by Jaxon Reed
She thought for a moment before answering.
“I had trouble locating the wizard. I knew he was my biggest threat, but I couldn’t find him. When I did get an idea of where he was hiding, I got too close. I presume that iron net spell can’t work at a distance.”
“Yes. And, once you were trapped, how do you think you could have escaped?”
She thought for a moment, and ran through her battle spells.
“Perhaps if I had burned the bodies, I could have overcome their combined weight.”
“Perhaps, but I doubt it. There were three thousand men in that army, and they were prepared to throw everything they had on top of you.”
She nodded, and tried to think of other ways she could have escaped the net and the pile of men. Before she could think long, Oldstone spoke again.
“Let me introduce you to Deedles. She is what we call a ‘wizard’s cat.’ Among the lower creatures, there are only two kinds who can manipulate magic: dragons and cats.
“While all dragons master magic, only a few cats ever grasp its abilities. Deedles is one such cat. She has chosen to accompany Princess Margwen of Coral. Today she agreed to travel with Greystone and meet with you.”
Mita floated to the slab, landed, and walked to Oldstone. She put out her hand and gently stroked Deedles from head to back. Deedles arched her neck and purred.
“A wizard’s cat can understand language far better than a normal cat. They can also communicate back to you, mainly in thoughts and images.”
Mita leaned her head closer to the cat’s, all the while stroking its head and back.
“Hello. My name is Mita.”
The cat opened its pink eyes and looked at Mita. She felt a presence in her head, along with several abstract thoughts and feelings. Warmth flooded her mind, and she had the sensation of a pleasurable large hand stroking her neck and back. Then a single word filled her thoughts: “Deedles.”
Mita laughed and looked up at Oldstone in surprise.
“She talks!”
“In a fashion, yes. You’ll find her words are few, while her thoughts are more plentiful. It may take some getting used to, before you can hold a lengthy conversation. When you talk, it helps to transfer thoughts and images back to her along with your words.”
He took over from Mita, and started stroking the cat.
“Deedles, you used a particularly useful spell in protecting Princess Margwen a while ago. We call it the ‘Globe of Expulsion.’ It is complex, and difficult to perform under pressure, but Greystone tells me you handled it quite well. I wonder if you might teach it to Mita for us, along with any other spells she might find useful when facing men like that.”
Chapter 12
Prince Dudge, Barley, and Fret sat on the front pew of the church, their feet dangling above the floor. Dudge deemed sitting in front preferable to sitting in back, where humans might be tempted to turn around and stare. Sitting in front, humans might stare at the dwarves, but at least Dudge would not have to look at their faces.
He considered the dwarves’ presence a mere courtesy anyway. All in the village had been requested to go to the church and await an important announcement from the wizard. He decided the three of them should attend out of respect for their host. After all, they had not been mistreated while staying at the inn, despite some overheard comments that were more disparaging than complimentary.
Also, Dudge was genuinely curious what the humans were all stirred up about. So, he suggested the three of them attend the meeting and sit up front.
Accompanying the dwarves on the front row were the merchants Bartimo and Bellasondra, the brother and sister who had spent their time in many long discussions about the logistics of providing dwarven beer to the human lands. Also, the human boy and the older man who accompanied the twins.
The boy’s guardian (Dudge suspected the older man was not the boy’s father since they hardly resembled one another) sat on the far end of the pew, away from the dwarves. Dudge felt strong mistrust toward that one, especially with the news Fret had shared about his seemingly magical abilities to steal.
His thoughts shifted toward the podium as the wizard pulled back a curtain and entered along with the priest.
“A full crowd today, ay Robrigo?”
The priest, dressed in his official white and gold robes, nodded. He was fairly young, perhaps thirty-five, with sandy blonde hair and a tan face. He was thin, and taller than the wizard by a few fingers.
