by Wilbur Arron
Melina leaned forward on the table, showing surprise. I was equally surprised. “Your uncle is a mage?”
“Yes,” she explained. “Both my father and uncle were born in Argo in the islands. My uncle showed talent at an early age. My family was always powerful and rich through trade, so they sent him to train at the Academy on Lantis, the same as you only long ago. After he graduated, he came back to our islands and helped my father become ruler. Like you, my uncle had nothing but contempt for the Mage Council and the Mage Code. The difference between you and him is my uncle decided to help my father to dominate the islands. The islands were far enough away as not to be under the influence of the mages on Lantia. For over a hundred years, my uncle has used his vast power to not only make my father and himself masters of the Argos Islands but several other island groups besides. Like you, he was a master of both Nature and Life Magik and can do some Metal Magik. He uses the Life Magik to keep himself and my father young. Both my uncle and father are well over 100 years old.”
“Are any of your brothers or sisters mages?” I asked.
“No,” she said. “I am the only child of Zilar that is a sensitive. My father sent me to Syrina to learn. As I studied, I came to realize that naked force alone is not the best way to control this world. Instead, giving good advice, helping solve the problems of state, and keeping the people happy are the best way to maintain influence over all the people. My uncle and father do not agree with me. The destruction of Dysiasty is what finally changed my mind. There was no reason to destroy that polis. It was not a threat, and with our plan to invade Argina through the forest here thwarted, it was not useful as a base. My father still ordered it destroyed and every person killed as an example to the desert tribesmen and anyone else who would oppose him.”
“I know the point he was trying to make,” I said grimly. “Your father is evil, and I will do anything I can to stop him.”
“I know, and he seems to be getting worse with age,” Zila went on. “He will not listen to any advice anymore, except that of my uncle. They both feel that being ruthless is the only way to achieve their end.”
“So, where do the mages from Syrina come in?” I wanted to know.
“That was my part of the plan,” she said with a phony laugh. “My father funds much of the cost of that Academy. You know they have always been considered as second rate when compared to the mages from Lantia. He has filled their heads with the idea that when he takes over, they will be the mages at the top. When I went to their Academy, my job was to get them on our side. I was more than successful. Now they are all willing to help my father. In return, my father has agreed to send any sensitives he finds to the Academy for evaluation and teaching. He wants to make a large army of mages to help keep the people in line.”
“And to act as spies and advisors,” I added.
“That is also true,” she said. “They trained me the best they could.”
I sat back in my chair, thinking. A lot of this I already knew or could have figured out myself, but there was still one major point that needed explanation. “This is all very interesting, but just why are you here to see me?”
“Safety,” she said plainly. “With you here, this is one of the safest places in Argina to live. After what you did to my half-brother Zatact, my other half-brothers, along with my uncle and my father, are in no hurry to face you. I can live in Dysiasty in peace for now. The only fear is that my uncle or several mages from Syrina may show up to try to destroy us. My uncle is powerful enough to do it, but he is not as powerful as you.”
“I see,” I said, getting up. “I help you stay alive. What then what do I get out of this bargain?”
“Someone you can work with against my father,” she said. “I am someone who knows most of his plans. Also, I am someone who still keeps a close watch on my father. Just how I do that is my secret, but I know every major move he makes. I am someone who can give you a warning if my father, or any of the others that follow him, show up here.”
That was an interesting prospect, but not one in which I was greatly interested. There were two reasons for that. The first is that I did not need her and her followers. With my friends and help from Korpolis, I was in good shape here. Zila and a hundred or so people were not going to be of much help if Zilar sent his whole horde against us. Reason two and the most powerful: I did not trust her. This could all be an elaborate trick to get close to me and betray me later. At the same time, she could be useful, so I was not going to turn her away.
“Your offer is something I will need to consider further,” I said, trying to sound understanding but not overly suspicious. “There are also others here I will need to consult about this. This will affect them, too. For now, I will take your offer under consideration and will get back with you later on how we will proceed.”
Gyras did not look happy, but Zila seemed resigned to my decision. “I know it is a lot to take in at once,” she said.
I looked out the window and saw the short shadows of the trees. It was getting toward noon. “May I offer you and Gyras a simple noon meal of bread, olives, honey, and some cheese?”
They both eagerly agreed to that at least, and we spent a somewhat pleasant time on small talk—each of us trying to gather information about the other while not trying to look too obvious about it. One thing I became convinced of, despite her power, Zila and Gyras were afraid of Zilar and his brother.
That afternoon I pointed out the pond to the other guards who came with her and told them they could bathe in it if they wanted. None did. I also noted that they did go into the woods to gather wood, but not far. I spent the afternoon showing Zila and Gyras some of the forest. In the late afternoon, we prepared a small feast of cured beef, onions, and fresh bread that we baked. All of my guests seemed incredulous that my wife and I prepared the meal, and not some slave or servant. Zila ate with us, and the others made a meal from their supplies. We made pleasant small talk, most of which centered on the different teaching methods between the schools on Lantia and Syrina.
