I tell you, give me a few more moments with those voices and I might as well lose my mind and go completely insane, but I can honestly say that I wasn’t exactly far from that notion either.
I trembled, finding it hard to control my breathing.
“I killed him!” I admitted through shaky breaths. “I killed him!”
I felt as a single hand gently rested on my shoulder. Immediately, I looked up and found myself face to face with my father who was knelt down in front of me.
What was I going to say? What could I say?
“Why didn’t you tell me this before? Why? How?” I took a shaky breath and dropped my gaze to the ground. “It was… an accident. Battle wound.” My voice was frail and weak.
Father knitted his eyebrows in question.
“Battle? Which was that?”
“Nothing important.”
“Terrowin! I demand you tell me!”
“Then I refuse your orders.” I couldn’t gather myself. I couldn’t recollect myself.
Father sighed miserably, probably wondering what he did to deserve glorious little me.
“As you wish.” Leave me in a better state to tell him the full story.
Moments passed until my father studied me more closely.
“You are too pale to be ‘fine’. Are you sure you aren’t ill?”
“No…”
“Terrowin?”
“I’m not… I…”
“Terrowin, tell me. What is it?”
I couldn’t find my words.
“Terrowin, you’re scaring me.”
Both his hands gripped my shoulders.
“I’m cursed,” I managed to say, looking away and closing my eyes.
I took a deep breath and straightened myself, but couldn’t keep it up for long as the truth escaped my lips. “…I’m dying.”
CHAPTER 42
NEVER ANGER A
BLOKE WITH A TORCH
CARLAYLIN
The night was silent, only disturbed by the flames of a little candle crackling nearby on my wooden study desk. The room was left in the gloom but for that one candle that so flickered its shining light across the pages I had spread open in front of me.
I sat with a quill at hand and looked at the large book and its frail, age-worn brown-tinged pages.
Ramses lay comfortably next to me, purring whenever I caressed or scratched him.
“Hmm…” I thought, taping the end of the quill to my chin. My gaze jumped from object to object as I tried to think of something.
An idea popped into my head. With my one hand I created a ball of water, drifting in mid-air. At the same time I switched to the other hand and created earth, letting the two collide. I gave a smile of satisfaction and studied the ball of dirt, letting it dissolve and disappear by just the wave of my hand. I let the tip of my inked quill touch the book’s old weathered pages and I wrote:
Water + Earth = A ball of dirt to throw Terrowin with when he’s not looking and least expects it.
I tried to think this through again and absentmindedly scratched Ramses behind the ears. He gave a purr of satisfaction, but gave another stomp on my foot, letting me bite the pain in between my teeth. Keeping my breath proved a bit of a challenge.
I was lost in my thoughts once again, but soon came across another brilliant idea. I summoned fire in my one hand. The light of my created fire danced in the room and sent shadows dancing about. I then summoned air, shooting my hand out at the fire in my other hand. The fire blasted forcefully outwards, accidentally setting a nearby chest on fire.
I nodded thoughtfully with narrowed eyes as I studied the scene of chaos. I then wrote:
Fire + Air = Flamethrower.
I shot another look at the flaming trunk and stroked my chin in thought, pursing my lips. Ramses raised his ears in alert as he stared at the fire. I turned back to the book.
Note to self: Do not aim at any valuable possessions, including Ramses indeed necessary.
I then used the same tactic, only replacing the fire with water to douse the flames and let it properly extinguish, but left one drenched chest in the making. I had to keep in mind to do this only if I needed the extra force.
Water + Air = A nice water hose used to extinguish fire and possibly other uses.
To me, these forms of magic came as naturally as breathing, but keeping them under control was the troublesome part...
I sighed and studied my writings I had thus far. I scrolled through the pages and scanned my work. I was quite satisfied with my discoveries, sketches and observations. Unfortunately, I couldn’t think of anything else, since I already wrote all my ideas of rust, growing nature, killing a guy with his own age and much more.
A thought seeped into my mind and I started to wonder. It was a sudden thought, one I never anticipated. I licked my bottom lip and dug into my pocket, fishing around until withdrawing the old crinkled piece of note Millicent had once given me once upon a time. I sighed. I always kept the note close to me. If not in my pocket, then in my satchel, then if not in my satchel, then in a drawer here in the tower.
I had never gathered enough courage to read it. At first her death was too raw in my mind, and later on I became afraid – terrified even – to open the note. I was afraid that it would provoke terrible emotions and thoughts, but that fear had gone. Why? Did I make peace with her death? Finally?
I swallowed and thought about Cassius. Maybe his death helped me move on… I don’t know. I opened the letter and unfolded the note. I took a deep breath before laying my eyes on its content. It was Millicent’s handwriting.
