Wysper - Abduction

"Greywolf," Prince Avitohol's voice called out from the doorway to the bathhouse, "are you in there?"

"Pray bide a moment," I called back, adjusting my dress before running my fingers through my damp hair. Tossing the drying cloth into the basket, I stepped outside. "Prince Avitohol, I have not seen Greywolf or anyone else since I woke up. Is something amiss?"

Prince Avitohol was dressed in a black tunic with white boars embroidered on the cloth, dark leather trousers, and boots shined to a gloss. "He's supposed to be watching Asena fight. I've looked all over the inn, and the only ones here are Az's twin Nomads, who are passed out drunk. I thought he might be back here."

Unease coiled itself around my heart like a venomous serpent. "Greywolf told me he got to know the Chaldeans a little before the raid, and the Nomads only drink sparingly. I need to examine them." I moved past him, the ground cold on my bare feet as I headed towards the back door.

He followed behind. "You look terrible. Are you sick, or was it a bad night?"

"The night was wonderful," I replied. At least what I remember of it. "Were I not a Blood mage with a good friend who made sure I drank enough purified water before I slept, I would be in far worse shape. Blood magic strengthens us against all ill effects."

As I opened the door, Prince Avitohol chuckled. "Including hangovers. No wonder the outriders are such notorious drinkers." Without responding I started down the hall, practically running as we raced past the kitchen and into the private area. The bead curtain's bells jangled wildly as I reached the common room. He said, "They're back in the far corner."

I rushed past the tables and cushions to the corner where deep shadows almost hid two figures in armor, propped up against the walls with their heads together and their weapons still in their sheathes. Two ceramic cups and a pitcher laying on its side were on the table in front of them.

The smell of wine was strong as Prince Avitohol helped me move the table away, then joined me as I knelt in front of them, shaking each one of them in turn. Prince Avitohol gave the man’s face in front of him a hard slap. Neither of the Nomads responded. "This is not drunkenness," I told him as I placed a palm on each forehead. "Blood magic can counteract the effects of poison, but only for as long as the mage uses her power."

The prince gave me a wide-eyed look. "They've been poisoned?"

"Maybe. We will know for sure if they begin to rouse." Greywolf had taught me the trick of pushing my mana out instead of just letting it flow, and as their foreheads grew warm, their eyelids began to flutter. Their lips started moving, the twins muttering together in some strange language, and I put my face close to their ears. "Apologies, but I cannot understand either one of you. If you can hear me, speak in Greco-Roma."

"Betrayed," they whispered in unison, "by the Daemo and his guards. Little Paulus was taken."

My heart seemed to leap into my throat as Prince Avitohol shook the man in front of him. "What about Greywolf?"

"Taken as well." Both Nomads opened their eyes, and each grasped the wrist of my hand at their forehead. "Leave us here. Find Paulus and save him."

"But you both have been poisoned," I said as they pulled my hands away. "We need to find you a healer."

"Too late for us. Little Paulus will be crucified; save him, avenge us, save Greywolf, keep Domina..." Their voices became too faint to hear as their eyes closed once more.

Prince Avitohol pulled me to my feet with surprising strength. "Come on, we've got to rescue them."

"But how?" I asked as he pulled me towards the door. "We should tell someone-"

"No time," he replied as he opened it. "Father's going to insist the games finish before he lets Timur mount a search party, and Prince Iron Butt will go along so he doesn't insult tradition." A cold breeze swept over us as we went outside and he slammed the door shut. "Hypam and her warriors are camped outside of Bukhara, just beyond the outer village. She'll help us."

Realizing he was probably right, I took off with him at a run, fear giving wings to my feet as we reached the main road and race down it to the plaza, the street vendors watching us with surprised faces as we passed through them towards the open gate.

The half dozen guards were huddled together, facing away from us and laughing at some jest as we ran by them. Shouts came from behind us, but neither looked back as we hurtled past them across the paving stones of the white bridge.

As we reached the opposite side and pounded down the dusty street, gathering more looks from the people doing business there, several men walked out of the entrance to a three story building, two of them with wolfish faces. Castor noticed us first. "Wysper, what are you doing-"

"Greywolf and Paulus were taken," I panted, slowing down with Prince Avitohol breathing hard beside me. "And both Nomads poisoned."

