Firestorm Mountain

by Raymond L. Weil

  Karl shook his head. “Sylvar would not have gone into stasis. He was too focused on saving the people of this world after the nukes hit. But I agree. It’s probably not safe for us to be here.”

  “Where should we go?” asked Gail. “We don’t exactly look and dress like the people here probably do. We may not even speak the same language.”

  “I don’t think now is the time to awaken Gilmreth either,” said Joshua. “We need to know what we’re up against first.”

  Karl nodded. “We’ll pack up a few things and then check out some of the smaller villages on this side of the mountain. Once we get a good feel for the lay of the land, we’ll go check out the large city on the far side. With the number of people there, it would make a good place for our future capital. We can rule like Gods.”

  “What if the others in the deeper complex wake up?” asked Gail. “They won’t like what we’re doing.”

  “They haven’t yet,” pointed out Joshua. “We also need to see if we can find any signs of Adam. As powerful as he is he shouldn’t be too hard to locate.”

  “If he’s anywhere it will be that big city,” commented Karl. “Adam always liked to be the center of everything.”

  Gail turned off the viewscreen. She was afraid if she kept it on too much longer the already weakened satellite might fail completely. “We should wait a day or two before we leave. We need to eat more as well as decide exactly what we want to take with us. It might be some time before we can come back to the complex.”

  “Very well,” said Joshua. “We’ll wait two days and no more. I’m anxious to get out there and see what type of world we’ve come to rule.”

  “If Adam isn’t already in charge,” pointed out Karl. “If he is, I wonder why he didn’t wake us up?”

  “We’ll find out when we get out there,” said Gail.

  Karl turned and headed toward a door. The small facility had several bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. If they were going to be stuck here for several days he was going to make himself comfortable.

  Chapter Two

  Lynol Sylvar was sitting on the front porch of the large family home on their farm just to the east of Firestorm Mountain. In her hand was the white amulet which was the center of her powers of sorcery. It appeared to be a perfect white pearl, gold-set and hung on a finely crafted golden chain. It was simple, yet elegant. It was beautiful! The pearl was slightly larger than her thumbnail. At one time this had been Lys Silvar’s amulet. It was very powerful and was also very special because of who it once belonged to. Lys had been killed by Gilmreth when she tried to stop the dragon.

  Lynol’s light blue eyes were focused on the snow-covered mountain and what she knew it hid. For nearly her entire life that mountain and what lived beneath had haunted her dreams.

  “Still worried about Gilmreth?” a gentle voice spoke behind her.

  Turning her head, she saw her husband Kalvin Gor standing in the doorway. They had gotten married soon after her return from her final confrontation with Gilmreth. The last few years had been wonderful but now her dreams were about Gilmreth more and more. She hoped what she was dreaming wasn’t a premonition.

  “Some,” Lynol admitted, drawing in a deep breath. “I guess I’m always going to worry.”

  “It’s been three years since you put him to sleep. If he hasn’t stirred yet there’s a good chance he’ll continue to sleep. After all, the sleeping spell that Malcon used lasted for centuries.”

  Lynol nodded. “I know, but recently I’ve just felt there was something wrong under the mountain.”

  Kalvin looked toward the tall peak and then back at his wife. “Do we need to go there?” They had been going to the mountain several times a year to check on the sleepers in their stasis chambers as well as Gilmreth.

  Lynol shook her head. “There’s still too much snow. But I think it would be wise for us to go to the mountain as soon as the snow melts sufficiently for it to be safe to make the trip. It will help put my mind at ease.”

  A noise on the road that led to the farm attracted their attention. A man in a wagon drawn by two horses was nearly to the house.

  “Your father’s coming back from Galvin.”

  The horses were pulling an empty wagon. Damon had gone into Galvin to the Mystol General Store to drop off some of the farm’s extra produce. Thanks to Lynol’s sorcery, their garden as well as many others around the village were producing an excess of crops. Gwen Mystol traded much of the excess to several of the surrounding villages for items the people of Galvin needed. One of the favorite items were fish from the Crystal River near Handon’s Ferry. Handon’s Ferry had been rebuilt after Gilmreth destroyed it.

