Believe in the Mystics

by Tacori Bean

  “Or maybe they don’t notice you because you don’t notice them, maybe you don’t hear all the good they give you, because you are too focused on the bad in your head, maybe you are more special then you've ever given yourself credit for.” He argued.

  There was silence between us. I was shocked by the way he spoke of me. Scared even. That someone could care that much about what a stranger thought of them self.

  “Have you ever thought about what you want from life?” I questioned.

  “Yes, many times actually. I’ve discovered that my purpose is to protect the ones I care for, even if it means not living my own life. But someday I would hope that I could go home to a beautiful wife, and tell all my stories to my children. That seems like the perfect life for me,” He smiled at me, his blue eyes sparkling, “And you?” He inquired.

  I thought for a moment on how I would answer it, “Yes, but I have never been more than a caged bird, living in someone else’s life. So, therefore I have no answer. I have no idea what I want in my life or who I want to be now that I’m free to be my own person.”

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon.” He assured.

  I shook my head, “Sounds like wishful thinking.”

  He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and smiled as the chills ran down my spine once again, “It’s called hope.” And with that he left me to my thoughts.

  Hope… something you forgot so long ago.

  ~6~

  THE TOWN WAS empty despite the beautiful sunny weather. I enjoyed the silence as I walked, my feet crunching the fallen leaves.

  As she was rushing out the door early this morning, Piper asked me to take a bag of scrolls to Damon.

  I crossed over the old wooden bridge and stopped for a moment to enjoy the scenery. As the vines that hung from the bridge swayed in the wind, the water from the stream trickled lightly.

  I can’t help but get distracted by the beauty of this place. I thought walking away from the bridge.

  Once I made it to the guard tower, I followed the stairs up to the top.

  “Damon?” I called.

  It was silent.

  I went into the empty room and sighed internally.

  Maybe they already went on morning patrol...

  I set the bag on the large table that sat in the middle. The tower wasn’t much on the inside but it had an incredible view of Secret Hollow and the forest.

  I could stay like this for hours. I thought, letting the wind blow my hair into a wavy mess, as I leaned upon the large window sill.

  “Journey.” A deep voice scowled.

  I spun around to see Augustus and Damon standing in the stairway of the tower.

  Damon’s sweet smile tugged at his lips, “What brings you here?”

  “Piper wanted me to bring you this bag of scrolls.” I folded my arms behind my back.

  “Why didn’t she just bring them herself?” Augustus questioned.

  Damon put a hand on his shoulder, “Because, she had to make an important trip to Yaffu.” He explained.

  Augustus pushed his hand away and sat sloppily in one of the chairs.

  “So, I guess that means I have the day to myself. What do you guys have planned?” I asked.

  “I have patrol all day, since I took off yesterday.” He smiled, “And August has to make a trip to Evnock.”

  “Where is that?” I inquired.

  “About an hour by boat.” Damon said, opening the bag of scrolls.

  Augustus smirked, “Why don’t you go with me?”

  Damon and I looked up, shocked.

  “Are… Are you sure?” I asked.

  “Of course!” He over-exaggerated, “Meet me at the gate in an hour.” Eventually, he made his way out of the tower, leaving us in confused silence.

  “Is it safe to go with him?” I whispered to Damon.

  “I don’t know what he is playing at…” Mumbling to himself, he looked down at me, “Evnock is big. I doubt he would try to do anything without being noticed, but I’ll talk to him.” He paused for a moment and moved towards the table, “But just in case, take this.” He said handing me a small bottle of black liquid.

  I studied the bottle, “What is it?” I inquired.

  “Paralyzing magic. Just throw it at him and go to the market. If you ask any of them for Hugo they'll show you to him. He'll know what to do.”

  I nodded and put the bottle in the pouch of my cloak, “Then I'll be going.”

