Through the haze of the lingering pain, Triss thought she recognized the voice. But it was impossible. Why would he be here?

"The wizard's council is above any petty concerns of the town elders. This is the last time I will warn you." Portia's voice drifted in.

The man laughed. "Arrogant as always. And foolish. As I would expect from an assassin of the wizard's council."

There was a sharp intake of breath. "That is a dangerous thing to say." Portia hissed.

A creaking noise in the next room drew Triss's attention. A second later Tom came creeping in. When he saw her he held a finger up to his lips. He crossed quietly to her side, pulling a wand from his robes. He had somewhere found a clean set, as he was no longer covered in blood. One arm hung limply at his side.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered.

"Quiet." He hissed. He held his wand out towards her, but made no other moves. "Wait." He was listening to the conversation outside.

"Who in the twelve hells do you think you are?" Portia snarled.

Triss could hear the smile. "I am Percival Arcanus the first. Lord of Thalonia, dark wizard of the primary order."

******

Thomas Crest slammed his good hand against the castle door. It left a dark wet blood spot on the wood. He held his wound on his shoulder with his hand as he waited, the steady dripping as blood fell on the stones the only sound. The midday sun burned into his back, causing sweat to run into his eyes. He wiped them clean with the cleanest part of his sleeve.

The door cracked open. "What do you want." Reginald's voice said flatly through the thin opening.

"They've got Triss." Thomas had thought about it on his way, and knew that this was the best way to get Reginald's help. He couldn't defeat this wizard alone, and he wasn't going to abandon his chance to find a way home.

The door opened all the way, and Reginald stepped into the light. "Who has Triss?" He asked, a hard edge to his voice.

"Wizards council I think. They kidnapped her. I tried to stop them, but I was injured and had to escape to get help." The best lies had an element of truth to them, Thomas knew.

Reginald grabbed the front of Thomas's robe, pulling the tall man down until they were eye to eye. "Why." He hissed, "is the wizard's council kidnapping Triss."

Thomas thought quickly. "They were after Percival I think."

"How do you know about Percival?" Reginald's tone was filled with the threat of violence.

"Nert told me!" Thomas said, his voice full of hopefully convincing fear. "I asked about you because Draconic are so rare. He told me about Percival! I swear!"

Reginald stared deep into his eyes, like the truth was hidden in the back of Thomas's eyeballs. Thomas kept his eyes wide, hopefully conveying fear.

Finally, Reginald released Thomas's robes. "Where did they take her?"

"I...I don't know. I think they would have stayed in town somewhere?" This was the dangerous part, Thomas knew. He suspected the assassin would wait for him at his house, hoping to catch him coming back for his supplies. It was a common tactic. He was sure though, that she wouldn't leave the area unless she was sure he was gone. He pretended to have a sudden realization. "Oh. Oh no. She might have let me escape to draw Percival out. I’m sorry! I…I never thought!”

“Come with me.” Was all Reginald said.

He led Thomas through through a maze of hallways and passages, until finally they reached the kitchen. Thomas was given a stool to sit on, and a strict warning to touch nothing and go nowhere. The small draconic left him for a few minutes, returning with a sewing kit. He cut off the sleeve of Thomas’s robe to look at the wound. “Windblades?” He asked.

Thomas nodded. “I was able to partially deflect them. I’m just lucky to have had a little dueling practice.”

Reginald grunted in response, focused on cleaning up the wound. “I’d say you are exceptionally fortunate.” He said when he finished. “The cuts are extremely sharp. This wizard you fought must be exceptionally talented.” He threaded a needle and began sewing the wound shut. “You were…lucky to survive.”

“Very lucky.” Thomas replied. Was the draconic on to him? He wasn’t sure, but he was starting to worry a bit.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“There. Done. I’ll fetch you some new robes, I think I have some that will fit you.” Reginald pulled his wand wand drew a quick symbol. The spell settled over Thomas, making him glow briefly. “You know what that was, yes?”

“A location spell.” Thomas said. He did his very best to control the surge of rage that coursed through him. Location spells would let the caster know where the subject was at any time. It was commonly used on children to prevent them wandering off. It was the height of rudeness in the wizard inn community to put one on another wizard without permission. “I assume you want me to stay here?”

“Yes. I’m also going to talk to Percival, and may be a while. Feel free to help yourself to anything in here.” He got up and headed towards the door.

“Please hurry.” Thomas said. He hoped he wasn’t laying it on too thick. “I’m quite worried about Triss. I really hope she’s ok.”

Reginald paused in the doorway. He didn’t look back as he spoke. “For your sake, you should.” He walked away, leaving Thomas to puzzle out his response.

********

Reginald didn’t bother knocking. He barely paused his quick pace as he opened the door and walked into the library. The door slammed against the stone wall, echoing around the dusty bookshelves. Percival jumped, the tea he was drinking spilling all over the front of his robes. Luckily he had forgotten about the tea while reading, and it was only lukewarm.

“What in the -“ Percival started to say.

“Get your stuff. We’re going.” Reginald snapped.

“My..my stuff? What?”

“Wand. That pack of ritual components. Your good robes. We’re going to a fight.”

