by D E Boske
“Kelindril, you are a haunted man as well. I understand how it is to feel these things. But I can also assure you that it will get better now that you are with me. I will never misuse your skills like Thelarki has done. And please do not insult me by pretending not to know what I am talking about. I know what he has done. And for that, if ever I get the chance to meet him, he will answer for.”
“I cannot forgive myself for the things that I have done, Darian. I am a tortured creature.”
“I forgive you, Kelindril. Care for a drink?” asked the Mage, making a bottle of Nykessa appear out of thin air.
“That would be a good thing indeed,” the elf responded.
They passed the bottle between them, feeling no need for glasses. After they polished off a second bottle,
Kelindril began to loosen up, if only slightly. Darian would take what he could get.
“Kelindril, be honest with me, are you attracted to Kylee?”
“Yes, but there is a tug of war going on inside me. I want her, and yet, it terrifies me. I do not know which I feel the stronger. I cannot believe I’m telling you this.”
“I believe in order to trust each other, we need to feel comfortable around each other. We need to get to know one another,” said Darian.
“From what I’ve heard, you are not a trusting individual either. What makes you think that this is even possible?” asked the Gor Li’ Khan.
“Because I have to believe that no being can be too far gone to change,” the Mage said quietly.
“Are you looking to change, Darian?” Prompted Kelindril.
“Maybe, maybe not. Either way, change is coming my way whether I want it to or not.”
“Meaning what, exactly?”
“I’m dying, Kelindril. A very slow, painful death. That is the reason that I go to see Morphindinaetlus. I need to know if he knows where the Morgonnate is. This book, I fear, is my only chance for survival. The Dark Magic eats me alive and consumes me bit by bit. Every day I am further from the man I was the day before. Soon, very soon, I will be lost to it completely. And when that happens, I will no longer be safe to be around.”
The elf couldn’t have been more astounded if Darian had punched him. He knew the Mage’s situation was serious, but he never thought it was this serious. If the Dark Magic was taking him over this quickly, could they even get to the book in time to save his life? Even if they managed to find it? What made him think the dragon would even talk to him again? The last time they met, Morphindinaetlus was bent on killing Darian. The assassin didn’t think his viewpoint had changed.
30
In the morning, Drago and Grymstone led them to the great stone door. The Mage remembered the last time they’d come through here. A great winter storm had raged outside, blocking the door for a week before they could break free. He hoped there would be no repeats. He needed to get to Morphindinaetlus quickly. He needed that damn book. Inside of him a war raged, terrifying and powerful. The darkness threatened to overpower him and he had to use all the training The Order had provided to control himself and remain conscious. His mood was dark this day and he missed Kyler and his easy conversation. Kyler provided a stability that, until now, the Mage had not even noticed.
Drago pulled open the door and the companions exited the dwarven fortress. Darian turned to speak quietly with the dwarves. “Give us about a fortnight there and back. It should not take too much longer than that. I will need to come back through here. Very likely, I will be exhausted and possibly injured…” Darian drifted off.
“Don’t ye worry, Darian. We’ll keep an eye out fer yer return, don’t ye doubt,” responded Grymstone.
“My thanks good dwarf. We must take our leave. Fare thee well and may your weapons smite yer enemies!” Darian intoned.
“May Delvishan guide yer steps n’ the Weave respond to yer call,” the dwarves responded.
It had been a very long time since Darian had heard those words. The Mages had kept themselves sealed up inside Piri-Tuma for too long. They needed to step outside and become involved with Corillia’s people once more. For too long, they’d been closed up with nothing more than their dusty books, spells and potions. That was something that Darian had every intention of changing. For a Mage to be effective, they needed a deep understanding of the world around them. Right now, all they knew was Mogan Dar.
He turned his back on the dwarven stronghold of Thunder Peak, for what he felt would be the last time. He looked to Kelindril and nodded that he was ready. It was an action that was not lost on any of the Gor Li’ Khan.
