Attack<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nSylvia\u2019s eyes widened. She stumbled in surprise. She could not believe what she was seeing. Four ill-clad ruffians with drawn daggers had burst into the room.\n\n\u201cKill them all,\u201d the one in front yelled. \u201cEven the children.\u201d\n\nThe intruder spotted Sylvia trying to regain her footing and rushed at her. A grin spread over his pockmarked face. \u201cThis one is mine,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter I have a little sport first.\u201d\n\nAs he bent to seize her, Sylvia grabbed the skillet lying nearby with both hands and thrust it at his gut. The rogue bent double. She raised the pan and slammed it into his chin. Blood and bits of teeth sprayed forth from his mouth. Crispy grasshoppers and hot oil spattered everywhere.\n\nSylvia scrambled out of the way of the falling man. Still clutching her weapon, she swung it as hard as she could at the head of one of the others surrounding Mason. The brigand\u2019s skull cracked from the impact, and he slumped to the ground.\n\n\u201cBehind you,\u201d she screamed.\n\nMason twirled to face another assailant. He took a slight step to the side, avoided the knife thrust, and pinned the outstretched arm of his attacker under his own. With a deftness Sylvia could only gasp at, the lord plunged his dagger into his adversary\u2019s heart. The impresario\u2019s eyes widened in surprise. Apparently, Mason was as shocked as anyone by what he had done.\n\nThe last scoundrel bolted for the door. \u201cWe will be back,\u201d he growled over his shoulder as he left. \u201cMore of us next time. You cannot escape your doom.\u201d\n\n\u201cIs everyone all right?\u201d Mason immediately asked his sisters. When Patience burst into tears, he said, \u201cCome on, let\u2019s get out of here,\u201d he said. \u201cBig hugs and kisses later, once we are safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cWait!\u201d Sylvia shouted. \u201cYou\u2019re going to leave? What about us? They said they will be back. You heard him.\u201d\n\n\u201cYour struggle with street hoodlums is no concern of mine,\u201d Mason said.\n\n\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be standing now if not for this skillet.\u201d\n\nMason hesitated. He looked at the two men who had been felled behind his back and shuddered. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can accompany me. I will figure out a place where you can hide.\u201d\n\nSylvia shook her head. She stared at Rangoth sitting complacently in his high chair, his eyes drooping closed. \u201cNo. Not good enough. The master comes as well.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe wizard? Look at him. He is falling asleep!\u201d\n\n\u201cHe nods off that way after he has finished sometimes, but we cannot leave him behind.\u201d\n\nFor a moment, no one spoke as Mason screwed up his face in thought. \u201cAll right, all right,\u201d he said at last. \u201cWhat is important is to leave as swiftly as we can. If you look after the wizard, you can bring him, too. Hurry, we must go.\u201d\n\nSylvia roused Rangoth out of his reverie, then turned her attention back to Mason. \u201cWhy did they attack? What is it you have done?\u201d\n\n\u201cMe? Nothing, of course. As I said, problems on your street...\u201d\n\n\u201cYou\u2019re in the thick of this,\u201d Sylvia cut him off. \u201cCertainly, no one would have any reason to accost an old wizard and his servant girl. There is no wealth here. What is it you<\/em> have done?\u201d\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t know. There must be a mistake.\u201d\n\n\u201cOkay, a discussion later. But where are we going?\u201d\n\nMason frowned. \u201cThe palace,\u201d he blurted. \u201cIt is the safest place in the kingdom. No one attempts any mayhem under the eyes of the queen.\u201d He wrapped his arm around Patience, who was still sobbing. \u201cCome along now. Everyone back to our coach.\u201d\n\nSylvia forced herself to calm down. She did not like rushing into strange situations without good reason. But even if no more brigands returned, when the tax collector came tomorrow, what then? She hadn\u2019t obtained the three brandels. She and Rangoth would become slaves.\n\nWhat did she know about this lord of the court, anyway? Obviously, he had had at least some training about how to defend himself. Although... his shock when he dispatched the ruffian indicated that, heretofore, it all had been play. As she thought about him, a small rush of passion made her blush. His red curls were quite beguiling.