  “We need to go in and see Gwen,” said Lynol. Gwen’s life now revolved around her store in Galvin since her husband had been killed by Gilmreth.

  “We could take Dresdia and Kyle,” suggested Kalvin. Kyle was Dresdia’s two-year-old son. She had married Tarn Wilton soon after Kalvin and Lynol had gotten married. Tarn had been brought up on a farm just outside of Galvin and had moved in with the Gors to help manage the large Gor farm. “Gwen loves being around children.”

  Lynol was about to say that was a good idea when she heard a rumbling from Firestorm Mountain. She felt a cold chill run through her. The last time she had heard such rumblings was when the sorceress, Jalene Leyne, was using her sorcery to awaken the dragon. Taking a deep breath, Lynol grasped her amulet and focused her mind on the mountain. Deep within she sensed the sinister dark presence of Gilmreth. The dragon was still sleeping but for some reason, even after checking on the dragon, she still felt uneasy.

  “The dragon?” asked Kalvin, knowing what Lynol had just done. Her amulet had lit up briefly, which was an indication she was using her sorcery.

  “Sleeping. I don’t know what it is but I feel something is wrong.”

  Kalvin stepped down off the porch. “I’m going to go help your father unhitch the horses. Why don’t you go speak to Malcon and see what he has to say about your worries?”

  “I am,” answered Lynol. “It’s time for my daily lessons anyway.” Once each day Lynol descended down to the hidden chamber beneath the Sylvar Stone. She spent several hours each day working on her sorcery and learning new spells.

  Lynol watched Kalvin walk across the yard to the barn where her father was. Stepping down from the porch, she walked down to the large garden and then past it to where there were some old ruins. Most of the ruins consisted of large stones which once belonged to a castle that had been on this location. There was one large stone left standing which was taller than she was. On the rock was a handprint and without hesitation she placed her hand in the print and spoke. “Malcon Sylvar.” Instantly the stone shook and part of it seemed to vanish revealing a dark stairway that led downward. With a flick of her hand she caused a number of glow bulbs she had placed in recesses to light up, illuminating the path down.

  Going down the steps, Lynol reached the bottom and the large room which contained the Sylvar family’s greatest secret. This was the underground crypt built by Malcon Sylvar where he practiced his sorcery. In the center of the room, a nebulous blue light suddenly flickered. The light swelled up to reveal the figure of an older, mature man standing upon a raised dais. His feet were braced apart under a fine robe of white silk with a blue dragon insignia upon both shoulders. This was the Simulacrum of Malcon Sylvar which had been stored in the dais. The Simulacrum held all of Malcon’s ancient knowledge and memories.

  Malcon’s blue eyes seemed to stare deeply into her innermost self; his outreached hands flickering with lambent fire. A quick gesture and braziers on the walls suddenly ignited with a cool, smokeless, magical flame. They cast their dim, yellow glow throughout the large stone walled room. One entire wall was covered with shelves reaching upward to the high ceiling. They were crammed with more books and scrolls than she had ever seen or even imagined could be in one place. There were other strange artifacts sitting on tables and benches around the room whose pu
rposes she was still learning. In the center of the room was a large table with several chairs.

  “You look worried,” said Malcon, noticing the strained look on Lynol’s face. “What is it that concerns you?”

  “Gilmreth and Firestorm Mountain,” replied Lynol, sitting down at the table. Several large books were open from where she had been studying some very complicated spells. There were several larger glow bulbs sitting in holders on the table. Lynol concentrated briefly and they both lit, adding more light, particularly to the table where she studied.

  Malcon eyes focused on Lynol. “Have you used your powers to check on the dragon?”

