Severed Empire: Wizard's War

by Phillip Tomasso

  “I am not worthy of your love,” Eadric said, and repeated it over and over. “I couldn’t come back without my Anna, but I didn’t know… I never thought about what I was leaving behind. I’m so selfish, so selfish I hate myself!”

  “I love you, Eadric. I’m your father. I’ll always love you,” Grandfather said.

  “I don’t deserve your love,” he said. His hands were fists by his legs. He stared up at his father, his face red, but not from the cold. “I beg for your forgiveness.”

  Grandfather waved his arm. “Get up here and hug your father!”

  Eadric crawled up the few stairs, and hugged his father’s leg, his head in his father’s lap.

  “Please, forgive me?” He fisted the blanket into his hands.

  Grandfather placed his hands on his son’s head, and looked up at Mykal. Even with so many tears in his eyes, and streaming down his face, Mykal saw the joy and love fill his Grandfather. “There is nothing to forgive, my son. Nothing.”

  The snow fell harder. It swirled around those in the front yard who watched the reunion in silence.

  Except Anna.

  She cried, and after a moment stepped forward.

  “Anna?” Grandfather said.

  “You remember me?” she whispered.

  “Come here, my daughter. Come here!” Grandfather said. “Quill, my nephew, I recognize you over there. If it is a special invitation you’re wanting, this is as close as it is going to get!”

  “Uncle,” Quill said, stepping forward.

  Grandfather reached up, took Mykal by the sleeve and pulled his family in close to him. “I never thought I’d live to see this day. I am blessed. I am truly blessed!”

  ***

  More than anything Mykal wished life was back to normal. He’d have given almost anything to walk into the house with his family and sit down to a home-cooked meal. There wasn’t time for such things. Mykal knew King Hermon Cordillera and his army would reach the shores soon, despite the Voyager’s efforts. He’d witnessed more than just the new wizard’s power; he’d seen the evil rage in which the magic was casted. Ships on the sea were not going to prevent his arrival. The Mountain King was on his way, and for that, dinner would have to wait.

  The sellswords agreed to stay on the farm with Grandfather, and for that, Mykal was relieved.

  Goodbyes were not easy. Mykal hugged his Grandfather and kissed the top of his head.

  “You stay inside for a while,” Mykal said. “Stay warm. We’re going to keep you safe. Wyn’s friends are going to continue keeping an eye on things.”

  “You think I need a babysitter? I can defend myself! I served my time in battles. I know how to handle a weapon,” Grandfather said, feisty, and anxious for inclusion.

  Mykal refrained from smiling. “There will be no one to protect your property, Grandfather. It’s more vital that you stay here and with Wyn’s friends, defend our farm. It’s been a long journey, and I really need a home to return to.”

  The rationale worked. Grandfather was not one to argue with reason. Not if it was solid, and made sense.

  After, Mykal gathered the remaining five horses from the corral. Quill assisted in saddling the animals. They worked in silence, completing the task as quickly as possible. Mykal knew Babe, Applejack, Defiance, and Jiminey were being well cared for with Copper at Ironwall, but that didn’t make him miss them any less.

  “We’re short one horse,” Quill said. “Suppose your father and mother can share one.”

  “They’ll have to, unless you want to double up with Wyn,” Mykal said, laughing.

  ***

  “We are going to place an enchantment around the land,” Anna said.

  “What kind of an enchantment?” Mykal said.

  “If the enemy approaches, they won’t see the house, the barn, any of the animals,” she said.

  Grandfather rolled his eyes. “No? What will they see?”

  “Snow-covered grass, weeds, vastness. Nothing that will draw their attention, or make them feel like they have to come in for a closer look. All of you will be safe. However, should they pass through the enchantment; I will feel better knowing Wyn’s men are here with you. The five of you will be a formidable force against an entire legion of knights!” Anna smiled, leaned forward, and kissed Grandfather on the cheek. “You stay safe, Father.”

  “Just hurry back,” Grandfather said. “The whole lot of you. We have some catching up to do. And then we have to get to work.”

