Stand down

The huge chandelier was the only sign of luxury in the king’s office. The rest of the furniture could compare to Uvel’s office in the garrison. The captain stood near the fireplace, but no fire was lit. Scanning the room without registering anything but its simplicity, his thoughts kept on spinning.

Despite the cool night, he felt uncomfortably warm. The collar of his formal uniform felt too tight, and he had to fight hard not to start pacing. After a few more deep breaths the door finally opened, and the captain snapped into attention. With a straight back he bowed to his monarch, who smiled mildly and went over to his desk.

- “At ease, Captain. Have a seat.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

Slowly as if any sudden movement would offend the king, Uvel made his way to the desk. After sitting down, the monarch looked at him with a frown appearing on his face, followed by a sigh.

- “You surely are wondering, why I asked you to come so late at night.”

Uvel straightened in his chair, making the uniform tighter around his chest.

“Whatever your Majesty is commanding. I am willing to follow the order.”

- “Well, that’s lovely to hear. After reading your reports, I’m convinced you are the right person for this.”

The king sounded delighted, but Uvel swallowed against the lump forming in his throat.

- “This situation is subject to the highest secrecy. Do you understand this, Captain?”

Leaning forward, the king’s gaze pierced Uvel’s eyes. The captain’s uniform felt even tighter. He wanted to at least open top button on his collar.

“Yes, your Majesty. I will keep the information confidential.”

After a moment of awkward silence, the king finally sighed. Uvel detected the faint dark circles under the noble’s eyes. Then he pushed a file towards Uvel, which had been lying on the stack of papers at the side of the table.

- “I need you and your men, Captain. There is a prisoner transport scheduled in three days. Have you heard of Count Credez?”

Uvel froze and felt like he was going to be sick. All warmth left his hands and icy sweat trickled down his neck.

- “I see, you have. Well, this will save me some time. This here is the file of the case. As all prisoners know how to use power, your unit will accompany the regular soldiers.”

“Your Majesty, my men and I … I don’t know if we will be able to … this is quite …”

- “Oh, I think you will be able to handle the situation. You will get all information needed. And you can always ask one of your men.”

Uvel just stared at the king, trying not to let his mouth fall agape.

“I beg your pardon, your Majesty. But who exactly is this expert you are talking about?”

- “Well … Gibb, of course. If any questions arise, just ask him.”

The air was crisp and Uvel suppressed a shiver. The courtyard was crowded with carriages and soldiers. Captain Lissin’s and Uvel’s men were divided to guard the four carriages. The prisoners were still nowhere to be seen and Uvel felt the cold seep through his boots. It was unusually cold for late spring. Maybe it was the prisoners.

Can you influence the weather with power?

- “Captain? Where are the items I am supposed to check?”

Uvel snapped around. His shortest soldier had his dark eyes focused on him. It was this strange gaze. He was still not used to those eyes piercing through him, unnerving him. The goosebumps didn’t want to ease, and a shudder ran down his spine.

“Captain Lissin! Where are the magic objects?”

There was movement from the other side of the courtyard and Uvel pulled on his uniform jacket.

“You know what you are looking for?”

Keeping his voice down, he tried not to make direct eye contact with his subordinate.

Keep it together, Uvel. He’s got more experience than you.

- “I do, Captain. Please trust me.”

Suppressing a snort, he just nodded.

I’m not sure if I can though.

Gibb was competent. Gibb was knowledgeable. Gibb was formidable at using power. Gibb had many secrets.

“Here they are. Have a look.”

They brought over a crate. In it were eight rather plain looking lamps. They were designed to be stuck in mountings at the sides of the carriages. Stretching out a hand to touch the lamps, he felt a slap on his wrist. A sharp command on the tip of his tongue, he turned towards his soldier.

- “Forgive me, Captain. But it’s not wise to touch them without a prior check.”

“How can you check them without touching them?”

There was no answer but only raised eyebrows. Usually there would be a mocking grin on Gibb’s face. This time he only slightly shook his head and crouched in front of the crate.

In an instance something shifted. The air felt heavier. Cold sweat covered Uvel’s forehead. Trying to wipe it, he felt like his limbs were frozen. Immobilized in this way he focused on Gibb. The young man wasn’t moving, but there was a blue flicker around his head.

Uvel closed his eyes, rubbing them. When he opened them, Gibb had risen and turned to face him.

“Is it safe to use them?”

Just say yes. Say it your usual mocking way. But say it.

Instead, Gibb hesitated and Uvel wanted to groan. The short man looked around and tensed. Uvel followed his gaze, worried by the obvious skittishness of his man.

- “Make sure that none of our men touch the lamps. I’ll return to my position.”

His voice pressed as if it was difficult to breathe. Uvel wanted to ask what was going on, when he saw that the prisoners had arrived.

Three of the four prisoners were slumped forward. The heavy chains on their wrists and ankles were connected with a metal ring around their neck. They were still wearing clothes befitting their noble status but only one of them was still exuding the commanding aura. Gibb next to Uvel breathed in sharply. The grey-haired prisoner looked in their direction.