Kryndale’s expression soured visibly, but there was nothing he could do. He suspected that Darian was trying to get closer to Kelindril. Good luck, he thought. No one had been able to do that for a very long time. Kryndale didn’t understand how they had gotten to this place in time. He and Kelindril used to be close, had trusted each other much like Darian and Kyler did. That’s all in the past, thought Kryndale. He no longer trusts anyone but himself.
The sun’s brightness was deceiving because it certainly held no warmth. The chill breeze that hit them when they stepped out of the warm dwarven tunnels was enough to throw them into shock. They drew their fur lined cloaks about them tightly, trying in vain to seal in the last remnants of warmth.
They followed Darian’s lead as he seemed to know his way effortlessly. He’d obviously been here more than once. The way down the mountain was treacherous and slow going. The steep, jagged rocks were covered in ice. Rarely were they bare. He took them down a path he had found long ago. It was hard to find and not visible from afar.
The Gor Li’ Khan were used to harsh traveling conditions, so they were able to keep up with the Mage. He wasted no time getting down the mountain and did not break until it was just too dark to see. They were forced to build their shelters by a guarded light from the Mage. No sense in letting the dragon know they were here yet. The element of surprise would definitely work in their favor.
He just hoped there would be no repeat performances. Nephraete and Calisha were not here to help him this time. There was only one other mage with them, Loganthar. Darian did not think the elf would be able to save him if something went amiss. He missed Lorin’s ready smile and willingness to help no matter the danger. But the Gor Li’ Khan were better suited to the task at hand and more likely to escape unscathed. They would be his secret weapon.
He thought of Tynuviel and a terrible sadness filled him at her loss. Everything that they’d been through, only to end up here at this impasse. He ached to be with her. If only she would let him explain. Every time he was close to her… That’s it! He thought. They must have implanted the same ward within her as they did with every Mage. He became enraged at the very idea. No wonder why she couldn’t stomach the thought of being with him. He would have to let her know, if she’d let him. No matter, if I must, I will force her to listen to me, he vowed. She must know at any cost, she had to rid herself of it. He could not help her do it, it was her task and hers alone. His temper flared and he fought to control it. Save your anger, he told himself over and over like a litany against his savage temper.
It explained so much! When he took her to his tower, they came so close to making love. He felt sure if that magical ward had not been placed inside her, they would have. He’d had no intention of stopping himself. He clenched his fist as if it was wrapped around the Dark Mage’s neck, choking the life from him. He would pay dearly for this. Darian could handle himself and even expected violence because it was a way of life for a Mage of The Order. But for Tynuviel, she was an innocent. She never should have been subjected to the Mage’s tormented world. Darian would take from him what he treasured most.
“Darian, are you alright? You seem… upset. Can I get you anything?” asked Kelindril.
“They buried a ward deep inside her brain, Kelindril. That son of a bitch will pay for that!”
“A ward? What are you talking about, Mage?” asked the Gor Li’ Khan, confused.
“Each and every Mage has one buried deep inside their brain. This is what keeps us from falling in love. Keeps us in line. I know because I found one inside of me too. It took me some time, but I was able to break it and rid myself of it. Now she must do this too. The problem is, she won’t speak to me. I cannot tell her of it because she won’t see me. She has to know. Damn it!”
“Do you think that’s the reason she won’t see you?”
“In part, yes. Not the whole reason though. I’m sure even without the ward, she would be angry at the truths she had to hear. I’ve never seen her like that before, so angry. I could see it in her eyes, Kel. I knew I’d lost her. I just
don’t know if there’s a chance of going back. Not anymore.”
“You’re not going to give up, are you? That does not seem like you, Darian.”
“No offense, but how would you know? You don’t even know me.”
“Maybe not, but you are a Mage of The Order. A Mage of The Order does not give up. Will you pursue her?” Kelindril asked, unsure why it was so important to him. He barely knew the Mage, why should he care? There was just something about Darian, he felt drawn to him.