  Lynol nodded. “Yes, Gilmreth still sleeps in the exact spot I left him. There are rumblings from the mountain, very similar to those just before Gilmreth woke the last time.”

  “Avalanches from the melting snow,” replied Malcon. “It is not uncommon this time of the year. Also keep in mind the use of your sorcery has greatly increased the rain as well as the snowfall on the mountain and around it.”

  Lynol knew Malcon was right. “Over the last three years she had used her sorcery to greatly expand the green areas around the mountains. Her eventual goal was for the green area to reach clear to the town of Ashton on the edge of the Ralle desert ten days’ ride east of Galvin. Already the farmers were expanding their herds and the health of the herds had improved dramatically as Lynol had removed most of the leftover Worldfire poison from the ground and water.

  Turning to one of the sorcery books, Lynol began studying the spell she had been working on. It was extremely complicated as it was a cure for certain diseases. Most of the cures for many diseases had been lost due to the Worldfire. Now most families depended on certain herbs and poultices to treat injuries and to help cure diseases. Lynol was determined to reduce the death rate of young children and to find a way to boost their immunity to many childhood diseases.

  At first there had been considerable resistance from the older women in the community who were responsible for the healing of others. Now they had begun to accept what Lynol could offer with her powers of sorcery. They often summoned her for severe illnesses they could not handle.

  Lynol read the spell and examined the complicated series of hand gestures that went with it. The gestures formed the complicated latticework of energy she could control with her powers. The words she spoke and the inflections of the various words helped to strengthen and mold the spell. She knew from what Malcon had told her and what she had read that what she was doing wasn’t really sorcery. She had a special ability to tap an unseen energy prevalent everywhere. The scientists inside Firestorm Mountain in the remote past had adjusted the genes of some parents so their children would be able to harness and use this energy. Unfortunately, that kind of power had eventually led to the Worldfire which ended the Golden Age.

  Lynol worked at focusing on the spell with occasional suggestions from Malcon. When she was satisfied she had it memorized she closed the book and let out a heavy sigh.

  “Still concerned about the mountain?”

  Lynol nodded. “I need to go there. I just feel there’s something wrong.”

  Malcon folded his arms across his chest and his blue eyes seemed to focus on Lynol. “Perhaps your feelings concern the sleepers under the mountain. Maybe you should visit the hidden chamber where the other sorcerers sleep.”

  “My mother’s people,” replied Lynol, wishing she could talk to them. She knew it would be many years yet before they awakened. “Kalvin and I will go there as soon as the snow melts.”

  “Then put your worries aside. You still have much to learn. From what we know of the complex of the ancients young sorcerers studied for years before they fully understood their powers. Tomorrow you will begin studying several new spells that should strengthen your control over the weather.”

  Lynol stood up and with a simple thought the glow bulbs on the table darkened. “I will be back tomorrow afternoon.”

  Going up the steps, she knew the room had darkened behind her as the braziers died out. As soon as she stepped out onto the ground the glow bulbs lighting the stairs faded to darkness. The doorway in the Sylvar Stone vanished, turning back into solid stone. It was time to go into the house to speak to her father about his trip into Galvin and begin preparing supper. Later she needed to work in the garden. Even with her sorcery abilities there was always work to do on the farm.

  -

  In Galvin, Addison Tohr was sitting on the front porch of his General Store watching as one of Gwen Mystol’s employees unloaded a wagon full of fresh produce. Addison had been careful over the last few years to keep a low profile, especially when the Sylvars or Gors were in the village. After the fiasco of throwing in with the Temple Guards from Draydon a few years back, it had taken several years for him to restore his business. Even now, Gwen Mystol did three times the business he did.

  Looking down the street, he saw three strangers walking into the village; two men and one woman. From this distance, the woman looked young and good looking. With a smirk, he thought about introducing himself.

  -

  Joshua was feeling tired after their long hike down the mountain and to this village. Several times they had to use their sorcery powers to clear deep snow blocking their path. The former road which had once led to the complex was all but gone. They all had backpacks with extra food and clothes as well as a few other items they thought might be useful.

