you swim?"

Dwayne coughed up water and gave a weak laugh. "Why can't you do magic?"

Mei touched her face, which lacked the burns she'd expected from being so close to an explosion. "You shielded us."

"And we fell." Dwayne looked around. "Can we climb back up?"

Mei inspected the sides of the moat, and, while the Walton side was sloped, the garrison side was a vertical wall made of immense, smooth stone blocks. "I don't think so."

Dwayne rose to his feet and looked around. "We have to get across."

Mei forced her hands still, but she knew the truth. Liraya had cut them off.

***

In Walcrest's study, Magdala put down the book she'd been reading and rubbed her temples. "I don't think Dwayne knows how to help," she said to Galkin. "These are all strange."

The book was the third of three texts that Dwayne had left for her. It detailed all of the attacks on the Southern Line for the past ten months, and it was clear that nothing on the scale of Liraya's attacks had happened in that time, just a few small raids on the Southern Gate. The second text, which Magdala was careful not to touch because the strange black door at the back of the study hummed every time she did, was an encyclopedia of northern Vanurian counts, detailing their lands and speculating on their current economic state, but since Magdala only knew Liraya's first name, it was all meaningless nonsense. Finally, the last text, a lengthy essay on the similarities and differences between Soura's religious text the Book of Cueller and Vanuria's Book of Phons, was a fascinating read and almost worth the black door's incessant muttering every time she even looked at it, but even it seemed pointless and irrelevant.

"I don't get it." When Magdala heard nothing but silence, she searched for Galkin.

The steward was gazing into nothing with no sign that he was even breathing.

Magdala slid back from him. "Galkin?"

The steward blinked then focused on Magdala, his eyebrows relaxing. He bowed. "I'm just here to render assistance, my lady."

Magdala waited to see if he'd become that distant statue again. When he didn't, she said, "Okay... it's just that none of this is recent enough to help."

Galkin froze for a half moment, just long enough for Magdala to notice, but he nodded to the first book. "There's no end date."

Magdala's mouth opened. "No end date?" She grabbed the book and confirmed that while the start date was clearly emblazoned on its cover, the end date was not. She opened it and flipped through it, this time going straight to the latest report. "This is Mei's report from yesterday." She frowned. "The trail ended at the wall like they just disappeared into thin air."

Bells rang, the walls of Walcrest only barely muffling the sound. a guard burst through the study doors.

Magdala stood. "Where?"

The guard hunched over, breathing hard. "The... drawbridge... explosion..."

Magdala's heart chillled. "That's where Mei, Dwayne, and Saundra..." She took a step towards the door, but stopped. "How many people have been hurt?"

The guard shook his head. "We couldn't see much from up here, but it looked like the explosion blew backwards, and they just dropped into the moat. It was right strange."

Magdala let out a breath, glad that Dwayne had decided that his life was worth more than her lord uncle's prohibition. "Okay. Let me know if anything else happens."

The guard saluted. "Yes, milady." He ran out of the room.

Magdala almost followed, almost ran out the door and to the aid of her friends, but Liraya didn't do simple plans. What was her next move? She grabbed the religious essay and waved it around. "I still don't- oh!" A piece of paper dropped out of the essay's pages and fluttered to the table. She picked it up and read it. "Page 8, line 3. Page 17, line 24." In moments, she'd found the references in the essay. "'The Book of Cueller teaches that the soul must reside in the head since it is the highest in the body, and thus must reign supreme.'" She flipped to the second reference. "'The Book of Phons states that while the essence of a human is spread throughout the body, the crucial parts reside in the heart, head, and stomach. The head holds the mind, the stomach the source of power for the body, and the heart the soul.'" Magdala reread the two passages. "I don't get it."

Galkin picked up the encyclopedia and flipped through the pages. He held open one. "Some of these counts are quite interesting."

Magdala glanced at it and then snatched it out of the steward's hands. "Cortes's father tried to take over the top of the Southern Line?"

"That county is pinned-"

"He set up trebuchets and threw Hounds up... that's how she's doing this!" Magdala dropped both texts and rushed to the door where she paused. "Dwayne gave you orders to help me."

