Just as the horse pa.s.sed over the Knife, he spun and jumped so that both his feet landed on her horse's rump. In one continuous motion he painfully grabbed Ticca's shoulders and pushed back off, pulling her right out of the saddle, and they both fell backwards off the horse. He let go of her just as soon as he had guaranteed she was going to be falling with him, which left him a small margin of additional flex in his legs to push off, adding more momentum to his own backward fall. Ticca's mind raced over the situation. If I fall off this way I am going to break my neck, and if I don't this guy will finish me off.

From the corner of her eye she saw him using his extra momentum to do a backflip, heading for the ground feet-first, legs bent to absorb the impact. OK, that might work for me too. Moving with her fall, Ticca bent backwards, putting her hands and back of her head on her horse's rump. She managed to kick the top of her saddle with one foot as she fell backwards, turning the fatal fall into a backwards summersault off the rump of her horse.

I do not like landing with my back to him. Have to fix that first. Landing, she immediately lunged forward in the same direction the horse was moving with the momentum she already had. The ring of a scissor cut of two knives behind her head told her if she had moved a fraction of second slower she'd be dead. Twisting in the air, she did a somersault half twist flip, landing in a much better position facing the Knife in green. She had her dagger and short sword out and ready.

The Knife didn't pause. Closing the distance instantly, his knives flew in vicious, deadly attacks. His face held a small smirk but his brows were tight with anger. His every move was deadly, and Ticca had little time to attack as she was forced to concentrate solely on parrying the flurry of blows. Over and over he attacked, and over and over she parried. Ticca was forced to walk backwards as he kept stepping closer, reducing her maneuvering room.

She had managed to get in the occasional riposte, but he slowly sped up. She tried to change the direction he was pushing her but he cut her off and forced her further back. Every three steps backward he sped up marginally. The Knife smiled evilly at her as she tried unsuccessfully to gain an advantage. Finally all she was seeking was escape. d.a.m.n it, he keeps backing me up. This is revenge for killing the other Knife at the hospice. He is doing to me what I did to his friend. Except there is no wall to pin me against, just the open gateway; can I use that somehow? Her mind raced, trying to find a way out of this situation alive.

Her arms ached with the strain of holding him off. She had never been pushed so hard, and yet somehow she matched his speed and strength. I'm holding, but for how long? She allowed herself to detach slightly to consider the situation. She was trapped in the fight. There was no way to disengage without giving him the chance he needed to kill her, which she was absolutely certain he was planning on doing. Ditani and Lebuin had made it out of the gate. She studied his technique, looking for a bad move. He made no mistakes; his knives flew in a nearly perfect pattern. He reminded her of her trainer. She saw the answer - her trainer had said that the reason he was the best was because he didn't always follow the pattern; there were moves within the moves. The patterns could be adjusted, but only by a true artist. Someone who knew the patterns, followed them, but didn't let them control.

They had backed up to the gateway and were in the shadow of the arch. The Knife hadn't increased speed in at least ten steps. That's it, this is his best. Can I go faster? She reached deep within and steeled herself. Time to stop giving in to him. She stopped taking defensive steps backwards, forcing herself to hold the line. His eyes widened when she held. He is as surprised as I am. OK, now to be a great Dagger! She held her ground, and letting herself relax into the flow of the fight, she found the calm of the patterns. Her blades sped up just enough that now he was forced to parry as often as she was. Now it was a parry, riposte, parry, and riposte. Then she pushed herself a little faster. He took his first defensive step backwards. She let her grimace turn into a smile and looked deep into his eyes. He wasn't afraid, but his anger had changed to something else. He stepped back again, but then he pushed back, making her step back. The fight went on back and forth. He was not an artist, but he was the second best she had ever faced. Ignoring the muscle complaints she let her hands flow in the patterns and new attacks emerged as she found different patterns within the patterns. "Who are you?" he asked. She didn't bother to answer, being busy with breathing.

