Instead, Astridson continued to lead them along for nearly fifteen minutes before he raised his hand to stop them.
“If you would wait but a moment.”
Through the gathering gloom Cal thought he saw lights ahead of them. Slowly the mist lifted slightly, and Cal saw what looked like a tavern standing before them. Looking over at Tamala she shook her head slightly as their eyes met.
Maintaining their silence they followed the rest of the way to the stout wooden door that marked the entrance to the tavern. Astridson opened the door and beckoned for them to enter, but he did not follow himself.
The two of them stepped through the door and were greeted with what looked like a typical country tavern in every detail except one; there were no customers.
A barman stood at his post, idly cleaning a mug with a rag, whilst a barmaid could be seen talking to the rooms only other occupant. Sat at a table just to the side, but close, to the roaring blaze on the far side of tavern was the Lighter that had identified himself as the Light when they had first arrived.
The barmaid saw them and quickly removed herself to the bar whilst the Light beckoned for them to join him. Cal felt something, he wasn’t sure what, but he knew that there was more going on here than met the eye. Despite the slight feeling of trepidation he made his way to the indicated seats at the table.
Without conscious thought he positioned himself with his back to the tavern wall, picking a short stool to sit upon rather than a high backed seat, so that his sword was unimpeded.
It had worried him slightly to begin with that no attempt had been made to relieve him of his sword, but on reflection, where could they run?
Cal studied the face opposite them. The Light appeared to be in his mid-fifties, with blonde hair and startling blue eyes. A short, neatly trimmed beard showed touches of silvery grey at its edges. He noticed the eyes sparkling as the Light regarded Cal in return.
“Not what you expected?” It was almost as if Cal’s mind had been read.
“Not quite.
You look as I would have thought, but,” he waved his hand to indicate the gorge outside, “I would have thought that you lived somewhere a bit more spectacular.”
The Light chuckled. “And what of you sorceress?”
Tamala drew in her breath sharply. “Why do you call me that?”
“Because you are.” The simple reply seemed to confuse her. “Surely you wondered at your ability to travel this far at one attempt. I’m not sure why you continue with the subterfuge of the aging though.”
Now it was Cal’s turn to look confused. “What do you mean subterfuge?”
“I think that we need to talk of things. A drink perhaps?” He looked to the barman who immediately poured two mugs and filled a wooden goblet with something from a bottle he retrieved from the back of the bar. Once the barmaid had delivered the drinks and returned to the bar he continued.
“Dark times are approaching, and it is left to those of us that can to try and do something about it.
Do you really think it coincidence that your fair princess is kidnapped at the same time as her father is murdered, and at almost the same moment as Shalers and Mythraan usurp power over much of the continent?”
“One plan?” Tamala almost jumped at the sound of Cal’s voice. “But to what end?”
“That, I’m afraid, I cannot divulge. To be honest, I’m not entirely certain. We have several prophecies concerning these events and if what we think is the correct interpretation is indeed right, then the Mythraan appear to have actually aided us somewhat.”
Neither of the pair he addressed looked as if they had the slightest idea what he was talking about. “I can see this is going to take some time. Melgar,” he waved at the barman, “could you organise some food. Thank you.”
As Melgar disappeared out of sight to prepare something to eat the Light produced a pipe and proceeded to set it smouldering using a taper lit from the fire. Cal decided that if they were going to be here for ‘some time’ then he might as well remove his uniform jacket rather than roast. He rested his sword and scabbard against the wall, within easy reach, and then placed the problematic article of clothing atop one of the adjacent tables.
“I think it’s about time that we had a name that we can use in normal conversation. If you insist on this friendly fireside atmosphere, then let it be friendly.” The Lighter looked taken aback by the abruptness of Cal’s assertion, then he started to laugh.
It took a moment for him to regain control of himself, but shortly he stood and executed a small bow. “As you will Master Ironsson. I am Jadhir Shalane, Light of the Lighter Peoples.”
Cal responded with a bow of his own. “Calmagyr Ironsson and the Lady Tamala.”
“I think everybody east of the Holdur River knows that by now, and probably quite a few people to the west.” All three heads turned at the new voice. “Apologies for the delay, but I had to sort out a few details aboard the Hurricane.”
“The Hurricane! What were you doing aboard our ship?” Tamala had stood at the entrance of the stranger and out of the corner of his eye Cal noticed that her fingers appeared to be tracing a small pattern in the air beneath her palms.
“Relax My Lady, and please stop that.” He indicated the spell weave that Tamala had almost completed. “I don’t know whether you could hurt me or not, but I would prefer you not to try.”
“If I may?” Shalane interrupted before Tamala could snap off an angry retort. The man nodded his acquiescence. “Tamala, you know of the source powers?”
“Of course.”
“Then you know that there has to a balance between what is termed light and dark powers. Have you ever wondered how such a balance is maintained?”
“You’re speaking of the legends of the Source Guides? I grew out of that rubbish when I was still a baby!”