Galkin stood and clasped his hands behind his back. "Yes, my lady."

"After I create new explosives, I'll need to get down to the Gate quickly."

This time Magdala couldn't be sure if the steward hesitated.

He nodded. "I know a way."

***

Huan saw the cart first. "You should open the Gate, sir."

"Very well." Lord Kalan pulled himself to his feet using the arms of the chair. "Rutters!"

Nathan ran up to the platform and saluted. "Yes, sir!"

"Prepare to open the gate."

"Yes-"

A blast rocked the garrison and everyone hit the ground.

Huan already had his sword drawn. "What on earth was that?"

"Stand fast!" shouted Nathan, getting to his feet.

His hands shaking, Lord Kalan dropped back into his seat. "By the cup, she was right."

Huan watched smoke rise from the garrison, an idea germinating in his mind. "We should send aid." He pointed with his sword. "That's where the attack is coming from."

Nathan shook his head. "No, I have my orders. We are to stay here."

Huan turned to Lord Kalan. "You said that you can hold the Gate by yourself, sir. Was that true?"

Uncertainty pushed Lord Kalan's eyes away. "I did? I don't-"

"I think it is." Huan leaned in. "After all, you've faced down a dragon, broke into Yumma, and dueled unimaginable things. Compared to those, what is a mere not alive?" You need to prove yourself, don't you? You don't want to be seen as weak, as someone who had to be saved, do you?

Lord Kalan drew himself up in his seat. "The term is Revenant, and they are nothing. Rutters, I'll handle this."

Nathan's eyes widened. "But I have my orders."

Huan's blade pointed to the smoke. "That's where the enemy attacked. Are you going to stand there and let people die?" Don't you want to be a hero? Don't you want to be like Sir Marcus, a heroic knight?

Nathan's hand tightened on his sword hilt, but he stood firm.

Lord Kalan stood up again, somehow steady. "I will talk to Colonel Harvey. She will know that you made the right choice."

Huan watched the former squire's face, where dismay and desire dueled.

Finally, one won. "Yes, sir. Move out! We're going to relieve the troops at the drawbridge."

Huan hid a smile and patted Nathan on the back. "Wish I could be the hero."

Nathan rolled his eyes. "You don't fit the bill."

When he and his troops had disappeared into the garrison, Lord Kalan sat back down, nodding. "My magic isn't well suited to teamwork. This is better."

Huan slipped Tiger's mask onto his face and shuddered as strength and awareness flowed into every pore of his body. He grinned. "Yes, it is." I'm getting that damn title.

A soft thump to the right perked up Huan's ears and he turned.

Zeya and the giant were on the ground, and behind them, Liraya slid down a rope that reached up to the very top of the wall. After landing behind her creations, she rubbed her hands together and faced Huan and Lord Kalan. "Zeya, Amiam, agella il mago. nehta el yahthron."

As one, the giant and the wraith charged.

***

After Magdala confirmed her inventory (five concussives, two fire bombs, and three sedative bombs), she took a deep breath and looked down the dark dusty passageway that Galkin had opened in Walcrest's southern wall. "What is this?"

The steward glanced into the darkness. "A secret, one of many the Southern Line holds." He held out a knife.

"And this?" Magdala took the sheathed blade. It was short and light with a strange white handle.

"Something I found in storage."

Magdala frowned but tucked the knife into her belt. "Okay." Was she too late? She could have rushed down there immediately, but if she'd learned anything over the past few days, it was that her value in combat was directly proportional to her preparedness. Hopefully, her lord uncle hadn't done anything stupid yet. She faced the entrance. "Thank you, Galkin. If this works, Soura is in your debt."

Galkin's voice caught as he replied, "Do not let the wall fall."

Magdala dove down into the dark. While she'd been preparing, she'd had Galkin read the rest of the Vanurian count encyclopedia to her. Most of them had assaulted the Southern Line at one time or another, and their favorite tactic was to toss Hounds or Puppets on top of the Southern LIne and cause havoc. They'd stopped when her father had increased the number of wall patrols, but what if Colonel Harvey had pulled people from the Southern Line to defend Walton? When they'd last fought Liraya last, she'd been dressed as a soldier, and it would be trivial for her to slip onto the wall and wait for her chance to drop down and snatch her prize. Even better, they'd put Lord Kalan right underneath her.

