Battle Mage

by Tim Niederriter

  As a pale woman in a gray shawl made her way across the stage before them, Edmath turned to Chelka. She pointed at a man in a yellow Worm Tribe cowl, and a long trailing green sash. The sight of his gaudy attire made Edmath chuckle with little help from the wine.

  “This shall be interesting.” Chelka withdrew her finger and nodded at Edmath. “I think that man is the Red Lord’s friend, the jester.”

  “Of course. That is why he is dressed so ridiculously.” Edmath settled back in his chair and adjusted his glasses. The Red Lord had ruled the Worm and Swan Tribe lands to the south, while the land to the west was dominated by the White Lord, right up to the Crab Tribe bays and the Hare Nation of Roshi. The final lord, the Green Lord, dwelt to the north, in the Elk Country. “If he is a jester, perhaps the three lords are at a court of some kind?”

  “Don’t tell me you don’t remember.”

  “You must forgive me.” Edmath drew in a breath and looked back over the actors, including a huge man with yellow Worm Tribe hair.

  Chelka stifled a laugh and shook her head.

  “Obviously, Ed. Yes, it is a court.”

  Edmath’s lip turned up at the corner as he remembered the many times they had talked together about this day back at Lexine Park. They had pushed it into the future only for it to rush into the present to meet them. Chelka’s smile came across as a cool shadow.

  “The three lords were all brought up in the court of the Meresul, the king of the Worm Tribe, and back then, the Worm Tribe and the Swan Tribe belonged to the same nation, so the Swan Queen was equal to the king. She demanded that the princes of other nations be invited into the court. That is where these three first appeared.”

  “Ah, I see. They were not famous then. Red, Green, and White, were nobility, but none of them were heirs to a throne, I remember that much.”

  Chelka leaned in toward him and squeezed his shoulder, with a simple motion that reminded Edmath of her dancing earlier that day.

  “Right,” she whispered in his ear. “But as the story goes, they each married a princess.”

  “A little like me.”

  Chelka shook her head.

  “They weren’t like you, Ed.”

  “I suppose I am not royal or nobility. Why else?”

  She smiled.

  “They did it for power.”

  Edmath put his arm around her and felt her side with his fingertips. He leaned his head against hers. Nobody could say he didn’t love Chelka. How could they? No, he thought, that was wrong. No one could say she didn’t love him. He might just be the greatest actor who ever lived.

  

  Night fell as the play went on. Servants and guards brought torches to lead the garden’s glowing moths to illuminate the festivities. Chelka and Edmath sat beside each other, laughing together through most of the jokes and the circuitous tale of how Red and Green made the two princesses the Worm Tribe to fall in love with them, and virtuous White pined over the Swan Queen’s oldest daughter.

  In the end, the three were married to their respective princesses, but, despite his watching the whole thing, Edmath couldn’t tell exactly how they managed it. The three actors and their actress-brides bowed and left the stage. Many guests rose to leave, as servants brought the gifts out to Edmath and Chelka.

  Most wedding presents were small things, tokens, and favors, but when the Worm King and his servants arrived at their table, the urliens bore more than the pouches of coins or the kind words of others. Kassel Onoi approached, taking from his creatures what looked like two long sheathed swords with fist-sized crystalline spheres at the tip of each blade. Edmath recognized the gifts, with some alarm. They were not swords at all, despite the resemblance of shape. Oresso Nane had called this sort of device a stethian, a tool for Saales. There could be no mistake.

  Kassel dipped his head slowly gaze on the stethians as he set them gently on the central table.

  “These belonged to your parents, Lord Benisar,” he said to Edmath. “One was your father’s, the other, your mother’s. I think you should have them both, as you two are both Saales as well.”

  “Thank you, your Highness. You honor us both and my parents’ memory.” Edmath leaned forward and looked over the stethians closely, taking in the wave-like patterns of their metal blades, visible through gaps in pale silken sheathes, inlaid with mosaic-like tiles of differently colored metal. Carefully, he lifted one of them and passed it to Chelka. She ran her hand up the inlaid side of the device’s edgeless blade.

