I give a growl and my temper brings out the dragon scales on my arm. The dragon sighs and blows his breath on to them, calming them and sending them back to the underside of the skin. I really could use that breath in a bottle when my scales act up. He won’t be around forever and I have yet to learn how to keep them from reacting. He said I might not be able to because a dragon’s scales automatically turn into a hardened, armor-like substance when they are angry or fearing something… something I can’t imagine happening very often. At least, not the fear part.
Elainne
I walk in, hands up and trying to be passive.
"I do not want to hurt anyone. I just came for Viktor's grandfather. Is he alive?"
"Back, you beastly bitch!"
Well, that is uncalled for. Still, they look to be in mortal fear. "I am alone and I will not hurt you."
"You will just call your dragon to do it."
"I didn’t call him; he came on his own when he sensed that you were killing us for no reason. The fire was not my fault. I tried to tell you. So did Viktor and his grandfather. Why couldn’t you just listen? I came to make a treaty; when you hurt us, the dragon…"
I can’t finish. I can see the destruction wrought. Every building but the community hall is burnt down. No more flowers or trees grow here. Even the water is not the clear blue that it had been before. It looks muddy and undrinkable. I know this is a spell, which he mostly cast as punishment, and as his… I am not sure what the one who has the familiar is called… owner, or whatever, I can revoke it. However, I have to do more than that. So once again, I sit. I sit and pull from outside of the area and dig deep until I find the stone - far down in the earth - which the dragon has cursed to keep the mages suffering. I smash it and the earth almost sighs in relief.
I go a step further. I have to show them that I am here to help. I picture the Elvin lands in the autumn. Full harvest, dark green, golden brown, and splashes of flowers everywhere. I move the image from my mind and pour magic into it, making it real. I find every stone with a magical property in the ground and charge them with magic to make this land fertile. For as long as the stones are in the ground the land will be fertile.
I lean back, letting myself lie in the dark grass. The mages have an opening, but they are too busy getting water and gathering food from trees. I bet the fields will be stripped bare later. It looks like they have been slowly starving.
"My grandson sure picked a kind woman to follow."
I open my eyes, smiling. He is alive.
Viktor
The dragon is gone again, so I go through the physical exercises that he has me doing. I have to be prepared when Elainne comes back. I have to be ready to do whatever it is she needs. I still don’t like her being out on her own. She found a safe spot and sent her message - though it would have been safer to do here - so she should be coming back. She said a few days and it has been a couple of weeks.
When the cranky one returns, he seems both upset and at peace.
"Elainne has righted a wrong I have committed. I am ashamed I lost myself to anger. She will be a very kind ruler."
What does his trance have to do with Elainne? Is it her using powerful magic and him sensing it? He’d been so happy and at peace the first time. I had as well when she sent her messages. These last few times have not been like that. He has been unresponsive and powerful. Not two things that I ever expected to go together.
"What wrong did you commit?"
"I cursed the mage lands when I rescued you two. She has broken their barrier, and instead of scolding them for their aggressive actions, she has saved them. It seems even I have much to learn from her."
"Why is she with the mages? I thought she was coming home after sending the messages?"
"This is not home for Elainne. She is where she is supposed to be; as are you."
That doesn’t sound safe. "You saw us when you grabbed us, how can you say she is safe?"
"Because she is protected. Her power has been unlocked and she will never again be helpless."
What the hell does that mean? I am going to ask but he indicates water and rest, so I do as I am told. Elainne will want me to listen to the giant turkey. Once she is home, that will be over.
Elainne
"I am glad to see you safe, grandpa." He is not my grandpa, but it is a sentiment I know Viktor would express if he were here… and any good at expressing emotion.
"Did I miss the wedding then? And a few other things, I see… when I look very deeply."
"You can see my aura then."
"A few of us can. We are long-lived; you pick up a few tricks here and there."
"I see. I didn’t come to cause a panic. I wanted to make peace. To right the wrongs my… the dragon did. I swear I didn’t know he had done anything until I arrived."
"And he was not your familiar yet."
I shake my head. No hiding the truth then. "No, he was not. He saved us of his own accord. He said I had a destiny; I was tied to the world and its magic; he could not let me die."
"You come for the alliance you wanted before?"
I nod. "Sort of. Now I want a couple of mages with me at court. They can swap, come and go, or you all can discuss a schedule, but I want a constant presence and in return, all will be welcome in the kingdom."
"You will protect us if we protect you?"
"Yes."
He looks me over. He looks worse for wear. I grab his hand and use my power to heal. His outside and his inside. He slumps over, as his body relaxes and breathes out a sigh of relief, I bet he didn’t even know he was holding in.
"I will do everyone. If they will let me."
"You do not need our protection."
"You will not be protecting me per se. I have Viktor for that, and as you said, I am not helpless anymore. But I do need my father to get the message that I am not him, I am human and Elf and tied to an elemental creature; one connected to the world's magic in a way that none of us understand anymore. I will not be used as his pawn. I will not be just an elf. I will be a safe haven… for everyone."