A knife came from nowhere and nearly hit the man in green. He dodged it but that gave her a chance to slice his upper leg. Anger returned to his eyes. Another knife came at him and he dodged it but didn't give her another opportunity.

Something cracked loudly behind her but she couldn't look back. A donkey screamed in panic. Another knife, and this time he backed up enough to disengage for a moment and look around; Ticca allowed him to disengage so she could do the same. There were nine Daggers on the right side of the street, fighting with the two valets in blue, both wounded. Five more Daggers jumped out of another alleyway to her left and swarmed her and the man in green. As he fought them all, Ticca heard splintering wood behind her. Stepping further back, letting the other daggers occupy the Knife, she was able to look around.

A single solid slab of metal completely filled the gateway, rising slowly out of the ground, and as it slowly rose, the existing gates cracked and broke. It looked like there was a deep slot in the wall for this metal slab that had been filled in with stonework to mount the current gates. All of the stonework and other materials didn't stop the metal slab from rising. In fact, the metal slab was at least six feet thick and had already broken up through the huge paving stones which had been put over it. That was the first cracking sound I heard, the stonework breaking away. People had gotten out of the way as it was moving very slowly, having only risen about five feet so far. There was a farmer chasing his panicked donkey away from the gate.

Looking back at the fight she realized this had something to do with Duke. Duke isn't paying me, and I have to get Lebuin his answers. This fight is theirs. She spun and ran for the gateway, looking back in quick glances to follow events with the Knife, jumping up on the slab and sprinting across it. The Knife in green managed to break away from the other Daggers and ran after her. He was just about to the other side of the slab, which had only risen another inch. "d.a.m.n it! Close already!" she shouted in frustration, as she prepared to meet him again. He had just started to jump up on top. His foot hadn't yet left the ground behind when the gate snapped up so fast that the stonework in the slot was instantly turned into a cloud of dust and the remaining parts of the wooden door became flying tinder. The enormous slab of steel slammed into the top of the gateway arch with such force that large masonry stones on the top of the wall were thrown into the air like billiard b.a.l.l.s. Ticca felt the shockwave hit her body, pushing her away from the gate slightly as the thunder clap left her ears ringing. She covered her head defensively and held her breath against the cloud of dust. She had to dodge several large falling stones as she backed away from the now-sealed city gateway.

Turning, she ran as fast as she could down the road. Her war horse had stopped only a few hundred yards away and another hundred yards beyond that sat Ditani and Lebuin on their horses, watching the events. She swung up in the saddle and rode over to Ditani and Lebuin, who were looking past her at the city with astonishment. Turning the horse, she looked back at the city wall. It was rising, and along the top more steel plates appeared, topped with spikes which held steel b.a.l.l.s.

"Definitely need to give things time to settle down here." Ditani and Lebuin mumbled an agreement; the three of them turned the horses away from the scene and galloped down the road.

Chapter 11.

Friends in the woods THE FOREST WAS ANYTHING BUT quiet. There were noises and animal calls which sent chills down Lebuin's spine. They had ridden very hard and very fast for three days to get well away from Llino. Ticca had taken them off of the main roads a full day back, and now they were traveling over open country. Lebuin was sweaty and dirty, and muscles he never knew he had announced their presence with every move. This has been a miserable three days. I wish my magic would come back so I could at least get some of this grime off of me. I cannot believe people live like this all the time. How can they ignore it?

Looking across the campfire at Ticca, he noticed she didn't have the strained look she had worn for the last three days. Her brows were no longer drawn together in hard thought. In fact, she was looking at him as one might inspect a new farm animal, and it was obvious she was trying to decide something.

Looking left, he saw that Ditani was actually smiling as he busied himself cooking some hares Ticca had shot earlier with a sling. How can he be happy? Today he was just riding along breathing deeply with a crooked smile. Now he looks like we are at the finest home enjoying a wonderful evening.

The smells of the cooking meat wafted past him again. It was going to be a pleasant meal since there were herbs and spices in Vestul's pack, which Ditani had carefully selected. The roasting meat made his mouth water in antic.i.p.ation. Looking up, he observed that it was a completely clear night and the stars were shining very brightly.

