Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

T here were an unknown number of attackers on the ground either wrapped in vines or knocked out in other ways.

“You will go no further!”

Finishing the attacker, Solomon spun on a foot and held his blades out to the sides. His vest was sliced from a couple of close calls. More cuts were sporadically scattered around the rolled up sleeves. One made it through his personal shield, sliced through the rolled up area and caught his skin. A few more shallow cuts went up his dagger arm where a longer blade found more of his skin. His breathing was shallow. His heart raced. While his body wanted to collapse, he remained standing through adrenaline and magical energy.

A tall justicar in a similar type of armor he used under his vest stood at the top of the front steps. The last barrier between Solomon and the Prime Justicar still hiding inside.

Solomon recognized the man as the one who spoke to Victoria earlier. This was Murdoch Rackley, the Shield Justicar, and younger brother to the Prime Justicar, Josiah Rackley.

“How do you want to handle him?” Finlay brushed a dirty sleeve across his blood-spattered face. “He’s more blowhard than skilled mage. Just watch for that wicked blade. It’s one of those curved blades. Seen him use it with deadly skill.”

“Magic?”

“He can make it rain.”

Solomon glanced at Finlay. “Rain?”

“Inside a room.” Finlay grinned.

Solomon wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that dig. “You can make it rain in an interior room and nowhere else. Really?” he asked in a higher tone.

“I will make it downpour and wash all of you off this field,” Murdoch said in a snarly tone.

“Go ahead and try.” Solomon held out his blades.

Finlay snickered.

Other Guild and RASI fighters near them picked up the taunting calls and teasing the Shield justicar.

“Where’s the rain?”

“I don’t see any rain here. Not even a drop.”

“Can you make it rain?”

“I’ve got blood in places I don’t want. Make it rain so I can clean up.”

Raucous laughter rose after that crazy statement.

“Bring it on. I could use a drink.”

There were all kinds of other catcalls at Murdoch, who didn’t move. Or follow through with the threat.

“That was rather impressive,” Finlay said. “A bit of humor on the battlefield. I like it. And look at him. Nothing. No response. He has nothing.”

“I’m too exhausted for this mess. He doesn’t even deserve a decent fight,” Solomon said.

“Which means?” Finlay asked.

“This.” Solomon sheathed his dagger and whipped his hand around. He created a long rope out of pure arcane and lightning energy. Snapping his hand forward, he sent the rope flying up the stairs to wrap around Murdoch’s body.

Unable to fight or remove the crackling rope, Murdoch tried to pull away and race inside.

“Wrong way,” Finlay called out with pure glee in his tone.

Yanking hard on the rope, Solomon used the momentum to drag Murdoch down the steps. It happened the hard way. Definitely not an easy slide down the stairs. No. Murdoch rolled, hit, and bounced against every single step. Then his body flopped onto the ground.

“Ouch. Ooo. Yikes. That’s not good,” Finlay commented with every hit on the steps. “Beautiful landing. Here we go. One tag on you.” He snapped his fingers and sent a tag to wrap around Murdoch’s feet the minute the man rolled onto the ground.

Vines wrapped around Murdoch to allow Solomon to release his rope.

/Hold. Don’t put him out just yet,/ Solomon sent to the vines. Crouching down next to the man, he studied him. “Not quite how you thought this fight would end. Is it?”

Murdoch tried to wiggle, but the vines constricted around him. He glared at Solomon. “How dare you do this to me? Do you know who I am? What are these things?”

“I don’t really care who you are. Only care that you stood against the realms.” Solomon stroke the fern-like leaves that unfurled for him. “As for these ‘things’. They are the sentient vines from different realms. All of them deserve your respect.”

“Respect? For a vine?” Murdoch spat on a leaf. “Bah!”

The vine opened and smacked Murdoch with the end.

The man let out a noise at the harsh smack.

“I wouldn’t try that again,” Solomon suggested. “To continue about the vines. This one happens to be the Fozlane from the North. They are the protectors of the magical gemstones. Gemstones that you and the Prime ordered to be harvested and used. Some destroyed. The gemstones are the bedrock of the realms.” He touched the fern-like leaves again. “Now, they’re a little pissed off due to all that destruction. I offered them a way to assist us in taking down the Carmine. This is one of them.”

“You’re that brat of an arcane mage.” Murdoch managed to sneer. “Are you the one they are all calling their savior? One of the old rotten ones that returned to save everyone from the big bad Carmine.”

“I am. There’s also one final secret behind all of this happening here and now. Between him, you, and me,” Solomon said.

Time for his final deepest secret to be shattered and go up in flames.

“What possibly could be a secret about all of this? Don’t even know who you are other than some pathetic professor in a far off academy? No one cares who you are?—”

“I’m your dear darling nephew. The one your brother tried to kill after testing revealed that his precious baby boy had a powerful arcane gift. Think they will care about me now?” White flames covered his hand while he spoke. He wiggled his fingers while his uncle spluttered, spat, and ranted though nonsense. “See you in a cage soon, Uncle Murdoch.”

/Knock him out, please. Definitely keep him for justice./

::As you wish, arcane mage.:: The Fozlane shoved a series of thorns deep into Murdoch’s skin. It was a harsh action and the man yelped in pain. Then the thorns shot the proper elixir through his blood.

His uncle continued to splutter expletives until the elixir hit and knocked him senseless.

Slowly standing and exhaling, Solomon stared at the closed doors. “Time to end this.”