Magnus reached out and Pug took one of his hands; Amirantha and Brandos understood and extended theirs, Caleb standing between them. When the circle was complete, Magnus incanted his spell and suddenly they stood on the cliffs above the beach on the northern shore of the island.
Kaspar of Olasko was giving a good account of himself as he confronted two red horrors. They had bat-like wings, which they were using to avoid Kaspar’s sword. It was clear that the struggle had only been taking place for a few moments, as the two winged monsters were being kept effectively at bay.
Pug shouted to Amirantha, ‘Can you do anything?’
‘I’ve never seen their like,’ answered the Warlock. ‘But I have something that might help.’ He reached into his belt pouch and withdrew a stone that he tossed at Kaspar’s feet. ‘Run towards us!’ he commanded.
Kaspar was no stranger to military obedience and recognized a battle command when it was issued. He swung hard, and as the two creatures withdrew, he turned and sprinted towards Pug and his companions.
The demons hesitated for a moment; then energy pulsed from the stone in a barely visible sphere. The two creatures were hurled back, over the edge of the cliffs.
Kaspar reached them, and almost out of breath said, ‘That was timely.’
Amirantha shouted, ‘They’re not done!’
Pug nodded, waved the others back and took three purposeful steps towards the cliffs.
The two red-winged horrors, looking like smaller versions of the monster that attacked the Oracle, save for their curling horns, like those of bighorn rams, rose from the edge of the cliff. Pug thrust out his left hand and a wave of force slammed into the left one, driving it back again, while from his right hand a lash of pale silver energy sprang and wrapped itself around the other demon. The creature howled in agony as the energy leeched the life from its body.
Magnus came up behind his father and cast a bolt of blackness, which engulfed the demon on the left. It convulsed within the sphere and tried to howl, but seemed unable to utter a sound. Amirantha hurried up to stand behind them and said, ‘These are elementals, air or fire creatures. They do not like the touch of land.’
‘How do they feel about water?’ asked Magnus, and with a flick of his hand he launched the demon into a high arc over the beach below, to slam into the water. The creature vanished beneath the waves in an eruption of green flames and hissing steam.
Pug did the same with the one he held and in a moment all was quiet, ‘I should have recognized them,’ said Pug. ‘I faced their like outside of Stardock, many years ago.’
Kaspar said, ‘I was coming back up from the beach, and had just cleared the top of the rocks when they appeared, out of the air.’ He said, ‘I almost left my sword in the room you set aside for me.’ He laughed. ‘I don’t know how long I could have held them off with a fishing stick.’ He carried a long surf pole, but it hardly looked equal to the task of being a cudgel.
Pug looked at Amirantha. The Warlock said, ‘This was no coincidence.’
‘I didn’t think it was,’ said Pug. ‘Your brother?’
‘I don’t know,’ said the Warlock. ‘I used a stone I’ve prepared to repulse any demon. I didn’t engage them with magic, so I have no feel for it . . .’ He closed his eyes as if trying to sense something and said, ‘No, I only feel the lingering presence of those two demons.’
‘How did you know they were there?’ asked Magnus.
‘The more I deal with demons,’ said the Warlock, ‘the easier it is to sense them. There was a time when I wouldn’t have known if there was a demon in the next room. Now I can feel them miles away. Comes from having dealt with them for over a hundred and twenty years.’
Kaspar said, ‘Well, I’m glad you did. They were giving me hell and truth be known, I’m not as quick on my feet as I once was.’
Pug looked out over the water, it was growing dark as dusk approached. ‘So, who is sending them?’
Amirantha said, ‘I don’t know, but whoever it was isn’t very adept at mastering demons.’
‘Why do you say that?’ asked Magnus.
‘Those two were minor demons, little more than elementals of the air. Not intelligent, not powerful. Sending them to an island that’s home to magicians as powerful as you two is like turning two attack dogs loose on an army.’ He looked around. ‘It was an exercise to get your attention, I think, or to let you know that someone knows you’re here.’
‘Let’s go back to the house,’ said Pug. ‘There’s a bottle of wine we can share before supper and,’ he looked at Magnus, ‘before your mother gets home. Where is she?’
‘Still at the Academy.’
Pug shrugged. ‘She’s been there longer than I would she would be.’ To the others he said, ‘If you don’t mind, let’s walk. The way is short and fresh air clears the head, and I’ve been jumping From place to place so much over the last few days I could use a small dose of the familiar.’
No one objected, and they started to walk back to the house in the middle of the island.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN - Bargains