Like many who chose to live in the village, he was running from his past. Greystone knew he was wanted in Coral for a crime. The wizard had never looked too closely at the charges against the priest but he knew it dealt with something about a dalliance with a young woman, which raised the ire of some powerful people. Regardless, the spell on the village entrance near Coral had drawn him here, and he escaped his pursuers. Starting a new life, he had served faithfully for nearly a decade in the church Greystone built for him.
There had been no other dalliances, no hints of impropriety, and the priest had gained everyone’s trust with his second chance in Greystone Village.
“I wish it was this full every Restday, Wizard Greystone.”
Greystone chuckled, and patted Robrigo on the back. He knew the disgraced cleric had plenty of offerings from the plate passed around each week, giving him more than enough to eat and keep the building in good shape. He always had some left over to feed those less fortunate, too.
Greystone also knew that even those not regularly attending the priest’s Restday services appreciated his ministry. Robrigo visited the sick and took care of funerals for those who died. He comforted the bereaved and counseled anyone needing a shoulder to cry on. He settled arguments. He even interceded in marital disputes. Whatever sins he may or may not have committed back in Coral, the man had proven invaluable as a spiritual servant to everyone in Greystone Village.
Greystone patted him again, then walked forward to the front of the pulpit.
“Thank you all for coming today. As you know, this village exists in a special place. We enter and leave it by magic, through different routes leading to the major kingdoms.
“You may also know that there is a wizard in Emerald who has gone rogue from the Magic Council. His name is Darkstone. But what you probably don’t know is that he seeks the Forlorn Dagger, which has recently surfaced after disappearing when humans fought the dwarf wizard Lok.”
Dudge, Barley, and Fret sat up straight at the mention of Lok’s name, giving Greystone their undivided attention.
“The Forlorn Dagger is now concealed in the Hidden Woods. Darkstone has gathered an army from Emerald, and they are marching on our village.
“We have allies on the Magic Council, and they are employing tactics to delay Darkstone. However, inevitably, I fear he will soon bring forces to bear against us despite the council’s best efforts. When that time comes, Darkstone will not stop until the dagger is found and our village is destroyed, or we destroy him.
“Therefore, I am asking you now that we prepare for war. I implore all able-bodied men and women to gather up whatever weapons you can to help defend this village against the hordes Darkstone is bringing.
“We will have help in this conflict. We will have other wizards fighting on our side, as well as a battlemaiden. Nonetheless, if we are to be successful in the coming conflict, we all must work together to defeat the enemy.”
He paused and looked out on the people crowding the pews. He caught the eye of the innkeeper, who nodded encouragingly. He glanced toward the stable master, who glared back with fire in his eyes and clenched fists. He looked at the dwarves on the front pew. Barley and his son looked stunned, while Dudge appeared outraged and ready to fight.
“I’ll be happy to meet with each of you to discuss what you can do to help. That is all.”
Dudge spoke first to Greystone, the wizard stooping down while the dwarf prince whispered excitedly in his ear. When he finished, Greystone stood and thanked Dudge. Something app
roaching a smile crossed the dwarf’s face.
He hurried back to the dwarves’ room at the inn, with Barley and Fret on his heels. When the door closed, he started packing his travel bag.
“I promised th’ wizard I’d bring help. Dunno how many th’ court will gimme, but even so I should be able to talk some into comin’ and helpin’ even without bein’ ordered to. Th’ memories o’ Lok run deep.”
Barley nodded and watched as the prince gathered all his items and laced up the bag.
“Should we go with ye, Highness?”
“Nay. Stay here. Th’ wizard said th’ nearest entryway fer Greystone Village to Ore Stad is th’ one comin’ out in Coral, an’ a two day trek from there. Creator willin’, I can make th’ trip there an’ back in less with help. At least with a couple dwarves here they stand a better chance than no chance at all.”
He glanced over at Fret.
“Ye’ve trained at th’ Academy?”