“What in the twelve hells is wrong with you?” Percival said angrily, standing up and starting to brush the tea off the front of his robes. He only succeeded in spreading the tea stain around.

“Triss was kidnapped. We’re going to go retrieve her.”

“That little brat? Why would I want to help her? Wait. Why are you talking different?”

Reginald stepped close to Percival. “I’m going to explain this once. I like Triss. She’s a good kid. And a decent apprentice. And she’s the only interesting thing to happen in this damnable castle since we moved in. And you scared her off!” He was breathing heavily, anger clear in his voice. “Now she’s been kidnapped by a council assassin, because she didn’t feel safe here. And I’ve had enough!” Reginald was shouting now. Percival took a step back, and Reginald matched it with a step forward. “We’re going to get Triss, you’re coming with, so grab your stuff!”

Percival rocked back for a moment, then regained his composure. “Now wait just a minute! Where do you get off ordering me around you blasted lizard!” He shouted.

Reginald looked Percival straight in the eyes. “The Bereaved migration of 284.” He stated calmly.

Percival stopped, his anger dying. He sat back down in his chair, giving Reginald a considered look. “Calling that in at last?” He finally said.

“Yes.”

“Is she worth it?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll get my things.”

************

“What is he doing here?” Triss whispered at Tom.

“He wanted to help you.” Tom said. “Why wouldn’t he come?”

“Mostly because he hates me and wants me dead.”

“I didn’t get that impression at all.” Tom whispered, a look of confusion on his face. “He seemed quite set on helping, I didn’t really have to convince him.”

Triss considered that for a moment. Then she bit her lip, hard. “Ow!” She managed to keep the outcry at whisper levels.

“What are you doing?” Tom said, absolutely baffled.

“Making sure I’m not dead.” She whispered back. “So the only other option is I’ve gone crazy and am imagining you and Percival are here.” She thought for another moment. “Come closer.” She said, clacking her teeth.

“Crazy. That’s definitely what it is.” Tom replied.

“Hush.” She scolded. “Get me untied. Un-magic-ed? Whatever.”

“In a minute. I need to wait for it to start so she won’t sense it.”

“For what to start?”

Tom just put his finger to his lips, then pointed outside. The two wizards were still speaking, but their voices were a little lower now.

“You don’t stand a chance, old man.” Portia was saying.

“You’re not the first to say that to me.” Percival sounded almost..bored? “Are we going to fight? Or did you have a few more tired, repetitive threats you needed to say first? You can just say them all at once, if that’s more efficient.”

“You ignorant fool!”

Percival sighed. “Unimaginative. If you don’t mind, I’m going to just skip to the next part.” There was a bright flash, followed by a scream. Tom turned back to her and waved his wand, parting the magical bonds that held her. Outside, there was another flash, then another. Portia was screaming, raging at Percival. Percival remained completely silent.

Tom helped her to her feet. “This way.” He said, heading towards the room he came in. The second he started moving, Triss’s started falling. He stopped and caught her, then put her arm over his shoulder so he could support her weight as they walked.

“Sorry.” She said as she shuffled along. “I’ve been tied up all day. My legs aren’t exactly working well.”

“It’s fine. Come along.” They moved as quickly as they could. Triss was too stiff and sore to make any kind of speed, but her legs were recovering enough to mostly support her by the time they made it to the window. Reginald was waiting outside for them. Tom helped Triss from the inside and Reginald from the outside, managing to get Triss out without too much embarrassment.

Once she was out, Reginald threw his arms around her. Then he stepped back, holding her shoulders and inspecting her. “Are you ok? What did she do to you?”

“I’m ok. It…it’s fine. Let’s just go before she find us.” Reginald nodded and started helping her walk away. She looked back to make sure Tom was able to get out the window, and realized he wasn’t there. “Wait, where’s Tom?”

“I don’t know.” Reginald said as he continued. “Maybe he went back to grab something. Either way, we’re getting you somewhere safe.”

The flashes of light and power coming from the side of the house grew brighter. “Damn.” Reginald said. “This is not what we discussed. Back!”

They stepped back towards the window Triss had come out of. The flashes were growing closer, she realized. The battle must be shifting this direction. Suddenly, Portia came around the corner, walking backwards. Her red hair was half burnt away, the skin below blackened and cracked. She was stumbling slightly as she moved. “You can’t!” She was screaming. “The council will end you!”

Percival came around the corner, following Portia. “They have tried many times. I’m surprised they let you come alone.” His tone was as dark as the inside of a coffin. “They know where I am. And they know better than to bother me.”

Portia looked shocked. “What? No! The council wouldn’t let a dark wizard live!”

Percival laughed. “They would if they valued their own lives.”

“No!” Portia shrieked. “The council is power! We would not be cowed by one man!” She whipped her wand frantically. A jet of black flame shot at Percival. He deflected it almost lazily, sending the flame screaming back at Portia’s face. Triss watched as the former wizard assassin collapsed to the ground, most of her head completely gone.

“I find that to be the weak point nearly every time.” Percival said calmly, looking at the corpse. “Get them angry and they lose all focus. They really shou-“ his words were ended with a strangled cry of pain.

“I find that a failure to watch for non-magical attacks is typically the weak point.” Thomas said conversationally as he twisted the dagger in Percival’s back.