by Wacht, Peter
Standing at the bow, Thomas and Kaylie had never seen such a sight. It was a city of domes with few, if any, straight lines or right angles. As the sun touched the horizon, all the domes appeared to glow as they reflected the last rays of the day’s light before it slowly disappeared.
“There’s a myth,” began Thomas. “Some believe that the city was created with magic, and because of this the domes glow with any touch of the light, even if there is nothing more to see by than the moon.”
“That seems quite fanciful.”
“It does,” replied Thomas, turning to Kaylie. “But the domes are important to those on the Distant Islands. If you’re a lord or a prosperous merchant, you must have a dome atop your home. The larger the dome, the more powerful or richer you are. So in a sense, the domes provide a sense of hierarchy for those living here in Afara. You can tell a person’s station by the size of or the materials used to construct their dome.”
“I’ve heard another story as well from Brienne,” said Oso, stepping up to the railing. Their ship’s captain had taken a liking to Oso, often asking him to come to the helm to speak with her. Although he did so out of nothing more than common courtesy, he knew that Aric and the other Marchers would use it against him for as long as possible. “There was once a ruler here, a caliph I think the title was, who had a harem of more than one hundred women.”
“That can’t be true,” objected Kaylie, bristling at the possibility.
“You’re right, Oso. The Caliph Nashir, supposedly with a harem as you said. Seven wives, the remaining women mistresses.”
“That sounds like it could be fun,” said Oso, smiling at the thought.
“I don’t know that Anara would share you willingly with sister wives,” said Thomas. “And I doubt that you’d want to risk it with those knives of hers. You’ll have a hard enough time explaining why Brienne sought the presence of your company so frequently.”
“True,” agreed Oso, ignoring Thomas’ last comment though it sent a jolt of nervousness through him. “But if she were my wife, she’d have to accede to my wishes. And if I wanted a harem, I would have one.”
Thomas knew that Oso was just having fun, and that if Anara were here, she’d stop the conversation immediately with a well-placed punch. But he decided to play along with Oso.
“Well, maybe if you asked her nicely beforehand and explained to her that she was your first wife, the most powerful, responsible for managing the household.”
“Yes, that’s the way to do it,” agreed Oso. “I’ll have to think on it.”
Kaylie had had enough of the conversation, muttering several curses under her breath as she stalked away. Why did men think that they were funny when they just acted the fool? Oso and Thomas smiled broadly. Clearly, the Princess of Fal Carrach had expanded her vocabulary during her time with the Marchers.
“Was it something I said?” asked Oso in mock consternation.
“Perhaps,” said Thomas. “Perhaps.”
30
Well Met
Having arrived in port, and happy to have missed the giant waves and rough weather so common to these waters at this time of year, Thomas and the Marchers bade farewell to Brienne, thanking her for the swift passage, though it took several minutes for Oso to disengage from the ship’s captain. Strangely, Cutter and the other sailors who had accosted Thomas and Kaylie on their first night aboard were nowhere to be found. Apparently, as Thomas suggested word had spread of the encounter and within just a few hours of the incident all three sailors had met with accidents that kept them to their hammocks for the remainder of the voyage. Brienne had explained that it was just a few broken bones and bruises. Nothing too serious. Ships could be dangerous places with slick decks and the vessel falling into unexpected troughs. The unwary fall all the time. Whether Brienne or the Marchers had decided to make a point, no one had said. No one really cared either.
“Shall we find an inn?” asked Oso, the sun slowly sinking in the western sky.
“No,” replied Thomas. The tug of the Key had become more demanding with each passing day as he drew nearer to the Distant Islands. The pull now was an ache in his gut, and much as when he had been called to the Pinnacle by the Sylvana, he knew with an absolute certainty where he needed to go to find the Key. “We’re close. I’d rather not delay if we can avoid it. Let’s head out of town to the north and make for the mountains.”
