Faust looked ahead. Rene was strong, but up against a horde of knights, he would be useless, even as a three-stone user. No doubt whoever they acquired in Hol had already been screened by his brother as well. “If I do not approve of our escort, I want to hire Ignas.”
Rene paused. “Ignas?”
“The mercenary from the tavern,” Faust clarified.
Rene gripped at the reins so tight, his leather gloves stretched tautly. “He called himself Ignas?”
Faust nodded.
“You attract some interesting allies, my lord.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly as it sounds.” Rene smiled.
Faust brought his attention back to the road. That smile was ominous and bore fair warning. Rene wouldn’t explain. He glanced to the forest and paused. Laughter hit his ears, and the wind caressed his face in the same teasing manner, beckoning him. He’d heard this laughter from a young age whenever he neared a forest. More wind brushed against his back, and the laughter grew closer, bringing a faint sky-blue tinge with it. Faust reached out.
“Lord Arcus?”
Faust dropped his hand, the color and laughter vanishing. Rene would call him crazy. “It is nothing,” he lied, but the wind caressed his skin again. It nudged him, and the horse jumped beneath him.
“Someone is using magic,” Rene said.
“It is coming from the forest,” Faust agreed. “What should we do?”
“We run.” Rene swung his horse toward the east. “Head for the far side of the forest. It’s more dangerous, but we don’t have a choice now.”
Faust kicked his steed into a gallop.
Rene followed but tossed an earth stone out in front of them. It sparked to life, and the ground erupted behind the horses, cracking and weaving into interlocking vines to form a wall.
Faust eyed the wall. The merchants would not like that, it was right in the middle of the path. The wind whistled and arrows launched over the forming wall.
“This way!” Rene barked and jerked the horse in a new direction.
Faust pursued, but the ground thundered behind him. It wasn’t just a few people pursuing them, but a horde. “We are not going to outrun them.”
Rene cursed and directed Faust to follow him into a clearing.
Faust brought the horse to a stop and steeled himself as they were surrounded.
Rene’s gaze narrowed. “What is the meaning of this, Lord Evans?”
Jon Evans brought his own horse to a stop, surrounded by Kingsley Knights. “You caused quite a stir in my town. The wind has said you were looking for a measly court merchant.”
Faust adjusted his glasses and regarded the lord. Jon didn’t have an aura, but he was obviously working for Emoris. These knights carried earth stones, but few appeared to be prepared to use them. Most stone users these days were stationed closer to the borders of Windilum and Roltan. These knights must have been less skilled.
“It is my duty to escort and protect the new court merchant by order of the king,” Rene said. “Having to search for him in a rather unkempt town most certainly will move me into a panic.”
Jon gritted his teeth. “We have orders to inspect all travelers for His Royal Highness Faust Kingsley,” he spat. “He must return to Limorous at once by orders of His Excellency.”
“And it is also my duty to bring His Royal Highness back to the king,” Rene said. “My king was quite demanding this round and handed me a long list of tasks on my way out.”
“As if the court believes that. Search them!” Jon said and gestured a Kingsley Knight forward.
Rene rummaged in his bag and presented a scroll. “My royal orders. This act will be seen as an offense against the crown.”
The knight swiped it from Rene and read it, then passed it to Jon.
Jon drew his gaze to Faust. “Lord Arcus, I presume?”
Faust tipped his head in respect. Jon studied him, and Faust did his best to keep smiling. Wind brushed against him and warmth locked around him in a sharp net. Ignas was nearby. This could get bad. If Ignas intervened, he would become a criminal.
“It’s far too convenient.” Jon waved the scroll in the air. “A new court merchant appearing the same day the prince vanishes from the capital. Arrest them.”
Faust pushed magic into his sky stone, the sky-blue stone pulsing at his hip.
“Lord Arcus!” a deep voice shouted.
Faust jerked and turned behind him. He clamped his mouth shut to avoid letting it drop open in shock. Ignas sat upon an armored horse with several others near the road, appearing quite powerful flanked by other mercenaries. The mercenary had donned a metal chest plate and a mixture of metal and leather guards over tunics and furs. Faust stared far longer than he should have, admiring Ignas’s prowess. He gripped his reins. Fire stones surrounded them. Everyone from the tavern was here, possibly even more. This gave him an idea.
“You are late,” Faust said with certainty.
“Forgive us, my lord,” Ignas said with a spark of mirth in his eyes. “Our supplies took longer than expected to pack.”
“What are you doing here?” Jon asked.
Zara smirked. “We’re here to escort Lord Arcus.”
“He is under arrest,” Jon retorted.
“Well, that’s a problem,” Ignas said.
“I’m afraid I have to agree with the mercenary,” Rene said. “My orders from the king were strict. Lord Arcus has the capability to lessen any disparity that he finds, and the king has made that one of his top priorities. Do you wish for the people to suffer for your personal desire to please His Excellency?”
“I have my orders.” Jon raised his hand.
Ignas sighed. “Always the hard way.”
The knights drew their swords while Ignas pulled out a gun.
Faust thrust his sky stone in front of him, forcing it to light with magic, the wind howling.
“We leave none alive, my lord,” Rene whispered.
Faust took a deep breath, his sky stone glowing brighter and brighter, the shouts of the knights growing distant. He had to stay in control. A quick and painless death was better than a gruesome one.
Gunfire echoed, and Faust gasped, the sky stone falling into his lap.
Knights fell off their horses around them.
“No need to dirty your hands, Lord Arcus,” Ignas called and brought his horse closer, glancing at Jon. “What shall we do with him, my lord?”
Rene raised one hand, magic gathering with the motion.
Ignas fired first, looking smug as Jon slumped off his horse.
Rene grumbled under his breath.
“If you leave any traces of either of your magic, the deities will know it was you,” Zara said. “Us taking care of it makes it look like a scuffle between Windilum and Alios subjects.”
Faust gazed upon the bodies of the fallen. It was a quick and painless death, but it was all in the name to keep him safe. “We could have handled it,” Faust voiced.
Ignas raised his eyebrows with interest. “You hesitated, Lord Arcus.”
It went unsaid, but Faust’s hesitation meant he would have died even if it were to come at the end of his arrest. Daren always said the same thing.
“We thank you for your help,” Rene conceded, “but we will not need it any further.” He turned his horse. “Let us be on our way, my lord.”