By Zachary Holbrook
Strike a blow against a tyrant and impress a girl at the same time? The opportunity was too good to miss.
Ashdar landed softly in the garden, wrenching his staff free of the vines he’d grown to climb the wall. He checked the runic instructions carved along the length of his staff. Flawless. They told the vines to weave seamlessly into the parapet, leaving no trace of his incursion.
He crept away, imagining bewilderment among Nihroth’s researchers at the ghost who’d stolen an entire bush of rare night-blooming azaleas. Of course, if they’d known they had him for an enemy, they wouldn’t be surprised. He’d learned from the greatest runegrower ever to walk the face of Talid—his own father.
The man whom Nihroth had murdered.
A faint blue light filtering through a row of trees caught Ashdar’s eye. His target—the flower that most efficiently powered runegrowing and helped develop weapons for Nihroth’s war. And Naobi’s favorite. Ashdar would enjoy giving her the blooms even more than stealing them from Nihroth.
The glow moved.
Ashdar frowned. The azalea bush bobbed past the trees, carried by a figure wearing a long skirt. A desperate researcher out this late? Possible, given Nihroth’s methods of dealing with minions who failed to meet his demands for new weapons. Rumors swirled that he needed more skilled runegrowers, but those who could fill that need hid their ability for fear of conscription.
Ashdar slipped past the trees and tailed the researcher. He hoped to snag the bush unnoticed, but she wouldn’t be a threat either way. Worst case, he’d bind her with vines and leave her for her companions to free come morning.
The researcher dropped the azaleas. Only two paces away. He’d snatch them and—
The researcher whirled, slamming a staff into Ashdar’s side. He doubled over in pain. Blast. How had he missed her weapon?
He raised his own staff to counterattack, but the researcher struck at his knees. He sprawled to ground. She rushed in, kicked him flat on his back, and planted a boot on his chest. She looked down—and froze.
The light from the azaleas revealed her face. Ashdar gasped. “Naobi?”
“What are you doing?” she hissed.
He pushed himself up. “Depends on what you’re doing.”
“Stealing night-blooming azaleas, obviously.”
“Which means I’m here to help you escape unnoticed.” He shoved aside Naobi’s boot and stood.
She snorted. “Your recent demonstration casts doubt on your ability.”
“You’re flaunting a bunch of glowing flowers. You need all the help you can get.”
Ashdar pressed his staff into the soil filling the azalea’s pot and tapped the runes he’d carved that afternoon. The bush rustled with power, then grew thick leaves over the glowing blossoms.
“I would’ve covered it,” Naobi protested. “Once I entered the streets.”
A harsh voice sounded. “Intruder!”
Ashdar tensed. Torchlight flickered near where he’d breached the wall. He tossed the azaleas to Naobi, then pulled her deeper into the garden.
Naobi shook free of his grip. “So much for your help, Mr. Unnoticed.”
“But… the guards were reassigned to the war!”
“Half of them,” Naobi hissed. “You think Nihroth would leave his precious weapons garden completely unprotected?”
The torches spread out. Ashdar pressed his back against a broad trunk. He’d take Naobi to the wall, grow a new ladder. If the guards found them before he climbed over—well, he’d make his father proud, fighting to the death in defense of an innocent woman.
Wait—where was Naobi?
Ashdar darted down the rows of exotic plants. More and more torches flickered on either side, closing in on him. He pivoted, swinging across a creek on a tree branch. There! Naobi fiddled with her staff several yards from the base of the wall, the flowerpot at her feet.
He rushed to her side. “Escape first! Don’t worry about me.”
“Hush!” Naobi drew a dagger from her belt and scratched a new rune.
Spear-wielding guards charged from both sides. Ashdar cursed, tapping the ladder rune.
Naobi tore the covering from the azaleas. The guards recoiled as the flowers flared a brilliant blue. Naobi shouted and drove her staff into the pot. The staff absorbed the light from the azaleas—and changed. Branches burst forth, weaving together to form a massive ramp leading to the top of the wall.
Ashdar’s jaw dropped.
Naobi glanced back at him as she dashed up the ramp. “You coming?”
A spear whooshed past, thudding into the pillar holding up the ramp. Ashdar ran, heart pounding.
Someone waited for them atop the wall. That face. Even by the fading light of the azaleas, Ashdar recognized it all too well.
Nihroth.
Nihroth grinned and stepped forward. “I believe those flowers belong to me.”
Panic surged through Ashdar’s veins. His mind raced, searching for a way out—and found one desperate hope.
He grabbed the flowerpot from Naobi and knelt. “Indeed, my lord. Please, find our audition satisfactory.”
Nihroth raised an eyebrow.
“We’ve heard the rumors. You need runegrowers to arm your troops.” Ashdar swallowed, head bowed to hide his fear. “My… wife and I desire to serve under your genius, but as you’re busy defending the country, we resorted to daring measures to get your attention.”
Silence. Naobi crouched beside him. Sweat beaded on Ashdar’s forehead.
Nihroth threw back his head and laughed. “I appreciate boldness.”
Ashdar relaxed. Then Nihroth kicked his gut, sending him sprawling across the rampart. Naobi gasped.
Nihroth slapped Ashdar across the face. Ashdar lifted his staff, his eyes swimming with tears, praying he could distract the tyrant long enough for Naobi to escape.
“That’s for stealing from me, boy.” Nihroth grabbed Ashdar’s shoulder and hauled him to his feet. “Report to my headquarters at dawn.”
Relief flooded Ashdar. He leaned over and kissed Naobi’s cheek. “See? I know what I’m doing, dearest.”
Naobi blushed—then pushed away and fixed him with a furious gaze. Ashdar grinned.
They were spies. Together.
He’d subvert the tyrant and get his girl.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Painful measures, but they got away with it! Brilliant!
This story is dedicated to my friend Joe Nugent, because he fed me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while I was writing it.
Ashdar and Naobi both play crucial roles in ‘The Lore of Yore’, the novel I finished revising last November. Click the link to my author website above to find out more about it.
Plant weapons? Cool!
*is screaming internally as a Lore of Yore beta reader, but won’t say anything because of spoilers*
AHHHHHHHHH YAAAYYYY this makes me happy. Another job well done, Zachary.
*happy sigh* Thank you for this! Ashdar is just as cool as I remember him being ;)
Hurray for Ashdar! :D This was incredibly delightful, and great twist!
I loved it! So much fun.
An enjoyable story that reads like a prequel to greater adventures.
Quick thinking. Great story world… weaponized plants. :)