Ticca hadn't said anything yet and had leaned back against a tree, looking out across the clearing to the open sky. She looks in a talking mood, and I really would like to start learning some things. "Are we far enough that we can talk now?"

She looked at him and then back to the sky. "Perhaps. It has been three days since our escape from the city, and I haven't seen any sign of being pursued. The forest is alive, so nothing unusual is moving about. So yes, I'd say we can talk safely now."

Now I can ask the question that has been burning in my mind for days. "Why aren't all Daggers as skilled as you are?"

She laughed. "Heavens, that is an odd question to ask after everything we have done."

"I'm serious. I know I have little experience, but I am not stupid. You fought and killed a Knife at the hospice; you faced that demon in green and fought him to a standstill. He held off five other Daggers easily enough and broke away to chase you. In fact he looked like the Daggers were just insects that were annoying him slightly. If it hadn't been for whatever Duke did to close the city he would have attacked you again. So, why are you so good, or why are the other Daggers not as good as you?"

Ticca looked up at the stars and in a wistful voice answered, "I have had unique training."

"Obviously, but is it a secret? Can you share it?"

Ticca looked at him for a minute, her eyes going a little wide then slightly unfocused. "No one has asked me before." Ticca's gaze shifted to the fire. "I am only sworn to keep the source of my knowledge a secret. But no promise to keep the training a secret was demanded." She continued to look into the fire as if it were a window. "It isn't something he'd have missed, either."

Ditani took one of the rabbits and handed it to him, and handed another to Ticca. Taking a rabbit for himself, Ditani sat down and began to eat. Ticca sat up a little straighter and began to pick at the rabbit. They all sat and stared at the fire, quietly eating and thinking their own thoughts.

Ticca's voice caught both Ditani and Lebuin by surprise. "I see no reason I cannot pa.s.s on these skills. Of course, I am not really interested in being a trainer myself, at least not yet."

"Would you teach me?"

Ticca looked at him. "Lebuin, you're a mage - of what use is the sword and knife to you? You can shield yourself better than any fighter and kill with a look. Why learn the knife and the sword?"

"That is what I thought too. I think that is what Magus Cune was trying to teach me. I was just too naive to see it. Magus Cune nearly killed me with a sword in a magical fight. Magus Vestul was killed by a blade penetrating his defenses. I think mages might be, in general, too proud and overconfident. I recognize this in myself and I am disgusted by it. So I ask, would you teach me?"

"After five years training with my uncle, he had taught me everything he could and called on another trainer to complete my education. No offense, but I wasn't planning on spending that much time with you."

"I don't expect to learn all you know. It will be cycles before my magic returns. Should we start now, I might be of more use than just a target to protect." He looked directly into her eyes and gave her what he hoped she would see as a determined promise to study well. "I promise you, I am a fast study."

Ticca thought about this some more. "You make a good point, M'lord. It would be helpful for me to stay sharp and remind myself of the basics." Smiling, she looked at Ditani. "What about you, old man, will you join us in training? I know you can move fast enough, you dodged that Knife's sword well enough."

Ditani looked at them in surprise. "Me? I am an old servant who is looking forward to retiring. It was luck that let me survive. I almost fell off the horse doing it."

Ticca's eyes sparkled in the firelight. "Well, with some training maybe you won't need so much luck next time. My trainer always said, 'Be thankful when luck happens, but don't count on it.' Besides, I am told that the knife and sword drills keep men limber and active almost their whole life. Your wife might enjoy that." She stared at him, grinning wickedly, daring him to answer.

It was hard to tell but Ditani might have looked a shade darker in the dusky light. "Ticca, really, you go too far! But I agree, luck is a silly thing to count on. I do fancy keeping my joints limber, so I accept your invitation."

