by A R Maloney
I descended the stairs and passed through the grand doors of the large home. Torres was outside tending the flowers lining the front walk. He waved to me, “Good morning, Skye!” He called out. “How did you sleep?” The early morning sun was coming up over the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and gold. The light of the dawn was shining onto his face as he greeted me.
“I slept well as possible, Torres. Thank you so much for opening your home to me. It means everything. You are too kind, and I only hope I can someday repay you.” I responded as I approached him.
Torres stood and clapped the dirt from his hands. “The one thing that brings peace to my mind,” he gestured towards his garden, “is tending my plants.” He let loose a huge sigh. “It was hard for me…spending so much energy fighting all the time, year after year. It seemed all my world consisted of, was based on who and what I would be destroying next. For so long I was filled…with anger…hatred….” I watched Torres as he spoke, the honesty and conviction in his voice held my attention. “I came to a point, like many of us it seems, where I had to decide to let my rage consume me or channel my energies in a different direction.” He flashed his jack-o-lantern smile at me. “Now, I garden. I’ve even given up teaching for the most part. Occasionally I will help a new sentinel with offensive spells, but I do try to avoid harming others or teaching destruction, for to do so would surely destroy me eventually.”
Torres looked up the colorful row of flowers, herbs, and vegetables, grinning with satisfaction. I cupped a red rose in the palm of my hand and leaned down to inhale its scent. “They are very beautiful.” I said quietly.
Torres nodded and turned to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Skye, you will find that many people will come in and out of your life. You are a sentinel. Your life has the opportunity to become very, very long, lifetimes longer than many you will meet. Make the most of it!”
“Thank you, Torres.” I’m not sure how he did it, perhaps it was a spell I didn’t see coming, or maybe it was just Torres himself, but a sense of calm came over me that I hadn’t felt for several days. I smiled at the old magus. “I appreciate your hospitality.” I said. “I will be leaving soon. Could you pass on my thanks to the others, especially Niera? She will worry, and she may be mad that I’m leaving like this, but I need to go alone. If she sees me taking off, she will surely follow.” I looked away, impatient to move out before anyone else woke.
Torres looked at me for many moments before speaking. “I would be happy to do that, but don’t leave just yet. I have had some food packed for you and I’ve got something else you will be wanting.” He motioned for me to come with him. “Follow me.” He led me across the yard to an outbuilding. He pushed the heavy wooden door open and we entered the dimly lit room. “This is my workplace.” Many tools hung over the walls. There were sturdy benches and tables filled with charts, scrolls and designs. He slid open a drawer and pulled out an envelope, his eyes falling to the heavy writing on the front. “We found this.” He said. “I believe it’s meant to be yours.” His hand was shaking lightly as he passed the envelope to me.
My breath caught in my throat as I realized it was from Cooper. Torres must have been there…at my home at some point after.... Torres looked at me and said, “Take all the time you need.” He gave me a compassionate pat on the shoulder.
I held the letter, letting a finger glide back and forth over the seal while I stared at the place where my name had been carefully written. “Thank you, Torres.” I whispered. “I think I will read it later.” I slipped the letter into a fold in my tunic. We exited the building and were met by a boy who worked in the large house. He handed me a bag of dried food for travel. I thanked him and made room in my pouch for the extra provisions. I took a step back and looked at Torres. “Thanks again.” I said, bowing my head to him. “Thank you for everything.”
Torres gave me one of his wide, toothy, pumpkin smiles and pulled me to him, hugging me tight. “You will always find an ally here, no matter what may follow on your heels. Be well and strong of heart, Skye.”
I returned the farewell, smiling as best I could and waved goodbye before whispering the spell which would return me to my home in DuPage. A bright glowing ball of light surrounded me, and in a flash, I was gone.
Moments later I appeared in DuPage Fortress. I made my way to where I would depart. A petite sentinel, Sonorim, awaited me there. She looked like a child; I hadn't seen one so young who had ascended. Her skin was smooth, fair and freckled. Her arms and legs were long and gangly much like a child, but light grey eyes shone deep with a wisdom that comes from many years of life experience. I spoke quietly to her, “General Eno sent me to you.”