He nods.
"If your aunt and uncle do not agree?"
"The dragon owns some very fertile land. I don’t think he would mind some houseguests. You cannot stay here forever. You know that. The spell will last awhile, but after that nasty spell you put up, my aunt will be out for blood. It was not right. What you all did. I understand it was for survival. A cornered animal is the most dangerous. Nevertheless, it cannot happen again. Even if this is no man's land, no ruler will let it sit on their border with people turning up magically sliced into pieces."
He turns his head away from the sky and towards me. He looks older. Older and so much more exhausted. I grab his hand again and send some energy his way. I have some to spare and he needs it.
"You are too kind. Will it be this way for everyone?"
"Over time, yes. I have spelled the food to heal. It would still be better if I could do it all at once now. Those that are closer to death will not have the time that the spell takes."
He rises and looks toward where the village once was.
"I will gather everyone to speak tonight. Tomorrow we will debate and give you an answer by nightfall. Until then, wander as you will. We cannot stop you even should we wish to this time."
He walks off. Well, that hadn't gone exactly as planned but it is a better reception than I dared hope for. No one tried to magically murder me. I hadn't even felt the hint of a spell. They are too afraid to even try. Have I really become such a monster?
Chapter Nine
I can’t let my question haunt me. I have work to do. Those that are able-bodied are gathering jugs of water and food. I am guessing that the patients will not be well looked after. The best thing the caretakers can do is get fresh water for hydration and healing potions, plus fresh food and herbs for the same. I can save them the worry and hassle.
I cloak myself in the 'do not notice me' spell again and go from bed to bed, healing
the worst first and moving on as fast as I can. I do not infuse them with energy. So much damage, even with accelerated healing, leaves the body worse for wear. They need rest. That and the fresh food and water that is coming will be the best things for them. The energy spell is only for those not severely injured, or those - like grandpa – who I know I can’t stop and rest.
I hurry out, infusing energy into the healer who is so worn out that he is not even able to leave his nightmares to wake for his patients. As he stretches and wakes, I sneak back to the spot in the field where I had lain before. I have not slept much lately and using so many spells tires me. I put up a protection and barrier spell - I can do a multiple purpose spell, which shocks me to no end - and lay down to sleep.
Viktor
"Why isn't Elainne back? If she can teleport it shouldn’t take that long to travel."
"She is gathering allies. She walks a tough road; she will need many and from many different walks of life."
"When will she return?"
"When she has accomplished her goal."
"You know what she is doing, so why will you not tell me? I cannot use my bond anymore because of you, so you need to tell me what to do for her! How is she? Is she hurt? Did the mages hurt her?"
"They are certainly no match for her and she is not hurt. She is overtired from using so much magic to save those left from my attack, but she is safe."
He is trying to kill me with vagueness. I am positive.
"Why can you not go into more detail?"
"Because I have not spoken to her outright. I have only received impressions and summaries. If she or I cast a communication spell we could communicate, but it wouldn’t matter, you would not hear or see her image as I would. I will know if something is wrong and get to her if need be. You are here to focus on yourself and your new reality. She is your charge, but there will be times you have to do what's best for her kingdom rather than her; at her own command, you could be separated for a long time. You have to keep the mission in mind."
He could have talked to her. He has killed my Kemp ability, but he can see and hear her with a communication spell… I will kill him.
"Why haven't you checked on her? Maybe you can't sense everything this far away."
He rolls his eyes and roars. He is nose-to-nose with me, smoke pouring out of his mouth. He wants to kill me. I can see it in his eyes.
"You are a warrior. Turn off your worry and frustration, and use it to fuel your determination. You should be strong, a pillar for her when she cannot stand-alone. A supporter when she has none. Instead, she is supporting you. When you started this journey with her, you were strong, steadfast and reliable. Along the way, your worry for her overpowered your ability to help her. Now you are a mess. A puddle of nerves. Your Kemp bond has twisted into something pathetic. You will be less than useless to her in this condition. Go. Go, find the warrior within, and do not come back until you do."
He takes a deep breath and blows. There is magic in it. It blows me miles away. I slam into a tree and slip into unconsciousness. I am so going to kill that turkey one day.
Elainne
I awake to a feast. The mages are obviously over my being here. They are all in one place with open fires roaring, cooking animals and vegetables, and chopping up fruit. I don’t think the animals will have time to realize that this place is so plentiful and get here. Maybe they still have the power to confuse an animal here or magically teleport them. I wouldn't have thought so though, with so much magic put into the barrier I smashed. However, I am not exactly privy to their knowledge and power, so it is hard to tell.
"You have woken. Come with me."
I rise and follow a very old, very powerful mage. He is not really more powerful than the others are, as they, all have the same levels, but he is cloaked in wisdom. Having power is one thing. Knowing how and when to use it another. This man has that. He has experience and there is no substitution for it.
"You have heard my proposal."