  “Please, be careful. The kingdom is tainted and can be very wicked. Watch your back, and whatever you do, stay clear of the royal family.

  ~~~

  I met Augustus at the gate as he requested, Damon watched as we entered the woods.

  “Why did you want me to come with you?” I asked when we were deep into the lush forest.

  He chuckled, “I don't know what Damon told you, but I'm not a threat to you.”

  I swallowed hard, “You tried to kill me yesterday.” I reminded him.

  “That's all in the past! You have nothing to worry about. Besides if I wanted to kill you, I would have done it by now.”

  Yeah, because that makes me feel so much better.

  Crashing water filled my ears as we neared the edge of the forest. Augustus held a branch out of my way.

  You're being oddly suspicious.

  A decent sized boat sat tied to a tree, floating steadily with the river. I got settled as Augustus was raising the sail and untying the boat from the tree.

  After about an hour of terrifying silence from Augustus and the sounds of nature from the surrounding forest, we arrived at the large harbor of Evnock. The boats that lined the docks on the river bank made our boat look like a child’s toy. The large market sat a few feet away.

  I swallowed nervously, “It seems so much more regal than Secret Hollow?”

  Augustus rolled his eyes, “You haven’t even seen the kingdom,” He jumped off the boat, “Come on, let’s go!”

  I did what he said and followed him as he hauled the bag of hides over his shoulder.

  We walked through the large stone arch into the town.

  “Stay close to me, this place can get confusing.” Augustus turned to me.

  I nodded and followed only inches behind him.

  He was right, the town was huge. The market place was crowded with people yelling and pushing their way through to the stands. We ducked into a back street, the houses towering around us as we moved around children and carts. Escaping from the craziness of the market, people sat up on their balconies.

  “Why is the town so different from Secret Hollow?” I asked, pulling Augustus wrist so that he stopped with me.

  He snatched his wrist from my grasp, “This is how your average towns are. Secret Hollow is the one that is different.”

  “Why?” I questioned.

  He rolled his eyes again and sighed, “Look, the other kingdoms in Kocala cluster around the royal estate, then the fields on the outskirts. Secret Hollow is centered around the Mystics’ Tree, the town and fields ring around that, then the cliffs and forests. Secret Hollow was just created much differently than other kingdoms.” He explained.

  “Maybe it was in tribute to the Mystics” I suggested.

  He chuckled, “Anybody who believes in those people being anything more than insane magic users are fools.”

  “I believe in the Mystics. What does that make me?”

  “An even bigger fool.”

  He started walking again, and I shuffled quickly behind him, furrowing my brow at his back.

  I admired the sights and zoned out until I ran into Augustus’ back.

  He didn’t even flinch.

  “Keep your head down and don’t leave my side.” He mumbled.

  “What is that place?” I asked, staring at the worn down building.

  “One of the best trade guilds in the kingdom. It has taken me a very long time to get access. You cannot ruin this for me.”

  I nodded and put my hood up as we entered.
r />   Tables spread around a large stage in the back, a bar to one side with empty stools lining it. It reeked of alcohol even though there were very few people.

  “Hey, August! Wh-Who you got with you today.” A clearly intoxicated man called.

  “Back off, Telleb.” One of the bartenders yelled.

  Augustus ignored them and walked up to a brutish looking man.

  “Roldolf! How are you, Sir?” Augustus yelled.

  A crooked smile came to the man’s face, “Is that you, August? My… it's been ages since you've shown your face around here.” He hollered back with a thick accent and a deep laugh.

  “That it has! Listen I need a price on these hides if you don't mind.”

  “Anything for you, mate.” He walked away.

  I pulled on Augustus’ sleeve, “Why are you yelling?”

  Augustus shifted closer to me, “The old man was a general in the war. He lost most of his hearing to a cannon mishap. It hasn’t seemed to bother him much though.” He chuckled.

  I relaxed at this new side of Augustus, but once again his cold exterior returned.

  The bar was full of merry cheers and whispers until the squeaking of a chair on the wood sent it into silence.

  Drawing his sword, an older man marched toward me, his red eyes squinted with disgust.

  “You'll pay for what you did to me!” He yelled, his voice reeking of alcohol as he raised his sword to me.

  Someone quickly pushed me to the side and blocked the attack.

  I sat up and watched as Augustus fought the older man.

  “I suggest you stay away from the lady.” Smiling cockily, his eyes flashed red as he pushed the man away.

  The man’s eyes flashed red also as he moved towards Augustus with unnatural speed, pushing Augustus into the bar, stools crashed around him, his swords flew to the side.

  The other men around us began to fight against each other as well. Shouts rang out from group to group, tables were being thrown across the room, but I tried to keep my focus on Augustus.

  “How could you defend such a monster!” The drunk yelled.

  “She's not the monster… we are.” Augustus yelled back from the ground, making the man take a step back

  Anger quickly flashed as his eyes turned blood red. He rose his sword to Augustus, who was helpless against his attack.

  I have to do something…

  I felt down into my pocket and pulled open the vial of paralyzing magic, splashing it on the drunk.

  He froze in his tracks, not a single one of his muscles moved.

  Everyone around us stopped and stared at me with widened glares and breathless gasps.

  I looked down at Augustus’ half red eyes

  “...What have you done…” He mumbled in a winded whisper.

  Men in full armor rushed into the bar before I could say anything else. They grabbed Augustus off of the ground and moved over to take me.

  “Let’s get this witch to Lady Ozara.” One of the men called to the others.

  The man holding Augustus laughed hardily, “Lady Ozara is going to enjoy seeing you again.”