\n\nSo, in for a copper, in for a brandel. She shrugged and squatted to rouse Rangoth from wherever his thoughts had taken him. \u201cCome along, Master. We are going on a little trip.\u201d<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n#<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSylvia settled into the padded seat of the coach as it left the stable. What had happened scant moments before began to sink in. She had disabled two men, maybe even killed one of them. Left their bodies behind with no explanation. Shut and locked the door so that thieves would not...\n\nShe shuddered as sudden remorse washed over her, a feeling she had never experienced before. Two men, no matter how vile, had their lives forever altered because of what she had done. The images of the attack reverberated horribly in her mind, something she would never forget. No, she told herself; they would<\/em> fade away. She had done no wrong. She had defended Rangoth and herself. There had been no other choice.\n\nFor a long while, no one in the carriage spoke. Only the clop of the horses\u2019 hooves made any noise. Patience\u2019s sobs quieted to a soft murmur. Her two sisters said nothing, their eyes still wide with shock. Mason tried to put his arms around all three but could not manage it.\n\nSylvia beckoned to Lalage. The oldest sister staggered across the space between the two facing coach benches. She curled into a ball in Sylvia\u2019s lap. The matron said nothing. She sat apart with Rangoth on a servant\u2019s bench behind the two facing rows.\n\n\u201cWhy did this happen?\u201d Sylvia asked Mason as the journey settled into a gentle trot. \u201cThe attack was meant for you. It has to have been.\u201d\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Mason stammered. \u201cI really don\u2019t.\u201d He shrugged while still managing to keep his two sisters tight to his chest. \u201cI do not meddle in the politics of the court at all. I<\/em> do not matter.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt has to be related somehow to an intrigue around the queen,\u201d Sylvia said. \u201cWhy else...\u201d She stopped and changed her tack. \u201cAnd if the queen is involved, the palace is the last place you...I mean we, should be.\u201d\n\nMason pulled his sisters tighter. \u201cThe safest place in all Procolon is the palace. And the safest place in the palace is the queen\u2019s nursery. She has little ones of her own. When we arrive,\u201d he told the matron, \u201chustle these three into safety there. This is very important. Do you understand?\u201d\n\n\u201cYes, Milord,\u201d the matron answered softly. \u201cWhen one is not noticed, they can go anywhere. Those strutting finery are the ones who have their motion restricted.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhat about Rangoth and me?\u201d Sylvia asked. \u201cAre you going to dump us at the palace gate?\u201d\n\nMason shook his head slowly. \u201cNo, not there. You would not be safe. No carpenters were present at the gate when we left the palace, but by now, some might have congregated there.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhy?\u201d\n\n\u201cTo shout and harass anyone who wants to pass through.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhere will you take us?\u201d\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d Mason scowled. \u201cI\u2019ve said that more than once already. Give me a moment to think everything through.\u201d\n\nThe pace of the trotting horses slowed a bit. They had reached the foot of what was grandly called the \u201cpalace hill.\u201d\n\nSylvia heard shouting and peeked out the coach window. There was<\/em> a noise coming from the front of the gate. She turned her head toward it and blinked. There were not only a few craftsmen there but what appeared to be over a hundred people, all agitated and angry.\n\nCarpenters waved their measuring sticks in the air. Seamstresses brandished tambours and spools of thread. \u201cNo more machines that sew,\u201d they shouted. Bakers wearing their puffy toques lofted mixing bowls and yelled, \u201cHands knead with tender care. Worthy work takes time.\u201d\n\nYes, some workers were dissatisfied, Sylvia thought, but she did not care. She had too much to worry about on her own.\n\nThe carriage came to a halt at the rear of the crowd. Mason rapped twice on the carriage roof, poked his head out his window, and craned his head upward. \u201cGroomsman, what can you see?\u201d\n\n\u201cPlease take patience, Milord,\u201d the servant replied. \u201cA squadron of sentinels is marching down the hill from the palace itself. They will arrive shortly and force open a path for us to enter.