"Poisoned?" Fenris snarled, and I stepped away from him as he said, "Where are they?"

"Common room at the Direwolf," Prince Avitohol said, adding, "They told us the Daemo did it."

"Why are you running away from Bukhara then?" Troll hunched over as his voice turned menacing. "Unless you had something to do with this."

Prince Avitohol stepped in front of Troll with his fists clenched. "I'm going to get my cousin, Hypam, and her hundred warriors to rescue them. Any more questions?"

Troll blinked. "I'm coming with you, then."

"What about our brothers?" Fenris growled. "They die while we argue."

"Go," Castor said, pushing his brother in the direction of Bukhara. "Get a healer for your new brothers and I'll go with the prince and find Greywolf." Fenris hesitated.

Then whipped around and grabbed Troll by the front of his stained tunic. "Rip out that bastard Balthazar's liver and eat it in front of him."

In response, Troll slammed his chest against Fenris', which must have meant something to them because the Lycaon let him go and raced off towards Bukhara. The rest of us turned and started running the opposite way.

Just beyond the village were the pens and fields where horses and other animals were kept, including Greywolf's Daemo mount, Rocky, who watched us intently as we raced past him towards a cluster of tents at the top of a small rise. As we started up the gentle slope, a flame haired warrior in Artifact armor stood up out of the tall grass, put her little fingers to her lips, and gave out a piercing whistle.

The tents above became a swarm of activity, with dark haired men in leather getting to their feet or climbing out of their tents as Hypam strode down the slope to join us. "Yasataar walked my dreams last night, so I knew you'd be coming, but she didn't tell me why. What happened?"

We stopped in a group behind Prince Avitohol as he blurted out the tale, all of us catching our breath as he added, "Will you help us rescue them?"

Hypam mussed his hair. "Of course, but on one condition," her forefinger poking him in the chest. "You will lead the raiding party and I will be your second."

Prince Avitohol reared back. "Me?"

"Him?" Troll gave her a suspicious look. "Avitohol's just a kid."

"Prince Avitohol to you, ugly one," Hypam giving him a dark look as he scowled. "He leads or the Black Dragons remain here."

"Hypam," I said, choosing my words with care, "this makes no sense. You are the one with experience."

"Which my cousin needs. Avitohol, the Keeper of the Spirits told me that today is to be your trial of manhood. Lead the raiding party, rescue Greywolf, and even the Khan of khans will not be able to deny that you've earned the name of Attila." For a moment, Prince Avitohol stared at her in confusion.

Then he drew himself up as his jaw set in a firm line. "Alright, I'll do it. Did anyone see them leave?"

Hypam inclined her head. "A while ago I watched as a piss colored Daemo directed four men to load a wooden chest onto a wagon, with a driver and a grey bearded man in robes on the seat. The four joined perhaps another twenty guards on horseback, climbing up on their own mounts as the Daemo climbed onto the wagon bed beside the chest. Then they all took off north towards Khor at a good clip."

I asked, "Was there anything special about the chest?"

Hypam snorted. "Other than the holes drilled into the sides to allow air to blow in?"

Troll gave her an ugly look. "You could've stopped them if you'd wanted."

"I had no reason to," Hypam putting her fists on her hips as she glared at him. "Khan Huldin told me no raiding while we were on this mission, and I had no idea what or who was in the chest."

"We're wasting time," Prince Avitohol said, cutting off Troll, who glared at the boy. The prince ignored him. "Hypam, can we catch up to them?"

"By nightfall, certainly. Horses are faster, but they don't have the endurance of Warghorses, and once the rain begins," her hand motioning up at the darkening clouds, "they'll have to slow down or risk one of their mounts breaking a leg." As Hypam stared at the prince, her gaze sharpened. "The question is: what do we do after we catch them?"

"Surprise them after they make camp," Prince Avitohol replied as he begins pacing back and forth. "If it's raining hard, we won't be able to just shoot them full of arrows, so it's going to be hand to hand fighting. If we can distract them somehow, we'll have surprise on our side at the start." An image flashed through my mind and I gave out a little gasp, which he noticed. "Wysper, have you got an idea?"

I cannot believe I am seriously contemplating this. "I do, my prince, but to pull this off I am going to need Rocky's help." I looked down at my nomad made dress and took a deep breath. "As well as different clothes."