  “Work?” Eadric said.

  “Can’t have the two of you sharing a room with Mykal. And you sure ain’t sleeping in my bedchamber. We’re going to have to add an addition, or two. This place was hardly big enough for me and my boy,” Grandfather said, caught his slip, and added: “For Mykal and I.”

  Eadric grinned and looked around the kitchen. “I like the idea. In fact, while we’re gone why don’t you start drawing up some plans?”

  “I just might do that,” Grandfather said.

  Mykal watched the exchange between his Father and Grandfather. He knew they weren’t really discussing the expansion of the home, as much as they were agreeing that from then on the four of them would live together. He didn’t like thinking the war was a good thing, but seeing a silver lining from something so evil couldn’t be all bad.

  Once outside, Anna began an incantation that was poetic in its rhythm. Her arms were up, palms faced out. Mykal did not recognize a single word said, but it was musical.

  And colorful.

  “This is amazing,” Mykal said.

  “What is?” Blodwyn said.

  “You don’t see it?” Mykal said.

  Blodwyn shook his head.

  “I won’t be able to do this justice. It looks like white crystals are flowing from her hands. They are swirling through the air, but not side to side. They are spinning up and down,” Mykal explained, drawing a large circle in the air in front of him with his finger. He shook his head, in awe at the beauty. “Between the expanding bands of these crystals is a soft yellowish green that fills the spaces. I don’t know why, but it reminds me of those… Acrelea Flowers? Before they bloom all flat and yellow, they are those big puffs of white, with stems, and seeds and tiny brown seeds on the end. Then, when you blow on them, they break free from the stem and float through the air and plant themselves in the ground. You know the flower I mean?”

  “I know the flower,” Blodwyn said, nodding.

  “It reminds me of those. Hundreds of those, and they’re all just floating around and around between grassy fields. The wind passing over the grass; and it is a sunny day. It’s like I am looking into some other world. I don’t know, I just can’t describe the magic I am seeing.”

  “You’re doing great, kid,” Coil said.

  Mykal didn’t realize everyone was listening to him speak. He stopped talking, though. The wisps of colors from Anna’s magic still unraveled inside his head, endless tendrils that came from her and looped and snaked around his mind, soft and gentle like fabric floating on a strong summer breeze. He kept that description to himself.

  “It’s gone.” Eadric suddenly spun around, arms out, brow furrowed. He let out a laugh in a quick short burst. “I don’t believe it. It was there. Right there, but now…”

  Quill rubbed the heels of his hands against his eyes. “That is messed up. I mean, truly messed up.”

  Mykal’s eye slid close together. “What’s gone?”

  Blodwyn said, “Everything.”

  Anna lowered her arms. They fell gently at her side. Her chest rose as she breathed in deeply, and slowly turned around. “I think that should do it.”

  “But the enchantment?” Mykal said.

  Anna said, “You and I can still see everything. But do you notice how it all shimmers behind the green hue?”

  He nodded.

  “That’s how, as a wizard, if you approach somewhere, or something, or someone, if they shimmer like that, you know there is magic in play,” she said. “Wyn, what do you
see?”

  “I see snowy fields. Just miles and miles of snowy fields.” He grinned. Snow stuck to his mustache. He leaned on his staff, just taking in the new scenery.

  “Seriously?” Mykal said. He was staring at two of the sellswords on Grandfather’s porch. They did not look confused at all. In fact, they were both staring right at him.

  Blodwyn shrugged. “Seriously.”

  “And them?” Mykal said, looking at his Mother, but pointing at the men on the porch.

  “They can see us fine. No shimmer. I explained to them as long as they stay within property lines they will remain virtually invisible. The only one who will be able to see them is a wizard. Best I can tell, there are just three remaining.”

  “You think this will keep them safe?” Mykal passed a hand through the air toward the house.

  Anna nodded toward the house with a warm smile. “I think with the swords inside, and the enchantment… Grandfather will be just fine.”

