As Kuiran and Raleen mounted the stairs to the top of the tower they felt the little tug of a warning spell as they crossed through it half way up the stairs. Kuiran felt it through his staff while Raleen, whose magic strengthened daily, felt it in her body. When they reached the upper stairs, the trapdoor was flung open by Escarion and they stepped out on to the top of the tower. It was warm under the dome of energy and the view was immense. In the middle distance Raleen noticed the siege towers drawing nearer to completion. Another three weeks might see them in action.
Escarion had gone to sit in his favourite chair, his gaunt bearded face and thin frame bristling with energy, still dressed in the shabby three quarter length black coat he always wore. Raleen was curious.
“How do you manage to contain so much energy and where does it come from?” she asked the Mage.
He studied her, considering his reply. Raleen had magic, although she didn’t know spells and her power was growing daily.
“I extract my energy from the air. The first part of a Mage’s training is to learn to draw and store energy. That energy is what is used in the spells I cast. A spell is but a means of concentrating power a certain way.”
Raleen seemed interested in his explanation.
“I get so tired when I move objects around. Could you teach me to draw power?”
“Your power comes from the earth. Earthmagic fills you passively. I could teach you to draw it but not at the moment, as it’s a complicated process and I need to keep my concentration fully on the enemy at present. As I personally cannot use Earthmagic, nor control it, if you got into trouble handling it, I would have a degree of difficulty intervening to save you without giving your predicament my full attention. If I lose concentration for but a moment, the city would be left open to an attack from the Dark Mage. He probes for weakness regularly.”
Raleen was puzzled.
“What do you mean by ‘get into trouble handling it’?”
Escarion sighed and searched Raleen’s face before replying.
“Once you start drawing elemental forces, you have to be able to stop drawing them too. It’s very difficult to turn it off if you don’t know how and the energy just keeps flowing in. Too much energy going in when you don’t know how to safely handle it and you die, fast. Now what can I do for you two?”
Kuiran undid his mother’s Healing Belt, her parting gift, from his upper arm and held it out.
“This belt used to heal with magic but the healing has stopped. I wonder if you could take a look at it for us?”
Escarion reached out and took the belt, rubbing the pearl beadwork between his fingers with his eyes closed. It only took a moment until he shook his head.
“Sorry. It’s a beautiful piece of work. Each of these tiny pearls held a healing spell. It’s Earthmagic, not the same power source as I use. I cannot fix it. Maybe being charged with Earthmagic will cause the spells to power up again but I wouldn’t guarantee it. This belt contained a lot of concentrated power once. Each healing, from each pearl, took more power than you could generate in a week Raleen, yet it was all loaded in there somehow. I cannot put Earthmagic into it. Maybe Shiri could.”
“Can’t you use Airmagic and power it up?” Raleen queried.
Escarion regarded her closely.
“No, is the quick answer, it will only respond to Earthmagic.”
He studied her closely for a moment and she felt his scrutiny of her working at a level deeper than sight.
“Ah, I see you have found all of your magical abilities now and are growing stronger in them. A little background information on magic may facilitate your learning. To be honest, this campaign has been a little slow and I am a tad bored, if you care to take tea, I’ll enlighten you somewhat.”
Raleen shared a glance with Kuiran who nodded in return. Two chairs were moved beside the table and they both sat down. Escarion handed the belt back to Kuiran as two mugs of sweetened tea appeared on the table, steaming in the sunlight. Escarion settled back cradling his own mug in his hands, taking a sip before beginning.
“I have already told you of the Elder Race, as they were known, splitting into four parts, each faction able to gain power from its own type of magic; Earth, Air, Water or Fire. For thousands of years now there has been no Mage able to wield all the magics together, although many have tried to learn.”
Raleen frowned, a question she had been dwelling on bursting forth.
“If you’re so powerful, then why can’t you just smash Martine’s army to pulp? Then we could all go home?”
Escarion studied Raleen closely before answering.
“Those descended from the Elder Race hold life dear. We do not like to kill except in defence. The affairs of Man belong to men. Think. Most of Martine’s soldiers will have wives and families at home. They are much like the people in Southland except they are being used in a war by an evil, greedy ruler backed by a Dark Mage.
I’m here as a check to the Dark Mage who’s using Martine. He’s different. You yourself know the feeling of being drained of power. Yet you gain more, soaking it up from the earth over time. It happens because you are a mixture of Man and M’Herindar. The true M’Herindar can now only draw their full power in the Darkwood through Ch’ron. The Q’Herindam use the evil, twisted remains of Ch’ron in their own lands for the same purpose. This Dark Mage is a worry though, because he has found a way to draw Earthmagic from anywhere he is. If it wasn’t for the pact between the M’Herindar and the Q’Herindam I believe he would have probably wiped Man out long ago.”
Raleen blushed. Chastened at being gently reprimanded and reminded the enemy were also Man.
Escarion stopped talking and sat gazing out into the distance, thinking, as Raleen apologised.
“Sorry, I was being selfish. Thank you for the explanation Escarion, you’re an excellent teacher. It’s only a pity you cannot teach me magic. It’s my aim to learn it.”