It was well after the sunset when I heard a commotion outside. A few moments later, Gyras ran in.
“My Lady, something approaches us from the hills,” he said. “Something that is very big.”
I had a good idea of what that something was. My only question was why he was here. I looked at both of them. “I will see to this,” I told them. “Keep your people back.”
With that, I quickly left the house and walked past the troops falling into place and arming themselves with bows, spears, and swords. They saw me walk seemingly unconcerned into the woods toward where I could clearly hear the sound of heavy footsteps.
“What is it?” one of the troops yelled.
“I will take care of this,” I called loudly. “Do not shoot your bows; it will not harm you.”
I walked until I was well away from the camp. When I was sure I was alone, I called out loud.
“I am here.”
There was no silence, but instead, the footsteps got louder. I stopped, and a moment later, what appeared before me looked like a headless Cyclops. He walked up next to me.
The Old Ones lived here before we came. They are large, maybe three times my size. They are also much wider. Their skin looks like coarse gravel. They have two huge arms and legs and a massive body, but no head. He walked up to me, bent over, and put one of his huge hands on the top of my head.
“There are those in the camp that might hear me if I talk to you at a distance. This way, they cannot hear.”
The voice was like rumbling thunder in my head. This creature, and the many others exactly like it, all live in the Central Mountains and are creatures of myth and legend.
“The one inside my house is a mage like me,” I explained. “She claims that she and the Zilar are enemies, and she is here in peace, seeking my help.”
“I understand,” the Old One said. He sounded surprised. “She has others who might also hear me. They are here with you, or staying near the
forest,” he told me. “That is not why I am here. Many riders are now coming down from the camp near the North Pass. They are riding hard at night and will be here by morning.”
“Zilar,” I said. In an instant, I realized there were only two likely possibilities. “This is either a trap to try to kill me, or they after the female mage and her friends?”
“I do not know,” the Old One said. “I do know they come.”
“I will assume both,” I said. “I need to prepare the others. Thank you for this.”
I knew I could not call out to my friends, Zila would hear. Instead, I walked through the woods, making noise and waving my hands. Alkina saw me first and came over, wondering if I had lost my mind. I reached out and touched her with my hand. I quietly told her what happened and to tell the others to get close to the camp and watch. If the guards did anything suspicious, they were to attack. I found Kypos and told him the same thing. Satisfied, I walked back to the house. By now, all of those with Melina were standing in the open. I charged my crystal and prepared a fire sickle. I walked up and stood next to Melina and called out loudly.
“There is a large group of riders coming down from the North Pass. They will be here by morning.”
“What!” Gyras called out. “That is impossible. No one knew about this meeting.”
“Someone knew,” I answered. “Whatever the cause, they are on their way.”
“Does that come from more of your friends?” Zila asked.
“Yes,” I said simply. The less said about that, the better.
This was the test. If Zila was in league with the Zilar, they would try to attack me now since I knew about their surprise. If so, I could burn all of them in one fire sickle. Instead, Zila turned toward the edge of the forest. I heard her in my head.
“Dianna, hear me,” she called out.
“I hear, my Lady,” came an immediate reply.
Her mental voice was clear. She had practiced often. “Riders from the north are coming; they will be here at dawn.”
“How many?” the young voice called back.
Zila looked at me, and I just shrugged my shoulders. “All they said were many,” I told both of them.
“I will prepare the camp,” she said, and there was silence in my head.
“Unwanted guests again, wife,” I said.
She just nodded and went into the house to prepare, and I followed her in to get my things. Once again, things were about to get interesting.
CHAPTER FOUR: UNDERSTANDINGS
It did not take long for me to get ready. My wife was ready before me and was already outside, wearing her leather armor and carrying her bow and two fighting knives. I charged the Speaking Stone and placed it in my pocket. I added several throwing knives and my fighting knives, even though I loathe having to use them. A fighter I am not! Just before I left the house, I called out to my friends. I knew Zila and any other mages or sensitives might also hear me. I did not care.
“I am going to the hill near the road where the Zilar came before. Please follow us and watch. Do not do anything unless someone tries to attack us.”
Instantly, many mental voices filled my head in acknowledgment. I saw Zila turn quickly and look at me. Before she could ask, I called out to everyone here.
“The Zilar are coming here,” I said, trying to sound as calm as possible. “You will not harm them unless they try to use violence. I have asked my forest friends to follow us. You will hear them behind us. Do not worry; they will not harm you unless you try to harm them, my wife, or me. I will take you to a small hill near where I destroyed Zatact and his invasion. From there, you will be able to see the Zilar riders approach.”
