Really short scene of action at the end of the story. I didn't think that a big one fit well within the story line here.
A lot of other kinds of action though, and some plot development which (I guess) needs to be done ; ).
For those of you disappointed in the relationship between Celeste and Brian, I want to tell you right now that this is not a love story. So do not count it against me when it doesn't turn out to be one. I warned you.
For the rest who are enjoying the story and the (hopefully) hot sex scenes, thank you for your support and don't forget to comment...
*****
We were near the water, and as a result the air was humid and hot, its effect doubled after the recent downpour of rain. Now that the sun was out it was making up for lost time, beating down on us as we picked our way across long-forgotten dirt roads that skirted the perimeters of the myriad of small towns that had built up around the prosperity of Nycene over the years.
Approaching the city from the north, we intended to avoid the main traffic that moved in from the west. Our other reason for taking the long, roundabout route was that Maverick claimed the most easily accessible opening to the underground was just north of one of the three waterways that surrounded the island city of Nycene. Only the poor lived north of the city, which meant the King's guard's presence would would be thinner, allowing us to slip into the underground undetected.
"Tell me again how you know where this entrance is," I asked of Maverick, who was walking alongside me. We had abandoned the horses soon after leaving the inn that morning, deciding it would be easier to come the rest of the way on foot. To lighten our load, the only pack I carried was the small one that contained The Source and enough food to tide us over if we got hungry. We either reached the Great Library that night or died trying.
"I am much older than you might think," the Summoned answered. He was wearing his light leather armor and sword. "I've learned a lot about Nycene through years and years of experience."
It was late afternoon and in the distance I could make out the smoke of chimneys and hear the cry of gulls as they flew overhead looking for food. We were getting very close now, and my stomach knotted with anxiety. No good memories lay within the walls of Nycene. And if I wasn't careful, it was where I would meet my end.
We crested the grassy hill we had been scaling, and were greeted by the sight of hundreds upon hundreds of wooden structures spreading haphazardly across the land until they butted up against the river far in the distance. Dirty smoke rolled lazily from the chimneys of the hastily built homes, dirtying the air. Muddy roads crisscrossed between the buildings, teeming with people, carts, and animals, all trading or selling or stealing whatever goods they could to each other.
Across the water, almost too far to make out, were the walls of Nycene. Built by the King to keep out his enemies, and his people, they almost obscured the hazy outlines of the Ancient towers beyond it, which rose high into the sky, nearly touching the clouds. Marvels of Ancient architecture, the techniques used to build them lost to history long ago.
"This place is disgusting," Celeste said, wrinkling her nose at the smell of fish, sewage, and animals.
"Humans in general are disgusting," Maverick observed and began walking down the grassy hill toward the slums, "Luckily we won't have to go too far into the heart of this place. The entrance to the underground is nearby."
We followed the Summoned as he cut a path toward the western edge of the slums. There would be no guards around, so I was not worried about being spotted by them, but I still convinced that Maverick would draw unneeded attention to himself from the townspeople.
But as we approached the first of the shanties at the edge of the complex, I was shocked to discover that no one heeded us any mind; as if we did not exist. Some of the poor citizens gave us dull, defeated glances, but then immediately turned away. No comments on the huge, grey skinned, red eyed Summoned that was shouldering his way through rapidly crowding streets.
There had to be a reason why no one was staring. Had to...then the realization hit me like an arrow, piercing my heart with icy fear.
"Maverick!" I shouted, grabbing him roughly by the upper arm, "Are you using magic?"
He shrugged, "Yes."
"Stop! The state mages, they'll be on us in seconds," my voice nearly squeaked with fear. I knew it was already too late. The wards around the city would be buzzing with activity, and an Investigator was surely already on the way...
"Ha!" Maverick boomed, "You think I can't mask my magic from those hacks? You insult me."
"No," I hissed, "I don't think you can. In fact, I know you can't." True, most state mages were hacks, but Maverick was missing a vital piece of information.
"Oh? And how do you know that?"
Celeste was looking around nervously as Maverick and I faced off among the oblivious crowd.
"Because," I said, "My master designed the wards that surround the city. Trust me when I say they can see right through your castings whether or not you're a summoned. Now stop!"
But it was too late. Just as Maverick's face fell with sudden uncertainty, a crack resounded across the air, followed by the scream of frightened people as they scrambled to get out of the way of the terror that had just materialized in the street close by.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit..." I chanted and did a mental inventory of all the runes at my disposal, knowing none would be sufficient against what was coming without proper preparation.
The street had emptied of townspeople within seconds, leaving only Maverick, Celeste, and I alone in the mud when the Investigator rounded the corner.
It was tall. Taller than Maverick by at least a foot, and thin. It wore hooded black robes that covered its entire body and face. In one of its hands it carried a thick chain of silver which dragged along the ground as it stalked toward us. The chain could be used to bind any creature capable of casting and doubled as a dangerous weapon.
Created by the state mages by special order of the first King of Nycene, the Investigators are the state mage's personal henchmen. Whenever they get a whiff of magic inside the limits of Nycene, they send the Investigators to, well, investigate. That's why private mages usually refrained from using magic near Nycene. Because if an Investigator figured that anything illegal had taken place, it would act as judge, jury, and executioner on the behalf of the King.
"Summoner," the Investigator hissed at me, "Dark mage. Private treasure hunter. Anarchist. By the power vested in me by the State Mage Association and the King of Nycene, I sentence you to death."