She tilted her head, appraising me for a moment, and then nodded. “Sure, I’ll get you to your spot in a jiffy! Are you ready?”
I nodded. “Yes. Send me now, please.” I didn’t want to leave myself any chance to change my mind.
The petite teleporter got quiet and her eyebrows came together tightly as she concentrated on the words to the spell which would transport me to Ustenia. The world once again became a bright hazy flash of light around me as I disappeared.
Chapter 13—Morland
AAAAAH!!! THE COLD! THE cold was the first thing I felt. The wind was the next. I shuddered involuntarily and fell to my hands and knees in the snow, still unable to even see straight. As the world around me began to come into focus I began to realize where I was. I looked around me. I found myself resting on a narrow perch high above what I could only believe to be Morland’s capitol city. My eyes searched the landscape, looking for landmarks from Eno’s map. After a few minutes I was able to locate the path which would lead me out of the frozen canyon. I would wait for the cover of darkness to make my escape past the patrols and garrison below. I whispered a spell, carving out a small den into the snowpack on the side of the cliffs face. I climbed into the deep hole, away from the biting wind and safe from the eyes of the enemy.
It was still barely morning, so I decided to sleep and try to adjust to the frigid cold. I managed to nap on and off throughout the day. My skin had adjusted to the temperature inside my small cave. Outside the wind continued to howl angrily through the mountaintops. I wondered how anyone could live in such an inhospitable place. Eventually I pulled the envelope from my tunic and slid the letter out. My hands shook as I began to read.
My Skye,
It has never been more difficult to return to the badlands than it was today. I’ve rejoined my company at Dusk Fortress, where we are currently stationed. While I always enjoy the time spent with my brothers and sisters in arms, I find that I am missing you more than ever. You are like air to me, together we are natural, like breathing. I am always left unsatisfied when we are apart. The air doesn’t fill my lungs. The drink doesn’t quench my thirst. The food doesn’t fill my stomach. When I close my eyes, I only see you. I can feel you when I sleep. When I wake again, there is a void that stretches farther than the expanse of the badlands. Soon we will be together, never parted. I meet with Droghel tonight to secure my transfer. Know that I love you and we will be together soon.
All my love,
Cooper
My cheeks were wet with tears again by the time I finished reading. I clasped my hands together, turning the silver ring Cooper had given me in circles around my finger. A mix of both sorrow and anger broke me down again, and I sobbed in the snow cave high on the cliffs of Morland until sleep claimed me once more.
The dim Ustenian sun moved far across the sky and dusk approached. I rubbed the salt from my eyes and found my water skin. I raised it to my lips, feeling the coolness of the water as it ran down my throat. Ugh, my head hurts! I said to myself quietly. I held the palm of my hand on the snowy wall beside me and whispered a spell. Heat generated in my palm, allowing a trickle of water to seep down the wall, into my waiting waterskin. I hadn't taken into consideration the additional energy expense the cold would put on my body and found myself feeling chilled to the co
re. I stifled a shiver and pulled my company cloak around me before reaching into my pouch for a few strips of jerky and a handful of nuts. Then I lay down to rest again, waiting for night to arrive.
Cooper didn’t visit me in my sleep. Was I too tired to dream? Maybe he wasn’t able to follow me here. Maybe he did return to the skies after all. I frowned, unhappy with myself for my greed. I wanted him to be here. Now. In any way that he could be. No, my heart knew better. I loved him enough to wait for the gods to return him to me if that was their will. I chided myself for letting my thoughts wander. I needed to pull myself together or I would find myself returned to the sky as well. The thought was mildly appealing. I allowed myself a few moments to think about it. Would death really be painful? Would I smile and welcome it? I could end things easily enough…maybe…. I imagined myself opening my wings and gliding through the air. I could just ride the air currents, rising and falling lazily as I circled the ice cloaked fortress of the capitol city of Morland. I envisioned myself drawing nearer the buildings below. I could land in the center of the city; perhaps face up, my eyes raised to the heavens with a smile on my face as my arms were spread wide in sacrifice. I imagined my death would be swift, I could allow myself to be cut down by the guards or maybe even another sentinel. A smile crossed my lips as I imagined lying dead. Maybe my spirit wouldn’t find a way to return to this life.