“I don’t know, Kel. I… Maybe I should let her go. She’s probably better off without me complicating her life.”
“You don’t really believe that. Do you?” asked Kelindril.
“I’m no longer sure what I believe, Kelindril.”
“But you still love her, don’t you? Otherwise, you would not be so upset.”
“Yes, I still love her, but I’m not sure that it is enough anymore. I’ve tried unsuccessfully to talk to her. When we return, I will try again. Maybe she just needs time to process.”
“You sure did not waste any time finding someone to share your bed,” Kelindril observed.
“I have needs, Kelindril. She was adamant about not seeing me anymore. What am I supposed to do, wait forever by myself? I think not.”
After the sun set, the temperature plummeted to well below freezing. The shelters they had built kept the worst of the wind off them, but the cold was biting. The fires they built were also sheltered from the wind and the eyes of the dragon.
Darian drifted off, his rest fitful at best. Kelindril did not give himself over to Ru Nay’ Sha. He stayed awake to keep an eye on the Mage, whose mood had become darker with every step they took.
Sometime during the night, Kelindril heard a faint noise outside the shelter he shared with Darian. He climbed out to take a look. He heard it again, faint, soft. Another would have dismissed it as nothing more than the wind. But he was a Gor Li’ Khan. He knew the sound for what it was, a predator. They were good, but he was better. He silently woke Nymdal, Gavil, and Floran.
They blended into their surroundings and disappeared from sight. Kelindril had no need to tell them what to do, they already knew. They were the best of the best. His unit had never made a mistake. The sound became louder as they drew near. There was not much cover to hide behind, the landscape was a barren tundra. They followed the tracks easily enough and from close inspection, they appeared to be inhuman. They did not look like any animal tracks they’d ever seen either. That left…
All at once, the creature rushed them. It was big, hairy and white so that it blended with the frozen landscape. It was all hard muscle and insanely powerful. Upon seeing that it’d been found out, the creature howled in anger and came at them in a rush. Gavil already had his blades drawn and was in attack mode. The big creature saw the elf and took a swipe at him with his huge appendage, but the agile elf ducked the fatal blow, coming up inside his defenses. Gavil’s keenly sharp blade sliced easily through muscle and bone. Hot blood sprayed in a wide arc. The beast moved to strike at the elf, but Gavil was already gone. He was fast. Floran used Gavil’s distraction to the fullest, materializing at the creature’s back to deliver the killing blow.
Twin elven daggers honed to perfection, carved through the beast. Its lifeblood poured freely from the ghastly wounds. It took a step toward Kelindril, but its legs would no longer support it and it collapsed heavily onto the frozen ground. Kelindril got behind it and wrenched its head back so he could slit its throat. The creature bled out fairly quickly and died within minutes.
Kelindril turned and found himself face to face with Darian. He could not tell if the Mage was upset or not.
He still had so much to learn. He had not even heard the Mage approach, so silent was he. Like death. His eyes were intense and the Gor Li’ Khan found it hard to maintain eye contact.
“Good work, my trust was not misplaced,” said Darian, as he turned and went back inside the shelter. Ru Nay’ Sha took hold of him quickly and he knew no more.
In the morning, the grisly death of the creature was plainly visible for all to see. Kryndale was abashed because he hadn’t been the first to hear the assailant. By the time he was aware of the intruder, it was already over. He hated to admit that Kelindril was damn good at what he did. Not a one of them had even been injured in the incursion.
Darian had risen before all of them. There was a fire already started and breakfast was cooking. Kelindril was never far from the Mage’s side. The copper streaks in his golden hair shimmered in the sun and his gold flecked, copper colored eyes shone with an intensity all their own.