Dear Carlaylin
If you are reading this, then you know I must be gone. I wrote this letter for you, my love. Carlaylin, ever since I first found you at my doorstep, I kept a close eye on you and discovered things that I am not sure you already know yet or not. You’re a magical. And not only a magical, but one that has control over all four elements. There is also something else I have failed to tell you before. I’m a gypsy, my love. I can foresee lots of things. One day you will meet a boy, whose name I am yet to decipher, and he will take you to a man named Merlin the Great, or Merlin the Fifth. I have not much to say. I don’t want to say that he is wrong, he isn’t, but he is an ancient soul. There’s more to the use of your elemental powers than you can ever imagine. Do me one last favour and travel to a cave, the Mystical Sanctuary. Find a man named Carbon and he will assist you with your questions. You don’t have to, but if you search for more… then go.
Make me proud…
Millicent
So this woman was a fortune teller and I never even knew? Great, what else? To think all the fun I could’ve had as a child if I knew… Sometimes I scare myself with the thoughts I come up with.
I lovingly scratched Ramses on his back, absentmindedly staring out the window on the right side of my desk, but noticed a bunch of little lights approaching the tower from the shadows of the dark forest. Possibly people holding torches?
I stood from my chair and approached the window, studying the lights with suspicion. It looked like people in armour of bronze, bits of red worked in as well, some holding torches.
“Uh, Murray, you might want to come and take a look at this!” I called. He soon came rushing into the room and slowed down the soon as he crossed the threshold, a bit exhausted from all those stairs.
“What was it you wanted?”
“Come check this out,” I said, gesturing him to come to my side, my gaze still focused on the window. He didn’t hesitate and gradually approached the window, staring out. A frown soon appeared on his face, revealing more textures of wrinkles and age.
“What the…?”
A man soon stepped out from the crowd and yelled something, but I couldn’t hear anything. The room was quite high from the ground, besides, the window was closed.
Smart, Carlaylin. Real smart.
Murray and I exchanged glances and took the cha
nce to open the window. I leaned out, focusing my stare specifically on the man that stepped from the masses.
“Hand yourself over to authority or else I will be force to take consequences!” I frowned. “What are you talking about?” We had to yell to each other to be able to hear one another.
“Are you the one they call Carlaylin Thorel?”
“Depends…”
The man snorted lividly and balled his hands.
“Enough of this! Prepare to die!”
“Wow, that’s pretty straight forward!” I leaned further out the window, narrowing my eyes, trying to see who it was. The dark nightfall didn’t help the case one bit. Luckily, his torch made it a bit clearer to me.
It was quite late. I had no idea to why anyone would come at this hour.
“Who are you?” I mumbled to myself as I tried to uncover his identity, but the truth soon made me gasp in horror.
“Thomason?!”
“Yes, who else wants your head?” I couldn’t help but cringe at the thought. Oh, and don’t even make me start with that list, please.
“But you don’t know me.”
“I still remember Thorodan.”
“Oh, yeah…”
“And then there was this one certain boy who was as kind enough as to give me your location and identity.” I raised an eyebrow. I hoped it wasn’t who I thought it was or else he would be back on the list!
“Besides, you have turned out to be quite a threat.” I gave a sarcastic chuckle.
“Don’t I always?” Murray frowned and in leaned closer to whisper, “Who’s that?”
I questioningly raised my hands. “Where were you when I yelled out his name?!”
Murray’s gaze wandered off.
“Please do forgive me, my dear, but I was trying to get Ramses to stop nibbling on my robes.” I couldn’t help but sigh.
“Who do you think this is?”
“Uh…”
“One of my many enemies, but this one I especially hate…”
“Um… hold on, I almost have it…” I hit my forehead with the palm of my hand.
“Thomason!”
“Ooooo! What does he want?” I shrugged and looked down at Thomason who was waiting impatiently for another response or at least some form of reaction.
“What do you want?” I shouted over the distance. Thomason raised an eyebrow and raised his hands in disbelieve.
“Haven’t I just explained myself?” I didn’t reply, but instead turned to face Murray again. “Yeah, probably because I’m a threat to his devious plans.”
“Makes sense…”
“Is that supposed to mean something?”
“Err… no.” I shot him a nonchalant stare.
“Let’s try to ignore that, shall we?”
“Yes, rather.”
I looked back down to face Thomason.
“Check this out,” I whispered to Murray with a mischievous grin.
“If you want me dead, I’d suggest you put some effort into it, bastard!” I figured that to be a mistake since his expression turned livid, his face reddening and his eyes filling with ever festering hatred and despise.
“Oops.” My smile quickly fell and turned to utter worry. I gulped, apprehending what was to come, for I most clearly made a grave mistake.
Thomason raised a hand as a sign for his guards to take action and ready themselves for the onslaught. Thomason himself closed in on the tower and held his torch near the door, letting it drop after giving a devilish grin. I sucked some air between my teeth. The door caught fire and growing flames started to eat away at its ornamented wood. I could but only stare as the fire spread to the rest of the tower. Thomason’s sadistic eyes danced in the light of the bright fire.
Idiot! I thought to myself.
“RUN!” I yelled.
Murray and I anxiously made our way to the door, but regrettably, by my terrible luck, a flaming arrow shot through the window, missing us both by only inches and hit the door, letting the fire spread even faster.
