“Would that not put all of us in danger?” Leith questioned anxiously from the front bench. “I mean, can the three of you even control something so powerful once it is created?”
None of them had actually thought about creating anything so extreme with their Ikalreev magic before and were honestly not certain about what result they would witness. The Ikalreev instructor in the trials had informed them that they would be able to conquer vast feats and overcome insurmountable odds with the Ikalreev magic, but what forms it would take or how the different elements would react with each other was beyond their understanding. The trials did not go into depth about the combination or limitations of their magic—only how to wield it and command it while maintaining harmony with magic’s heart. They would all find out together the extent of their abilities and their limitations when the battle started.
Treasach followed their silence with a snarky remark. “You do not know!”
“No, not really,” Ireli replied. “We were not taught about those aspects.”
“Not taught!” the prince cried out. “Then what did you learn? How to take turns lighting a candle and blowing it out?”
“Of course not!” Ireli shouted at him defensively. “We learned how to use the magic to an extent—”
“What does that mean?” the prince questioned rudely.
“The Ikalreev did not want to provide us with the answer. They believed self-discovery and creativity would grant a greater mastery over their magic than supplying us with their own defined understanding,” Caedmon interjected.
“We do not have time for that!” the prince yelled. “There is no time to practice; we are nearly there!”
The old wolf knew he was right but resisted him. “The Ikalreev thought we would have more time. Something must have accelerated the opening of the seals and the events the Ikalreev foresaw in their visions. That is the only explanation as two mages have not even awakened yet, an aspect the Ikalreev would not have allowed. An anomaly must have caused an alteration in their projected alignment of time, though it is impossible for us to discern what changed from their visions to now.”
“So what do we do if none of you know how to use your magic proficiently?” the prince queried.
“We must devise a flawless plan to defend the seal and hope our Ikalreev magic is enough to defeat the Initiate,” Caedmon answered.
“Right . . .” Treasach sighed.
The travelers grew quiet and thought about their opportunities and strengths, periodically discussing new ideas arising from their calculating minds. Thoughts of curiosity and cleverness from some clashed with doubt and denial from others as they desperately tried to devise their course of action for when they reached the seal.
Time passed, and little was gained from their continuous discussions concerning their quandaries, so the group stopped and tried to clear their minds of strife. The wolf guardian stepped aside and walked farther away from the wagon as they continued northeast. His unique eyes scanned the forest with partial concentration as his attention was divided.
Kellen and Auvelia moved over in the wagon and sat close to their son in an effort to strike up a different conversation. The fair healer remained at the young guardian’s side while his parents sat on the other.
“We are quite a long way from home,” Kellen commented from beside his son while glancing at the forest around them. “Never thought you would find yourself here, did you?”
“No, not at all,” Faolan answered. “I was not even aware of this forest’s existence.”
Auvelia looked at her son lovingly and spoke warmly. “Your future journeys will take you far and show you lands you never knew. Mine always did, and there was always something fascinating or intriguing to observe.”
“How long were you in the Shadow Guard, Mother?” Faolan asked, realizing he still knew so little about his mother’s service.
“Oh, child, a very long time. I cannot recollect exactly, but I am sure if you are curious enough, you could find it in the royal records part of the king’s library. One of the royal scribes would have kept a record of all employed by the king’s hand, though not just for pay. They keep such records in case men go missing in battle,” she replied.
“I may do so. I am quite curious what shoes I must fill in order to maintain the family name,” he said.
“You might have to shrink your feet then because yours will not fit in my shoes; they are too big already,” she said jokingly as she smiled at her son.
“Hopefully, I will not disappoint either of you,” Faolan said. “I cannot imagine my limited skills will get me very far in this role.”
“Child, we could never be disappointed in you,” she assured him. “Just come back to us alive and well. Do what you must, and survive how you will, but come back to us.”
“But what if I fail?”
“You might. The code is important and will maintain your determination, but do not allow the guardian’s code to weigh you down and prevent you from taking leaps of faith or avenues of escape. The guardian’s way is never clear and is always uncertain. After our mission at hand and when you set off on your own, you must understand that you can only count on yourself and persevere alone.”
“Mother?” He was surprised by her discrediting of the code.
“You must understand that beyond the boundaries of Harmaalinna there are no allies and no one to count on for aid. Whether you are traversing orc or troll territory, or even the deserts beyond the Yohsolar Mountain Range, there will be moments when your life will most certainly be at risk. You may have to fail in one aspect and lose something in order to survive an impending danger or overwhelming situation.” Her gaze was lost between the boards at her feet as she remembered a regrettable ordeal. “Promise me you will come back.”
Aili slowly eased her hand into his and firmly gripped it as she listened to his mother speak her unease. The healer felt her heart begin to quicken as she grew nervous about his future travels. She knew they were not very close yet, but the healer wanted to pursue a possible future with him.
“Of course, Mother,” the young guardian reassured her.