\u201d\n\nMason sat back down and patted his sisters clinging to him. \u201cA few moments more, my turtledoves, and this will be a fading memory.\u201d\n\nAfter what seemed like an eternity to Sylvia, with a rattle, the palace gates swung open. A herald at the fore of the troops bellowed to the crowd. \u201cHear ye, hear ye! The queen has spoken. Select four to enter. After the performance tonight is over, her majesty will hold an audience with you. Speak then of your displeasure. She will listen to you, but no more than four.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur means of livelihood,\u201d one in the crowd shouted. \u201cThe fact is simple enough. This surge of discoveries disrupts what has been the practice for generations. Ban its use. Ban it now.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo more new magic.\u201d the crowd took up a chant. \u201cNo more new magic. Ban the new spells now.\u201d\n\n\u201cDo you want the audience or not?\u201d the herald asked.\n\n\u201cAll of us,\u201d the workers yelled. \u201cAll of us to see the queen.\u201d\n\nThe herald signaled to the troops. \u201cVery well, then, if it is violence you desire then you shall have it.\u201d\n\nWith a precision clap, the soldiers snapped to attention, raised their shields, and drew their swords.\n\n\u201cWait, wait,\u201d one in the crowd shouted. He moved to the front and turned to face the others. He extended both of his hands palms out. \u201cRemember what we have planned. Lead with our heads, not our hearts.\u201d\n\nThe chanting continued for a few moments more, but no one else moved forward to challenge the speaker. The noise softened and then finally stopped. The crowd shuffled around. A second man and two women came to the front. \u201cGo back to your homes,\u201d one of them said. \u201cYou will hear what happens tonight or the first thing on the morrow.\u201d\n\nGradually, the workers drifted away. Sylvia relaxed a bit as the path ahead became unblocked. The coach crept forward. When it reached the gate, one of the sentries poked his head through Mason\u2019s window. \u201cAh, Milord,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is prudent you get inside before the sun falls any lower. We may have to call out reinforcements when darkness falls.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou suspect more trouble at night?\u201d Mason asked.\n\n\u201cThe queen is trying to placate them as best she can. Perhaps the audience after the enchantment will calm things down.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe enchantment!\u201d Mason slapped his head. \u201cI had completely forgotten. I must speak with the sorcerer I hired immediately. This is important. I have to explain before the performance begins what he can and cannot do.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo need, Milord,\u201d the guard said. \u201cAs Lord Wetron instructed me, I sent the master on his way when he arrived.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere will be no enchantment at all? What entertainment instead?\u201d\n\n\u201cDo not fret. Lord Wetron has procured a replacement sorcerer and is instructing him as we speak.\u201d\n\n\u201cThat\u2019s my<\/em> job!\u201d Mason exploded. \u201cI<\/em> am the impresario of the court. I am the one who is in charge of all<\/em> the entertainment.\u201d\n\n\u201cYour court function cannot be as important as what has happened,\u201d Sylvia blurted. \u201cFocus.\u201d\n\nThe sentry shrugged. \u201cYou will have to take that up with your brother, Milord.\u201d\n\nWith both hands, Mason pushed Sylvia\u2019s words away. He scowled and tapped his fist on the roof of the carriage. \u201cContinue to the palace,\u201d he instructed. \u201cI will see about this.\u201d<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nChapter 1<\/a> Chapter 2<\/a> Chapter 3<\/a> Chapter 5<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Attack # Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3540","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alodar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alodar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alodar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alodar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alodar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3540"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/alodar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3540\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3571,"href":"https:\/\/alodar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3540\/revisions\/3571"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alodar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}