Kryndale decided it was time to put the past in the past where it belonged. This had been allowed to go on for far too long. And he was sick to death of it. He approached Kelindril cautiously, he did not want to startle the volatile elf into action. “Good work last night, Kelindril. You dispatched that creature quickly before most of us were even aware,” Kryndale said sincerely. He really did admire Kelindril’s tenacity.
“That’s not surprising,” responded the elf.
“Look, I was hoping we could talk.”
“We have nothing to say,” Kelindril said tightly.
“I believe we do and I’m not leaving until it’s said.”
“Fine, if it’ll get you to leave quicker,” said Kelindril. Neither one had noticed that they were now alone, the others had moved way out of earshot, giving them the privacy they needed to say what needed to be said. This had been a long time coming. They both knew it, if they were being honest with themselves.
“Kelindril, you’re one of the best and I consider myself lucky to know you. What happened long ago… it’s done and over. It’s time we lay that to rest. We used to work well together and I believe we can once more.”
“I don’t think that is a possibility anymore Kryndale. You know it, I know it. We just don’t see eye to eye and we haven’t for a very long time.”
“I agree, but I also think it’s time for a change. We’re going to be traveling together for quite some time. It will be a lot easier on all of us if we could at least be civil. The last thing Darian needs right now is more complications. Don’t you agree?”
Kelindril stayed silent for a long time, digesting the words of a former friend. How had they let it get this bad? They used to be friends once. Could they ever be again? Kryndale was obviously really trying. It couldn’t have been easy to make the first move like that. He even spoke in their native tongue, knowing Kelindril’s preferences. Damn it! Though the others were out of earshot, they were openly watching the unfolding drama.
“I guess we would work better as a team that is united, instead of pushing and pulling everything apart.” Kelindril offered his hand in truce and Kryndale smiled and shook it warmly.
“This calls for a drink!” called Darian with a smile. This was the beginning of change for Kelindril. The Mage intended to see that the elf return to the way he was before he corrupted himself. Darian knew the deep feelings of guilt that the Gor Li’ Khan felt. He’d placed the blame firmly on his own shoulders. And after hearing his confession, the Mage was inclined to agree with his assessment. But enough was enough. He’d punished himself long enough and it was time to live again. And Darian thought he knew exactly how to make that happen.
They all shared a glass of Nykes
sa and the company’s spirits were high. At long last, they each felt the old tension slip away. The strain that was once readily apparent, was now dissipating like fog in the morning sun. Now
Darian would have the benefit of their collective knowledge.
They walked with the Mage, the others trailing behind. Kelindril noticed Darian stroking the Demon Stone more than once. He wondered if the Mage was even aware that he was doing it. The atmosphere here was too cold for the demon. He would never survive without a considerable amount of help from the Mage. The elf wondered if the Mage could somehow communicate with the demon through the Demon Stone.
While the sun was out, the temperature rose if only a little. But by nightfall, the temperature would once again plummet. They needed to find shelter before then. Last night was too hard on them. Darian regretted pushing them so hard, but his sense of urgency drove him to irrational behavior. That could and would get you killed in this frozen wasteland.
At least this time around, he didn’t have to put up with Shaz. The elves would not slow him down, they could keep up with him. His thoughts turned to Tynuviel. He had to find some way to speak to her. She needed to hear what he had to say. The fact that they’d put a ward inside her was incomprehensible. She would need to be strong to break its hold on her. He couldn’t do it because it would cause her great pain and could very well kill her. No. This was something she would have to do on her own.
They did not stop until it was time to set up camp for the night. Darian pushed them relentlessly and they responded. He could feel Sigorna stirring restlessly. He wanted to come through, but Darian held him in check. This was no place for him. The last time, the only reason the Falahari did not perish was because of Darian. If he had not been fast enough, the cold would have killed the demon. He was used to a place much warmer than here.
The Gor Li’ Khan set up the camp quickly, according to Darian’s specifications. They learned fast and their memories were sharp. Before long, they had supper heating over the fire, their soft voices drifting to where Darian stood alone.