The smile died the moment his gaze fell on Uvel and his company. The soldier, who was in charge of the fallen nobleman, tried to make him move but was ignored. As graceful as the chains allowed, he made his way to the crate and the two men in front of it.

- “You.”

Uvel had never heard a word spoken with more venom and disdain. Expecting his usually skittish subordinate to shrink behind him, he took a step forward to block the noble.

- “Count Credez. Please follow the soldier to your carriage.”

Uvel couldn’t help but stare at Gibb. Standing next to him. His back straight. His eyes focused on the noble. There was no shyness. There was no shrinking back or groveling. The words were spoken with a faint unfamiliar accent. But his voice didn’t shake. A faint blue hue surrounded Gibb which was answered by a reddish shimmer from Count Credez.

- “It’s time to leave. Make the prisoners board, soldiers! No time to dillydally!”

Captain Lissin’s voice evaporated the tense atmosphere between the two unequal men. There was a polite bow from Gibb, while the count only turned his back and was guided towards one of the carriages.

After looking around for the millionth time Uvel checked the pistol and baton on his belt. With a suspicious glance at the lamps mounted on the carriages, he turned around to check on Gibb. The soldier was talking to Selo.

Why do they look so serious? What …

- “All soldiers! Activate the lamps!”

Uvel’s head snapped around. Ready to intervene.

Why would you activate the lamps?!

But it was too late. Uvel felt it before he could see it. The whole track almost stopped. The air felt like liquid. Just breathing in felt like he was drowning. His body felt ten times heavier. Yet he knew he had to fight it. Just like Gibb had taught them.

A shrill noise reached his ears. It pierced through his skull. Made his bones vibrate. Suddenly he was able to breathe again. Filling his lungs which air he shouted.

“Soldiers! Remember your training!”

As if the noise had woken all of his men up, Uvel saw them move. Saw them fight the weight. Slow movements all around. Fighting an invisible enemy. But they were all fighting. Captain Lissin’s men weren’t reacting at all. The only man who could move with ease was Lissin.

- “Destroy the lamps! Shoot them! Don’t touch them!”

It was Gibb’s voice which felt as if he shouted in Uvel’s head. And Uvel tried to reach for the weapon on his belt. At the same time, he tried to keep track of Lissin’s movements. The other captain had reached the second carriage. Uvel’s heart cramped when he saw the man produce the key to the lock securing the carriage door.

“No! Captain Lissin! Stand down!”

But there was no use. Uvel’s cry disappeared unheard. Swallowed by the dense air around them. Then a loud shot made him look around. Faster than expected and he saw Gibb who was almost moving with the same ease as Captain Lissin. He had disabled one of the lamps and as the second shot rang, Uvel could feel his body following his commands without that much delay.

- “Captain! The carriage!”

Again, it was Gibb’s voice who brought Uvel’s attention back to the Count’s carriage. Now the fear was replaced by pure horror when Uvel saw the noble step out of the carriage. With a generous smile he patted the captain’s cheek who was staring absently into the void.

Stretching and then rubbing his wrists the noble focused his gaze on Uvel. With a jolt the commanding officer was pulled off the coach box. Pain shot through his knees upon impact with the ground. Then a force dragged him closer to the count. Desperately fighting against the invisible constrains he struggled. He lifted his head to look at the count. With the corners of his mouth pulled downward the noble returned the gaze. A sneer distorting his graceful expression.

- “Well, this isn’t as fun as I’d expected.”

Hot anger wash over Uvel. He fumbled for his pistol, but instead his throat closed up. A wheezing sound escaped him. Panic replaced the anger, making his movements jerkier.

- “Oooh no. This won’t do. I just need a few more …”

Whatever the noble had wanted to say was lost in another shot ringing through the air. By the way the focus of the noble shifted, Uvel didn’t need to turn his head to know who was on the carriage behind him. The feeling of hope evaporated when the pressure against his throat was amplified. While he was freer in his struggle, he couldn’t do anything about his throat being pressed shut even more. His vision slowly turned grey. Dark spots started to dance in front of his eyes. The count’s civilized and cultured laughter reached Uvel only through a wall of his blood whooshing in his ears.

Then there was another loud bang. With a metal taste in his mouth, Uvel collapsed on his knees. Coughing and gasping for air. The grey spots disappeared. Slowly, his vision returned.

- “Vermin! How dare you interfere!”

Now, Uvel could turn around with almost no weights dragging him down. But when he saw his soldier hopping down the third coach, his relieved smile froze on his lips. Gibb’s face was distorted. His dark eyes held a crazed sparkle. The blue shimmer around his whole body was stronger than ever.

“Soldier! Stand down! Don’t …”

The shot rang through the air. There was a loud thud. Uvel’s head snapped around. Count Credez wasn’t standing behind him anymore. The noble lay a few steps behind him. His eyes wide open. The pool of blood around his head getting bigger by the second. Another shot rang and Captain Lissin fell as well.

Uvel scrambled to his feet. He turned. Gibb was standing a few steps away from him, a cruel smile on his lips. Uvel heard the clicking of the hammer being pulled back. This time the muzzle was aimed at him.