Before beginning this adventure, Thomas had spoken with Rynlin. His grandfather had given him instructions on how to find Ariel, the Sylvan Warrior charged with protecting the Distant Islands, and Colasa’s mother, just in case the incessant pull to the west brought Thomas and his Marchers to that island Kingdom. Ariel tended to avoid people in general and only came down into Afara when absolutely necessary.
Taking the main road that ran along the harbor, Thomas and the Marchers quickly made their way out of the quiet city as night fell. The stars began to blossom in the evening sky, giving them some light as they hiked up into the hills that surrounded the port city. They all noticed the difference in climate. It was warmer here, the heat of the day remaining even in the evening. The oppressive humidity made it feel like you were swimming rather than walking, and it wasn’t long before the Marchers felt its effects, their clothes sticking to their bodies thanks to a thin layer of sweat. The vegetation differed as well. The evergreens, conifers, maples and white oaks they were all accustomed to in the Highlands were nowhere to be found. The trees here grew to a decent height, though nothing could compare to the heart trees that dominated in their homeland. And, these trees were covered in massive palm fronds, which hid what appeared to be nuts or fruits as big as a person’s head.
They walked for another hour under the bright stars of the northern sky until they happened upon a woman standing in the middle of the road, one hand grasping a walking staff that towered above her. Her grey hair appeared silver in the moonlight, and by the glints coming off the steel situated at various parts of her body, she was heavily armed. Kaylie focused on her necklace, the familiar silver amulet with the twisting spiral of a unicorn’s horn marking her as a Sylvan Warrior.
“Thomas, Raptor of the Highlands,” said the woman, her voice having a soft, pleasing, lilting quality.
“Well met, Ariel. It has been a long time. You are well?”
“I am. Well met, Raptor.” The woman stepped forward, the many steel knives at her belt, larger ones on each hip, and the several tucked into her boots and on her forearms, readily apparent. “I’m sorry that I could not be at the Circle. No offense was intended.”
“None was taken, Ariel.”
Ariel nodded, pleased by Thomas’ response. “Come. I have a camp ready.”
Ariel walked off the road in between the trees, Thomas and the others following by the light of the moon.
“Every time we meet someone on the road, Thomas knows them, or they know him,” muttered Kaylie. Oso could only shake his head ruefully, noting the truth of her words as they stepped off the road and followed Ariel among the trees.
After the Marchers settled into the camp the Sylvan Warrior had prepared, they set to work cooking a stew with the vegetables that they had purchased in Afara, among other supplies. Kaylie, relaxing into the camaraderie of the Marchers, took the lead for that night’s meal, enjoying her newfound status within the party.
“How are you, Thomas? You look tired, and not just because of your journey.” Seeing that everyone was occupied, Thomas had pulled Ariel aside to talk.
Thomas smiled. “Is it that obvious?”
“Maybe not to all, but to those who knew you when you were a child, it is easy to see. You were always a serious child, that was clear, but there’s more to it now. An added weight. A greater burden.”
“Yes, it’s not like when Colasa and I used to play together when you visited Rynlin and Rya.”
“I expect not. And how is my daughter?”
“If everything went as planned, she’s likely the Queen of Inishmore now.�
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Ariel nodded, her pride clear. But she didn’t appear surprised. “I expected that she would achieve that goal. It was necessary, considering who secretly supported Eshel. If that treacherous blowhard had gained control of the Kingdom, it boded ill for the Distant Islands as well.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about in that regard.”
“Eshel is no longer a threat?”
“Eshel is no longer with us,” confirmed Thomas. “He won’t be bothering anyone ever again.”
Ariel turned her stern gaze to Thomas. “You helped with this?”
“I had no choice,” replied Thomas. “Eshel had formed an alliance with Corelia Tessaril. They put at risk the reason that I am here.”
Ariel took a moment to take in Thomas’ explanation. “That’s something I didn’t know. I’m glad you put a stop to it.”