"We have. Aldamon, that is Viktor's grandfather, told us of your hope. We thank you for the healing, but it will not make us indebted to you. You did it of your own free will…"
"I didn’t do it to get the popular vote. I did it because you made a mistake, an almost deadly one for Viktor and me, but a mistake nonetheless. I, however, do not wish for you to suffer for it. I want to make peace and move on. If the treaty were not given the okay, I would still like to be able to at least bring Viktor to see his grandfather. I know he is worried."
"Where is he, if I may ask?"
"He could still barely walk when I started the journey back. He is under guard, healing and relearning how to live. You people have left him with more than just scars. You cannot even imagine."
He nods and does not ask more. Which is good, I don’t want to lie but Viktor's changes are for him to tell if he feels comfortable doing so.
"Have you talked over my proposal?"
"Those left alive on the council have discussed it, but it must be taken to the people. It will be done tomorrow when almost everyone is rested."
"Let me take guard duty tonight. I can shield the entire mountain. Everyone here needs his or her rest. It seems like most of the citizens are all right but your guards, and whatever army you had, has been decimated. You need help. Let me do so. I expect nothing in return; I refuse to let a piece of Viktor's history fade into nothing. You are proud and magical people, but you need time to get back onto your feet. Let everyone sleep. I will keep guard over the mountain."
He stares me down and I hope he can see my sincerity. I am serious about shielding the entire mountain. I know even my aunts magic won’t breach it, should she try to hunt the mages down now.
"Very well. I hope you do not fall asleep."
"Even should I do so, it will hold. But I will not."
He nods and walks off. I wander. I need to find the center. I do so and cloak myself as well as possible with the firelight casting its glow on me. I enter a trance and dig deep. As deep as when I changed this place from cursed to flourishing. Wise One will scold me something awful for all of the strong magic that I am doing when I said I would be as prudent as possible. However, I cannot let them die. I just can’t.
When the spell is done, the world is covered with the colors of the spells. Green for the earth, blue for the sky, purple for spirit. It covers the entire mountaintop they rest on. The sky will certainly be beautiful tonight. Once I am done and shake off my cloaking spell, everyone gaps at the sky. It shimmers. It is not subtle but it is strong. It will not be broken. I have woven some peace into it, hoping it will help the villagers sleep better, and without the dreams, which I assume plague them. I go to the entrance of the mountain. The only path to their home. I set up camp. I said I would stay awake and I will.
I sit and stare into the small fire that I have built for warmth. Eventually, the noises behind me quiet and the villagers fall into a deep sleep.
"Rest well. Now to make a call."
It has been two weeks. I need to contact the dragon. I know he can sense certain things, but not details. He and Viktor will be waiting for an update. I silently perform the spell that he taught me.
"You use too much energy, young one."
"I am sorry. It was necessary."
"I know the circumstances. Be careful of using that much power. Until you are used to it you are susceptible to blackouts, exhaustion, hunger."
"I am human; I get those things anyway… well not the blackouts, but the rest. I am being careful. I just… I had to help them." I shift, slightly uncomfortably under his stare. This far away I cannot tell what he is thinking, just that - whatever it is - it is serious.
"How goes Viktor's training? Have you given him back to himself yet?"
Wise One noticed that Viktor had lost it. We have already been through so much and the Kemp bond was in overdrive; so much so, that he was no longer a warrior but a babysitter. I noticed it a bit but I had no idea what to do to fix it. I can’t dismiss
him. Wise One had a good idea, a strategy, and I agreed. It has been hard and has gone against the nature of our relationship to be separated, but it had been necessary.
"He wouldn’t even try. Therefore, I sent him away. He will come back, having experienced what he must."
That is not good news. I hoped that he would find his purpose again without overly dramatic measures. "Is he healed enough for that? He couldn’t even walk when I left."
"You are his charge, not his wet nurse. He is also your subject, so I will answer as a physician. He has healed well. He is healthy enough to be on his own in the woods a few days. I am keeping an eye on him in case someone stumbles upon my land."
"You know that Viktor and my relationship is not just queen and subject, or charge and protector… it is something more and different and…"
"It cannot be explained with words, young one. I know better than you do the bond you two have. You both need to be able to operate independently though. It will be required when you have your own kingdom."
That is likely true, and so I have worked hard to do what I need to, as well as the right thing, on this journey. I want Viktor to be proud of what I have accomplished. We can worry, we will, but it shouldn’t debilitate us. That is why we lost against the mages when they rushed me I had been powerless. Viktor had been too worried for me to fight properly. That won’t happen again.
"I trust your judgment, Wise One."
"Please drop the title and pick a name for me."
I sigh. As a master, I am to name my familiar. He has had many names throughout history and has no issue shedding any of them. I have to give him a name to be able to take control of him. I have no wish to control him though. He helps and that is enough. He demands that we formalize the bond with my naming him. It will be irreversible then. I am procrastinating.
Champion Complete Series Page 31