I shook my head, enough of this. I had to survive for Niera, for my company. I needed to deliver the messages for Espencheid, and for Eno. My hand found my pouch, I needed to find Mera. I would do these things at least. I stood looking out over the cliffs, down into the frozen canyon below. Torches lit the fortress, casting long shadows into corners and along the far sides of buildings. I could make out the garrison standing patrol; I was unsure whether they were mortal or sentinel. It was quiet. Even the wind had calmed itself, no longer an icy howl, now a chilly whisper. The night sky was clear. Stars above glittered brilliantly, shining like a million diamonds in the darkness of the sky and reflecting off the ice and snow. I could smell snow in the air, but the only hint of an upcoming storm was the thick hazy ring around the moon which reflected its dim light back onto this broken land. The rain or snow wouldn’t come tonight, but definitely in the next three days. I needed to stay on task. I did not want to get caught in a storm.
I opened my pouch, checking for Espencheid's tear and the small satchel for Nabaru. I also found the letter General Eno had given me to be delivered to the one known as Mera. I then pulled out a small scroll, holding it open in my palms as I stood deep in the back of the snow cave. I spoke the incantation which would help shadow me from sight. I approached the edge of the cliff. “Gods guide me.” The words left my mouth, blown away by the cold breeze before even reaching my ears. I leapt from the cliff and opened my long alabaster wings. I glided to the right, following the edges of the cliffs and hills where I could. Staying close to the sides of the snow-covered cliff tops, heading toward the path that would lead me away from the fortress.
I passed over the heads of the garrison, unnoticed, thankful they weren’t looking upwards. Surely my light wings would shine in the light of the moon as well tonight, despite the spell I’d cast. I landed gently on my feet and pulled my wings back in. Quickly I made my way to the cover of a thicket of trees off the edge of the path. Opening my pouch, I reached in removed a dark hooded cloak which had been scavenged at some point from the body of a raven magus. I wrapped it around me, covering myself as best as I could. Next, I pulled out a scroll. Reciting the incantation on the scroll caused me to feel lighter and my movement speed increased slightly. I placed the potions into the folds of my tunic. I could get to them quickly if trouble found me. I took a deep breath and began running down the worn path as silently as possible, making my way towards where I was to find Mera.
The night was dark and cold. Clouds began to form overhead, occasionally blocking out the moon. I was grateful for the extra cover it provided. I could hear the howls of wolves on the hunt in the distance and the warbles of coyotes, they would all be eating well tonight from the sound of it. Suddenly I felt the stringy pull of a root tug at my foot, causing me to stumble. I fell forward, unable to slow my momentum and my hands hit the frozen ground with a hard thud. I gasped, not expecting what followed. My leg! “Agh!” I groaned in pain as my muscles stretched further than intended. My leg felt like a thousand-pound weight had been attached. My foot was trapped. I had let myself be distracted. I hadn't been careful enough.
I pushed up from the ground, doing my best to stand immediately, my eyes searching the darkness for the cause. I turned at the sound of an arrow being let loose from its bow. It sailed through the air, striking my right flank with a loud “THWACK!” before I could raise a shield. A scream tore from my throat as I found myself facing the ranger. His eyes glared at me in the blackness, glowing crimson with fiery fury. I began whispering spells, words falling from my lips at a furious rate. A glassy shield formed around me and the ranger’s eyes closed as he was forced to sleep against his will. The sleep spell is handy, but usually only lasts a few short moments.
