Chapter 52: The Conclusion of the Mission (1)

Chapter 52: The Conclusion of the Mission (1)

Xerxes reached toward his component pouch.

Dont be stupid, the hooded figure said.

Meanwhile, the other people in the chairs were on their feet and backing away from Katayoun and Xerxes.nove(l)bi(n.)com

We dont want any trouble, Xerxes said, keeping his hand resting right on top of the pouch. He shifted his stance so his right shoulder faced the masked figure, and his component pouch, and left hand, faced away. Next to him, he could see Katayoun also angling herself so her shoulders formed a triangle with his.

You think two Seers are a match for an Archon? the masked man said, pulling his cloak away from his hip and resting his hand on a pouch at his waist. If so, youll soon find out how wrong you are.

Theyre not spies, Navraj said. They saved my life. I know theyre from the Institute. We recruit from there all

Whether saving your life was planned or not, the hooded man said, it had the intended effect. It won your trust.

B-but, but they

Quiet.

Hes an archon? Katayoun projected.

If he was, then his mage sight would pick up on our thought projections.

The masked man didnt react in any way to their conversation. There was no way he was an Archon. Hes lying. Hes a High Mystic at most.

Seems a safe bet. Also, he thinks were Seers. He doesnt know how strong we really are.

Youre right, were spies, Xerxes said.

Youre communicating mentally, the man snarled. He took a step forward to the edge of the dais. He was at the edge of the dais. Stop. Immediately.

Or what? Xerxes said, sliding his lead foot forward a bit and shifting his weight slightly. You want to fight? Because Im an Asgagu mage. I love fighting.

The man pulled his pouchs drawstring, then stuck his finger in to loosen the opening. This is your last warning. Dont push me!

When he pulled his fingers back out, Xerxes spotted a granular substance on the tip of his finger. Not gold dust. Not diamond powder. Not talcum powder. It was sand. And that meant this man was either a Balatu mage or Nasaru. If it was the latter, Nasaru, then the man could defend himself against any attack Xerxes threw. But his spells wouldnt give him much of an advantage in offense. If it was the former, then he could conceivably cast spells like Slow Death, Rapid Death, or Instant Death, depending on his level.

But at least Xerxes had an idea of what he was up against.

He opened his component pouch.

The hooded man yelled, jumped off the dais, and lunged toward Xerxes.

Xerxes pulled out a handful of crabnickel powder and jabbed his finger into it.

Youre dead! the hooded man shouted, kicking aside a chair and pulling out a knife.

Katayouns foot caught him completely unprepared as she delivered a roundhouse kick to his abdomen.

He grunted and collapsed. As chairs clattered, his hood fell back to reveal a sallow face with a patchy beard.

Kill them! he shrieked, scrambling backward like a crab. But Katayoun had a handful of powder and was tracing a rune as she took a step toward him.

Shes casting a Death spell, Xerxes thought.

Others in the room took action. One person pulled out a component pouch, two others drew short bronze swords.