Ticca giggled like she had won a prize. "Algan is two or three weeks away by the trade road. It will take us at least a cycle to get there, traveling through the wilderness and avoiding contact. We can train for a mark every morning and evening. It won't slow us down too much. I think we should concentrate on the defensive skills." Tossing the remains of her rabbit into the fire, Ticca took off her boots and lay back on her bed roll. "Let me think this through and we'll start in the morning."

I can't wait! I don't know why but I have the oddest desire to master the knife now. Looking at Ticca, he admired her stamina, courage, and obvious intelligence. This is a woman who will make a blazing trail wherever she chooses to go. I have been very foolish being more concerned with the outside of people than what was inside. With her help I may very well survive Cune's challenges. I intend to be a very different man when I next meet him.

The evening was getting colder, and looking at Ticca, he saw she was still awake and looking up at the stars. "Aren't your feet going to get cold?"

"Better cold feet than odd dreams," she answered mysteriously.

"What do you mean by that?"

Ticca sat up and looked at him across the fire as if trying to decide something. He waited to see what she chose to do, and she looked at the boots and sighed. "I think they are causing me to see things when I sleep."

Lebuin looked at the boots too. "They are just an artifact, although one with a very useful mix of features. I don't see how including dreams would ever cross anyone's mind. Are you sure about this?"

Ticca shook her head. "No, but ever since I got them I have been having visions or dreams. They are as real as this is. I remember them clearly and in every detail. It is as if I am actually living the dreams, and when I wake up I am always confused about where and who I am."

"Do you want to tell us about them?"

Ticca frowned and thought about it. "Well, they are actually kind of girlish."

"Meaning that you are a girl in them?"

"Meaning I am another girl who is in love, and the dreams center around the romance. In the dreams I ...or she... or, well... in the dreams there are feelings and thoughts with immense love as I have only ever heard of. These dreams make me feel odd, and I am starting to believe such love may really exist."

"Are they the same dreams?"

"No, they are moving forward in time. Things evolve, as they do everywhere. I think the person I am reliving is the maker of the boots."

"Perhaps I can help you understand. Tell me from the beginning. You can of course leave out any, um... intimate details."

Ticca blushed. "Well there hasn't been any of that, at least none I was present for. I think the first dream might have been followed by a very excellent moment. At least, it was heading there when I woke up. This is about a woman who lives in a large forest city. Her name is Kliasa, and she trapped animals to make boots and travel journals."

Ditani sat up hastily. "Did you say Kliasa? Kliasa of Rea-Na-Rey?"

Surprised, he looked at Ditani. Rea-Na-Rey, as in the Elven city of the forest? Why would you know someone from there?

Ticca shrugged. "I haven't heard the name of the city said. I would remember if it was Rea-Na-Rey, still it might be the same."

"Ditani, do you know a Kliasa?"

Ditani looked at the ground for a moment and his shoulders sagged as if under a heavy weight. "Yes, she was a shining star like none before or after. We all loved her greatly. Magus Vestul loved her as a daughter; I loved her as a sister..." Ditani reached over and picked up the boots tenderly, as a man picks up his baby daughter. "She made these boots for Magus Vestul as a present. He mentioned how uncomfortable his boots were and she set about making him the finest boots ever, so that he would always be able to dance." Tears ran down Ditani's cheek as he softly caressed the boots. He then put them back by Ticca. "Believe me, you two have a lot in common, she would want you to have these. I don't understand the dreams; Magus Vestul never mentioned he shared her memories."

Everyone was silent for a while. Finally, Ticca looked at Ditani. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"How could you? You are young and the world hasn't been so unkind to you yet."

"I take it she is dead?"

"Yes, she died in an attack on her home. It was vicious, brutal, and long since avenged by even more brutal and horrible acts."

Ticca put her hand on Ditani's shoulder. "I am sorry. She was so happy and alive. Was it her lover who exacted revenge?"

Ditani nodded. "Oh yes, he did. He did things I shudder to consider. It is said he still bleeds from his heart because the wound never healed. This is why he shows no mercy, or regret, and is willing to do horrible things; things which anyone else with a dark heart would refuse as too dreadful." The fire seemed to dim and a cold wind blew over them as if nature itself stood in testimony to Ditani's words.