Escarion nodded.
Kuiran had sat silently during the conversation, taking in all Raleen and Escarion were saying. It interested him deeply but there was something more important gnawing at him. Now may be the time to satisfy his curiosity.
“Escarion, when we first met, you said I was one of the Wyalonian. Who are they?”
Escarion concentrated for a moment, his brows furrowed in thought, before answering Kuiran.
“I’m not certain if telling you is classified as dabbling in the affairs of Man but as you are a Prince of the Darkwood, I would think not. I hope you understand the distinction.”
Kuiran indicated his understanding as Escarion continued.
“East of Tarkent is the country of Cheshwon and to the east of Cheshwon is a vast ocean. The Wyalonian Ocean. Near the centre of that ocean lies a legendary island, which the inhabitants named Wyalon. The people there are of the race of Man but have interbred with the Sealie, those of the Elder race who use Watermagic. Due to the mixing of blood the islanders have grown larger in size over time. Some among the Wyalonian possess strong Watermagic which, incidentally, is in your staff there right alongside Earthmagic. It’s a powerful tool if used correctly. You yourself have weak Watermagic but can only gain more from the sea. Try sitting down at the quayside with the end of your staff dipped in the salt water or better yet, take a swim in the harbour. Be prepared for some changes if you do. I have no idea how your magic will manifest. It may surprise you.
Now, my turn for a question. How did you come to be in the Darkwood?”
Kuiran unfolded his story, composed of what he had learned from Vehrin’del and his remembrance of life in the Darkwood. The tale took a while in the telling and Raleen sat entranced, absorbing every word while Escarion, who provided them refreshments, listened intently. At the end of Kuiran’s tale, Escarion sat tapping on the table in front of him, concentrating hard.
“A pattern is developing here, formed within a short period of time. Different characters appear at roughly the same time in geographically separated places. These
appearances have all occurred since the last Dominion War. Who set you on the water and why? Arwhon has found a Ring and been forever changed. Again why? How did all of your talented group just happen to come together? What forces have set these events in motion and for what reason? I should know, being a Great Mage but I don’t. There’s a mystery beyond our ability to unravel but someone or something is trying to fight the evil of the Q’Herindam.”
“Don’t you mean the evil of Empress Martine?” Raleen asked.
“What! No, she is but a pawn of the Q’Herindam but doesn’t realise it. The Q’Herindam want to rid the world, or this part of it anyway, of Man. Martine’s wars will wipe out half the population eventually. Maybe more if she goes on for another hundred years or so. She’s doing their work for them.”
Escarion sat back again as Raleen noticed the light outside starting to fade. She patted Kuiran on his huge thigh.
“We had better get back.”
He nodded and stood. Raleen faced Escarion.
“Thank you very much for a most engrossing and informative afternoon. I hope we also gave you something to think on but now we must go.”
Escarion absently waved his hand as the pair left him, heading down the stairs to exit the tower before carefully locking the lower door behind them. Kuiran was happy. He now knew more about his roots and vowed to inform his M’Herindar mother of them the first opportunity he got.
“Do you think we could ever go to Wyalon?” he asked Raleen.
She burst into tears. A worried Kuiran gently took her arm and turned her to face him. She wore a smile on her face in spite of the tears in her eyes. He was exasperated.
“What?”
“You just said we,” she replied as she folded herself into his huge embrace.
The Empress Martine was bored. Back outside the walls of Belvedere once more, after having braved another flight strapped to the back of the giant flying lizard, she relaxed in the royal pavilion surrounded on all sides by her army. There was however, a distinct lack of entertainment. The siege towers were well on the way to completion but she missed the dissolute living of Goristoum.
“Dark Mage, where are you?”
A theatrical clap of sound and the Dark Mage removed his glamour, appearing opposite her, sitting in a comfortable chair, a cup of cafke in his hands.
“Martine.” A nod of the head. “How may I help?”
“I need a little excitement, any ideas?”
The Dark Mage was silent, thinking for a few moments.
“You could try raining fire arrows down on the city. Might cause a bit of damage but it will be diversionary. You didn’t hear it from me though.”
“Good idea. It’ll reduce morale in the enemy if nothing else. All we need is enough citizens of Belvedere to lose faith in their leaders and the gates will be opened to us. Especially if we promise the inhabitants food and immunity to harm.”
“You don’t mean it?” The Dark Mage was clearly troubled.
“Of course not but they don’t know that.” Martine replied happily.
In the middle of the night, all around the periphery of Belvedere, fire arrows rained down on buildings. Each arrow had been wrapped in a scrap of cloth and dipped in pitch. Wherever the arrows bit, fire took hold. The alarm went up on the walls and archers there shot at any light they could see. The enemy retired immediately but the damage had been done. Residents living around the perimeter of Belvedere scrambled to put out the resulting fires. Running bucket lines from the wells, rows of inhabitants handed on slopping buckets of water as everyone joined together to fight the many blazes which had sprung up. Young and old, rich and poor, everyone pulled as one. The City Guard were heavily involved as it was now part of their training to deal with fires. Most of the conflagrations were successfully brought under control but a few residents lost their houses and all their worldly possessions as some houses, mainly those constructed solely of wood, burnt fiercely out of control.
