Chapter 97: An Expensive Device

Chapter 97: An Expensive Device

Hard decisions? Gandash asked.

You have the Gateway Key, right? Purattu asked.

We do.

Good. Purattu looked around at the carnage and wrinkled his nose. Lets find a less disgusting place to talk.

He led them further west, to where a small waterfall formed a churning pond near some boulders.

This is as good a place as any. Kneeling, he washed the blood from his hands and face. The other mages did the same.

Xerxes relished the feeling of the cool water on his skin.

Theres a lot to explain, and time is limited, Purattu said. Archon Shabadras is dead.

What? Gandash blurted.

Are you serious? Katayoun said.

Theres no way, Xerxes added.

Purattu looked at them one by one. Hes either dead, or hes a traitor. General Kamaru-Ayyabu as well, though none of you knew him. That fact alone has the Mage Parliament and the military completely on edge. Forgetting all of the countless ramifications this could have, the salient issue for us is that Shabadras and Kamaru-Ayyabu were the leaders of the Gateway Key program. Theyre the ones who ordered the mission to hide the Key here. And now theyre dead.

Because of that, I want to take the Key away from here. The situation is too volatile on Sin-Amuhhu. He extended his hand. Give it to me.

Xerxes had the key, but instead of simply pulling it out, he glanced at Gandash.

His friend seemed to be standing very stiffly.

Who ordered the mission? Gandash asked. Who said to take the Key away?

The stocky mage pulled his hand back and crossed his arms. Its not an official mission. Like I said, the people who actually know about the Key are dead. Or missing. Nobody in the military leadership is completely aware of all the details. Thats why I want to get the Key to somewhere safe.

Gandash stood in place looking back at him.

Purattus eyes shifted between the four other mages. Where. Is. The Key?

We hid it, Gandash said.

Purattus eyes narrowed. You did what?

Before that fight with the big Abhorrent. We hid the key just in case we all died.

Purattu stood. Then tell me where it is.

Not unless you promise us something.

The stocky mages eyes blazed. Promise you something? Like what?

Help us go get the rest of Black Jackal Company. Theyre in a cave network in the mountains to the east. They

Are you fucking kidding me? Purattu exploded. This planet is being overrun by Abhorrent, and theres a damned Gateway Key here! If the monsters get the Key, they can run rampant throughout the Great Reef. Throughout the damned empire! And you want to waste time saving a few Unsighted soldiers? Theyre conditioned to die for the empire! They wont give a shit if you save them!

There are mages there, too, Gandash said. I promised not to abandon them. If you want the Key, then help us get them.

I hereby order you to give me the Key, Purattu said. I know youre a by-the-book officer, Gandash, so dont you dare try to refuse a direct order.

Gandash laughed. Youre not in the Sin-Amuhhu Combined Armed Forces. You cant order me to do anything. Whats more, you already said your mission isnt sanctioned. If anything, I should refuse to give you the Key under any circumstances.

Purattu made a spitting sound. He looked at Xerxes. What about you, Xerk? Dont tell me youre going to side with Gandash. Tell me where the Key is.

There was no need to question what he referred to.

No need for that, Xerxes said.

Yeah, Katayoun added.

Gandash nodded. Well, I know were all exhausted, but the end is in sight. We should get up the mountain.

Despite staying off the road, they made good time. It only took two hours to get close to the Gateway. There were no further Abhorrent encounters. The glade Purattu had mentioned, located about a quarter-league from the complex, was empty.

After scouting the perimeter to ensure there were no enemies lurking about, they set up the stone disc in the middle of the place, then picked a place to wait.

Time seemed to move in slow motion as the sun crawled down past the treeline, and afternoon gave way to evening. Not wanting to risk attracting attention with a fire, they ate hard bread and water.

I guess we have a choice to make, Gandash said. He looked around the group. I, for one, am tired of secret missions. And I dont want to risk my career just on Purattus word. Its not that I distrust him. Just.

We get it, Xerxes said. When he thought about the situation, he had a hard time deciding what he wanted to do. The idea of working side-by-side with Purattu, a High Mystic and an expert in the Epitome, was attractive. Surely it would be better than trudging through the mud with Abhorrent lurking around every corner, which seemed the future of Black Jackal in the face of a massive invasion.

Besides, it sounded like Purattu had some sort of plan. Maybe even a way to deal with the Abhorrent invasion that the mages on Sin-Amuhhu hadnt considered. And the truth was that Xerxes had long abandoned any aspirations of rising through the ranks in the military.

That said, there were other considerations. His friendship with Gandash. His relationship with Katayoun. His family and friends on Mannemid.

What about you, Kash? Gandash asked. Are you thinking of taking up Purattus offer?

Kashtiliash swallowed some bread and washed it down with water. Nope. Im done taking risks. I want my pay from the military. And a promotion. You think thatll happen?

Gandash didnt hesitate. Yes. After the hell we went through, youll get an officer commission for sure. As for me its harder to say.

Kashtiliash nodded. Thats what I was thinking. Ill go through the Gateway.

Xerxes felt a bit of heaviness tugging his heart down. He breathed in and out. Kat? What are you thinking?

I want to go with Purattu, she said. I have to go with him. Gandy, I think you did great as the captain. You got us through the mission as a company, and Im sure theyll give you that promotion, and probably a medal too. I know were on the threshold of the Gateway. But I never wanted to be in the military to begin with. I want to see my family. And make sure theyre safe. So Ill go with Purattu. Xerk, will you come with me?

His heart sank further. So, it came down to this.

He looked at Gandash, but his childhood friend was staring at the tree line. Gandash looked calm and peaceful, but at the same time, haggard. It had been many days since Xerxes realized his friend had changed. Grown. The effect was even more pronounced now.

Xerxes looked at Kashtiliash. The bearded mage looked back at him and nodded slightly.

Ill go with you, Kat, Xerxes said. I think that in a lot of situations, a couple of mages working on their own have a better chance of making a difference than they would working with an army. Not that Im minimizing the role of the Unsighted. Just.

We know what you mean, Kashtiliash said. I guess this means the Humusi Swordmasters are going to disband.

No, Xerxes replied without even thinking about it. Well always be Swordmasters. Just taking different paths. And when we meet again, well be stronger and better than before.

Kashtiliash grinned. All right.

Gandash, still looking at the trees, somehow appeared to be sitting much more stiff than before. But before Xerxes could say anything else, the stone disc in the middle of the clearing flared with light, and Teucer stepped out.

For an hour, the surviving members of Black Jackal appeared in the clearing. The last to come through the opening was Purattu. He immediately knelt and fiddled with the disc. There was a final burst of light, whereupon the ring appeared atop the disc. Then the light faded.

Purattu approached. Looking at the faces of Gandash, Xerxes, Kashtiliash, and Katayoun, he said, You all look like you just ate a bug. I guess that means you made a decision?

Yes, Gandash said. Xerk and Kat will go with you. Ill take Black Jackal through the Gateway.

Excellent. In that case, why dont you form ranks and well march to the complex. I wiped out the Abhorrent that were camping out there, but I bet more have replaced them. Well need to do a bit of fighting.

Gandash called out his orders, and Black Jackal formed into ranks.

With Purattu in the lead, they marched toward the Gateway complex.