Cal winced. He could already see where this conversation was heading, and when he risked a glance at the stranger he was rewarded with an amused wink.
“Tamala.” She looked at him with a distinct lack of amusement. “Perhaps you might like to listen for a moment before you explode.” Knowing full well that Cal had seen her fury vented, Tamala was shocked that he would interrupt in such a blatant manner, but something in the sound of his voice made her pause. Then she regarded the stranger, who was almost strangling himself in an attempt not to laugh out loud.
“But…”
“But what? If I’m just a legend, then what do you have to fear?”
Tamala tried to reply, but found that she couldn’t think of anything to say.
“That went better than I thought it would.” Everyone’s eyes turned at Shalane’s voice. “Now, where’s that food.”
Explanations
The food arrived several minutes later. A large selection of game had been placed on a platter and left in the middle of the table, whilst the plates they had been handed were piled with various vegetables, most of which Cal didn’t recognise. There had been no conversation whilst they had waited, an atmosphere that had made him more than a little nervous.
After they had picked out the pieces of meat each wanted, the man that had so casually identified himself as a creature of legend eased himself into a more comfortable position, leaning back against the chairs support. He hadn’t received a plate himself, and when the maid had enquired as to whether he would be eating as well, he had declined.
“Now that we are comfortable, I think I shall begin. For the benefit of Cal I shall start with the raw basics, though I know that you have already heard most of this fair lady,” he nodded to Tamala, “even if you did believe it to be myth.
What do you know of magic young Cal?”
Cal thought for a moment before answering. “Most of what I know has been gained by the teachings of Tamala and Dorrin, another of my companions.
I know that you must use life energy in order to form a spell and cast it, but aside from that, I know little more than the legends. What I don’t get is that even
if only a tenth part of the legends were true, then magic users back then were casting spells that must have required huge amounts of life energy.
I mean, I’ve seen what just simple spells do to Tamala.”
“Interesting,” he stared at Tamala, “that a blacksmith’s son from the middle of nowhere should wonder upon a question that all of the current magic users seemed to have missed.”
“No we didn’t,” Tamala shot back, “we know that you can use ritual sacrifice to harness another’s energies, but I would rather die than use black arts such as that.”
“Oh brilliant! I suppose it never occurred to any of you that people at the time also thought the same way? I suppose that every single event catalogued in what you perceive to be legend was the result of some dark casting was it?
Come now, you can’t really be that naive can you?”
Tamala was finding it hard to speak, but Cal couldn’t just sit there and let the stranger rant on with no reply.
“I may not be a talented magic user, but it’s plain that you know more than we do. Why don’t you just tell us?”
“Put them out of their misery.” Shalane still obviously found it amusing, but at least he had decided that enough was enough.
“Very well, but our young sorceress here better learn to control that temper of hers.” He stared pointedly at her. “There are those that can use the energy found all about them. It doesn’t require sacrifice.” The last was spoken as if it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“For the moment that will have to suffice as to an explanation as to why great magics were possible many thousands of years ago, yet do not appear to be possible today.
As to why things are happening as they are at the moment, for that Cal, you need a bit of a history lesson.
Natural magic has been a part of this world since the very beginning, and whilst there were no magic users to bend it to their wills a natural balance was maintained.
When the first men discovered that they could manipulate this resource, it was unregulated and wild. Terrible crimes were committed by those that knew not how to control their desires, and many tens of thousands suffered.
One group of mages took it upon themselves to try and restore order by imposing their own will to control the use of power. For a time this seemed to work, and the age that legend tells us as being the dawning of civilisation came about.
Unfortunately, even though these mages worked for what would be considered good causes by most people, their own works upset the balance between light and dark energies. The backlash was terrible, raising most of those burgeoning civilisations were they stood. It was nearly the end as the surge of dark energies was almost enough to overcome everything that survived.
Those that did survive came to realise that without balance there would be no true peace, and so volunteers were sought to commit their souls to this task. My brother Eshek, and myself, have spent the last four and a half thousand years ensuring that the balance is maintained. If we ever should falter in our duty, then the sway will cause catastrophe.
I am Asrak.”
In the ensuing silence Tamala pondered what she had heard before she spoke. “If what you say is true, then all of these gross acts being committed against the Coastal Kingdoms will have the ultimate effect of creating a huge backlash of light against the dark.”
“If only things were that simple. Tell me Tamala, is it easier to be evil or good?”
Cal answered before Tamala could utter a word. “Evil. It’s always easier to do evil than to do good.”
“It is, but it takes a brave man to admit as much.” Asrak looked sad as he spoke. “It has always been the way of things that to do evil is so much easier than good. Most of the time you will probably find that you need do nothing at all in order to perpetuate evil.
How many times has a man stood to one side and said, probably with several good reasons to back him up, that its none of his business and it would only cause trouble should he take a hand. Not an inherently evil act, but it feeds the wrongs that are being done.
Evil will always be the stronger of the two forces. In order to maintain a balance my brother and I must be constantly vigilant in our task. Should the balance sway too far toward the darker power, then it may become impossible to retrieve.”
