The Adventures of Theophilus Thistle

by David Partelow

  There, standing not far from Theophilus, staring angrily at Norrex, was Calla of Alethia. She held her fists clenched and the fire and determination in her eyes somehow made her dangerous, yet she was as beautiful as ever to Theophilus. The pink lotus flower neared Theophilus, never taking her eyes off the pantheryn as she appeared ready to fight. Seeing her somehow breathed new vitality into the broken weed.

  Gazing upon her, Norrex offered a bitter, maddened chuckle. “You are just in time, little girl, for I could surely use a healing tonic,” he said as he limped closer. “It appears that we have come full circle.”

  Calla was unflinching. “And that circle ends here,” she challenged.

  “You speak nonsense, child. You, like your broken friend there are beneath me,” rasped Norrex. “Now give up your silly plight and let’s be done with this!”

  Calla procured a small pouch into her hand as she shook her head. “You’ve gotten one part right at least, Norrex,” she said before tossing the pouch into the pantheryn’s face.

  The pouch, upon hitting Norrex, spat a bitter powder into his face. The pantheryn was instantly blinded as he clawed and rubbed at his eyes and nose. Norrex began hurling bolts of magic wildly in his frustration. With the time bought, Calla rushed and knelt next to Theophilus, horrified by the condition he was in. She touched his cheeks and brow, seeing him smile as he looked at her.

  “We have to get you free of here,” she said.

  Theophilus shook his head. “I wouldn’t make it far,” he said before pointing at Norrex. “We have to stop him, Calla, though I don’t know how.” He then held up the broken pieces of Digus.

  Calla looked at them, thinking on the matter. Not far away, Norrex continued to rub his eyes and curse as he continued to wildly hurl bolts of magical fury. Suddenly, it came to her. “Wait. Digus told me that we were joined in him and that bond was not severed,” she said.

  “Aye,” said Theophilus before grunting at a wave of pain washing over him.

  Calla continued. “You are hurt, but I am not. Together we might be able to mend this situation,” she said.

  Theophilus offered her a brave smile. His voice was getting fainter. “It’s worth a shot,” he whispered.

  “Okay,” said Calla nodding. She took the piece of Digus that Theophilus offered her. Together they held the wand together as they braced themselves. “Let’s do it, Patch!”

  Theophilus nodded to her bravely as he joined her in willing their energy upon the wand. Sensing the budding magic, Norrex narrowed his focus. His random assaults of magic drew closer than before. Calla flinched at one such assault but took one look at Theophilus and remembered his bravery. And more importantly, she remembered her love for him. This gave her all the courage she required.

  Suddenly, the wand shimmered and trembled as magic embraced its broken edges. Theophilus and Calla felt the strain yet held firm. Bright yellow light enveloped them and the wand, further blinding Norrex. The pantheryn paused his ambling then, wiping his eyes clean at last with his tattered robes. He focused in on the billowing light and drew magic to both of his hands.

  It was then that the light dissipated. Norrex’s eyes fell upon Theophilus and Calla. Both now held to Digus and the wand offered no indication of being broken. Norrex’s balked as he saw the plants’ intentions. Together they unleashed a powerful blast from Digus. Norrex held out his hands, offering a spell to counterattack the assault upon him.

  Norrex was surprised at the power being cast upon him by two little plants. Despite his own strength, despite the gifts offered to him by Moreg, the pantheryn found himself unable to repel the magic thrown at him in that moment. Screaming, he channeled his full will, desperate to push them back and angry that they were matching him so well. At last, the combined pure power and love offered by the two plants was too much for Norrex and struck him fully.

  Theophilus and Calla watched as Norrex was hit by their magic. The pantheryn soared across the rubble and came crashing down in a battered heap. Norrex tried to rise, but a rush over his senses made his eyes roll back into his head and the pantheryn collapsed fully and unconscious. The two plants breathed relief as they lowered Digus.

  “Way to come through there, twig. And it’s good to have you back,” said Theophilus faintly.

  Good to be back, said Digus. You have surprised me yet again, Theophilus Thistle. Both Theophilus and Calla heard his words.