Auvelia glanced sternly at her son. “Promise me.” She noticed the two holding hands and included Aili in her warning. “Promise her too.”
He glanced down at their interlocked fingers. “I promise I will come back. Neither of you have to worry. I will be fine.”
“Aye, he will!” Kellen lightened the conversation as he rejoined them. “Our son is stronger than he knows and has skills he has yet to utilize. He has a keen mind and budding tracking skills. His strategic understanding of a battlefield is not far behind. We have had many conversations about tactics, formations, and battleground points of interest. He knows what he is doing, though he plays coy.”
“Thank you, Father.” The young leader appreciated his father’s boasting.
“Serve for a few years as a guardian, and the king will surely take notice. Perhaps he might even allow you a position as a general or adviser. Both are important positions with great renown, and either would give you great influence over the kingdom,” Kellen said.
“I do not know about that; I believe that may be more responsibility than I care to undertake. I just want a simple life, easy and carefree, with a home of my own,” Faolan said.
Aili smiled. “That sounds good enough to me.”
Auvelia looked at the both of them and could tell something had changed. They were closer than she remembered. She could tell the healer was acting more sincere with her son, though the beauty was desperately trying to hide it.
Her husband continued his lively predictions. “Four years, and you will be a general, I am certain. I can see it now: my son steals Baskla’s position right from under the grand general’s nose.”
“Give it a rest, dear. I am sure he appreciates your confidence, but it is a bit excessive,” Auvelia insisted.
Kellen nodded in resignation.
“Your father speaks about gr
and tales, but you must know he will be proud of you regardless of what you choose to do with your life,” Auvelia commented.
“Indeed,” his father confirmed.
Their conversation continued as the ground grew steeper, and they began their ascent into the Niyere Mountains. The canopy eventually thinned enough for the giant mountain peaks to become visible. The unfamiliar mountain range was covered in snowpack and seemed uncomfortably cold from the foothills. The day passed, and some of the travelers had a slight feeling of dread. The nearing seal caused a sense of unnerving anticipation as they wondered what they would find at the road’s end.
The sun started its descent toward the horizon, and as evening fell, elongating shadows cast by the massive mountains preluded the coming night. The air grew colder as they climbed in altitude, and the evening’s sun lessened in intensity. Their breath could be seen in the cold air as the path began to level out in the midst of the massive snow-covered peaks. A wind picked up and deepened the cold air’s bite; their noses grew red, and their eyes began to water.
Not long after nightfall, the moon began to rise over the mountain peaks, and soon after the group reached their destination. The trees parted and ended distinctly at a barren landscape’s edge. The extensive area before them was composed of cracked ground and unfruitful rock.
They rolled onward across the infertile landscape for a short time before they saw the First Seal. The group stood before a quarter circle of sheer cliff faces, which stretched from the north to the east. Behind the adventurers was the road, and the forest stretched to the east as it met the sheer cliffs. To the west was open sky, alluding to a sheer drop they could not see.
The seal was located on the barren landscape’s far-northern end, embedded into the base of a carved cliff.
Auvelia leaned over to her son and whispered, “No matter what happens, know that your father and I love you and support you. We are all in this together, and we will protect each other.”
Faolan managed a small smile through his anxiousness. “Thank you for being my parents. I love you both too.”
“Aye, stop talking like that . . . it’s bad luck.” Ehreion shot them a disapproving glare from the front of the wagon bed.
Ireli eyed their eerie surroundings. “Who wants to share a pint after this?”
“Lass after me own heart,” the dwarf remarked as he, too, noticed the landscape was distinctly abnormal around the seal. The ground was black and charred as if fire had raged across the barren land and left its ashy remains behind to blanket the area. The forest ended abruptly at the edge of the ash-covered ground, and no life could be seen across its expanse. The atmosphere of that barren landscape did not sit right with him and made him reach for his ax.
“A bit of business is all this is. We kill the beast, and we head home,” Kellen said calmly.
As the wagon rolled to a stop not far from the seal, everyone dismounted and readied their weapons while they peered through the darkness of night.
The auburn-bearded dwarf looked at the ancient wolf and wondered, “Do you think it will be long?”
“Difficult to say.” Caedmon glanced at Aili. “A source told me the key was already found, but it is uncertain what to expect or when.”
“We must quickly devise a plan and prepare for the Initiate’s approach; any suggestions?” Kellen asked.
“Yeah. I could hide behind that boulder over there,” Leith remarked and pointed over his shoulder at a very large outcrop.
“Be serious; this is no time to jest,” Treasach teased.
“Actually, that is probably a wise idea,” Ireli said. “Cannot have one of the healers get hurt; we need them safe so they can heal us should we get hurt.”
“I agree,” Gavina said.
Leith smiled widely at the prince. “Great, then I should be going. Aili, are you coming too?”
His sister weighed her options as she glanced over at Faolan before answering her brother. “I will stay. Someone may need quick healing during the battle. I would feel awful should anyone fall because of my fear.”
