“The more honorable they are the thicker their skulls I think.” A woman purred from inside the room. Slow measured steps echoed through the room as the speaker moved to the doorway and leaned against the frame. From her vantage behind the others Zoelyn could tell little about the newcomer beyond her pale hair and white clothing, but she remembered enough of what Neph had said to guess who the woman was.
“Kali too.” Zachary observed grimly and his hand tightened on his sword hilt. “Zoelyn we have a problem. I will have to draw on Oblivion to face these two at once. Hemlock I might have been able to handle without drawing on more power, but not both of them.” He said in a tightly controlled voice. She couldn’t see the expression on his face, but his knuckles were white on his sword hilt and the set of his shoulders spoke of pure fury.
“And Oblivion destroys sentiment, so when I make the same offer to an Oblivion soaked Lord Dark he will leave you here with me without a second glance.” Hemlock finished with a faint chuckle.
“Unfortunately that is correct. Without personal grievance toward me I won’t fight them once I hold enough Oblivion to win against them, and I promise you they won’t provoke a fight with me once I draw on my power.” Zachary agreed sounding thoroughly disgusted with himself.
“Take Havoc and Dray to find the children then. I don’t want anyone to die on my behalf.” Zoelyn said in the calmest voice she could muster as she gently laid Havoc against the wall and straightened were she stood. Summoning what she hoped was a confident look to her face she drew her other glove off and tucked it into her belt. “Kali won’t be a problem for me, and neither will his time magic. I will manage on my own.” She added with forced bravado.
“It’s the only option you have.” Kali offered lightly and pushed a wooden box through the doorway. “Look I’ve already packaged the brats up for you nice and neat Lord Dark. Shrunk just like you pretty shiny knights transport your horses.”
“Take them and go Zachary. I would be satisfied just to know that the children of Delvay are safe.” Zoelyn urged quietly.
The faint rustle of feathers rose behind her and her thundering heart froze in her chest as a warm hand gently moved her aside. Seth’s gold eyes met hers for a breath and a faint smile creased his lips as he continued past her to stand beside Zachary. “Your third option would be allowing me the honor of killing them while you leave with Zoelyn.” Seth’s voice was low and far too casual for what he was suggesting. She had seen the illusions of the last fight between Seth and Hemlock and she didn’t want to even think of Seth kneeling on the floor in a pool of his own blood again.
Hemlock sighed heavily as he twirled his dagger lazily in one hand. “It’s amazing how we find ourselves repeating history isn’t it, Seth? Me with children as hostages and you about to watch the woman you love die, again. Really this story is getting old.” He snarled as he kicked the wooden box toward Zachary. “Go ahead Lord Dark scamper away now.” He snapped then pointed down the hallway directly at her. “I’ll see you very soon sweets, and I’ll leave his blood on my daggers just for you.” He added in a sickeningly sweet voice.
“I am in your debt, Seth.” Zachary said stiffly as he gingerly picked up the box and backed away from Hemlock. Kneeling quickly he pulled Havoc to his feet and looked to Dray. “Bring Zoelyn. We need to be away from here now!” he ordered with anger layered thick in every syllable.
“We can’t just leave him here to face them alone!” Zoelyn protested and tried to pull away as Dray’s hand locked firmly on her arm.
“We can and we must.” Zachary returned firmly as he started down the hall at a brisk pace with Havoc hanging limply from his arm.
“He is right Zoey.” Dray murmured and pulled her along quickly on Zachary’s heels. She tugged at his hand and tried to pull away but his grip tightened as the first ring of steel filled the shadows behind them.
“Seth.” Zoelyn gasped and felt tears welling in her eyes as the tempo of fighting increased behind them while Dray pulled her further away with every step.
The Blight slowed as they caught up with Zachary and the Lord nodded impatiently toward the closed door before him. “I can’t open it with Havoc and the children, and climbing back out isn’t an option so batter it down any way you can Dray and we will pray we are heading for an exit. I’m not sure how much time Seth can buy us, but I don’t plan to waste a second of it.”
Dray nodded and his grip on Zoelyn’s arm loosed for just a breath as he moved for the door. Twisting quickly Zoelyn pulled her arm free of his and backed quickly away from them shaking her head. “I can’t do it.” She gasped as the first few tears poured down her cheeks. “I can’t leave him to die for me.” She added hoarsely and turned back the way they had come at a quick run.
“Let her go and get the door open. You can’t save someone who doesn’t wish to be saved and Havoc is dying as we speak.” Zachary snapped.
She didn’t bother to listen for pursuit as she stumbled blindly toward the sound of fighting. Even before she closed on them she could feel the magic in the air. Slowing her steps she flattened herself to a wall and forced her breathing to calm. It took all of her will to move with what little stealth she could summon, but she knew it would only make matters worse if she ran headlong into the fighting.
Kali had moved further into the hall and stood with her back to Zoelyn. For a moment Zoelyn was torn on whether she should try to sneak up on the mage or simply rush her, and then Kali unleashed a spell on Seth causing the demon to stagger forward off balance and the decision was made. With anger burning away all trace of logic Zoelyn sprinted toward the mage and slammed a hand down hard on her bare shoulder. The curse drained deeply as Zoelyn spun Kali around to face her and slammed her fist hard into the stunned woman’s face.