“Aye. But I dinna understand,” Fret said. “What’s all th’ fuss? It’s just a human wizard. They kinna take care o’ things on their own?”
Dudge looked up from his bag.
“Ha’n’t ye heard about Lok?”
“Aye. Th’ most evil dwarf in history, far as I ken. But this ain’t Lok, it’s one of th’ human wizards.”
“He’s after one o’ Lok’s toys. Ha’ ye read about th’ Starfallen Blade?”
Fret’s eyes grew big.
“Aye. I see ye have by th’ look on yer face. Th’ humans call it th’ Forlorn Dagger. ’Tis one and th’ same, lad.”
Dudge glanced over at Barley and raised an eyebrow as if to ask the older dwarf the same question. Barley shook his head.
“Nay, Highness. I dinna read much. Mainly I just brew ale.”
Dudge forced down the annoyance building in him. He reminded himself that commoners would be less interested in royal histories. They’d be less interested in reading generally. The son at least, had an education. He took a deep breath, and let it out slowly before beginning the tale.
“One o’ Lok’s darkest weapons was this blade. It was fashioned from th’ ore of a fallen star by one o’ th’ humans’ better swordsmiths. Its power was in removin’ magic, from both th’ bearer an’ whoever he touched. It could kill wizards, battlemaidens, anybody. Lok had many followers, even amongst th’ humans. He convinced one t’ kill several of ’em durin’ his last battle, an’ he almost won because of it.
“Th’ dagger has been missin’ since that battle. No one knew where it lay hid. Iffen this rogue wizard obtains it, he can finish th’ chaos Lok started. It’s too important, an’ that’s why I must go an’ bring back help. I dinna know iffen these humans can take care of it on their own.”
Stin headed straight back to the inn after the meeting broke up. Kirt hurried to catch up with him.
“Where are you going?”
“To pack. You head to the stable and get Horse and the cart. Meet me back at the inn.”
“But why? We can’t leave here.”
“Didn’t you hear the wizard, Kirt? There’s an army coming this way. We need to be long gone before they get here.”
Kirt stopped walking. He crossed his arms and stared at Stin’s back. Stin stopped and turned around.
“You ever been in a battle, boy? Neither have I. Now is not the time to start for either one of us. Now go get Horse and meet me at the inn.”
“I’m not going.”
Stin stared at the lad. Kirt glared back stubbornly. Stin walked closer, closing the gap between them.
“Kirt, listen. This is not going to be a good place to be, soon. There are soldiers coming. Soldiers like to kill, and rape and pillage and do all sorts of unpleasant things to people. This place doesn’t stand a chance, even with a wizard. The army coming this way has a wizard, too, and he’s a real nasty one from what I’ve heard.
“Now, look. We’ve got an opportunity here. We can take any gateway we want and be within a day or two of all the major kingdoms. You want to travel? Now’s your chance! I’ve been to most of them, and I know my way around. We’ve got some coin. We can make a good life for ourselves in Sapphire, Quartz, or Diamond. We could even get on a boat and sail somewhere. We can do anything but stay here.”
“I’m not going, and neither should you. This place is special and you know it. It’s worth fighting for. So are these people. We can’t let some stupid rogue wizard come in and ruin it for us and everybody else.”
Stin stared back at the boy, noting the stubbornness of his stance, the defiance in his eyes.
He really was named well, Stin thought.
He held Kirt’s gaze a long time. Finally, he turned away.
“Fine, you stay. I’m taking Horse and the cart and getting out of here. I’ll leave you a couple coins on your bed. Nice knowing you, kid.”
A hawk spiraled high in the air, watching the giant storm cloud over the crossroads. Rain gushed down on the tents, what few that remained standing. Carts and supply wagons lay tumbled over in the wind and rain, debris scattered about. Water flooded the creeks, the fields, and the roads. All travel in the area had crawled to a halt. The army went nowhere, still hunkered down in their flooded campground.