Tamala stood and moved closer to the fire, her meal forgotten. The three men at the table stayed silent as she thought.
“How can we know that you speak the truth?” She turned to face Asrak, studying his face as she waited for a reply.
“A good question to which I can give no satisfactory answer. That I am capable of feats that you would consider incredible is easy to demonstrate.” His brow wrinkled in concentration momentarily before a bluish white glow enveloped the table. As the light subsided Cal saw that his bow, which he had left aboard the Hurricane, was now lying before him. Cal gasped in amazement whilst Tamala remained silent. Neither of them noticed the strange look that passed between the Light and the Source Keeper as they took note of the bow, nor the slight shake of the head of Asrak denoting that the matter should be left for the moment.
“As to the rest of the story,” he continued, “you’ll have to take my word and that of the Light.” Asrak inclined his head toward Shalane.
“I know a way.” Cal stood and walked toward the bar. He whispered briefly to Melgar who, after glancing across to Shalane for confirmation, quickly left the room. Returning to his stool, Cal sat again. “Now we wait.”
Tamala looked at him enquiringly. “Something I remembered from Holdur,” was all that he would say.
Presently Melgar returned carrying a quiver of Lighter arrows.
“If you would be so kind as to take one of the arrows and the bow.” Shalane looked puzzled for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
“Asrak, Asrak. You mentioned he was gifted, but you failed to mention how fast he was with his mind.”
Tamala began to chuckle as well. “I have to admit it Cal, I’m impressed.”
Asrak was forced into a rueful smile. “To be honest I would never have thought of this. Very well Lieutenant Ironsson.” He stood, grasping the bow as he did, and quickly set the bowstring. He picked an arrow and nocked it, drawing the string to his cheek.
“Any target in particular?”
Cal smiled. “If you can manage to hit the far wall it will do.”
The arrow left the bow with a twang, and thudded solidly into the far wall. Asrak looked himself over theatrically, “I guess I’m still in one piece. How did you know?”
Cal looked bashful. “I didn’t know for sure, but I recalled from the fighting at Holdur that Tamala told me that I couldn’t use Shaler arrows with the bow. I guessed that the differences between the various pieces of wood wouldn’t amount to much, so it seemed logical that it was something to do with the magics used to create them.
Before you ask how I know that magics were used to create the bow, I’ve used it in battle. My first encounter with the Shaler took place in the dark, with rain pouring down, and with my wits scared well and truly out of themselves.
At the sight of several Shalers charging me I should have panicked and run, but the bow calmed me.
I guessed that it was the difference in magic that would cause any reaction.”
“And you guessed that if I was really part of the ‘forces of good’ then I would be unaffected?”
“Something like that.”
“It’s a good job that Eshek wasn’t the one that came tonight.”
“Why?” Tamala asked the question.
“If you’d listened to anything I’ve told you tonight, you will have learned that our job is to maintain the balance between light and dark.”
Understanding dawned upon Tamala’s face. “You use light powers,”
“And Eshek uses dark. If he’d drawn the bow then Cal would have got to see what would have happened at Holdur if he had ignored your advice,” Asrak paused before continuing. “Shame really, it could have been qu
ite funny to watch.”
“Cruel Asrak.” Shalane did not look amused at the idea.
“It wouldn’t have caused permanent damage, though the headache would have lasted a while. Anyway, I digress.
I believe that before we went off on this tangent, we were discussing the reasons behind the events of the past few months.” Both Tamala and Asrak returned to their respective seats about the table and sat.
“The plan is relatively simple, but the effects would be devastating. Someone is attempting to tip the balance right over toward the darkness. The invasion of Boraan and the taking control of Galorn are just the start of it.
Tamala, what will be the reaction of the Campus at Joorat?” Asrak referred to the Campus of Learning at the Boraan coastal city that boasted some of the finest scholars and magicians in the kingdom.
“The mages will gather to try and organise a defence against any magical attacks.”
“Correct. But what if the magical attacks they witnessed were not real? When the balance was first tilted too far to the light millennia ago, it nearly destroyed everything, and that was accidental. Now we have a power that is intentionally trying to tip the power balance.
The more energy poured into the defence of the respective realms, the further the backlash will swing, until a point will eventually be reached where there will be no coming back.
I believe that is the ultimate goal of our enemies.”
“If that is the goal, then how do we defeat them? We can’t use magic against them or we’ll just be doing their work for them.” Tamala was perplexed as to what they could possibly do.
“That is where our enemy appears to have helped us.” Cal was just as confused as Tamala, but he also realised that if only the two of them knew what was needed he had to listen to every detail as if his life depended on it, because it did.
“I take it that you’re both aware of the prophecy concerning Her Majesty and her trip to the Seers?” When both nodded he continued. “Well, the prophecy states that Boraan will fall if the tradition is broken. Or more accurately, the kingdom of Boraan will be no more.”
Fall of a Kingdom Page 24