Thomas shrugged. “As I said, it was necessary. When we arrived in Laurag, we fell into the middle of their plans. With Eshel gone, it cleared the way for Colasa.”
“Fortuitous, then. And a good thing in the end. If Colasa can create some stability in Inishmore, that will help with what’s to come.”
“Rynlin told you why I’m here,” stated Thomas, having expected as much.
“He did. Though I have to admit that I know even less about what you seek than you do. I have been here for centuries, but I have no idea where to start looking. I can’t feel it.”
“No need to worry about that,” replied Thomas. “I should be able to find it.”
“Good, but you need to be careful, Thomas. As I said, I don’t know much about what you seek, but I’m told that hidden danger lurks with it.”
“What have you heard?”
“I don’t know for sure,” said Ariel. “It may be more fiction than fact, as this is just from ancient tales, stories that may have only a hint of truth left in them. But these stories suggest that something protects what you seek. Something deadly. Something that I can’t sense despite these islands being my responsibility as a Sylvan Warrior.”
Thomas shook his head in resignation, grinning slightly. After all that had happened so far on their journey, why should this next task be any different than the others? None of this had been easy. He simply had to continue to move from one challenge to the next.
“I expected as much, Ariel. I’ll be as careful as I can.”
“Good, I know you will. Just remember, there are many relying on you, many who don’t know truly what’s at stake.”
Thomas nodded, trying to push the additional stress to the side. He could only deal with so much at once.
Ariel looked over to where the Marchers sat and talked. “She’s a beautiful young lady,” said Ariel, a smile creasing her lips.
“She is, indeed,” Thomas agreed, watching Kaylie direct the Marchers as they helped prepare that night’s meal.
“I’ll go help her. It will be good to know more of the Princess of Fal Carrach.” Recognizing the tension building in Thomas, Ariel gave his arm a squeeze in sympathy as she walked off toward the cookpot. She had sensed that he needed some time to himself. Appreciating the opportunity, Thomas disappeared among the palm trees and other plants so different from what he knew in the Highlands. He trailed his fingers along the stalks of a few, enjoying the different texture of the leaves.
As he walked into the forest, he extended his senses. The pull of the Key almost overpowered him. It was close. But Ariel had been right. Because he was so near to the Key, he could also sense some power surrounding it. What that power was he didn’t know, getting no feel for whether it was there to harm or to protect. Shaking his head in frustration, he released his hold on the Talent and turned his thoughts to other matters.
Finding the Key was essential. But it held a deeper meaning, including a certainty that frightened him. Once he completed this mission, it would bring him that much closer to fighting the Shadow Lord. Perhaps that much closer to his own death, in the opinion of most who had any knowledge of the prophecies.
Since he was a boy, he knew what he had to do. You must do what you must do, as Rya liked to say. Because of that, he never really worried about dying. It wasn’t something that appealed to him. But deep down he understood that it was a very real consequence of the path that he walked. That it could prove necessary, essential, in fact, if he were to succeed. He had come to accept that fact grudgingly, even if he didn’t like it.
But now he wavered. Perhaps it came from his growing maturity, understanding what was really at risk, at what he might lose. He didn’t want to die. Kaylie had changed his perspective, giving him something he had never thought that he could have. He was certain in his feelings for her, but he was afraid to tell her, in part because of his likely fate. Continuing to get close to her now would only make things more difficult for her in the future. As he wandered among the trees he struggled with his dilemma. Yet instead of finding the peace that normally graced his time in nature, he found only more questions with no good answers. More problems for which there were no good solutions.
31
Dark Magic
Night had fallen and Kaylie watched for Thomas to return. Kaylie worried about him, but she knew that he carried some burdens that she couldn’t ease. She sat beside Ariel on a log the Marchers had pulled up, enjoying the stew that she had taken the lead in making, though she had left the bulk of the work to Oso. Kaylie thought that Anara would be quite pleased to learn when he returned to the Highlands that his cooking skills had improved, so long as he suppressed his urge to experiment.