  As long as the Mountain King doesn’t come this way, Mykal thought. Because he would see right through the enchantment, and would then wonder what was inside that was so important wizards placed a spell over the entire property?

  Chapter 35

  They trotted the horses away from the farm. Mykal kept looking back. The shimmering light around the property was less noticeable the further away they were. After a few moments, Mykal was done looking behind. His concentration was purely focused on looking ahead.

  “There are two ports,” Blodwyn said. He was yelling, so everyone could hear him. “The Ridgeland, and the Delta Cove.”

  “The port is too small for vessels like King Hermon’s, and I’m telling you, with what we saw on the islands it is way too small for the Voyagers,” Mykal said. He shook his head. “No. If they are moving a fleet across the sea, they’ll be headed for the cove. It makes the most sense.”

  “We aren’t in a position to take chances,” Quill said. “We’ve come too far. I hate to say this but I think we should split up.”

  Mykal cringed. It was for two reasons. First, he thought splitting up was a bad idea. They would be strongest working together. But, Quill did have a point. There were two ports for docking ships. It would be negligent ignoring one. It wasn’t like three riders had to go all the way to Ridgeland. Once they could get a visual on the sea, either party would know where King Hermon’s ships were headed.

  The second thing that bothered him was more complex.

  He was seventeen. It was about more than just his age, but it was the one thing he kept coming back to. He was seventeen and had spent his life milking cows, tossing chicken feed on the ground, repairing fences, and shoveling dung. These were not things to be ashamed off. He worked hard, and took pride in the daily accomplishments. It was actually a rewarding life, if not dull. However, even with his Father and Mother around; with Blodwyn, and Quill, or even with Coil, everyone looked at him for answers, for guidance. They expected him to lead.

  He was expected to make the call. Right or wrong, he believed they’d follow his decision. That was pressure. It had weight, and he felt it bearing down on his shoulders, and onto the top of his head. He wanted someone else to be calling the shots. He felt like he’d be a much better follower, than a leader.

  “Mother,” Mykal said. “You, Father, and Coil, head toward the coast. I think it is important to separate you and me, spread our abilities out.”

  Anna nodded. “I agree.”

  “I don’t want you anywhere near the Ridgeland Port,” Mykal said. “Get only as close as you need to. If you don’t see any ships in the harbor, or headed toward the harbor, then turn around. Meet us at the Delta. We’ll do the exact same. If we don’t see any signs of King Hermon, we’ll assume they’re headed your way. Either way, we’ll rejoin as one before we do anything.”

  “Hate to say this,” Quill said. He looked sheepish, half smiling, and shrugging shoulders. “What if the Mountain King has ships going to both ports? I mean, if I were waging war on a foreign land, I’m going to hit as many points of entry as possible. And, as hard as I can. Just in case one attempt fails, it’s not my only iron in the fire.”

  Mykal had heard the sellsword mention a similar plan of attack by striking against more than one point at the same time. He was versed in hand-to-hand combat, thanks to Blodwyn, but not the art of war. “When we meet up with King Nabal, assuming he doesn’t try taking out heads for treason, I’m going to impress on him the need to dispatch men to the Cicade Forest.”

  “The forest,” Quill said.

  “It is possible the King Hermon sent men across the Zenith,” Mykal said.

  “We’re hitting the start of winter. That would be a foolish call,” Eadric said.

  “Not impossible, though,” Mykal said.

  Quill shook his head. “No. Not impossible.”

  Mykal stared at his uncle for a minute. “Uncle?”

  “Yes.”

  “I want you to ride for the forest. Your men can’t be caught off guard,” Mykal said.

  “They won’t be. Like that sellsword said, the battle on the sea should have alerted kingdoms even beyond the Old Empire.”

  “Should have, yes,” Mykal said. “I know I would feel better knowing for certain. Don’t you agree?”

  Quill pressed his lips tightly together, and nodded.

  “It’s settled then. Be safe. Ride fast. If you know that the king’s men are coming, then you have the upper hand.”

  “The element of surprise,” Quill said. He held out his arm, holding his horse steady.

