Chapter 80: Black Barrow Hill (3)
"You keep saying that about terrible places."
"Terrible places are honest."
Robi chuckled. "He has a point."
Celia looked at both of them. "I dislike that you two agree on things."
The carriages stopped below the middle terrace.
Marovain guards spread out first. The mages came down after them, carrying boxes and cloth bundles. Robi stepped out with his metal hand already covered in a thin layer of silver mana. Celia followed and immediately placed a small barrier charm near the carriage to protect the horses from the death mana.
Lucard stepped onto the ground and breathed in.
The death mana here was dense. It moved under the soil like cold water. It clung to the old stones and crawled around the broken graves. It was not clean death power. It was mixed with resentment, old sorrow, buried mana, and weak curses that had lost their owners long ago. For most mages, such a place would be uncomfortable. For the trap spell, it was fuel.
Lucard walked to the stone platform.
"This place."
Robi looked around. "Open ground. Old stones. Three paths leading in. Good sight lines, but also enough ruined markers for hidden formations."
"Garran will like it," Lucard said.
Celia frowned. "That is not comforting."
"It means he will come."
The Marovain mages began unpacking materials. Twelve medium mana stones were placed in a wide circle. Four fire resistant stones were buried near the inner ring. Bone powder was mixed with grave ash and silver dust. Black iron nails were hammered into old cracks between platform stones. The basin of beast blood was placed in the center, covered until needed.
Lucard gave instructions, and the mages followed.
At first, one of the older mages tried to suggest a correction.
"If we move the eastern stone slightly, the mana flow will be cleaner."
Lucard looked at him. "Do you want clean flow or useful flow?"
The mage paused. "Clean flow is usually useful."
"Not here."
The mage looked offended. "Young man, I have studied formations for twenty years."
Lucard pointed at the map line he had drawn. "Then study this for one breath and do not speak for twenty more."
The mage’s face darkened.
Celia coughed softly. "Master Leron, follow the instructions exactly."
The mage bowed stiffly. "Yes, Lady Celia."
Robi stood nearby, smiling like he was enjoying tea.
Celia looked at him. "You could help."
"I am helping by not laughing."
"That is not help."
"It is for him."
Lucard ignored them and continued.
The formation slowly took shape.
The outer ring was buried under grave ash. The middle ring was marked with blood ink mixed with powdered mana crystal. The inner hooks were drawn thinly, almost invisible unless someone knew where to look. Lucard checked every line. He corrected two angles. He made one mage redo a whole section because the pressure of his brush had been uneven.
The mage looked like he wanted to cry and duel at the same time.
By midmorning, the trap was nearly complete.
Robi walked to Lucard’s side. "Will it activate when Garran steps inside?"
"No."
"Then when?"
"When I allow it."
Celia looked around. "Where will you hide?"
Lucard pointed toward the broken shrine above them. "There."
Robi followed his gaze. "High ground. Good view. Dangerous if Garran checks first."
"He will check the platform more."
"Because he will think I set the trap here."
"Yes."
Robi smiled. "And did we?"
Lucard looked at the ground. "Mostly."
Celia did not like that word.
"What does mostly mean?"
Lucard did not answer.
That made her like the word even less.
The final part required the beast blood. Lucard poured it carefully into three shallow grooves near the center. The blood moved through the lines, vanished under the ash, and darkened the formation. The death mana under the platform stirred. For a moment, the air became colder. One Marovain guard stepped back with a nervous face.
Lucard placed his palm against the stone.
He sent one drop of his own blood into the hidden line.
The sleeping knife accepted its master.
No one saw it.
Robi felt something faint and looked at Lucard.
Lucard had already stood.
"It is complete."
Robi studied him. "You added something."
Lucard looked at him calmly. "I finished the spell."
"That is not the same."
"It is today."
Celia stepped between them slightly. "Uncle, this is not the time."
Robi watched Lucard for a moment longer, then smiled.
"No. It is not."
They covered the formation with loose grave soil and ash as instructed. From above, the platform looked old and dirty, nothing more. The mana stones were hidden. The black iron nails disappeared into cracks. The circle could not be seen unless someone knew exactly where to look.
A Marovain scout returned from the lower road near noon.
"Lord Robi," he said, bowing. "A Ravencroft carriage is approaching. There are Velkhur guards with them."
Celia’s hand moved to her sword.
Robi adjusted his coat and flexed his metal hand once.
Lucard looked toward the broken shrine above the platform.
"Take your positions."
Celia looked at him. "Do not do anything reckless."
Lucard began walking toward the shrine path.
"That depends on what you call reckless."
"Anything you usually do."
"Then no."
She stared at his back. "That was not comforting."
Robi laughed softly. "At least he answered."
Lucard climbed toward the ruined shrine and disappeared between the broken pillars. From there, he could see the platform, the lower road, the grave stones, and the eastern path. The trap slept below like a beast pretending to be earth.
The wind moved over Black Barrow Hill. The death mana thickened. From the lower road, the first Ravencroft carriage appeared.
Behind it came red cloaks and Velkhur armor. The meeting was coming.
The Ravencroft carriage climbed the lower road of Black Barrow Hill slowly.
The horses did not like the place. Their ears kept twitching, and their hooves struck the stone path with uneasy sounds. One of them snorted again and tried to turn away, but the driver pulled the reins hard and forced it forward.