  Theophilus patted the wand. “As much as I love keeping you guessing, that may have been our last hurrah,” he said.

  So it seems, replied Digus. There was somehow pain in the wand’s words.

  Calla shook her head as she dug Theophilus from the rubble fully. “No. We are getting you out of here. I have a mount nearby. I am flying you back to Alethia this instant,” she said.

  Theophilus shook his head, hating every moment of disappointing her. “I’d never make it, Calla. That look in your eyes right now confirms that you know it too.”

  Calla shook her head. “Don’t say that, Patch. Don’t say that now after everything we’ve been through,” she said, knowing the swelling tears were returning to haunt her again.

  Theophilus allowed himself to rest his head on Calla’s lap, smiling at her as he touched her face. “All that matters to me now is that you are safe. Alethia is safe. You can now live the life you want to live. That is all I ever wanted for you. To love you and be loved by you…well that was the grandest of additions.”

  Calla held to him tightly. “You can’t go now. You did it. It’s over. We now have the time we have always wanted,” she challenged, forcing him to keep his eyes open.

  “And what a price we had to pay to get there,” he replied. He smiled at her before coughing painfully. Calla took his hand, allowing him to squeeze it for support. “I knew this bout might have been my final battle, but I had to come. I had to try, even if it meant the end of me. But I need you to know something, Calla.”

  “What’s that, Patch?” she asked, her tears now falling upon the weed.

  He smiled to her again. “I need you to know that you were worth it. You were always worth it,” he breathed. “Now, if I can be so selfish and bold, I would ask you now for one more kiss.”

  “Oh, Patch,” she said as she took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply.

  For another eternal moment the two plants were joined. She kissed Theophilus like there was no tomorrow. Theophilus accepted this gratefully. She refused to stop, refused to let him go, even as she felt his lips and strength waning. At last, the little weed’s lips released her. When Calla pulled her head back, she could see his eyes were now close yet there was a glimmer of a smile upon his lips. His face and petals began to lose their hues of green. His purple hair slowly started to wilt.

  He is almost gone, said Digus.

  Kneeling over Theophilus, Calla openly wept. She could feel the life leaving him and it left her in agony. She felt powerless and spiteful toward fate. Calla knew now what she wanted more than anything in the world was the weed who was slipping away in her hands.

  And it was then she remembered that she was not powerless.

  Composing herself, Calla leaned forward, whispering in the weed’s ear. “Theophilus Thistle, I love thee. You have given your life for me freely. You have loved me without doubt or regret. And now it is time I do the same for you,” she said.

  Sighing, Calla closed her eyes and placed her hand over her chest. She willed her desire deeply for the next few moments. Pain washed over her face and she cried out once, but in the end, she achieved her desire. Looking in her hand now, she looked upon the glowing seed that rested there. Taking another deep, resigning breath, she placed this seed upon the chest of Theophilus.

  “Theophilus,” she whispered. “Every child of Nibiru holds within them a seed from the life tree. It is what gives us life. It is what gives us power. And now I offer you mine freely and with all my love.”

  Channeling her will, Calla placed all her passion and feeling into the se
ed resting on Theophilus. The glowing seed passed its energy slowly into Theophilus, steadily healing his wounds as it did so. With tears still flowing, Calla smiled at the act, relieved to see vitality returning to the plant she loved. Within moments Theophilus looked vibrant once more as his leaves and hair restored themselves to life.

  Thus renewed, Theophilus slowly opened his eyes. Upon seeing Calla, the little weed smiled, surprised by the life coursing in his limbs. He sat up, looking at her, wondering if he was dreaming in his last moments. Yet the lips that met his and the tears that kissed his cheeks told him that the moment was very much real.

  Pulling his head away reluctantly, Theophilus looked at Calla and her splendor. “Calla, I don’t know what to say. What did you do?” he asked.

  Calla looked at him serenely as she offered the deepest of smiles. “I offered you a gift, Theophilus Thistle. One I give freely and gladly,” she said as she breathed a painful breath. It would appear that it’s you who must carry forward now for us both.”