  Mykal reached out, and shook it.

  “You’ve become quite the man, nephew. I’m proud having you share my bloodline,” Quill said.

  “Thank you, uncle. That means more to me than you may ever realize.”

  And then Quill took off on his horse, headed north toward his home in the treetops.

  Mykal turned his head and looked at Coil. “I think you better return home as well, my friend. If the king’s men are coming across the Zenith, your mining town is in as much danger as Quill’s forest.”

  “I am not comfortable leaving you,” Coil said. “We aren’t certain of an attack on the town. We only know for sure the Mountain King is crossing the sea.”

  Mykal closed his eyes.

  He searched the sky, thinking of the falcons he’d always seen flying overhead. He let his body float, and soar until he found a falcon, and then he let his body fill the large predator. The Falcon blinked and blinked, aware of Mykal’s disturbing presence.

  The falcon dropped toward the ground, crying during the descent, its ability to fly suddenly disabled by the mental invasion.

  Mykal did his best to soothe the situation. He tried speaking into the bird’s mind, cooing, and comforting the bird as he might when petting a dog. It slowly worked, and Mykal was increasingly aware of the falcon calming. He felt its heart beat slow down, and become more rhythmic.

  The falcon regained control. The feeling of weightlessness, with wings extended as he rode on the air sent chills throughout his body. He knew he was holding his breath. The scenery was indescribable from their altitude. The experience would be near impossible to share with words. Mykal worked with the falcon, guiding her across the land. Below, he saw the Ironwall Pass, and beyond that the Zenith Mountains.

  And as they flew over the mountains, beyond the Crimson Falls, he saw the unthinkable.

  In his mind, he did his best at expressing gratitude to the falcon, with no idea if the bird understood the sentiment. With a blinking of his eyes, he fell out of the bird’s body and returned with a rush back into his own.

  “What in the world just happened,” Coil said, when Mykal opened his eyes. “You’re shaking. It’s like you just crawled out of an icy lake. Look at you. Will you look at him?”

  The man must be able to smell when magic is used, Mykal thought. “It’s bad. The king has forces crossing the mountains.”

  “It’s confirmed, then,” Coil said.

&nb
sp; Mykal nodded. “Confirmed. They are still on the east banks. They’ve barely begun their climb. But they are en route.”

  “Then we have time to stay and help you,” Coil said.

  “It will be a month before they get across. Depending on the weather, it could be three times as long,” Coil said.

  “Or with King Hermon’s magic, it could be hours.” Mykal let the statement sink in. It could happen. In all probability, it would. That was the way they needed to think. This was no normal war. Wizards were involved. That changed the game; rules of engagement were tossed away. If something was possible, then it was probable. And any probable threats needed addressing. Mykal shook his head. “This could be a good sign. You now both have time to return to your homes and prepare. You must go. Now. Ready your people. We are going to rejoin you as soon as possible.”

  “Until our paths cross, then,” Quill said, and took off on his horse, headed north toward his home in the treetops. The hooves kicked up wet dirt and snow in a messy wake behind him.

  “Stay safe,” Coil said.

  “You, as well, brother,” Mykal said. They locked hands onto each other’s forearms, and shook. A silent show of respect passed between them, it was in their locked stare, eyes unblinking, heads bowed, and then Coil turned his horse and chased after Quill.

  Mykal smiled, and nodded at his mother.

  Can you hear me, he thought. Mother, can you hear me?

  Her eyes widened, and she wrinkled her brow. “Yes. I can.”

  Mykal said, “Mother, don’t speak your answers.”

  Let’s try again. Can you hear me, he thought.

  She never looked away, but Mykal didn’t hear anything. There was no answer.

  Just relax, he thought. And let your magic carry your voice to me. Let it follow my magic back.

  How’s this?

  I heard that, Mykal thought.

  You heard me? It was his mother’s voice. It rang softly inside his head.

  “I heard you,” Mykal said. “And that is how we will communicate with each group. If you get into trouble, or need us to respond fast, you send me a message with your mind, using your thoughts. Understood?”