Blood of the Earth Read Free

enemy as he stood over the dying Ranger. He looked at her with shock and pain for a moment before disappearing.
    Mage Gamaliel produced a metal collar of polished silver inlaid with magical symbols in burnished gold and fastened it around the neck of the unconscious enemy.
    The last one reappeared behind Isabel but his thrust was again turned aside by her shield. He disappeared again and reappeared half a moment later behind Lieutenant Wyatt. Before he could stab the Ranger in the back, Jack stabbed him instead.
    The man stiffened with a startled shriek and disappeared again, reappearing behind Mage Gamaliel.
    Isabel was ready. She was waiting for a clear shot at the enemy. Instead of her light-lance spell, she unleashed her Maker’s light at the man mixed with darkness. He screamed with such agony that Alexander almost felt sorry for him. The light didn’t kill him or even injure him, but Alexander could see the darkness within him writhing around in shock and pain. He disappeared and reappeared twenty feet away, running from the battlefield. Three steps later he disappeared again, reappearing twenty feet farther away.
    He was headed toward the legion of Rangers encamped outside the walls surrounding the remains of Northport.

 
    Chapter 2
     
    Alexander produced a healing draught from his pouch and handed it to Boaberous without a word.
    “Lieutenant Wyatt, transport Jataan and our prisoner to the camp,” Alexander commanded as he turned to Isabel. “Let’s go, we have to stop him before he gets to the Rangers.”
    She nodded, following him at a dead run toward their horses.
    “We’ll never catch him before he gets to our troops,” Isabel said as they mounted up. “He’s almost to the walls already.”
    “I know,” Alexander said, “but we have to try.” He kicked his mare into a gallop, pushing her to run as fast as he dared, given the uneven footing of the bombed-out city. They reached the gate and coaxed their horses into a sprint. The man mixed with darkness had a commanding lead and was gaining ground. Every three steps or so he would disappear and reappear twenty feet farther from Alexander and closer to the Rangers’ encampment.
    The Rangers at the perimeter of the camp had seen the enemy and raised the alarm. Dozens of arrows met him but he either disappeared before the shafts struck home or shortly after, only to reappear closer without any trace of injury. It was as if his body was made whole each time he teleported.
    Then he was inside the camp.
    A Ranger fell.
    The enemy vanished and reappeared.
    Another fell.
    Alexander spurred his horse into a reckless sprint, closing the remaining yards.
    The Ranger in command of the perimeter guard ordered his men to stand back to back once he saw the nature of the enemy. Alexander was impressed with the quick thinking and calm decision making of the young man in the face of such an impossible threat.
    The man mixed with darkness appeared to the side of a pair of Rangers and stabbed one, though not fatally, before the other stabbed him. He cackled with malice and disappeared.
    Alexander charged into the camp with Isabel at his side. He drew Mindbender and stretched out with his mind to listen for the enemy’s thoughts. He guided his horse in the direction of the next target. The man mixed with darkness was moving deeper into the camp, striking wherever he could.
    Another Ranger fell. His partner stabbed the enemy. He didn’t disappear right away but instead stepped into the blade, driving the length of it through his gut and then stabbed the Ranger in the heart. Alexander rounded a tent just as the man mixed with darkness disappeared.
    “Isabel, on your left!” Alexander called out in warning as the man appeared just in front of Isabel and to the left of her horse’s path. He thrust his dagger into her horse’s throat. The animal squealed in pain and crashed to the ground, taking Isabel with it.
    She flew forward over her horse’s head and tumbled to