  ~~~

  The queen’s estate was large and elegant, but I didn't seem to notice as I was being dragged like a prisoner through the courtyard.

  Augustus was treated the same way beside me. It worried me when he wouldn't look at me.

  Once we were inside the palace, the guards cuffed our hands behind us.

  The room was dim, making the dark wood desk in front of us hide in plain sight. The walls were lined with medals and weapons.

  I looked over at Augustus, his figure illuminated by the crackling fire beside him. He looked up at me, his eyes tired and heavy.

  The guards suddenly knelt beside us as the sound of heavy iron footsteps filled our ears.

  A tall figure walked in and slammed its fist against the desk.

  “Leave us!” A woman’s stern voice commanded.

  The guards quickly stood and exited the room, leaving it in a tense silence.

  I raised my head to the woman.

  Her ash blonde hair was cut to her shoulders, covering one of her clouded teal eyes, the dark circles under her eyes standing bold against her pale, clear skin. She was covered from head to toe in armor. She carried herself with pride and dignity. I could tell that she was the kind of woman to carry her own sword and fight her own battles, making it her victory and her glory.

  I looked back at Augustus whose breathing was labored, his skin sickly pale.

  “Augustus?” I called softly.

  The woman shot her eyes to me, “Silence!” She commanded.

  “But he’s hurt.” I glared back up at her.

  Her eyes filled with sorrow as she looked at my concern, “You should be in the same condition by now. Those cuffs should be draining your magic.”

  I looked at her blankly, not understanding what she meant as I felt nothing.

  “I-I don’t have magic.”

  Her eyes widened, “My men specifically told me you used outlawed magic. That’s why you're here, you witch!”

  “Outlawed magic?” I asked, “The only thing I did was stop a man from killing Augustus.”

  “My men said nothing of the sort.” She argued.

  “Then your men lied!” I yelled, not caring about her authority.

  Shifting uncomfortably, she stared at me.

  “Fine. I’ll remove the cuffs and give him a chance to explain himself.” She moved towards us and removed the metal cuffs.

  I hurried over to Augustus as he tried to stand.

  “Augustus… don't hurt yourself too much.” I pleaded.

  He shook his head, “Ma...Magic…” He coughed out.

  What?

  “...Your...Magic.”

  Of course!