A shudder ran down his spine at that p.r.o.nouncement, as if evil had touched their campsite. Lebuin thought about it. "Ticca, unless the artifact was specifically designed to share memories, I don't think the boots are the cause."

Ticca shrugged. "Well if I sleep with them on, I have dreams of her and things I have never experienced. I have spent days hunting in her forest and making a wonderful journal which was later given to Magus Vestul at a festival in his honor. It was Magus Vestul who finally called her by name, and I do recall him complaining about his boots. She resolved to make him boots; these boots. She is constantly worrying about this man she loves, trying to decide how to help him with his plans, which he hasn't yet shared."

Ticca retold the stories from her dreams. Lebuin paid especially close attention to the description of her feelings while making the journal. When she was done he asked her questions which she couldn't answer on the techniques used. "I'd love to experience that making myself. I might be able to learn those skills. This would be wonderful."

Ticca handed him the boots. "Give them a try, if you dare."

Taking the boots, Lebuin didn't really have to think about it much. He pulled off his own boots and slid into Ticca's. "You can wear my boots if you want. They are going to be too big, but they would keep your feet warmer."

Ticca looked a little put off, but took his offered boots and slipped them on. With that they all drifted off to sleep.

Sun was streaming in the window and he sat there enjoying the feeling on his face. Sitting up, he noticed something was different, something was not right. This was someplace he did not know. Looking around, he realized he was alone, but there was laughter, like dozens of perfect small silver bells, ringing outside. Standing, he moved to the window and looked out on an amazing scene. Dozens of children were running around, screaming and laughing. Some of the children were astride small deer; others were just running around. They all moved with a speed and agility he found hard to believe. What was even odder was that they were playing a game of chase and tag with a creature the size of a horse that looked like a wolf. The wolf laughed and yelled, jumping around with great agility, running and using trees to bounce off of, trying to avoid the children. The wolf was speaking the language of the children, and even though Lebuin didn't understand the exact words, it was obvious that the creature was playfully taunting them.

A presence was beside him; he looked and caught his breath. Next to him, smiling and looking out the window, was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was dressed in a soft, fuzzy forest-green dress with long sleeves, which covered her from neck to toe. The dress hugged her form tightly from the neck to just below her hips, where it flared out into a wonderful skirt. The dress, while covering almost every inch of her body, still showed every curve of her perfect frame. It ended just above the ground, and peeking out were a pair of matching boots made of glossy leather, dyed a soft mossy green. Around her waist was a black leather belt, on which hung a small pouch and a much-used but well cared-for hunting knife.

"The children so love Duke, and he adores them."

Looking out the window again, he replied, "So that is Duke; I never would have guessed he played with children."

"Duke has many sides, as do we all, Lebuin."

"You know me? How? Who are you? Where am I?"

"You know the answers to all that already."

Nodding, he looked back at the woman. "You are Kliasa, this is a dream, and I suppose this is your home in Rea-Na-Rey?"

"Correct."

"I thought these dreams were supposed to be from your point of view."

"I will not let a man know my intimate thoughts. You come here out of curiosity, and a desire to know the making of my works. Ticca comes here for other reasons."

"So this isn't something you laid into the boots? Your mind is directing this? How can that be, you are dead."

"No, I am between."

Lebuin froze at that. "'Between'. Another ent.i.ty told me I was 'between'."

"Correct."

"I sensed you there between; you were watching over us from the ethereal realm."

"That is a reasonable explanation. Yes, I was there. I lent what aid I could to help your survival."

"Why? What do you care?"

She looked at Lebuin with a mix of pain, longing, and secrecy. "I cannot answer that. There are limits to what I can tell you."

"How can this be?"

"You know the answer to that, too."

"The boots... you made them, they are connected to you, so you can use them as a conduit."

"Correct."

"So why haven't we heard from dead mages before through their artifacts?"

"They did not remain between."

"That isn't an answer. Surely some of them were not yet ready to move on."