“But Aili.” Leith was shocked that she wanted to stay. “It is not safe. We cannot help them fight, and we will just get in the way. Our presence might cause them to be harmed if they deliberately put themselves in danger to protect us from injury.”
She knew he was right but resisted with resolve. “That is true, but they may find injury whether we accompany them or not, and I will not hide while one of them may be dying. I refuse.”
“Aili.” Her brother hesitated, guiltily.
“Well, decide!” she urged.
“Fine, I will stay too,” Leith conceded to his sister, though fear flooded him.
“Wonderful,” Ehreion grumbled. “So who wants to safeguard the healers then?”
They all looked to each other and thought about who would be best suited for the task of guard duty. The mages, of course, would not be able to protect the healers; they would have to be focused on the demon. Kellen and Auvelia were strong warriors and should not be pulled from a primarily combat role. Faolan was the leader and should have a point of command between them to maintain the evolving fight.
“I need no protection,” Aili cried out. “I will be fine.”
Leith raised his hand. “I need protection!”
Aili glanced at her brother. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, it’s a demon!”
Gavina stepped toward the healers. “I will protect them.”
“I will help protect them as well,” Treasach added. “If they get split apart, then they will need two for defense.”
Aili sighed. “Fine.”
Kellen continued with the strategy. “Now that we have the healers’ situation settled, how should we plan for the defense?”
“Mages should be up front and prepared to engage the demon first, then those without magic behind to support should one of us be removed from the battle,” Ehreion suggested.
“Removed?” Aili questioned.
“Killed,” the dwarf answered bluntly.
Aili blanched. “Are the mages not strong enough to stop it? I thought that was why you were created.”
“Hope so, but we are short two. Hard to say if the power of three is enough to bring it low,” the old wolf guardian said.
“Does it have any special abilities other than its deadly touch?” Auvelia inquired as she watched the horizon.
Caedmon thought for a moment. “From my first encounter with the beast, we discovered it is quite fast, though other than that, I am uncertain. I would have to assume it has great physical strength due to its nature, and I urge you all to be prepared for the unknown. The extent of the creature’s abilities is not described in the prophecies, and I have had little experience fighting the beast.”
“I could flank it as it approaches and try to distract it to help create openings in its defense by pushing it around with my wind magic,” Ireli proposed. “Perhaps it will create some beneficial confusion while the both of you attack.”
“That is a good idea. Divide up between close quarters and distance assault, much like a siege,” Treasach agreed.
“I don’t know, lass, that is a dangerous range . . . I do not like it. The beast could take you out faster than we could move to assist if you got into trouble,” the dwarf countered.
Gavina looked over the mostly flat landscape. “There may not be a good plan for this one. We have almost no cover save for a couple of outcrops, and should the beast succeed, there is only one way of escape: back through the forest to the south. Being caught between this cliff with the seal and the demon is an unfavorable battle setup.”
Kellen heard their concerns and proposals, but his general’s mind made a call. “Those without magical abilities should use the available outcroppings for cover or strategic defense, healers included. The mages will set up farther out and equally apart to present an immediate defense at range for any possible direction that the demon chooses to approach. Once the nearest mage begi
ns combat, they will do their best to stall the demon’s advance until the other two mages can converge on the beast. When all three mages join forces against the demon, then they work together to kill it and end the threat.”
“And if we fail?” Ehreion posed the question.
The ex-general continued. “If you fail and you die or become incapacitated, then those in cover behind the outcroppings will do their best to stop the Initiate while the healers move to aid the fallen. Perhaps they can quickly close wounds or heal the three of you just enough to get you back into the fight. We will be the last line of defense, and hopefully, we will be able to stall the demon long enough for the three mages to return to the battle if they are still able. If and when the mages return to the battle, they can use their magic to pressure the demon to move farther away from the seal while they attempt to finally kill it.”
“Far from a perfect plan,” Ireli remarked.
Auvelia supported her husband. “Aye, but we have little strategic opportunity here, and it is a fairly dynamic plan allowing the mages temporary reprieve should they initially fail and providing a weaker secondary defense force. This would allow for a potential juggling effect between primary attackers and secondary defenders with bursts of engagement. Does anyone have alternate suggestions?”
The rest of the group thought about any other possible options they might have to provide. They scanned the future battlefield again in an attempt to find anything they might have missed, yet no other suggestions rose forth. There were indeed no other strategic opportunities as, other than the two large outcroppings, there was no change in terrain; the ground was flat and blanketed in ash.
Kellen looked at his son. “Do you feel confident about taking the lead on this battle?”
The young leader hesitated, knowing he had no real battlefield command experience, but felt as if he must, not just because of his title but because the others had greater possible impact on the fight with their combat skills. He could maintain awareness of the battlefield and alert the others to change their course of action should he see anything to cause alarm. He was uncertain, but responded calmly. “Yes, I will command. Everyone else can be focused on the battle at hand and use their skills to the best of their ability.”
Verdunmull Page 40