  “They are quite a gift,” she said rising from her seat. “I have heard a little of them before recently. They are said to be the only true Saale weapon.”

  “I saw both your father and mother do much while wielding them.” Kassel shrugged his shoulders, sending his rega trembling in the wind. “I believe they will serve you well, Lord and Lady Benisar. I wish you luck all your lives.”

  “And also for you.” Chelka took the hand Kassel offered between herself and Edmath and shook it. “Your highness.”

  Kassel released her hand with a broad grin. He turned his back on them and made his way across the courtyard, followed by his servants in a trail. The War Empress, Marnaia Hayel came next and congratulated both of them, telling Edmath to keep her service in mind when looking for a future path for his career. Haddishal Rumenha, Ahenesrude Naopaor and his family including Brosk came next, then followed by what might have been a hundred other well-wishers and advisers.

  Zuria and Sampheli made their way from one side to stand behind the table on Edmath’s right. Chelka’s family took their place on her left as the Coral Queen and her children came to greet them. Razili met Edmath with a small smile and a bow, while Oresso hung back. Edmath saw the stethian at Oresso’s belt, so similar to the pair of Saale weapons lying on the table between them.

  Edmath didn’t want to speak with him, not when the Coral Prince looked to be in such a state. His eyes were darkened and his brow, brooding. He approached.

  “Lady Chelka.” He bowed to her and lifted his head, turning to Edmath. “Ed.”

  “Prince Nane, greetings.” Chelka smiled but Edmath could tell she was forcing at least part of it. The inviting shadows of her face were not the carefree dance of colors they had been before Oresso appeared. “My new husband and I are both glad you have come to wish us well.”

  “I have come to wish you well.” Oresso closed his eyes. “Excuse me. I was rude, perhaps.”

  “Perhaps you were, but no matter.” Edmath smiled at him. “All I ask is that you would excuse me as well.”

  “Excuse you?” Oresso’s hand passed over the grip of his stethian. “What should I excuse you for, ahem, Lord Benisar?”

  Edmath glanced at Chelka. She raised an eyebrow at him. He turned back to Oresso, a small smile on his face.

  “I never gave you a chance, really.” He leaned forward in his seat, hunching. “I’m sorry.”

  Oresso took a deep breath and turned to walk away. Edmath wondered how angry he might be at this moment. How angry could he be? He had known all along about Edmath and Chelka. Oresso Nane was too clever to expect anything less from the two of them.

  “I wish you well,” the Coral Prince said without looking back.

  Chelka opened her mouth to reply, but Edmath missed her words in the sudden buzz that went through his mind. It was a sound unlike any had ever heard before, and yet, it had no volume, though entirely clear. Edmath presumed it’s nature from his training. This sensation belonged to the sphere of humanity. The sphere sent out another wave of magic and this time words accompanied the buzz.

  “Treachery, treachery, treachery.”

  At the same moment, Edmath heard the sound of great wings. Twin miraches lifted from the grounds of the palace to the northeast. Chelka froze, looking at his face, fear suddenly mingled with the joy in her eyes.

  “The High Emperor is in danger. That was his voice through the sphere.” Chelka pushed
back her chair. It clattered to the ground behind her as she flew to her feet.

  Edmath climbed out of his chair more carefully and looked at Chelka. Oresso Nane turned from his place next to the line, holding his temples. He returned to the table.

  “She’s right.”

  All around the courtyard people looked from face to face, as if questioning the fragment of news they had all heard. Edmath picked up the stethians sitting on the table in front of him.

  “We must find him, and quickly.”

  He handed one of the devices to Chelka. She took it and looked away from him. He knew how she felt. They had been so lucky to have this day and night, now it was disrupted. Duty came first.

  Oresso drew his stethian as Razili broke from the line to stand beside him, followed by Brosk, and Yezani Rumenha. Zuria left Sampheli’s side and came toward Edmath’s table. Her double striker appeared in her hand.

  “We will need to get to the High Palace quickly,” she said. “Brother, let’s go.”