The early morning, when it eventually arrived, was cold and drear with a pall of smoke hanging over the city. It matched the spirits of those within the walls. Grey and sombre. The tide was turning and worst was yet to come. Some way had to be found to restore the fighting spirit of the despairing population.
In Cristal’s mansion a heated discussion was taking place.
“No, it is too risky. What if we’re discovered?”
“We have to do something. We just can’t sit here day after day while they lob fire arrows at us. What’s going to happen when those towers are finally completed?”
“I think it’s a good plan but the execution will not be easy.”
Just at that moment Cristal walked into the room, Lareeta right behind her. Kuiran and Raleen looked a little guilty as Cristal found a seat and pulled it around, sitting perched forward, hands upon her knees, intently searching their faces.
“Alright you two, I heard arguing. Not what I have come to expect from you both. What’s going on?”
Raleen looked from Cristal to Kuiran and back again.
“Kuiran has come up with a plan which I think is too risky but he wants to try it anyway.”
Cristal looked interested.
“Do tell.”
Raleen looked enquiringly at Kuiran who indicated she tell Cristal of it.
“He proposed we sneak out of the city during the night, under cover of a glamour and set fire to the siege towers. I thought the chance of being discovered made it too dangerous. Bearing in mind a glamour only fools the eyes. We could still be heard and possibly caught.”
Cristal’s face lit with excitement.
“Excellent plan young Kuiran but please do not tell anyone of this. Raleen, do you think you are strong enough to hold a glamour over four people for a couple of hours?”
“Four people?”
“Yes. Kuiran, you, myself and Lareeta.”
“Only if we stayed close together. My glamour magic is not strong enough for an extensive one.”
“Wonderful, it will have to do. The moons are low again at the moment so now would be a good time. Let’s plan for tomorrow night. We need someone up on the walls to lower us over and to haul us back up in a hurry. Who could we trust not to leave us down there?”
It was Lareeta who answered that one.
“We could talk to Duke Wilken de Valse, Jorgen’s Second in Command. He has responsibility for the night watch up on the walls and I’ve been observing him. He’s a good soldier and a gentleman to boot. I vote we entrust our safety to him. We’ll need to see him early in the morning before he retires for the day.”
Eventually they all agreed to the plan.
Getting to see Duke Wilken de Valse was not easy but Cristal pulled rank as a Council member and the small group was eventually ushered into his room the next morning after his return from a night spent doing his duty on Belvedere’s walls. The Duke thought their plan was admirable but doomed to failure. He was not sure about the glamour part until he felt himself poked in the back and whipped around to see nothing at all. Suddenly, after Raleen dissolved the glamour, she appeared to him holding a broom.
“I didn’t want to get any closer in case you reacted violently but I could have.”
“How many can you hide in such a manner at one time?” Duke Wilken immediately wanted to know.
“Only a few of us. I’ve not long had the use of this talent.”
The Duke rose and paced up and down the small room for a moment or two, his brow furrowed in thought, before suddenly reaching a decision.
“Very well, beyond us and a few hand picked soldiers, no one will know of this. I’ll see you at midnight on the eastern wall, near the northern corner. Now go and make yourselves ready and try to get some sleep.”
An elated group departed his office.
Midnight was cold but they were prepared. On leaving the Duke’s chambers, they had gathered together all they needed for the raid. Resting then until they met an hour before midnight to go over their apparel and equipm
ent, making sure nothing jingled or made a sound. They all wore dark woollen cloaks for warmth and added concealment and Kuiran was carrying a small cask of pitch as well as his ever-present staff. He also wore his steel gauntlets.
It was very dark on the top of the wall as the moons were still a long way from rising. One of the soldiers pointed off into the darkness.
“They have an observation post over in that direction but you should be alright. The night’s as black as soot.”
They nodded and tied the ropes around themselves. Two soldiers per rope for each of the three women with the three biggest men for Kuiran’s rope. The plan was to lower them down the wall then haul the ropes back up and await their return. Kuiran went first, clutching his staff and the small pitch barrel, closely followed by Raleen. As soon as Cristal and Lareeta were lowered to join the two on the ground outside the walls, Raleen raised the glamour. It was difficult for the small group to walk so closely together in total darkness but ahead of them they could see the dim glow of enemy fires burning low. They could also make out the odd silhouette of a guard here and there and the bulky silhouette of the base of the nearest siege tower. They headed toward it.
Soon they were treading carefully amongst ranks of sleeping soldiers wrapped in their bedrolls, some tossing and turning, others lying on their backs, snoring fit to wake the dead. The small group moved carefully so as not to wake even one sleeping soldier. Eventually, after more than forty minutes picking their way slowly among the many obstacles, the siege tower loomed over them. Close up it was gargantuan. They had not realised the true scale of the siege towers, having only viewed them from high on the walls of the city.
The Fall of Belvedere Page 19