  I grabbed the leftover paralyzing magic and held it in my hand towards Augustus.

  He grabbed the top of the vial looking at me.

  I nodded and let him take the vial using his magic to change the mixture into a clear liquid. He took the vial and chugged it down. Within a few minutes he had recovered greatly.

  “So sorry I didn't say hello sooner.” Augustus smirked, “It is so… lovely… to see you again Ozara.”

  “I do not have time for your games, August! You are lucky that you're not drained of your magic by now.” She fought.

  “You know you could never drain all of my magic. It is too complex for your knowledge.”

  “Enough! I do grow tired of our bickering. Tell me why you brought a witch with you!”

  “I'm not a witch!” I defended.

  They both looked back at me.

  “Then explain your magic.”

  “I have no magic. I am a human. The only magic was paralyzing magic. I brought it from Secret Hollow, just in case I was in danger. It was a premade mixture.”

  “But you were not in danger.” Ozara protested.

  “No, but Augustus was. That man tried to kill me. If it wasn't for Augustus, I would be dead.”

  “You still used outlawed magic.” Augustus mumbled.

  “I didn't know it was outlawed!”

  “It does make sense. My men thought of you as a witch because they didn't see you use the magic. Not because it was outlawed. They thought you used your hands. Since she still had the bottle as proof then the charges can be dropped.” Ozara explained.

  “No charges will be dropped!” A man’s voice called from the doorway.

  Shaking uncontrollably, Ozara looked up, fear immediately filled her eyes as she bowed.

  I turned around and watched the man in the doorway.

  His posture nothing but perfect, was tall but not as tall as Augustus. His ice blue eyes glowed with power against his pale skin. He looked very young but carried himself as if he could compete with kings.

  He reached up and pushed his jet black hair away from his eyes, the look he gave me sending shivers down my spine.

  “...Calvin…” Augustus growled.

  T
he man, Augustus called Calvin waved his hand, “Hush now Augustus. You are not the one on trial.”

  Augustus took a step back.

  “But, Sir, there is no point in charging her. The magic was used for her own protection. Therefore the charges are legally dropped.” Ozara spoke up.

  Calvin smirked, “You have no say in this, Ozara.”

  She shuddered at the way that he said her name, and I didn’t blame her, I did too.

  He stepped towards me, “So this is our witch.”

  “I’m not a witch!” I yelled.

  His eyes glinted at me and smiled, “You wielded magic with your hands, therefore you are either a witch or a beast. So which is it?”

  “Neither! I’m a human.”

  He laughed an evil laugh, inching closer to my face, “Quite the opposite, dear,” He grasped my chin in his cold, clammy hands making my skin crawl, “The magic energy that is flowing through you is so powerful, it’s almost overwhelming.” He gave a devilish smirk.

  Fear filled my eyes as my body began to shake.

  “Calvin! Leave her alone.” Augustus called, stepping up towards us, his eyes flashing red.

  Calvin took his attention off of me and stared at Augustus, “Temper, Augustus. We wouldn’t want to scare our little friend, now would we?” He smiled.

  Augustus stood there with his eyes slowly turning red.

  Calvin let out a sigh, “You are no fun Augustus.”

  He bound my hands behind me, “ Take this witch to a cell.”

  I elbowed him in the stomach and stepped away from him, “I'm not a witch!” I yelled, my hands heating until the ropes fell to the ground.

  “Darn it! Not the right time.” I mumbled, staring at my hands.

  As he stared at me, Calvin stood back up, cracking his neck, “How dare you…” He rose his hand up, dark magic coming from it.

  His hand came up further as my throat began to close from the darkness. He was a few feet away from me yet the more he closed his hand, the tighter my throat became.

  Why does this always happen to me! I screamed in my head.

  My hands reached up to my neck as a beam of light from my chest fought against the darkness. I could see the frustration in Calvin’s eyes. He gave a smirk towards me and threw me into the desk.