  “We need some horses,” muttered Karl as he eyed some tied to hitching posts in front of several stores.

  “I want something to eat,” said Gail, seeing a middle-aged man standing in front of what looked like a General Store. “Let’s ask that man where we can get some food.”

  “And drink,” added Karl. “I could use a cold beer.”

  “They might not even have beer anymore,” responded Joshua as they stopped in front of the store.

  -

  “Can I help you?” asked Addison, stepping down from the porch of his store. He noticed the three were dressed a little oddly but that was not unusual for the few strangers who occasionally came to Galvin.

  The taller one answered. “We’re looking for a place to eat and we’d like to buy some riding horses.”

  Addison nodded slowly. The man’s accent was strange and he was a little hard to understand. “There’s a tavern down the street. You can get food and something to drink there.” Addison pointed toward the tavern. “I have some horses for sale if you’re interested. They’re in the corral behind my store.”

  Joshua reached into his pocket and took out several American Gold Eagle coins. “Will these do for payment? We’re new around here and not familiar with your currency.”

  Addison eyes lit up at seeing the large gold coins. “Yes, gold coins will do nicely for payment. I’ll just need to weigh them as I’m not familiar with the ones you’re holding. I can furnish you with everything you need including saddles and blankets for the horses. I also have several Drendals if you need any pack animals.”

  “Drendals?”

  “I can show them to you later if you’re in a hurry to eat.”

  Joshua nodded. “We’ll do that. Right now all three of us are hungry. We’ll go to the tavern and then come back to your store later.”

  “I’ll look forward to doing business with you.”

  Addison watched as the three headed up the street toward the tavern. This might be a good day after all. If these three visitors had more gold coins, he could make a tidy profit off what he could sell them. He was already thinking about how high to mark up the horses. They were older animals and he had been wondering how he was going to get rid of them. That situation may have just resolved itself.

  -

  Both Karl and Joshua were using their sorcery abilities to examine the village and its inhabitants. They were amazed at how prosperous the village seemed to be as well as how healthy everyone was. There were no signs of serious illnesses or poverty.

  “Something’s not righ
t,” said Joshua as they reached the tavern. “Did you notice how green everything is, particularly around the village? I noticed very few signs of any leftover radiation on our trip here. Even after all this time there should have been some.”

  Karl nodded. He was hungry and wanted something stiff to drink. “You think Adam’s around or some other sorcerer?”

  “Maybe,” replied Joshua. “We can inquire inside the tavern. That will be the best place to hear any gossip as well as get some idea as to what’s going on around here.”

  “I would suggest we keep a low profile,” said Gail. “I noticed a number of people looking at us as we walked through the village. I’m sure it’s partially due to our clothes as well as the people here not being used to seeing too many strangers.”

  “Let’s go inside,” said Joshua as he pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit interior.

  They chose a table close to one of the window which let more light into the room. The tavern was lit by a number of lanterns placed strategically around the wall and tables. Looking around they saw half a dozen people eating or enjoying a drink.

  A young woman came to their table looking at them expectantly. “What can I get you?”

  “Do you have a menu or something we can look at?” asked Gail.

  The woman nodded and handed each of them a handwritten menu.

  Gail saw instantly the written language had changed considerably as she could make out very few words. “We’re strangers around here. What would you recommend?”

  “The stew is very good and we have some steaks from a recently butchered steer.”

  “I’ll take the stew,” said Gail.

  “Steak and potatoes,” said Joshua.

  “I want your strongest drink,” added Karl. “I’ll take a steak with potatoes also.”

  “I’ll get your order in and will be back shortly with your drink. Do you other two want water?”

  Gail nodded and Joshua said water would be fine.

  Both Joshua and Karl were using their powers to listen in on the conversations in the tavern. After a while they both looked at each other with growing concern on their faces.