Chapter One

I walk over the smouldering foundations of Turai’s ruined west wall. Makri catches up with me. She carries a sword in each hand. I have a sword in hand too though I’m also carrying a shield. It’s cumbersome but as I’m soon going to find myself confronted by the elite core of the Orcish occupying army plus an assortment of their strongest sorcerers I’d rather protect myself. Both Makri and I wear spell protection charms. They’re good though probably not good enough to protect us from the power of an Orcish sorcerer like Deeziz the Unseen. I wouldn’t be walking in her direction if our War Leader Lisutaris wasn’t right behind me. Lisutaris, Mistress of the Sky, Head of the Sorcerers Guild, is the most powerful sorcerer in the West. Behind her is her team of attack sorcerers, chosen for their ability to fight. We’re here to take our city back. Lisutaris brought the wall down but we’ve already suffered casualties. Sareepa Lightning Strikes the Mountain and Coranius the Grinder both perished as the wall fell. They were two of our strongest sorcerers. I didn’t expect them to die before we even entered the city.

As for non-magical troops, there are many of them following us through; Simnian units, Samsarinans, Niojans, Elvish archers, all led by a Turanian phalanx and the Sorcerers Auxiliary Regiment whose job it is to keep the sorcerers alive while they work their spells. Among their ranks is my friend and companion Gurd, one of the strongest warriors ever to pick up an axe. It’s taken us a long time to return to our city since the Orcs evicted us and we’re not planning on retreating. I just wish I had a better idea of what we’re about to face. There’s so much dust and smoke from the fire that destroyed the wall’s foundations it’s impossible to see more than a few feet in front of my face. We march through the gloom. I noisily kick my way through the debris; beside me Makri walks as silently as a cat. I wasn’t expecting to be first man into the city but Lisutaris chose to lead the assault herself and I’m her Security Chief so here I am. I don’t mind. Since Turai fell I’ve thought of little else apart from retaking the city. Sometimes I’ve thought about beer. But mostly retaking the city.

The smoke thins. I can feel grass beneath my feet. We’ve emerged into the broad park south of the Palace. I halt and look around. Lisutaris is close behind and next to her are her strongest remaining sorcerers. Around them are the heavily armoured assault troops. More and more of them force their way through the gap in the wall. Lisutaris is dressed in a leather jerkin and breeches with only a short rainbow cape denoting her rank. It’s an unusual sight. Even when she led the army to victory in the Mountain Battle she wore the standard flowing cloak of the senior sorcerer. The sorcerers around her are similarly attired, with tough leather breastplates they’d normally scorn to wear. Everyone knows that defeating the Orcs is going to be a very tough battle. The only exception is the brightly clad Tirini Snake Smiter who would not wear a common soldier’s breastplate even if her life depended on it, which actually it might. So far there’s been no opposition though I was expecting to meet hordes of screaming Orcs the moment I came through the walls.

‘Dragon!’ yells a soldier.

Here in the broad expanse of the park we’re vulnerable to dragon attack. Shields are raised as the troops prepare to withstand the ravages of dragon fire. Lisutaris remains calm. She turns to Gorsoman, a Simnian, and Harmon Half-Elf, a Turanian, both powerful sorcerers.

‘Deal with this as planned.’

Harmon and Gorsoman advance quickly. Picked soldiers from the Sorcerers Auxiliary Regiment accompany them, some protecting them with their shields while others raise bows and crossbows to fire at the approaching dragon. Gorsoman and Harmon raise their arms. Purple sparks appear round their fingertips as they prepare to launch their spells. It’s a tactic that’s been practised and it’s efficiently done, though I’m surprised that Lisutaris isn’t dealing with the dragon herself. She has more power than either Gorsoman or Harmon Half Elf; probably more power than both combined. I’ve seen her bring down dragons with spells so ancient and powerful that the earth rocked beneath our feet. Despite this, she leaves it to her companions. The dragon roars, but doesn’t press its attack. Instead it retreats under fire from Gorsoman and Harmon. Lisutaris speaks to the young sorcerer Anumaris Thunderbolt. I’m close enough to overhear.

‘Have you located him?’

Anumaris studies the palm of her hand. Something’s written there in a language I’ve never seen; the words change as she reads. ‘Not precisely but he’s somewhere north, towards the Palace.’