Rangers are excellent trackers. I needed to make sure he wouldn’t follow. A series of spells flew from my mouth as I whispered one incantation after another. “Ignis atras!” Ignis fortis!” Red hot glowing balls of molten flame grew in my palms and flew from my hands. He screamed in agony as the fireballs hit him, the skin and hair on his face, head, and neck charring deep black. “Captim atras!” My next spell lifted him high into the air, twisting his limbs back behind him in held together by the power of my magic. “Ignis mort!” He moaned in anguish as another ball of flame hit him hard in the chest, dropping him to the snow packed trail. He lay on the ground, motionless, not breathing, dead.
I waited at the corpse for a few moments thinking I could hide the body. The stench of burnt flesh and hair hung heavy in the air. I knew I could do nothing about the smell, even if I pulled a breeze in, it would blow away, drifting on the air currents and eventually towards someone who would quickly investigate. I looked impatiently up and down the trail for a few moments thinking someone else may come soon. I pulled his body into the snow drifts at the side of the trail and buried him as quickly as I could. I used my cloak to smooth over any sign of disruption to the side of the trail and whispered a spell to increase the depth of the snow which buried the enemy corpse. I stepped back to check my work and breathed a brief sigh of relief, “He won't be found for some time.” I said to myself quietly.
I had to move on quickly, the ranger would be missed, and others would surely be coming soon in search of me now. I noticed the ground stained red with my blood. I didn’t have the energy to keep covering my bloody tracks, and I am not a healer. It would continue bleeding until dealt with. This would alert others to my presence without any doubt. I sucked in my breath as I grasped the shaft of the arrow which was still embedded in my side. I took a deep breath and pulled it out, moaning with pain as the shaft of the arrow slid from my side. More blood gushed from the wound. I tore a length of cloth from my cloak and stuffed it into both sides of the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. Then I pulled a potion from my tunic and opened the stopper at the top. I raised the vial to my lips and poured the thick liquid into my mouth, cringing at the bitter taste. It burned as it slid down my throat to my stomach. A warm feeling spread through me and immediately I felt a bit stronger again.
I continued down the path, staying alert for other troubles. I moved silently, though slowed from my wound. I could feel the blood still seeping through my fine blue tunic. I pulled my belt up over the wound and cinched it tighter, hoping to slow the loss of blood. The sound of running water before me caused me to stop for a moment. I bent down at the stream, taking long drinks of the cool water, very grateful that I was able to recognize another landmark from the map. A wave of dizziness came over me as I stood. I was nearing Mera’s homestead, I needed to make it there. I took another moment to drink another potion, shaking my head hard a
t the bitter aftertaste.
The path grew steep, winding along the edges of cliffs which looked out high over the valley below. I sighed gratefully as the snow and ice was replaced by thick patches of green brush and tall conifers. I was hit by a wave of nausea and dizziness as I became weaker from my wound. I turned off the trail, staggering, grasping tree trunk after tree trunk. “Gods, give me strength.” I whispered. Then I vomited. The arrow had been poisoned, there was no other reason for the additional symptoms. I managed to make my way into the back of a grove of trees, next to the face of a cliff. My head pounded from the blood loss, I felt detached from everything. I slid down along the cold rock until I was sitting. I had to rest. I pulled several broken pine branches up over me, mixing in fallen leaves and needles from the trees. Hopefully I would not be noticed by anyone, or any animal. When I was sure I was covered sufficiently I drank one more potion and lay down, closing my eyes and praying I would wake again.
Chapter 14—Mera
THICK FOG ENVELOPED THE ridges, covering the land like a heavy blanket. I could hear the calls and footfalls of small animals scurrying through the underbrush. Birds whistled and chirped overhead. My eyes fluttered open and I spent several moments waiting for my vision to adjust.
I sat up straight with a moan as the pain in my side exploded again, sending pain shooting through my side. How I wished Niera was here now!
I loosened the ties on my tunic, gingerly pulling the crusted and blood-stained cloth aside so I could get a better look at the wound. I squinted my eyes and pursed my lips, holding back any sound as I bent to assess the skin. The wound was deep and meaty red, the skin surrounding it was hot and angry. Blood still seeped out of the hole along with a bit of thick greenish pus. It ran slowly down my side.