Out of breath and leg muscles burning, Magdala reached the ground floor and pushed the door open, blinking to stave off the morning light. Her ears were again assaulted with bell tolls fill the air, but no one challenged her. She winced at the dereliction of duty then gasped.

Her lord uncle and a golden armored soldier stood alone against Liraya and her two strongest Revenants.

"Zeya, Amiam, agella il mago. nehta el yahthron."

The Vanurian spell chilled Magdala. She was too late.

With a roar, the giant and the wraith charged the golden soldier and Lord Kalan, who raised his hand and spoke a single syllable. "Qeil!"

Two stone blocks ripped themselves out of the ground and hurtled themselves at the two Revenants. The wraith slid under them, but the giant took both in the face and staggered back. The golded armored soldier drew a thin curved sword, roared, and leapt at the wraith, who drew two knives and met his attack.

While they fought, Magdala scrambled onto the wooden platform. "Uncle, where are the soldiers?"

Lord Kalan turned to her and scowled. "Why are you here? How did you get past the guards?"

Magdala grabbed his elbow and tried to pull him away. "We have to get you out of here!"

He shook her off. "No, I can end this. You, leave."

Magdala looked around and frowned. Where was Liraya?

The ground shook, and with a shudder, the Gate started to open.

Magdala watched it rise, swaying slightly. "No, she's- The gatehouse!" Fending off her lord uncle's attempts to stop her, she jumped down from the platform and ran towards the gatehouse, which was behind the giant.

The massive Revenant pushed the two giant blocks off it and rolled to its feet, it's eyes focused on Magdala.

She reached for a firebomb.

"Qeil!"

One of the blocks hit the giant in the back of the head, toppling it over again. Magdala kept running, reaching the gatehouse just as Liraya exited it. She scowled. "You are everywhere."

In reply, Magdala pulled out a sedative bomb and threw it at the Vanurian mage's feet. As blue gas fountained up into Liraya's nose and mouth, Magdala smiled.

Liraya staggered, saying, "Fo er'ui'm." Her throat filled with green fire, and she coughed, straightened up, and glared at Magdala. "Nice try."

The Gate shuddered to a stop. It was now wide open.

Liraya pointed at Magdala. "Melany, tarribela."

A kick to the back of Magdala's knees dropped her to the ground, and small hands pulled back her head. It was the little monster, and it was so much stronger than she imagined. Magdala had less than a second to-

"No! Qeuike!"

The ground bucked and buckled.

***

Huan slapped away Zeya's knives with his sword and slashed at her neck, but she flipped backwards and tried to sink a knife into his foot. Huan pulled his foot out of the way, let the blade hit stone, and brought the hilt of his sword down onto her neck, but before he could enjoy the crunch the blow had made, Zeya's cold clammy hand closed around his wrist and dragged him down. Her knee smashed into Tiger's mask, stunning Huan, and he staggered back. Blinking to clear his vision of the stars, Huan managed to straighten up and put his sword between him and Zeya who, unhurt and unfazed, dropped into a stance.

Huan licked his lips and tasted blood. "You bitch. I-"

"No! Qeuike!"

The ground bucked, knocking both Huan and the wraith down.

Rolling back onto his feet, Huan glared at Lord Kalan. "What was that?" But the noble mage's eyes were focused beyond Huan and his fight. Huan followed his gaze to the far side of the Gate where Magdala was scrambling away from the little monster. What the hell is she doing here?

Lord Kalan fell to his knees, and shaking, he looked at Huan and pointed to Magdala. "Save her."

Huan glanced at Zeya, whose pale eyes watched him. If Magdala's out of the way, I'll be able to take control of this, but If she dies, Mei will be sad. In the end though, does that matter? Huan spat. Yeah, it does.

Lord Kalan's voice broke him out of his reverie. "Now! I'll take care of that thing." The giant stood up and Lord Kalan winced. "And that thing."