Lisutaris calls to General Acarius, commander of the Sorcerers Auxiliary Regiment. ‘We’re heading towards the Palace. Protect me.’

The grey-haired general salutes smartly. I notice a flicker of doubt in his expression. I understand why. I’d assumed that after breaking into this park we’d head for the city streets east of here. That’s the quickest way into cover and safety from the dragons. Heading north through the open parkland around the Palace invites danger. While camped outside the city walls our sorcerers provided the army with a continual shield against dragon attacks but that’s not so easy for them to do while we’re on the move. We’ve already been weakened by the loss of Sareepa and Coranius. If dragons manage to penetrate our defences while we’re still in the open there won’t be much of the army left by the time we encounter their troops.

Lisutaris strides forward. I barge my way in front of her, as does Makri, her official bodyguard. I’d rather Lisutaris wasn’t leading the army. It’s a vulnerable position for our War Leader. It wasn’t part of the original plan. She changed it at the last moment. Again, I’m not sure why. Walking north towards the Palace I’m continually scanning our surroundings for signs of defending troops. So far, no Orcish units have attacked. Even those Orcs on the remaining section of the wall seem to be keeping out of sight. It makes for a strange few moments, unlike any other occasion when I’ve been involved in taking a city. Usually fighting is incredibly fierce as you go through or over the walls. Either the defenders break and flee or they throw you back out of the city. The lack of action doesn’t last for long.

‘More dragons!’

Suddenly we’re in the thick of it, besieged by the remaining Orcish dragons, some of them carrying sorcerers on their backs. The air above crackles with energy as our sorcerers attempt to erect their dragon shield. Outside the city this required assistance from every person with the remotest trace of sorcerous power, even me. Here there are less people to add their strength. Huge dragons pound against the magical barrier, sending sparks soaring through the sky. The maintenance of the shield is directed by Hendrith Seawave, a powerful Elvish sorcerer. From the way he’s screaming at the sorcerers around him I’d guess he already knows we’re in trouble.

We’d be in less trouble if Lisutaris were to join in with maintaining the shield but again she declines to use her power. ‘Keep going,’ she cries, and we keep advancing towards the Palace. This is looking somewhat the worse for wear though not as bad as might have been expected after so many months under Orcish control. Apparently Prince Amrag didn’t let his conquering force despoil the building too much. I ignore the noise above and concentrate on protecting Lisutaris. Makri does the same. The ranks of the Sorcerers Auxiliary Regiment guard our flanks. I caught a glimpse of my friend Gurd earlier though we didn’t have a chance to speak. He’s a large, ageing barbarian, and just knowing he’s close boosts my confidence. Makri too; If I have to take on the entire Orcish army it’s good to have two such warriors at my side.

Hendrith Seawave is calling out orders as we advance, directing the sorcerers. ‘Glixius — we need more power forward left!’

Glixius? Glixius Dragon killer? That’s a name I haven’t heard for a while. Glixius is a powerful sorcerer. He’s also a criminal. He was outcast from society because of his illegal activities. The Sorcerers Guild allowed him back because they needed all available practitioners to fight the Orcs. I didn’t realise he’d joined up with the assault force. I glance round and recognise his large frame, square jaw and thick grey hair. Like the other sorcerers he’s put on light leather armour but he’s still wearing quite a fancy rainbow cloak. I always figured the Dragon Killer part of his name was just made up for effect. Perhaps he’ll get the opportunity to prove me wrong. I’m further surprised to recognise the man following him with a spear in his hand. Casax, leader of the Twelve Seas branch of the Brotherhood, one of the city’s most powerful gangs. It’s not uncommon for a sorcerer to have physical protection during battle — helps prevent an enemy sneakily sticking a knife in their back while they’re busy with their spells — but I wouldn’t have picked Casax for the task. I didn’t even know he’d joined up with the army. It makes me think a little better of him. I’d have expected all of our leading criminals to have scuttled off and hidden, rather than help with the war effort.

For the moment our sorcerers are managing to keep the dragons at bay even if the shield above shows dangerous signs of buckling and warping. We march on. On our right are several small buildings, summer houses in the Royal Park. As we approach, a band of light Orcish troops...