“Hasn’t this happen before?” I asked myself in a thoughtful mumble.
“Why in the right mind did you do that?!” Murray asked impatiently.
“How was I supposed to know he can’t control his anger?” “I think he can. I think he just can’t control his hatred. Now please be a good apprentice and DO SOMETHING!” I rapidly scanned the area for an option and knew exactly what do…
“RAMSES! Do something!”
The tiger didn’t hesitate to barge through the flaming door, creating an escape.
“Good boy!” I turned to face Murray who seemed to be in a frantic panic. In fact he looked so stressed that I was sure he was about to pull all his beard hairs out at any moment now.
“What now?” I cried.
“I don’t know. Probably escape the tower?!” He paused to take a moment to page his thoughts, trying to think of something, stroking his beard. It went on long enough until I decided to interrupt.
“Enough with the beard grooming! I need a plan! You’re the only one that knows this tower like the back of your hand!” I yelled.
“Stroking my beard helps me calm down.”
“And punching Terrowin helps ME calm down.”
Did I mean it? Yes. Was I going to say it? No.
“Really? Why didn’t you tell me?” He sounded like a parent who just received good news long after it was supposed to be delivered. I grunted and gave a scowl as a sign for him to move his beautiful little behind.
“Quickly, there is an emergency escape tunnel beneath the trapdoor.”
The thought of all those stairs got me to doubt, but I had to ignore it.
“Well, I don’t see any other option. Let’s go.”
We ran through the door and down the flight of stairs, watching out for falling bits of wood, breaking beams, crackling flames and windows bursting from heat.
Unfortunately, Murray just had to remember something and froze in his tracks.
“Wait! All my studies and research! I can’t leave it to burn! Not to mention the artefacts!” I bit my lip, my one eye impatiently twitching with frustration.
“We don’t have time for this! Come on or else we’ll get roasted!” Murray gave a sigh, but knew what had to be done and what was for the best. Unwillingly, he followed me from behind until reaching the bottom floor and into the living room we first met. From there on I gestured him to take the lead.
Murray quickly made his way to the couch – some many memories on that couch.
“Help me move this,” he ushered as he grabbed the one end. I quickly grabbed the other end and together we used our combined strengths to shuffle the heavy couch aside, revealing a bronze hatch built into the floor. Murray rushed to the trapdoor, opened it and urged me to go in before entering it himself.
When we were inside, we dashed through a cave-like earthen passageway until reaching the end of the hall. It was but a regular door, untouched by the flames that were restricted to the inside of the tower.
It took a while to get it open because someone had to organize their ring of keys in search for the right key.
“Ah ha! Got it,” Murray announced triumphantly.
I heaved a sigh of relief as he forced the key into the lock.
“Damn! It doesn’t fit.”
That’s it, we’re going to die. If the flames don’t get us first, the suffocating smoke surely will.
It had been a long and anxious minute before Murray finally got his hands on the right key.
“Now. I’m sure this is it.” He studied the key up close and gave a smile of satisfaction.
“Ah ha, my dear, just the turn of this knob and we’ll be fire free!”
A flood of joy and utter excitement settled over me.
“I never thought I‘d say this, but… Granddad, you’re my hero!” “Don’t call me ‘granddad’. It is awkward enough as it is.”
I merely shrugg
ed, smiling innocently. Murray quickly unlocked the door and forced it open with the shove of his shoulder.
We were ready to take a step to the outside, but ended up rooted to the spot the soon as we saw a regiment of Thomason’s men blocking the path. My heart had skipped a beat and sank down to my boots. I bit down on my lower lip and knitted my eyebrows.
Why now?
“Where do you think you’re going?” a soldier asked. I gave a nervous chuckle, trying to ignore Murray’s shocked face and frozen body language.
“We were just heading back.”
Rapidly, I grabbed Murray by his arm and gave him a slight pull as I ran past him, back inside the suicidal tower.
The old wizard soon caught up with me as we ran down the passageway. At first I thought there was nothing to worry about but the fire, but battle cries from soldiers soon got shivers running down my back and the adrenaline sending my head into overdrive.
“Uh, Murray? Did you lock the door?” Murray’s eyes suddenly widened in a flash, but he quickly recollected himself and gave an apologetic smile.
“I take back everything I said about you!”
Murray almost looked offended.
“Really? Even that earlier request you asked about an allowance?” I had to think fast.
“No, not that!”
Leaving the discussion to hang in mid-air, we dashed to the trapdoor. I climbed out and grabbed Murray’s arm, only to help him up. It only got us into more smoke and fire. I was starting to think that the soldiers wouldn’t have been that bad after all.
I sunk down onto my haunches and locked the trapdoor. Together we grabbed a hold on the heavy, flaming couch and dragged it over the hatch, making extra sure that no soldiers were about to burst in and make life even worse of a hell than it already was.
That’ll hold them.
As I ran forward, a soldier appeared from the flames, ready to strike at me with his sharp sword. I took cover and shielded myself with my arms, but a falling beam did the job for me and crushed the poor guy.
Wizard of Elements Page 39