Nodding, Huan turned away from Zeya, rushed past Lord Kalan, and ducked under the giant's slow punch. Before he reached the little monster, she caught sight of him and turned to flee, but Huan poured Tiger's strength into his legs, caught up to her, and slashed. As her head rolled away, he looked down at Magdala and said, "You're welcome."

Magdala's eyes widened. "The head isn't where the soul lives."

Huan frowned. "What?"

"Fo bellvaekolokerkevucequirpo!"

Emerald green flame engulfed Melany's head and body and pulled them together, the head pressing itself against Melany's neck. With a final flash of light, the cut disappeared, and Melany rose to her feet and smiled. Huan stumbled back, his sword blade dropping.

"That's... that's..."

"Good. Surprise, maybe even shock." Liraya stepped up to her creation and patted it on the back. "I'll take that. Zeya?"

Duck!

Huan dropped to the ground and three knives whizzed over his head. Lord Kalan had failed to keep the wraith back, and she'd moved to defend her master.

His fingers stiff, Huan raised his sword and gulped. If I can't destroy these things, how can I win?

***

While Huan faced off against Liraya and her creations, Magdala got to her feet, her mind racing. Her sedative bomb had failed, and decapitating the Revenants was useless while Liraya was still standing. Or was it? Her hand found the knife that Galkin had given to her. What had the essay stated?

Liraya smirked. "Let's end this. Zeya, Melany, nadala."

The wraith charged Huan, and the little monster charged Magdala. In response, Magdala threw a concussive at Melany's feet, but the Revenant kicked the vial away into the gaping maw of the open Gate and then closed with Magdala and punched her in the stomach. Gasping, Magdala curled up, and a fist connected with her jaw, knocking her back and down. The little monster jumped on Magdala and raised her fists for another blow, but Magdala drew her knife and stabbed the Revenant in the chest, shattering something deep inside. Melany's mouth opened in a silent scream, and she collapsed on top of Magdala.

Her heart racing, Magdala stood back up and tried to catch her breath.

"No!" A foot connected with Magdala's temple and send her spinning back down to the ground, vials and bombs spilling out of her pockets. Despite the stars filling her vision, Magdala grabbed a concussive and threw it at Liraya, but the Vanurian mage caught it and grinned.

"This ends now." She picked up a sedative bomb off the ground and while Magdala watched in horror, threw it at Lord Kalan, who was still dueling the giant. The vial smashed at Lord Kalan's feet, blue smoke blossumed up into his face, and he collapsed.

"Lord uncle!"

Liraya sneered. "Amiam, agallo! Zeya, mus behmos!"

"No! You can't!" Magdala tried to tackle Liraya, but a kick knocked her away. She managed to get to her feet, but Liraya had already collected the rest of the bombs and was walking away.

"There she is! Get her!" The garrison had finally arrived.

Cursing, Liraya ran for the Gate with the giant and wraith in tow. After seeing that a once again comatose Lord Kalan was slung over the giant's back, Magdala's vision went dark.

***

While Melany charged Magdala, Huan clashed with Zeya. He slashed at her neck, but she bent back and away, throwing a knife that Huan had to slap away, giving her an opening to throw two more knives at his chest, but they rebounded off the golden armor. Roaring, Huan kicked Zeya back and thrust his sword at her chest, but she parried it with her right hand and summoned her knives back into her left. The sound of glass breaking and Liraya's voice brought her short.

"Zeya, mus behmos!"

The wraith turned and ran into the open Gate after Liraya and the giant who had something slung over its shoulder.

Lord Kalan. Huan let Tiger out, and the beast hurtled forward, but the gatehouse exploded, flinging him sideways.

Ignoring the ringing in his ears, the beast stood up, and the ground rumbled beneath his feet. The Gate was closing. Glancing back at Magdala, who was lying still on the ground, Tiger sneered. Weak. He stepped towards the closing Gate, but paused, waiting for the thief to object. None came. There's no turning back.

Let's do it.

We'll be alone.

So no one will hold us back.

We'll have to do this my way.

Has any other way worked?

Rumbling with pleasure, Tiger rushed forward and slid under the closing Gate and into the pitch black beyond. One thought echoed in his mind.

She'll thank me later.