Upon seeing Xerxes standing outside the opened cell door, Ningsummunu sagged in place. “Thank the Pontifarch.” He turned. “It’s Xerk. Get Gandy.”

Ningsummunu turned, and it was only then that Xerxes noticed how he favored his left side. His face was bruised, and his clothing had been torn. Not haphazardly. But the sleeves had been ripped off and cut short at the knee.

What the hell happened in a single day?

The building shook. Not once, but twice. Three times, with the third being more than a mere tremor.

“Did something hit the building?” Dasi said.

“You and Kash go check,” Xerxes said. He took two steps forward into the cell room. When he passed through the doorway, a tingling sensation ran through him. He instinctively reached toward his chambers of energy, but failed. He was cut off from melam.

Spell formation.

It was dark inside. He saw the window to the left where he’d thrown the paper airplane into the building. To the right, there was less light.

He squinted. It was a very large room with cots against the wall and little else. And from the far corner, three individuals trudged toward him. As they neared, he realized it was Kishar and Teucer, the two of them supporting Gandash.

Gandash was hardly walking. It was more like they were dragging him with them.

“What the hell?” Xerxes said. When he’d met with Gandash the previous day he’d seemed completely hale and healthy.

“They did a number on us since we’re being freed tomorrow,” Ningsummunu said. “Claimed we’re traitors to Sin-Amuhhu, something like that.”

The three other mages got closer, allowing Xerxes to see that both Kishar and Teucer were in similar shape to Ningsummunu. But Gandash was far worse. He had been beaten. His face was puffy and swollen, and he had dried blood on his tattered garments.

“Those motherfuckers,” Xerxes growled.

“My thoughts exactly,” Ningsummunu said.

Xerxes backed out of the door.

Ningsummunu followed. Then Kishar gave Gandash into Teucer’s care, allowing the two of them to come out first.

Katayoun made a muttered curse when she saw them. She stepped to Kishar and embraced her softly. “Kish, are you…?”

“I’m fine,” Kishar said. “But Gandy’s in bad shape. He needs healing.”

Katayoun didn’t hesitate. She opened her component pouch, dug out some green belladonna sand, and cast Minor Restoration.

Over the course of about fifteen seconds, Gandash’s wounds faded away. He took in a ragged breath.

Afterward, Teucer stepped away from him.

Gandash stood straight, his hands clenched into fists. He looked around.

“Thank you, Kat. And thank you, Xerk. I owe you my life.”

Xerxes smiled and reached over to clasp Gandash’s shoulder. “You don’t owe us anything. What happened?”

“They found out we had a second mission. Either that, or they took a wild guess. Tried to beat information out of me.”

“I take it you didn’t talk,” Katayoun said.

“Hell no.” The building shook again. “What is that?”

“There’s a lot going on,” Xerxes said. “Meteors falling. Abhorrent everywhere.”

“Damn,” Gandash said. He looked at Teucer, then Ningsummunu and Kishar. Finally he looked at Katayoun. “Kat, do you have enough melam to heal everyone?”

She hesitated.

“It’s not necessary,” Kishar said. “We’re roughed up, but we don’t need healing. Kat should save her melam and components.”

“Agreed,” Teucer said, though he grimaced as he rubbed his shoulder.

“I also agree,” Ningsummunu said.

“We have a problem,” Kashtiliash said, approaching from a far corridor. Dasi was behind him.

“This time,” Dasi said, “the fuckers led with the big meteors. The smaller ones are only now starting to hit the city. A lot of them.”

“What?” Gandash said.

“At least four juveniles hit the city in the past couple minutes,” Xerxes explained. “Plus there’s a horde from the north that’s outside the walls. And now more are arriving. We have to get out of here.”

Gandash’s eyes flashed as he looked at Xerxes. “Did you get the key?”

Xerxes nodded. “Yeah.”

“Okay, that’s all that matters. If the city is being attacked by multiple juveniles, then there’s nothing we can do to save it. We need to leave.”

“Where are the Unsighted?” Xerxes asked, thinking about Stratos, Tustimant, and the others.

“There’s a basement level,” Gandash said. “Right, Ning?”

The building shook so violently that dust rained from the ceiling.

“Let’s go find out,” Xerxes said.

There were a few soldiers still on duty. None of them posed any obstacle. It only took about two minutes to run down to the lower portions of the prison building to the location where the rest of Black Jackal company was detained.

When Xerxes saw the condition of Black Jackal Company’s Unsighted soldiers, he ground his teeth in anger. They were wallowing in squalor. Though none had been beaten, they looked weak and hopeless. And this was the result of only a few days in captivity. It was as if the ‘loyalists’ had simply locked them up and ignored them for days on end.

“Those bastards,” Gandash said as he personally helped Sergeant Laz out of a cell.

“Can’t disagree with you there, Captain,” said Sergeant Stratos as he followed Laz out. “‘Ey, First Lieutenant Xerxes. It’s been a minute.”

“Stratos,” Xerxes said, stepping forward and clasping the sergeant’s arm. “Good to see you.”

“They told me they were taking good care of you,” Gandash said, a hard edge to his voice.

“Could ‘ave been worse, Captain,” Stratos said. “Least they didn’t torture us.”

“It makes me wonder if they really planned to hand us over to the sheik.”

“At this point,” Xerxes said, “it doesn’t matter, right?”

The building trembled again, causing pebbles and dust to rain from the ceiling.

“You’re right. Let’s go.”

Gandash led the way up and out of the prison building. Along the way, he gave orders to some of the Unsighted to locate the weapons, equipment, belongings, and supplies that had been confiscated when they were arrested.