Back in Kathar, Darkstone and Endrick watched what the hawk could see through a scrying window. Endrick’s eyes grew wide at the sight of the storm’s devastation.
“I’ve never seen that powerful a storm stay in one location so long.”
“That’s because it’s a wizard’s storm. Someone is expending an awful lot of energy to keep it going. Probably Loadstone. Weather is his specialty.”
“How are you going to stop him?”
“He can’t maintain something that powerful without protecting himself. Once I find him, I’ll attack. That will distract him, and the storm will end.”
He sent the hawk flying higher and commenced it circling the edges of the storm, looking down.
Redstone gave Loadstone another sip of water from a mug, and patted the perspiration away from his forehead.
Loadstone’s eyes were red. The muscles in his arms stretched taut, the angle of his staff aimed at the storm cloud over the crossroads. Yet his back remained ramrod straight, even though he had been standing in the same position for hours.
Redstone was duly impressed at the weather wizard’s stamina. Every half hour or so, he placed more food in Loadstone’s mouth, wiped his lips, and gave him water. Loadstone had explained before commencing that the magical energy required to maintain the storm sapped his physical strength, and he had to be fed often to keep up the phenomenon.
Conjuring a storm was difficult, and required concentration to maintain. Once he broke his concentration, the storm would dissipate and much additional time would be needed to conjure it again. But if he had a partner who could feed him food and water, he could maintain the storm indefinitely.
So, Redstone sat back and watched the storm churn through the sky over the crossroads, and periodically lifted food and water to Loadstone’s lips.
Redstone heard the screech of a bird flying far above them. He looked up and spied a hawk.
“That’s probably not a good sign, my friend. It looks like a scrying hawk. I think we’ve been discovered.”
Loadstone grunted in acknowledgment, but remained focused on the storm.
Darkstone was not very good at flying. Levitation and personal flight were skills he had yet to fully master. But, he had stumbled upon an acceptable substitute that worked for him. He propelled himself upward on the strength of flames and black smoke.
The heat from his magic propulsion often left his clothes ragged. His skin, too, became covered in soot after any length of flying.
Darkstone ignored these side effects, and rarely bothered to clean himself up. He cared not a whit what others thought of him and his appearance.
Today he streaked through the sky on a long trail of black smoke toward the crossroads. He covered ground that took the army an entire day of marching
in a matter of minutes.
He slowed when he approached the wizard’s storm, a large grey and black cloud pouring rain over the crossroads and surrounding area. He circled to his left, seeking out a small copse near the storm’s periphery.
Finally he spied what the hawk had seen, and landed on the ground nearby. He began dancing in a circle, waving his arms as he conjured up a fireball spell. They poured down on the trees and the wizards, setting everything they touched on fire.
When the fireballs began to fall, Redstone cast a protective globe around both of them. The first fireball evaporated when it hit, but the second one took longer to sputter out. The third one almost got through.
“Time to go, my friend. I’m not powerful enough to protect both of us.”
Loadstone broke his concentration and collapsed in Redstone’s arms. The toll of standing in one place for hours on end had rendered his muscles useless. The storm over the crossroads immediately began to dissipate.
Redstone grabbed Loadstone’s free arm, pulling it around his own shoulders. He made a quick motion with his staff, casting a revelation spell. A hazy globe appeared nearby.
“It’s a good thing Oldstone provided us a hasty exit!”
Redstone dragged the stiff wizard into the globe and they disappeared. As fireballs continued to rain down, the gateway to the flying castle snuffed out of sight, too.
Darkstone walked over to the trees, now all on fire, to look for the wizards. Not surprised, he found no sign of them. He only saw some supplies that looked like they had been food bags, burning in the copse.
In the distance he could see the army’s campsite, or what was left of it. The storm was gone, and the sky cleared quickly. A few men popped their heads out of tents and began wading through the mud and water, trying to begin the process of restoring order in the camp.