Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #14 May 2015 | Page 43

PART THREE
Harsh magelights floated over the guards’ heads
as they kept their posts outside the gate. Whilst
the conjured lights illuminated a patch of the road,
Khellus knew it would also spoil their night vision.
He counted on this fact as he observed the gate
from not more than ten paces away. While now
wearing one of Favriel’s blue-and-crimson coats
over his tunic, the simple disguise wouldn’t be any
help if he just marched up and asked to be admitted.
The guards would be overly alert for any faces they
didn’t recognize. Instead, he’d appropriated it more
for avoiding too much scrutiny once within the
walls, though the swords hidden beneath his cloak
might still draw attention if he dawdled.
For now, Khellus remained concealed in a swathe
of shadows cast by a clump of thick vines snaking
up the estate wall. It didn’t reach more than halfway
up the wall, and so hadn’t been chopped down as
a possible climbing hazard, but it provided enough
cover for someone who knew how to blend in. The
earlier crowds had thinned as people ducked into
their homes for dinner, or taverns for drink. By the
time Khellus had arranged the plan with Abrodail
and gotten into position, the emerald moon hung
heavy overhead.

The guards held muttered conversation as he waited, and he caught snatches of gossip and complaints
about loitering beggars. One guard drew out a tiny
wooden box and dabbed a finger into the contents
before wiping this inside his nostrils. After this, all
signs of fatigue fled as his posture straightened and
his eyes glistened a bit brighter. More dravillish.
Khellus wondered if Asmoran used it himself, but
figu ɕ