Gyras looked at me with a mixture of awe and fear before blurting out, “My Lady Zila, perhaps you should stay here with Lady Melina, where it will be safer.”
“No, I am not running from my father,” his mistress told him bluntly.
Melina looked at the large man with a scowl. He turned and pointed to a nearby tree. “See that branch about twenty podia off the ground?”
Before Gyras could answer, she took an arrow from her quiver, quickly drew back, and let loose in one fluid motion almost faster than the eye could follow. The arrow went into the middle of the branch. She said nothing more and followed me without a word. Gyras wisely kept his mouth shut. Pity Philie was not here. She could do the same thing with a bow twice that size.
I lead them through the darkness along the trail I normally use when I go west and want to avoid using the main road. The woods closed in from around us as we walked on. I could see and hear the nervous chatter from the troops behind me. To make thing easier for the others and keep them from getting lost, I cast light from my hand, and a ball of bright light lit our way through the darkness. It took a while to travel through the blackness around us. We got to the clearing that had burned down when Zatact used his siege engines to set fire to the forest. As we left the open meadow, I heard a cry from the back.
“What is that behind us?”
“That was one of my friends,” I shouted out. “There are many more behind us. Do not worry; I said they will not harm you.”
“Quiet back there,” Gyras ordered.
To quicken the pace, Zila also cast a light-ball and then placed herself near the back of the party. The extra light calmed the nerves of the others and made it easier for all of us to see. She kept that light-ball active for a while. For me, that was not difficult, but even without any aids, Zila kept it bright for some time. That would indicate she was a mage of some power. It was still late at night when we got to the hill. I motioned all to gather near me, so I did not have to speak loudly.
“All of you keep down when you climb the hill,” I said and pointed to the top. “When you get to the top of the hill, spread out and go prone on the ground. No one will be able to see you.”
I lead them up the hill, and then Melina and I moved into the middle next to Zila and Gyras. The others spread out on both sides of us. Off in the distance, I saw several large campfires and ten tents. I saw at least four guards watching in every direction. The rest of the forty people there were in the middle of the camp busy stacking up dirt, wood, and anything else to make a barricade. It was makeshift at best, but better than standing in the open against cavalry. It was obvious they were expecting an attack. If they had done nothing, I would have suspected a trap. They tied the horses to lines away from the camp to protect them.
“Dianna, we are near the camp with Mage Sopholus,” Zila called out.
“We are getting ready, my Lady,” came the same voice I heard before.
“Now we wait for our guests,” I told the others and sat down next to my wife.
“They are waiting close by, just near the hills. They wait for dawn,” the Old Ones called to me. “There are two of them near you looking at the camp.”
“Who is that?” Zila said, shaking her head. “It is like a weight crushing my mind with his voice.”
“Tell me when the big group moves,” I told the Old One before turning to Zila. “For now, all I can say is those are more of my friends.”
It was not long before the first glow of Apollo’s sun chariot appeared behind us. The morning would be clear with a few clouds.
“What are you going to do?” Zila asked.
I certainly did not want to kill anybody today unless the Zilar insisted on attacking. “If we are lucky, just stop the others from attacking.”
“They will destroy you and us,” Gyras said.
“I doubt that,” Melina said grimly. “They have tried it before. Look in front of you.”
Even though it was barely light, the remains of the first Zilar invasion were plain to see: burnt remnants of massive stone-throwers and the white bones of those who died in the ensuing conflagration.
Soon there was light enough to see. I expected the attack soon, but nothing came.
The Old Ones called out in my mind. “The two they sent ahead have gone back to the large group. There ar
e several men in the group talking.”
“Their scouts must have seen we are ready for them and they are hesitating,” Zila told me. That proved she could understand the Old Ones too.
“They will come,” Gyras said. “They know they have the advantage.” He did not know how wrong he was.
“They come now,” the Old Ones called.
“The rest of you stay down,” I said loudly. I concentrated and saw the other realms appear before me. I took power from the brightest ones and cast force around me. I stood up and prepared myself. The Old Ones were right; soon, I heard the sound of hooves as the cavalry approached at a gallop. As soon as they came around from the hill and into the open space, I stood up and cast a large fireball. I did not cast it at the horsemen, but between them and the camp. The man-high ball of flame ran along the ground setting all that could burn alight. It traveled for almost a stadion before it exploded in a fire mushroom. That stopped the charge in its tracks. I directed power into my voice.
“I am Alexio Sopholus,” I called out. Instantly those around me put their hands over their ears to protect themselves from the noise. “You on horses will stop your attack immediately. You in the camp will hold your weapons. There will be no violence here today.”
That got their attention. Everyone in the cavalry troop froze in place, and all the people in the camp turned to look at me. “Look around you,” I told the attackers. “What you see are the remains of the last Zilar attack that came here. They did not listen, and their bones still lay where they fell.”