  “Of course.” Edmath strode around the table, followed by Chelka, holding her still-sheathed stethian. “Oresso, how do you activate this weapon?” He tapped his stethian’s flat side.

  Oresso shrugged as he started back down the milling line of guests and servants.

  “Strike a tear when you are ready. As far as I can tell, stethians activate themselves.”

  Edmath addressed the line of people, feeling unreal as he did it. He couldn’t possibly be giving this sort of speech at his own wedding.

  “Thank you for attending this union, friends, and forgive us. This is the role of Imperial Saales.”

  He fell into step beside Brosk and Chelka caught up on his right. Edmath marched down the line past the half-stripped stage. Razili, Oresso, and Zuria followed the three of them in silence. The War Empress and the Saale Emperor had already left the courtyard, but Zemoy met them on the path leading toward the central palace. He looked harried and his one eye was filled with suppressed rage.

  “I will organize things here and send troops to follow you as soon as I can muster them. Protect his grace.”

  Chelka bowed her head quickly. “We will do our best, father.”

  Edmath didn’t have time for his own reply, for Chelka broke into a run once she finished speaking. He raced after her, feed pounding the soft grass. They reached a wide path at a sprint with regas flapping in the cool northern wind. Edmath’s stomach thrilled with fear.

  Whoever had attacked the palace was prepared for a great battle. The miraches taking flight gave him more than a small hint as to who was inside. Thinking of the Roshi brought up the twinge of pain in his left hand where Ursar Kiet had injured him.

  “Be careful everyone.” He barely managed to speak between breaths while running.

  Oresso Nane put his head down, picking up the pace along with Zuria and Brosk. Razili lagged a bit, along with Yezani, but Chelka practically flew. She sprinted over the stones of the path, sandals clapping upon them.

  The domes of the High Palace rose up before them, and only then, in the twilight, did Edmath see the dark shapes flitting over the surfaces of each dome. They passed here and there in the moonlight, misshapen and strangely distorted at this distance. Edmath’s heart pounded aloud, and he clutched his stethian to his side. The ball of crystal on its end felt warm as the weapon slipped in his hand and brought the end sphere closer to his fingers. What was this device, and what could it do?

  Keeping his eyes on the malformed creatures moving atop the domes, Edmath watched several of them take to the air. They glided down to land at the gates before the Saales. He panted for breath and kept running. He drew a striker from his pouch but spilled another onto the path as he did. He only had three of them left on him after these. Chelka’s white wedding gown flew out behind her, streaming like a banner, pale against the darkening sky. Brosk’s arms rippled as he drew his striker chain from the loop at his belt. The metallic gleam of bronze lit up coldly with the moonlight.

  “Those are not friends up ahead,” Brosk called back as she slowed his pace. “Prepare to fight.” Veering off to the left, Brosk unfolded the striker chain to fly out behind him. He dragged it in and opened a trio of tears as he did.

  Chelka struck with a ring Edmath hadn’t seen her draw, and magic flowed back down the path into him and the other four Saales. The current wasn’t with them, though. Chelka and Brosk wouldn’t have enough power to do anything major to the foes immediately up ahead. He would have said something, but they were already upon the enemy.

  He slipped his striker over one finger as the shadows became four distinct creatures, mostly human, but not quite. Dull red tendrils flowed from the first one’s impossibly humped back, and they grew as Edmath drew closer. Chelka came to a stop, making a light sign with her free hand. She had barely enough magic to pull it off.

  A flash of yellow so bright it would have blinded Edmath if he hadn’t known to look away bloomed in front of them. Brosk ran past the deformed people, opening a rash of rips as he did so. Edmath ran toward where Chelka stood, long shadow cast by the bright glow of the light she had summoned. Razili and Zuria followed Brosk, but the light began to fade. To Edmath’s horror, he recognized the twisted voice of the huge man from one of the actors in the play. His jocular tone from earlier that evening was gone, and his back bulged with the shape of a conjoined protean sphere.

  “Saales! This is for Beliu on Dreamwater!”

