Chapter 83: Crowds and a Rooftop

Chapter 83: Crowds and a Rooftop

Yahel escorted Xerxes to the inner wall gate, but no further. She gave him an official pass that would allow him to return in the morning and bring a guest with him. He parted ways with her, then headed west toward the river, intending to follow it south back to where the others waited for him. Strangely, the streets seemed crowded compared to back in the inner city.

I dont remember it being like this last night. Was it some sort of local festival?

Two blocks away from the gate, something made the hair on the back of his neck prickle. He looked over his shoulder.

Back in Harborview on Mannemid, hed developed street instincts by virtue of necessity. Despite not seeing anyone behind him, he felt like he was being followed. No one behind him in the street jumped out as being suspicious. But that didnt mean his instincts were wrong. He made it a point to stay as close to the middle of the street as possible. The crowds grew thicker.

At the next intersection, he realized why. Some sort of parade was up ahead. Numerous city guards were holding back the crowds as robed and masked individuals marched down the street to the accompaniment of tambourines and horns. Other figures in dark robes carried straw effigies.

There was no way to cross without making a scene. He looked left and right, and also back, trying to identify who might have been the one following him. Yet again, he failed to notice anyone.

He went back west, away from the crowd, then south. Eventually he reached a wall cutting off the southward route, forcing him to either go west toward the parade, or further east. He went east.

There were less people here. What was more, that feeling of being followed waned.

He spotted an alleyway going south, and ducked into it. It was only about four cubits from one end to the other, with crates and refuse piled in the corners on either side. He waited for a moment, looking out into the street, waiting to see if anyone came toward him. No one did.

He started walking. Halfway through the alley, a noise caught his ear, and he looked over his shoulder.

Someone was silhouetted in the alley entrance behind him. Whoever it was, they had a longsword slung over their shoulder.

Shit, I was right. He turned his head forward and broke into a trot.

Someone stepped into the alley entrance ahead.

Fuckers, he thought. They got me cornered.

But who were these people?

The figure in front of him walked forward slowly. He looked over his shoulder. The person behind him did the same.

He adjusted his grip on his sword. What to do?

Were they local thugs, hoping to relieve him of coin? Were they swordsmen wanting to gain fame by cutting down an opponent in a duel? Was that a thing in Puabi?

Were they mages?

He squinted his eyes in the hopes of making out details of the person ahead of him. Could it be possible it was Eskinder? Out for revenge because of the clash at the bridge? Yahel had hinted that the young mage would do something like that.

Theres one way to figure out if theyre mages or not.

The alley walls werent bare. Ahead of him, he saw windows, balconies and ladders. Throwing his head back and looking up, he saw the same.

He stepped to the right, bent his legs, and ran toward the opposite wall. He jumped, hit the wall with both feet, then pushed in the opposite direction. Reaching up, he grabbed a balcony, pulled himself up to it, all the while keeping his sword in his other hand. From there, he scrambled up, jumped to the balcony opposite, dashed up a ladder, and made a flying leap. His fingers found purchase on the rooftop, and he pulled himself up.

The rooftops in Puabi were like those in many major cities in the Humusi starisles; they were flat with parapets. Once in a good position, he looked over the parapet into the alley below. The two sword-wielding figures had already converged on the spot where he started climbing, and they were now making the same ascent.

They couldnt have run that fast if they were Unsighted.

Eskinder, the female said, I dont like this. She took a step back and lowered her sword. You said he was trying to kill you.

He did try to kill me, Eskinder said. He took yet another passing step forward, putting him very close to being close enough to strike Xerxes.

Thats far enough, Xerxes said.

Oshrit, Eskinder said, obviously addressing the female mage, you owe me. This idiots a traitor and a danger to our cause. We need to bring him to Arshaka to figure out whats really going on. I bet these Black Jackals arent even from Sin-Amuhhu. Theyre probably rogue mages out for their own benefit.

The female mage Oshrit hesitated. Drop your sword, she repeated.

Xerxes was getting annoyed at the jabbering. Im not dropping my sword. In fact, the only reason Im standing here is I wanted to see why you were following me. Ill give you two options. One: get over that parapet and let me on my way. Two: fight me and die. Your choice.

Eskinder hissed. See, Oshrit? Someone from the Combined Armed Forces wouldnt

Not waiting for Eskinder to finish his sentence, Xerxes lunged and brought his sword up in a slashing attack. Eskinder barely managed to bring his own sword down to defend himself. Xerxes whipped his sword around to attack from the opposite direction.

Eskinder was too slow.

However, Xerxes wasnt aiming for killing blows, and instead, the tip of his blade bit into the young mages shoulder.

Eskinder yelped and jumped back.

Xerxes ended in the Reaping Guard. He took a short step backward.

Let me go, he said. Im not here to fight with you and your loyalists.

Eskinder, Oshrit said, dont

Hah! Eskinder shouted, making a feint, then following with a passing step and an attack.

He telegraphed his move. Badly.

Xerxes could tell he was coming in with the Squinting Slash. It was too easy.

He stepped to the side and thrust. His sword stabbed right into Eskinders throat. He pulled the blade out, and blood poured onto the gravel of the rooftop.

Eskinde dropped his weapon and fell to his knees, gurgling.

No! Oshrit yelled.

Xerxes backed up as the female mage threw her sword down and bounded forward. She caught Eskinder just as he was about to collapse. Throwing aside her outer robe, she loosened a spell component pouch and pulled out a handful of green belladonna sand. Eskinder slumped in her arms and closed his eyes. Moments later, melam flowed as she cast Minor Restoration. The wound closed.

Eskinder, she said. Eskinder!

His eyes opened. What?

Im leaving, Xerxes said. In the time you spent casting that spell, I could have removed both of your heads. Remember that.

Oshrit looked up at him, her eyes shining beneath her mask. I know.

Stay away from Black Jackal Company. Or else worse will happen.