“Tell me, child. Have you been called to the Circle yet?”
“Your daughter Colasa asked me much the same,” replied Kaylie.
“Yes, I expect that she would. Sensing the Talent is one of her skills.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. But at the strangest times my mind wanders, and I feel like I’m looking down on a circle of stone monoliths, the largest in the very center. It’s most vivid when I’m asleep and dreaming.”
“That is one of the signs, child. You see Athala’s Forge, the peak of the tallest mountain in the Highlands. You will be called soon. Do you feel ready?”
“Not yet,” replied Kaylie. “I haven’t had as much instruction as I would like. Rya has been teaching me, as she could, Thomas as well, but there is so much more that I need to learn.”
“Don’t fret over it,” said the Sylvan Warrior. “No one is ever ready when they are called. You are strong in the Talent. Very strong. You will join our ranks soon. Of that I have no doubt.”
“It frightens me, to be honest,” admitted Kaylie, scraping the bottom of her empty bowl with her spoon nervously. “Thomas told me some of what he had to go through to become a Sylvan Warrior.”
“Your worry is wasted, child. The experience is different for each Sylvan Warrior. As I said, you are strong, and not just in the Talent. When you are called you will do well.”
Ariel said the last with such certainty that Kaylie’s fears dissolved, and her pride swelled. The Sylvan Warrior’s words heartened her and gave her hope for what would be required of her in the future. Kaylie decided to shift the topic of conversation, hoping that Ariel would know more about what they were seeking since Thomas believed that it was located here.
“Thomas explained a bit about why we came here. About what dangers the Kingdoms face from the Shadow Lord. But he wasn’t specific.”
“It’s hard to be specific,” said Ariel. “Rynlin said that Thomas was here in search of the Key. Thomas likely told you that as well.”
Kaylie nodded that he had.
“The problem is that no one really knows what the Key of the prophecy is. An actual key? Something else? The details have been lost to history.”
“In fact, no one’s really sure where the Shadow Lord came from,” continued Ariel. “He’s also known as Lighteater, Lord of the Dark, Lord of the Night … there are many names. It just depends on the Kingdom and its stories. Some say that he is a former member of the Sylvan
a who turned to evil, others say that he is a long dead king who found a book of Dark Magic that corrupted him over time. In actuality, when man first began to use the Talent, what others have often called magic, there were some who used it for their own purposes. For evil purposes. The Talent is a part of the natural world, from which all magic comes. Once it is used, it eventually returns to nature.”
“Then the power that the Shadow Lord wields is similar to what a Sylvan Warrior, what I, use?”
“In short, yes. Clearly you have spoken with Rya about this already. But Dark Magic is twisted from its original purpose. It has no place in the natural world, so can’t return to it. Over time, the more Dark Magic was used, the more it took on a life of its own. Some say this Dark Magic grew so strong and so profligate because of the desires and demands of weak men and women that the magic itself became the Shadow Lord. The Dark Magic took on a life of its own. As a result, even though the Shadow Lord can take on a human body, it is very much an inhuman thing.”
“If that’s true, then how do you fight something like that?” asked Kaylie, her fear for Thomas increasing.
“With skill. With will. With courage. There is so much that’s needed. But first Thomas must find the Key. He can’t get into Blackstone undetected without it, as that dreaded place is protected by an ancient Dark Magic. If he doesn’t have the Key, its defenses will kill him.”
“So all we can do is hope that he finds the Key, and by doing so puts himself in the position to fight against an evil that has been defeated but never destroyed.”
“Yes, an unfortunate twist of fate, is it not?” Ariel patted Kaylie on the knee, recognizing the difficult situation in which the Princess of Fal Carrach found herself enmeshed. “But we can help Thomas when help is needed. You said Rya was instructing you in the Talent. As I said, I can sense your strength. Before Thomas returns shall I show you a new skill in the Talent that might be of use?”