  Theophilus looked down and discovered the seed. Picking it up he looked between it and Calla. “Calla, what have you done? I thought the seed of Nibiru was just a myth.”

  Calla shook her head. “And now you know the truth, about it and about me,” she said.

  “What is the truth about you that I have learned?” pleaded Patch softly.

  “That I love you, silly,” she said with a soft giggle.

  Theophilus gasped then, for he could see changes coming over Calla. Steadily her petals grew as her features and limbs stiffened and slowly faded. Theophilus threw his arms around her, now holding her to his chest as he searched about for some solution. The seed in his hand was now devoid of energy and light.

  “Calla,” he blurted. “Whatever you have done, take it back, please.”

  Calla smiled up at him. “No can do, Patch. This is now my journey. You made your choices. And I made mine. And I would do it again for you, because I love you, Theophilus Thistle,” she said.

  “And I love you, Calla of Alethia, the purest of beauty and keeper of my heart.”

  She offered him one last smile as she stiffened further. “Such things you say,” she whispered.

  Theophilus kissed her quickly, holding to the pink lotus flower, refusing to let her go. It was then that he openly wept as her hands wrapped around him one last time. The two held to the fleeting moments. Next to them Digus said nothing, yet even the magical wand could feel pain in that moment.

  “There they are!” Captain Shael pointed to the rubble that was what remained of the Fireborn Citadel. Kelisay caught sight of their friends and quickly descended. Landing swiftly and gracefully, Kelisay came to a gentle landing upon the uneven rocks. Captain Shael leaped from her back, helping Elor down as well as they rushed to their friends. The sight they saw though gave all three a painful pause.

  There, sitting in his own tears and grief, was their friend Theophilus Thistle. He wept now freely, and without restraint. In his hands was an ordinary looking pink lotus flower. All traces of their friend Calla were gone. Captain Shael was about to ask what had transpired when understanding hit him fully. Instead he walked silently and stood next to Theophilus as Elor knelt and placed an arm around his friend.

  “She’s gone,” sobbed Theophilus, revealing tear-stained eyes as he held up her seed. “She gave her life so that I may live. Everything I fought for…I wanted her safe. I wanted her happy. It’s not right.”

  Captain Shael sighed. “It was to her, my little friend. She loved you as you loved her, and she obviously saw one worth such sacrifice as I do, for the bravest and most noble man I have ever met,” he said.

  Kelisay approached too. Together the three friends huddled around Theophilus and the flower that was Calla of Alethia and as one they mourned. Theophilus was all but spent and his pain was great, but his friends and comrades were not about to let him face such grief alone. The weed was grateful and yet he still wished it could have been him and not Calla.

  “It’s not over yet,” said the little weed darkly. He then pointed over to where Norrex was stirring.

  Theophilus’s three friends looked over and saw Norrex. Instantly, Captain Shael was on his feet drawing his sword as Kelisay drew enchanted waters to her being. Between them Elor conjured a fireball in his hands to have at the ready. The three circled the recovering pantheryn who soon scowled at the lot of them with utter disdain.

  Captain Shael then placed the tip of his blade at the chest of Norrex. “You raise those hands, even just a little bit, and we will have swift justice here and now,” he commanded.

  Kelisay conjured several icicles that hovered in the air and remained trained on the pantheryn. “Between his blade, my water and Elor’s fire, you do not have a prayer,” she offered.

  “But if you wish to challenge that, I would gladly avenge my mother here and now,” said Elor.

  Norrex looked at his enemies and then to the enchanted mask sitting within grabbing distance. The pantheryn then growled, for his options were quite limited. “It would appear that I am bested, at least for now,” he said.

  “And for always,” countered Captain Shael. “I won’t let you escape this time. You will be displeased to know that your forces were routed, and your trusted orc shaman has fled.”

  Norrex shrugged. “An unfortunate setback,” he said as he looked upon the ruins of his stronghold. “We may have lost these woods, but rest assured there will be another time and another place, Captain Shael. On this you have the word of Norrex the Deathshade,” he said.

