Martin Scott - Thraxas Under Siege (ARC)

"Do you think I'm unattractive?"

"Er . . ." I hesitate, and look round for support.

"I think you're still very pretty," says Dandelion.

"Good features," adds Tirini.

"I think you're very beautiful," says young Ravenius, then looks abashed as everyone stares at him. "For an enemy Sorcerer, I mean."

"Even so," I say, "you can see why the Captain's angry."

"The Captain was a most pleasant companion," says the Orc Sorcerer. "And made my stay in your city much more bearable than it might otherwise have been. But enough of this. Lisutaris, I'm disappointed in you. Your sorcery is less powerful than I've been led to believe. Deputy Consul Cicerius, you are a fool. And as for you . . ."

She turns towards Horm the Dead.

"Your life will not be worth living once Prince Amrag learns that you were willing to gamble the Ocean Storm away for the sake of a woman."

Horm moves very swiftly, trying to fire a spell at Deeziz, but she waves her hand once more, sending him crashing backwards against the wall. Nothing could demonstrate her power more than the ease with which she defeats Horm. I'm hoping Lisutaris has some brilliant plan for beating her, because I certainly haven't.

Deeziz snaps her fingers and the Ocean Storm rises out of Horm's cloak and flies into her hand. She looks at it thoughtfully for a few seconds, then towards Cicerius.

"Perhaps it was harsh of me to call you a fool. After all, you did what you thought was best. You sent troops and Sorcerers to the south of the city to guard the sea wall. But as you will see, that was a mistake."

"What do you mean?" asks Cicerius.

"I mean it's what we wanted you to do. I have created panic and suspicion in Turai. I have planted rumours of Orcish incursion. I've caused phantom Orcs to be seen around the harbour. I've spread rumours of Orcish fleets around your shores. I have introduced Orcish Assassins inside your city to bring panic. I've made you send so much of your defences to the southern walls that your other walls are now insecure. Your Sorcerers Guild has insufficient power left to guard the rest of the city."

Deeziz looks again at the Ocean Storm, and then, bizarrely, she starts to sing. She sings a verse of "Love Me Through the Winter," Moolifi's most famous song. Not emotionally, like the times she performed it for an audience, but quietly. Everyone looks on, quite mystified. If the most powerful Orcish Sorcerer arrives in your midst, the last thing you expect them to do is to start singing.

Moolifi halts, and looks towards Lisutaris. "I've sung that song every day since I arrived here. It's based on a powerful old Elvish invocation. I wove spells into it to baffle my enemies, and bring you to ruin. And now it's done."

"What's done?"

Deeziz tucks the Ocean Storm into her elegant little bag.

"Are you aware that this tavern stands on a dragon line?" she says.

"Yes," says Lisutaris.

"It runs right through the city to the northern gate, where the river enters Turai. I've sent the power of the Ocean Storm along the dragon line. In around thirty seconds a wave of incredible power will flow down the river, breaking all your defences and smashing the gate. As soon as that happens, Lord Rezaz will march into Turai."

"Rezaz is nowhere near Turai," cries Coranius.

"On the contrary, he and his army are about to march through your shattered northern wall."

At this moment Lisutaris once more attempts to fire a spell at Deeziz. Deeziz brushes it off quite nonchalantly.

"Your sorcery is useless against me. But not against Lord Rezaz's army, perhaps. So it would be better for Prince Amrag if you were not around to use it."

With that, Deeziz the Unseen raises both arms in front of her, chants a short sentence, and there's an almighty explosion. I'm thrown backwards and crash into the wall, and pass out immediately.

Chapter Twenty-Three

When I wake up, it's dark and I'm very confused. Not the sort of confusion that comes from indulging too freely in Gurd's fine ale, and coming round on the floor wondering what day it is. More the sort of confusion that makes me wonder who I am and what my name is.

I stand up, looking around me dumbly. I'm in a large room. There are tables, chairs, half-finished drinks and a lot of cards scattered around. I'm the only person in the room. There's a fire in the hearth, burning low. It's still confusing. I can't make any sense of it at all. I notice my throat is very dry. There are drinks all over the place but I'm drawn to a bottle on the table where the cards are. I pick it up and glance at the label. The Grand Abbot's Ale. Odd name for a beer. I raise it to my lips and drink it all down.

And then it comes back in a flash. The Grand Abbot's Ale restores my memory. I'm Thraxas, private Investigator, currently engaged in a game of cards with Horm the Dead and various others. Except Horm and all the others don't seem to be here any more. The last thing I remember is Deeziz the Unseen casting a spell. I'd guess it was some powerful spell of confusion. Powerful enough to knock me out, despite my spell protection charm. I wonder if it worked on everyone else. From the way they've all wandered off, I think it has. Particularly as the card table is still loaded with money. People in Turai would have to be very confused indeed to leave money lying around in public.

My cards are still on the table. I flip them over: 7, 8, bishop, queen, all black. I turn over Horm the Dead's cards: four kings. It's a better hand than mine. He would have won. Of course, technically, the game hasn't finished yet. We never got round to declaring our hands. But he's no longer at the table, while I'm still here, which makes me the winner. Thraxas, number one chariot at the card table. I toss the cards in a heap then scoop all the money into my bag.

I walk past the bar and into the rooms beyond. Gurd's room is empty. No sign of him or Tanrose. I check the store rooms. Also empty. I hurry upstairs. I have a feeling there's something badly wrong but I can't quite put my finger on it. My office is empty and so is my bedroom. There seems to be a lot of noise outside. I hurry along to Makri's room. Makri is lying on the floor, drenched in sweat, barely conscious. Lisutaris is beside her, unconscious. I kneel down beside them. Makri opens her eyes.

"Are you confused?" I ask.

"Compared to you, no," says Makri. "What happened?"

"Deeziz. Enemy Sorcerer. Cast a powerful spell downstairs."

"I heard a bang," whispers Makri. "I found Lisutaris wandering in the corridor. I dragged her in here."

"You see anyone else?"

Makri shakes her head.

The noises outside get louder.

"What's happening?"

"I think the city has just fallen to the Orcs."

"What?"

Makri attempts to sit up, but fails. She's very weak, and the effort of dragging Lisutaris into her room has taken the last of her energy. I tell her to wait while I check on events outside. I walk along the corridor and go into the small cupboard which contains a ladder leading to the roof. It's an awkward climb, not one that I've made for a while. By the time I struggle on to the roof the noises outside are deafening. People are screaming in panic and confusion. I look north. Dragons are swooping over the city and smoke and flames curl over the Palace. Lord Rezaz the Butcher has taken the city and the population is fleeing as best they can. I struggle back down the ladder, and head for my office. I put on my magic warm cloak, take my sword, my illuminated staff and my grimoire of spells. I put a bottle of the Abbot's klee in my bag, along with thazis and the large joint of venison Lisutaris sent me. It's a heavy load, though not much to be taking away from the city I've lived in all my life.

I now have to get myself, Makri and Lisutaris to safety. I'm concerned about Gurd, but he's not around and I've no way of locating him. It's possible Tanrose has taken him off somewhere. Or it's possible he's just wandered off and has been killed by the Orcs.