Raindrops splattered against the windshield of the aircraft as it sped through the valley, pursued closely by three vehicles that resembled mechanical dragonflies, their wings unfolded and turbines glowing blue. Aboard them rode legionnaires, their visors gleaming in the darkness. Far ahead, at the foot of the mountains, the lights of the town of Leedzen shimmered, reflecting across the lake like a constellation fallen to earth.
The captain of the operation sat inside the flagship's cockpit when a voice crackled through his earpiece.
"No response from Agent Maroon," reported one of the soldiers.
The captain pressed his lips together, thinking.
"Proceed with the operation," he ordered. "Surround the target and prepare for surprises."
The legionnaires accelerated ahead, circling the perimeter like sharks around their prey. As the main ship descended, its floodlights revealed a two-story building with a gabled roof and a small round-windowed tower protruding from its side. Across the entryway hung a weathered sign:
"The Highland Ghost."
The roar of the landing engines sent Juy, the golem servant, rushing to the window. Outside, just beyond the gravel road, the aircraft was touching down. Armed troops disembarked while the winged sentries swept the area in tight circles. Juy hurried upstairs to the room where Laulak was packing in haste, helping her son Tofi pull a sweater over his head.
"They're here!" cried Juy as he entered.
The boy froze. His mother, eyes glinting steel behind thick lenses, didn't flinch.
"I know. I heard them. Let's move," she said, handing the boy a backpack. "Quickly now—warn Wolfram!"
"Aren't you coming with me?" Tofi asked, frightened.
"I wish we could, but we must cover your escape," Laulak replied firmly.
Juy bounded up to the tower study, knocking twice before bursting in.
"Master Wolfram! The boy is ready—palatine troops have arrived!"
"The wolves encircle the elk," murmured Wolfram Orantek, setting down his quill. He slipped a sheet into an envelope, rose, and hurried downstairs to the chamber where Laulak and the boy waited.
"Listen carefully, Tofi," said the elf, gripping his nephew's shoulders. "You must cross into Utgard and stay there. The fat one—Momta—will meet you at the crossing. Run as fast as you can. Whatever you hear, whatever happens, don't look back. He'll take you to the passage, and from there our allies will guide you to the vortex. Once across, stay out of trouble."
He lowered his voice. "Inside your pack are my notes—and the artifact. Guard them. No one must see it."
The boy nodded. "Maybe, once I'm there, I can look for the key to the device," he said, eyes bright with youthful excitement.
Laulak frowned. "Device? Key? What are you two talking about?"
The pair exchanged a guilty glance. She opened the pack and pulled out Wolfram's notebook and the small box containing the bronze object.
"Wolfram!" she hissed.
"It's important," he said, snatching them back. "Take care of them—I'll explain later."
"We will talk later," she muttered, then to her son: "You've been told to stay out of trouble."
"Yes, Mother," he mumbled.
"Good," she said softly, embracing him. "Just come back alive."
Wolfram ran a hand through the boy's ash-blond hair. "Go, my little warrior. You'll have time enough to test those nerves of steel."
They descended together. From the window, Juy could see troops encircling the tavern, their armor reflecting the pale light of the outer lamps.
"We're surrounded," he said.
"Take Tofi to the tunnel. I'll handle these bastards," Wolfram ordered.
He touched his sister's arm. "We'll let them take us. Don't resist."
"I don't want to surrender," she said quietly.
"Laulak, it's the way it must go. The spirits have made it clear."
She exhaled shakily. "I just want Tofi safe."
"He will be," Wolfram assured her. "He's stronger than he knows."
Juy led the boy down into the cellar—a vast underground space supported by brick columns, lined with casks and crates. In one corner stood a printing press and stacks of pamphlets. The golem hurried to a far wall, prying away a few stones to reveal a dark opening.
"Quickly, Master Tofi."
The boy crouched, slipping his laptop into his bag. "What about you?"
"Don't worry," said Juy. "I'll watch over your mother and uncle."
Tofi hesitated, then embraced the golem. "May the gods protect you."
"And you, young master," said Juy, pushing him gently toward the tunnel.
The boy crawled into the darkness, damp earth pressing close around him, the scent of stone and moss filling his lungs. He didn't know how far the passage went—only that he must keep moving forward, and never look back.
Upstairs, heavy blows rattled the tavern doors.
"They're inside!" shouted Juy as he rejoined Laulak behind the bar.
"Open up in the name of the Halach Uinik!" came a voice from outside.
"The tavern is closed! Come back tomorrow!" Wolfram bellowed, buying time.
"You have one second to open and surrender!"
"I said we're closed!" Wolfram roared again.
Outside, the captain—dressed in black, cap pulled low—lifted his weapon.
"Breach the door. I want them alive."
The soldiers rushed forward. Just as they were about to ram it, the door swung open—Juy had unlatched it. Troopers stormed in, shoving the golem ahead of them. Laulak and Wolfram stood calmly in the center of the room.
"Wolfram and Laulak Orantek—you're under arrest," said the captain.
"On what charges?" Wolfram asked evenly.
"Conspiracy against His Royal Highness, the Halach Uinik of Carpatos."
"Absurd," Wolfram replied. "And illegal. I demand to see a warrant."
"The only warrant you'll get is at the fortress," sneered the officer. "Search the premises."
Troops fanned out. In the cellar they found stacks of printed leaflets—revolutionary manifestos calling for rebellion against the monarchy and the establishment of a republic under Balakan's doctrine. The captain read one aloud:
"Comrades, the time has come to rise against tyranny…"
He smirked. "A fine writer, aren't you? Take them away."
Upstairs, others burst into the study. The moment they crossed the threshold, they froze—a glowing magic circle was drawn across the floor. Their scanners showed no life signs, so they backed out quickly. Reporting all clear, they returned to their captain just as a wounded figure appeared in the doorway.
It was Agent Maroon, blood matting his hair.
"What the hell happened to you?" the captain demanded.
"What does it look like? One of their sympathizers jumped me. They've got a boy—teenager—might be carrying intel."
The captain turned sharply to Laulak. "Where's the boy?"
She said nothing.
"Search the area. He can't have gone far," he ordered.
"And the golem, sir?" asked a soldier.
"Execute it."
Juy gave a desperate whimper.
"Captain," Wolfram interjected calmly, "that golem bears a royal letter of freedom, signed by His Majesty himself. You'd defy your own law?"
The captain hesitated, jaw tightening. "Take them to the ship. Leave the golem."
The soldiers cuffed the Orantek siblings and led them outside. The twin winged craft circled above the property, their blue lights sweeping the rain-soaked earth—hunting for the boy who had already vanished into the night.