Chapter 31: Their Empire.
The Magician's Guild was secured. The Imperium had forbid any of the Empire's soldiers to enter the Guild grounds and the decision had come to bite them. With the Archmage free, the defence mechanisms of the Guild activated. Numerous golems quickly worked to expel the intruders and those strong enough to stand against them were dealt with by Earnest. The rank and file magicians who had been kept in the great hall used the chance to revolt and overthrew their guards thanks to the traps Caius had laid down when they passed through. It was a swift defeat and not one of the Imperium escaped. Even their communications were shut down and before the Empire could even react the Guild had been closed off to them as were their other bases across the continent. The tides turned to a siege as the Empire and Imperium forces outside tried to bombard the gates, each blast however only wasting their energy.
"Now what?" Marley asked pointing outside the window. "We're stuck here."
"I'm sure Ardent has a backdoor, right?" I turned to him hopefully.
"With the shields up, no," he shook his head.
I knocked my head against the wall. Several hours had passed since this new stalemate had begun. It was only a matter of time before they got fed up with waiting for us and sent Lara out. If Lara attacked the Guild even with its mighty walls and barriers, she could break them. Ronalt was still being held captive and once they ran out of patience the first person who'd die by Lara's hand would be him.
"Should I send out the denizens?" Caius asked. "The sun is almost set."
"No," I responded quickly. "We'll need that trump card against Lara."
"We could try the disguises again," Marley suggested. "We have plenty spare."
Taylor laughed spitefully, "Maybe Rain and I could get out but the rest of you would be seen within seconds."
"It was just a suggestion," Marley huffed back at her. "I don't see you coming up with a better plan."
I ignored the two and looked to Earnest, "Any ideas?"
He tapped his sword, "Just the usual. With the Magician's Guild supporting us we could reach the Palace."
"Lara would meet us halfway and I'd rather we don't get civilians involved." The Empire's leaders were plotting against us but it didn't mean its people needed to suffer.
The door to our room opened and the Archmage entered. Her golden hair flowed neatly behind her, now cleaned up she looked even more glamorous. Taylor caught my staring and pinched my back. I wasn't looking at her with any dodgy intentions, if anything Taylor would so I pinched her in retaliation.
"Excuse me," the Archmage waved for attention. "I believe I have a way to send you outside undetected."
"Master?" Ardent looked at her perplexed. "The shields are still up."
"It's not magic Ardent. Your friend the thief who stole from us would be more familiar with it. She's the one who made me aware of it after all."
Taylor clapped her hands together, "Oh, you still have that tunnel? I thought it was destroyed."
"It seemed convenient so I simply hid it instead," she smiled. "The tunnel leads towards the slums and bypasses the barrier. Use it as you may. As for what we discussed before, we will look into the artefact that is controlling the Hero. However do not hold your hopes high, it was a mystery before your friend stole it."
"Did I say I was sorry for that?" Taylor retreated uncomfortable from the penetrating gazes around the room. "Because if I didn't, I'm really sorry."
"What's done is done," the Archmage dismissed her. "You don't have much time and if you fail, so do we. Ardent I expect you to go with them."
"Will you be fine?" he asked concerned.
"The others are also supporting me," her smile softened to melancholy. The memories of her students and friends who had died clearly plagued her mind.
"I will return soon Master," Ardent bowed to her.
"And do so in good health my apprentice Wizard," she touched his shoulder softly. "We'll keep the Empire distracted and draw their forces. It would be better to pretend to be ignorant of the events here."
I nodded, "If anyone asks we were never here. Now Taylor, I think you can lead the way out?"
"That I can," she replied guiltily. "Come on."
As we left the Archmage waved goodbye.
*
By the time we reached the slums it was past sunset. Ardent was clearly uncomfortable with the atmosphere and sights but like Marley had learned, he minded his own business. We returned to Mama's orphanage under Taylor's guidance. Our carriage and Pina were like she promised untouched, though from the dust on her feathers it looked like Pina had been playing with the children. Taylor knocked on the door and within seconds the endowed women revealed herself.
"You're back," she smiled. "As expected of my little Empress. The children have all woken up thanks to you." A draw of smoke left her lips, coiling behind her.
"Good and in return we need you to get us to the West of the Empire," Taylor tried not to flinch but her face was beginning to flush from her pressure.
Mama ignored her and gazed towards Ardent, "And I see you rescued your friend."
"Ardent Val Tour, a pleasure," Ardent greeted her with a light nod clearly wary of her.
"The Magicians Guild must be quite a mess right now," she giggled and stepped into the building. "Please come in."
I held Caius back before he could enter and spoke to Mama "Sorry to be rude but we really don't have much time. We need a way to get to the western side of the Empire and as soon as possible. If you can't help us we'll be making our own way."
Her eyes drifted to mine and with a sigh she blew a trail of smoke towards me, "Unlike the others I do not faze you in the slightest do I?"
"I've had experience with stronger women than you," I replied neatly. Taylor had her own charms but it was the Goddess I was referring to.
She smiled, "You plan to come in from the west and pretend to not know this day's events?"
"Pretty much," I answered truthfully. It was the easiest way into the palace. "To be precise I want to arrive there just as or before the sun sets tomorrow." From here it would be easy to reach the heart of the Imperial City but we were currently on the east side with a river between where we wanted to be. I had already sent a letter to report that we'd be arriving tomorrow evening after exploring the west of the Empire. If we were spotted before then on this side, they'd attack us at the gates and we'd have no chance of rescuing Ronalt with Lara's ire.
"A peculiar time. The period of dusk where humans are their weakest," she didn't move from the door. "In that case I can have you there on time. Some preparation is needed and you can leave in the morning."
"Then I'll trust you can accommodate us," I let go of Caius so he could enter.
As Caius passed by her, his hand dragged over her body, "Shall I accompany you this evening as well?"
"Oh dear me," Mama blushed. "I'll be sure to make sure you're all prepared for tomorrow."
"…." I could only stand in silence asking 'why'? Taylor stared at the pair a similar way. I mean age wise, Caius was the oldest of all of us, well really I was, but Mama… I actually couldn't quite grasp how old she was.
Ardent focused his gaze on me, "Rain from your story… is he truly you?"
I shuddered, "Trust me when I say a lot happened between me and him." Slowly we followed inside and closed the door behind us.