Beneath Ceaseless Skies 007 by Scott H. Andrews

Author:Scott H. Andrews [Andrews, Scott H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Periodicals:Fantasy
Publisher: Beneath Ceaseless Skies Online Magazine
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

♦ ♦ ♦

“We have to destroy this place,” Therese said.

Philemon, in human form again, tipped his head toward the thumps and clatters upstairs, where Marchand was gleefully looting. “He won’t like it.”

“I don’t care what he likes. We can’t carry off everything, and we don’t dare leave anything behind. LeKestra’s men, or someone else—”

“No, I agree. I’ll be happy to set the fire, if you can’t.”

“I’ll do it,” she said. “Marchand! Let’s go.”

The trader appeared at the top of the stairs, dragging a bulging sack as large as himself. “But I’ve barely got started. There’s enough goods here to—”

“We’re leaving, Marchand, and we’re torching the place. Take what you’ve got and let’s go.”

“You’re a hard one, Therese,” Marchand complained. He hauled his sack down the steps. At the bottom he thrust it at Philemon. “Here, you’re young and strapping. Make yourself useful. I’ll fetch the carriage.”

Therese blinked. “We have a carriage?”

“Of course. I drove off the horses when I fired the barn, but first I hitched a pair to a carriage. It’s tied in the woods, out of sight of the house. Y’think I’d haul this much loot on my back? We’re going home in style.”

So they did, with Marchand handling the reins and Therese and Philemon riding inside, opposite Marchand’s sack of pilfered trade goods, the inferno that had been Yves’ fortress lighting the way. Both mage and shapechanger leaned out the windows to watch the flames leap at the sky.

“It makes an impressive sight, don’t you think?” Philemon observed.

“Yes,” Therese said, heavy-hearted. “LeKestra’s sure to hear of it.”

“LeKestra’s going to have a plateful.” Philemon’s eyes slitted. “It won’t take long for the ‘hostages’ to recover. For us, word travels on wings. This barbarity of his will unite the shapechangers.” He flashed a glance at her. “And the conjurers as well?”

Therese considered long before she answered. “I don’t know. We’re an individualistic lot. But maybe at last we’ve had enough. There may be some who’ll join you. Marchand knows where they are. He’ll carry word.”

“And you, Therese? Will you stand with us?”

She considered longer still. How long had she awaited and dreaded this moment, the chance to make a difference. “I’m not much of a fighter ... but I’ll do what I can.”

Philemon chuckled. “You’re a better fighter than you think. And more dangerous than you know.”

Behind them, the roof of Yves’ stronghold fell in. Therese shuddered at the distant crash. Philemon covered her hands with his. She didn’t pull away.

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