  Captain Shael procured bindings to dampen the pantheryn’s magic. “We shall see,” he said.

  Norrex shook his head. “I am not wearing those and would rather die than give you such satisfaction.”

  “That can be arranged,” challenged Captain Shael.

  It was then that the ground trembled and Norrex laughed devilishly. “Yes, our quarrel ends, but now I am offered another day and another fight. Farewell, fool!” he chortled before the ground opened up and pulled him in. As Norrex descended he reached and grabbed the mask before the rocks closed again completely.

  Captain Shael threw down his sword in disgust. “That is twice I have let that fiend escape me,” he spat. And that will be the very last.”

  Kelisay lowered her magic as Elor extinguished his fireball and looked at the Ranger captain. “What do we do now, captain?” he asked.

  Captain Shael knelt, placing a warm hand on the imp’s shoulder. “We rejoice in our victory, young Elor. We savor the freedom we brought today. We cherish those that survived,” he said before looking back somberly at Theophilus. “And we mourn those that we have lost,” he added.

  CHAPTER Eleven

  Judgment

  Captain Corym Shael walked again into the audience chamber of Aelyn Keep. Weariness filled him to his bones, yet the Ranger walked proudly with his head held high. As relieved as he was for the victory achieved, he was not a fool to think he was above the consequences of defiance. Yet, for his duty and for his friends, he was fully prepared to face those consequences.

  The chamber was quietly somber, and Captain Shael immediately realized the subdued gravity of it. To his surprise, Captain Shael found the room empty of the Council of Five, save for Grand Marshal Malor Shen. Marshal Shen stood silently before the council’s table, hands clasped behind his back. The ancient elf looked upon Captain Shael with cultivated indifference, yet Shael could see the piercing judgement resting within his blue eyes.

  “Captain Shael,” started Marshal Shen as he remained stiff as a stone. “We meet yet again under unfortunate circumstances.”

  Captain Shael nodded as he stopped and stood at attention. He mirrored Marshal Shen’s stance as he replied. “I still would gladly accept these circumstances, ones that we dictated, over the alternative gladly,” he replied.

  “Indeed,” said Shen as he turned from the captain. The grand marshal looked at the empty seats of the council for long moments before he continued.
“This council was founded as the deciding voice of our order, so that we could carry our duties with fairness and purpose. Yet time and time again you have chosen to defy our decrees and make a mockery of the Rangers,” he observed.

  “It is only a mockery when you feel that my results tarnish the image of the council, yet I do not do these things to purposely slight our order or its ideals,” said Captain Shael. “Though I shall point out now that my favor with you is directly influenced by agenda. If it matches your own, then indiscretions are often overlooked.”

  Marshal Shen turned around fiercely. “Do not compound your trespasses with insolence, captain. You have already placed a great deal of burden before you, including insubordination and recklessly endangering the order of the Rangers. The stunt you pulled could have cost us greatly.”

  Captain Shael smiled despite himself. “I must admit, I too was shocked at my friend’s suggestion, but Theophilus proved his wisdom. Had we held the support of the Rangers from the beginning, Norrex and his forces could have been routed with far less losses. You simply needed to be properly motivated.”

  “I see that you place your faith in a weed that is as foolish by choice as you,” observed Captain Shael.

  Captain Shael stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “Marshal Shen, we are here today to discuss my indiscretions. You will leave the good name of Theophilus Thistle out of this. The man has single handedly done more for these lands than anyone else I know. If he were an elf, he would be the greatest Ranger this kingdom has ever known. He fights relentlessly with his heart to protect what is good and what is just, something I feel is often lost on us these days.”

  Marshal Shen held up a hand to stop him. “I have heard enough, captain. The charges laid before you are still quite severe.”

  Captain Shael nodded firmly. “And I accept them quite gladly, Marshal Shen. “In one fell swoop you were offered proof of the evil permeating these lands and this evil was dispatched. I ask you to imagine the gravity of the loss should we have been called to tackle this evil after they had struck. How much life would it have cost? How much pain would have been cast upon the people of this kingdom had Norrex and his flock been allowed to flourish?”