Out on the street, there were citizens running this way and that. Soldiers. A few rat-like Abhorrent scurrying about.

As soon as the mages appeared, the Abhorrent turned in their direction.

Xerxes and Kashtiliash drew swords and dealt with the handful that rushed them. Meanwhile, Unsighted soldiers joined them. Some had standard shields and swords, others had spears or other weapons. A few had clubs made of demolished armchairs, or kitchen knives. But as they gathered, those who had been tasked with retrieving the supplies arrived with shields, spears, and swords. Gandash’s holding bracelet was recovered.

“What about the horses?” Xerxes asked Stratos.

“Taken away,” Stratos replied. He lunged forward with a spear and killed a rat Abhorrent. “No idea where they are. Carts either.”

After everyone was lined up, Gandash stood in front of the group. “Good to see everyone in the light of day.” He looked up into the dark sky. “Or the dead of night, rather. We’re getting out of this city. Everyone stick together. Heavy infantry and cavalry, you take priority on shields and weapons. Stick to vanguard and rear guard positions. There won’t be time for battle tactics. We’re going to go through the city—”

“You won’t be going anywhere!”

Xerxes turned his gaze from Gandash to a new arrival. A mage with a longsword.

“Simeon,” he said.

Behind him was the young mage who had been part of the transport convoy.

Simeon had his longsword out, and was pointing it at Gandash.

“I should clarify,” Simeon said. “You won’t go anywhere until you return what’s ours.”

Xerxes took a step forward to stand between Gandash and Simeon. He put his hand to the hilt of his longsword. “Back off, Simeon. You’re one mage facing a group of High Seers. You don’t stand a chance.”

“You don’t care if I massacre your Unsighted?” Simeon asked. “I could kill plenty while you stumble around trying to stop me.”

Xerxes’ hand tightened on the hilt of his longsword.

“Who is this?” Gandash asked.

“One of the sheik’s High Seers,” Xerxes replied quietly. “We took the Key from him only a few minutes ago.”

“High Seer Simeon,” Gandash said loudly, “I’m Captain Gandash, sent here by High Archon Kingallu himself to help Sheik Hatim.”

Simeon took a step forward. “I don’t care. Give me the Gateway Key.”

Xerxes hissed through his teeth. “Gandy, if he knows about the key, doesn’t that mean….”

“Can you handle him?” Gandash asked.

“Yeah. But what about the other one?”

“Last chance!” Simeon said.

“Kash,” Gandy said, “you help Xerk. Kat, I want you and Dasi to lead everyone else out of here. I’m going to stay.”

Xerxes drew his sword, bent his knees, and entered Tail guard.

Off to the side, he saw Kashtiliash walking out from the group of Unsighted soldiers.

“This way!” Dasi cried. The large group followed.

“So that’s how you want to play it,” Simeon said. “Fine.”

He burst into motion, raising his sword into the Skyward guard. A long time ago, Xerxes would have been dazzled by such speed and agility.

But he had spent months training with Mystic Rabya, who had likely studied the Epitome longer than Simeon had been alive.

Simeon was clearly heading toward the Unsighted soldiers, but Xerxes dashed to the side to intercept him.

Simeon unleashed the Wrath strike, which Xerxes easily blocked. Not wanting to lose the advantage of surprise, he followed through with an attack that forced Simeon to back up.

Xerxes caught a burst of light as Kashtiliash cast Singular Lethality and walked toward the young mage who had accompanied Simeon.

“So it’s true you’re a student of the Epitome,” Simeon said. “And here I thought Eskinder was making excuses.”

“Let’s cut the bullshit,” Xerxes said. “You’re a cultist, aren’t you?”

Simeon smiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His eyes flitted to check the line of Black Jackal soldiers and mages, who were moving away down the street.

“I know what you’re wondering,” Xerxes said. “Who has the Key? Well, it’s Dasi. The shapeshifter. And I’m not going to let you catch up to her.”

Simeon looked away from Black Jackal Company. “Since you seem intent on standing in my way, I’ll just have to kill you.”

Xerxes extended one hand and made a beckoning gesture.

Simeon had his sword in the Reaping guard as he took a very short step forward. “I’ve been studying the Epitome for 70 years. You sure you don’t want to surrender and live?”

Xerxes burst out laughing.

Simeon glowered. “What’s so funny? I can tell you’re barely more than a teenager.”

“What’s funny is that my teacher started studying the Epitome before your grandmother lost her virginity.”

“The skill of a teacher—” Simeon lunged forward with the Crooked strike.

Xerxes parried, counterthrust, then stepped to the side. From there, he went on the offensive, launching a series of feints and strikes that forced Simeon to nearly run backward to avoid the deadly steel.

More light flared to the side as the young mage also cast Singular Lethality and started fighting Kashtiliash.

Xerxes looked Simeon in the eye. “Leave or I’ll kill you.”

“No.”

Simeon reached into his robe and pulled out a pendant attached to his neck by means of a silver chain. He pulled it off his neck. “There’s one nice thing about the cult. We’re rich. And that means I can afford things like this.”

He squeezed the pendant, then pushed it against the blade of his longsword. Melam erupted, and brilliant light shone as the entire blade turned bright white.

“Shit,” Xerxes blurted.

“That’s about how I would react if I saw an Archon-level Asgagu spell. And the sad thing is that, now that I’ve cast it, I have to make it worth it. I hereby rescind my offer to let you live.”

Raising the burning blade, he jumped forward.