James sprang into action, with William just a step behind him. Jazhara uncovered the lantern, throwing the tunnel into stark relief. The young squire struck the first man with the hilt of his sword, knocking him into the canal. “Take one alive if you can!” he shouted.
William struck down one man, but almost got run through when he found his next opponent in a defensive posture, ready to respond to the sound of an attack. “Think I’ll try to stay alive, first, James,” he said, using his long sword to get over the blinded man’s guard and kill him.
Jazhara came up next to William and struck another assassin across the face with the iron-clad butt of her staff. The man crumpled to the floor.
James found the next two Izmalis had regained some of their sight and were poised for attack. As James knew from experience, multiple opponents often got in one another’s way, but these two looked practiced at fighting in tandem. “I could use some help,” he said to Jazhara.
As soon as he spoke, both men launched a coordinated attack, and only his preternatural reflexes saved him. The first man struck out, the curved blade of his scimitar slicing at James’s mid-section, while his companion struck a half-beat later, coming in where James should have been standing had he made the expected response to the initial attack.
Instead, James had blocked to the right with his blade, and instead of retreating he had pressed hard on his own weapon, forcing the first assassin to continue moving to his left. With his left hand, James gripped the Izmali’s right elbow and threw his weight into the man, sending him spinning into the canal.
Suddenly the second assassin facing James was alone, with Jazhara bearing down with her staff, ready to strike, and James was now on his off-hand side.
William engaged his last opponent and called, “I’ve got this one cornered!”
The Izmali facing Jazhara said something in a language James didn’t understand, then raised his left hand to his mouth, and toppled to the stones. William’s opponent did likewise, falling into the canal with a splash.
“Damn!” shouted James, grabbing the collapsing assassin before he hit the stones. As he expected, the man was already dead.
Jazhara looked at the assassin James had knocked into the canal and said, “He floats face-down.”
“What happened?” William asked.
“Nighthawks. They’ve taken their own lives. Fanatics.” Addressing Jazhara, James inquired, “Did you understand what he said?”
“I think he ordered his companions to die, but I did not recognize the language. It is said the Izmalis have their own tongue, that no one outside their clan may learn.”
William said, “We found some like these when the demon was summoned at the abandoned fortress in the desert.”
“Demon?” Jazhara asked.
“I’ll tell you back at the palace,” said James. “But it’s clear the Nighthawks numbered Keshians in their bands.”
“Which makes them a threat to the Empire as well as to the Kingdom.”
James regarded the young woman for a long moment, then said, “It might be wise to send some specific information to your great-uncle.”
“Perhaps,” said Jazhara, leaning upon her staff, “but as you’ve observed, that’s for the Prince to decide.”
James grinned. “Let’s check the bodies.”
They examined the four assassins who hadn’t ended up in the canal and came away with nothing. The only personal items they wore were the Nighthawks amulets around their necks.
“I thought we’d seen the last of these in the desert,” said William.
“We hurt them, certainly, and we destroyed one nest, but there are others.” James stood up and tucked an amulet into his shirt. “I’ll give this to the Prince. He won’t be pleased.”
“What were they doing down here?” asked Jazhara.
William said, “Searching for the treasure, I expect.”
“If they’re to rebuild their nasty little empire, they’ll need gold,” agreed James. He glanced around. “We came in time, I think.” He moved to a large wall with two iron rings set into it and turned the one on the left. After a moment, a deep rumble started and the stones moved aside.
“Lucas!” he shouted. “It’s James. I’ve come from the Prince with help!”
From deep within the darkened passage a voice called, “Jimmy! Thank the gods it’s you. They’ve been searching for me all over, trying to kill me.”
James motioned for Jazhara to bring the lantern and the three of them entered the tunnel. A dozen feet in, Lucas stood holding a crossbow, and as soon as he recognized the two young men, he laid it down, relief on his face. “The thugs of that madman, Bear, have been after me for an entire day.”
“They’re not the only ones,” said William. “Treasure hunters and assassins and thieves as well.”
“Damn,” said Lucas. “Knute said his men were hand-picked, and would keep silent, but I suspect the fool couldn’t keep his own gob shut.”