Page 34 of Phoenix Chosen 3

“We’ve gotten shipments through before,” Agis says, closing his eyes again. “And when we’ve been attacked, we’ve managed to escape unharmed.”

“This is the first time anyone has been injured like this,” Markos says.

“Hold on,” Kalistratos says. “You told us your people were unable to make the journey to Aelonos. That you’ve been attacked by this sorcerer and these bandits many times.”

“Yes, we have,” answers Markos. “Men have been hit like Gral. Knocked to the ground. We’ve felt the heat of the flames. But none have been burned like Agis. When we see the bandits, we run. We know we are not strong enough to fight.”

“We became too confident,” says Gral, “and look what happened.”

“No,” says Agis. “I knew the risks.”

“You were trying to help your friends,” I say. “There’s nothing to regret. We’re gonna take care of this, alright? Right, guys?”

“If they will take the assistance of three grungy vagrants,” Kalistratos says.

Gral’s tail swishes back and forth like a snake. “My apologies,” he says. “There have been far too many ‘heroes’ willing to take coin and more from these kind people, and not a single one of them have done more than disappear.”

“Because they died,” Kalistratos says bluntly. “Fighting that monster.”

“Do you truly believe all of them went to a noble end? There are more thieves in this world than there are heroes.”

Markos waves his hands in dismay. “Now, please, Gral… these are our guests.”

“He’s right,” Kalistratos says. “But not all thieves are villains.”

15

KALISTRATOS

Airos stands over the man Agis, waving his staff and whispering secret words. We’ve been here for hours, helping tend to his burns. Gral has gone with Markos to ready the cart for their return to Aelonos. Tyler sits near me, watching Airos work.

“So?” I say to him. “What kind of magic do they wield?”

“Not something I can easily determine,” he replies. “And I’m not certain magic was responsible for this.”

“It had to be,” Agis says. “How else could they have created such an incredible flame?”

“I don’t know,” Airos replies. “But the question is still, why? To wield fire requires powerful abilities and deep knowledge. They would be very skilled.”

Or, a phoenix.But this doesn’t look like the work of phoenix flame. Airos and I can both see it.

“I think those burns speak for themselves,” Tyler points out. “It doesn’t really matter why. We know there’s a guy in those woods willing and able to do this to somebody. All that matters is a plan to stop him. Here’s what I think we should do. We make it look like the wagon is loaded up for a trip back to Aelonos, but the three of us will hide in the back. When it gets ambushed, wait for the right moment and jump out. Boom. Catch ‘em off guard.”

“So, that means Gral and I are the bait,” Agis says. “No, not a chance. I’m not going to drive that wagon unless it’s empty. I’m not going to get myself killed.”

“Alright, I’ll drive it, then,” says Tyler.

“No,” I say. “Airos will drive. “It’s too risky to have you exposed on the bench.”

Airos nods. “I agree. Tyler, you hide in the back with Kalistratos. I have the best defense against magic; I should be the most exposed.”

“Fine,” Tyler says. “Probably for the best, anyway. I’ve got plenty of experience with asses, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen a donkey up close.”

No one else reacts to his joke, so I snort for him.

“Thank you, Kalistratos,” he says.

Suddenly, Markos bursts into the room. “A bandit, at the edge of the forest!” he shouts. “Gral has gone after them!”

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