  Edmath’s hand sign for the green fist faltered. He knew the man with the bulging black mass on his back was telling the truth with a certainty that made him sick to his stomach. What were the villagers from Beliu doing here? From the shadowy frames of the other performers, fast tangles of black tendrils grew, shooting at Edmath and the others at dizzying speeds.

  One tendril wrapped around Edmath’s wrist and dragged him forward. Razili fell to the ground with a yell. As the last of the light from Chelka’s spell faded, Edmath glimpsed Brosk slash a grasping black tentacle off at the tip. A terrible cracking sound, like breaking bones, came from Razili, and he heard Zuria hiss as she transformed into her serpent tosh.

  Edmath swung his stethian, sending the cloth sheath flying off and brought it down on the tentacle gripping his left arm. It came apart and recoiled with a shriek of explosive flesh.

  Light flared again, this time blinding Edmath as he hadn’t seen Chelka summon it. A roar like a collapsing wave came from just ahead of him, followed by a huge crashing sound of a body falling. The light dimmed slowly and Edmath heard Chelka call out.

  “Razili, get out of there!”

  The body of the huge actor, no not just an actor, a villager, one of those lost at Beliu on Dreamwater lay sprawled on the path. Perched atop his chest, Razili Nane crouched, covered in the ridged and abrasive armor of her coral tosh. Her stony hands were slick with blood. The other villagers retreated along the path. One of them left a slick red trail from where he had clashed with Brosk through the dome’s open door.

  Brosk shifted into his whale tosh, face becoming indistinct and shoulders broadening. His striker whip hung in his hands. The magic flowing all around them cast the whole scene in a surreal light visible only to trained eyes. He returned Chelka’s stone-faced look before glancing at Brosk.

  “Those men had protean spheres.”

  “Indeed.” Brosk’s massive shoulders sagged. “Edmath, you don’t need to tell me.”

  Edmath nodded before looking behind himself at Oresso Nane, and Yezani Rumenha. They were both unhurt, and Oresso wore his coral tosh as well. Yezani had a pair of double strikers in her hands, but her expression was absolutely terrified. The horrors of protean spheres were shocking to any mage. Edmath’s own adrenaline-fueled excitement at the violence was all that kept him from looking away. The remains of the tentacle fell from his wrist.

  Chelka drew her stethian from its silken sheathe. She looked down the path.

  “We need to keep moving. I
f there are more of these people inside then they will know we’re coming now.”

  Edmath joined Chelka in the lead and went to the inner palace. They climbed the steps there carefully. He and Chelka led, and Oresso and the others followed them. Zuria hissed from her snake tosh. Her forked tongue flicked out of her mouth.

  “Brother,” she said. “We should split up if we are to find the High Emperor in time.”

  “You are right, sister. we can search twice as fast in two groups.” Edmath closed his eyes for a second and opened them to see better in the dark. “Or faster yet, in three.” He paced forward into the palace hall, followed closely by Chelka.

  Brosk waited in his path.

  “Razili and Zuria, take the right corridor and search the domes in that direction. Oresso and Yezani, can you handle the inner gardens?”

  “We will try,” Yezani said. “Don’t worry about me, Brosk.”

  Brosk gave her a shaky nod.

  “Thanks,” Edmath said.

  Brosk’s eyes, large and dark in his tosh, flicked to Edmath and Chelka. “You two, come with me. We’ll go left down the hallway up ahead.”

  Edmath followed Brosk up the steps, avoiding the spreading blood trail and followed by Chelka. She drew a triple-ring striker and held it along with her stethian, throwing her train up and over one shoulder. Her eyes shifted in the dark but still, she did not assume her tosh. The squid tosh would not be overly useful in a dry place like this. It would be awkward to maneuver on land and made breathing in air difficult. Brosk jogged forward, eyes closed in the lantern-lit corridor. The curve of the hallway led them forward, following the blood trail.

  “There are more of them up ahead. I can hear them.”

  “Of course. We’ll need to break through.”

  Edmath raised the stethian in his right hand and pointed it down the corridor as he made a hand sign with his left. As he marched forward, he held out the palm of his hand. He completed the single hand sign. A luminous plant grew in his palm.