by JD Franx
“How, Ben? What happened?” Giddeon barked, his patience with the attacks at an end.
“Same as last time, only more attackers. Three tri-masted ships dropped a hundred warriors on the beach. They came out of the fog; your wizards gave us no warning. At least another hundred came over the dunes on the village’s far side. We didn’t stand a chance. None of your wizards’ magic hit anything they aimed at and one couldn’t even cast his own shield. Galen was standing right beside me up until they took him away. Nothing worked, Giddeon. Why?” Ben stopped and took a deep breath, clearly exhausted. Saleece slid from her horse and wrapped her arms around the old man in an effort to support him. Ember grabbed a water bottle and joined her.
“I don’t know why, Ben. You should have been protected.”
“What happened after the attack, Elder?” Kasik prompted.
“We waited a few days and when we thought they had left, about a hundred of us attempted to try for Corynth, hoping to get the remaining women and our youngest children to safety. Some of the old who could still travel on foot came as well. They must have been waiting for us to try leaving. Two days ago the same warriors found us. They were a smaller group, about twenty men and women. Once they had us defenceless, they took the few weapons we were carrying and then picked through our belongings. They took all of our valuables and then left eight men to execute us. The rest left. With almost all of us being... We couldn’t fight back. They killed six before... If it hadn’t been for that young man and his female companion we would all be dead right now. All of us.”
At a loss for words, Giddeon stared over Ben’s shoulder at the refugees from Ipea, but, like always, Saleece had him covered. “What young man, Ben? Did you get a good look at him?” she asked.
“I didn’t mistress, but my son did. He’s back a little farther, his name is Jaque.”
Giddeon finally managed to gather his thoughts. “Olo, did you see what happened two days ago? Did you see the man who saved you?”
Olo looked at his ArchWizard with a terrified expression of awe, but still answered. “Yes, Master Giddeon. Yes, I did, but my rank forbids me speaking of such things. It is better left for real wizards.”
Giddeon was a patient man when dealing with younger wizards, and with Olo especially, but he needed the simple-minded young wizard to tell him what had happened. He climbed down from his horse and approached Olo slowly in an attempt not to frighten him. Lowering his voice, he knelt and gently lifted the teenager’s chin. “Olo, look at me. Your rank may forbid such things, but you are a real wizard. You always will be, do you understand? The Bonding hurt your mind, not your magic. Remember that, all right?” Only when the teenage boy nodded, did he continue. “Good, then as ArchWizard, I am giving you permission to tell me what you saw. Tell me everything. Even if it’s something an apprentice should never speak of.”
Olo winced and began to shake. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Yes, Master. The young man who helped us tried using underworld magic, but it… did… It failed, Master Giddeon. I saw the… the black lightning on his arms and then it popped,” Olo shouted, as he slapped his hands together excitedly. No longer concerned with being quiet, he carried on. “Oh, and he had a vampyr with him. I heard her call him ‘Kael’. It happened very fast. I’ve never seen black lightning like that… Black lightning.” Olo paused for a few seconds, shuddering. “It failed, but it was very scary, Master Giddeon,” he rambled.
Ember turned from Ben and was at Olo’s side in the blink of an eye. Max slid from his horse, only a half step behind her. “You said someone called him Kael, are you sure, Olo?” she asked.
“Yes, mistress,” Olo said, taking a step back and shaking his right hand up and down while he spoke. It was a habit Giddeon knew the boy had when excited or scared. “She was right in front of me when she yelled...” Olo took a deep breath, raising his voice to level of someone in the heat of battle. “...Kael, behind you!” His voice returned to normal as he continued. “He didn’t even turn around, mistress, his sword spunned around and went through the bad man who tried to stab him in the back,” he assured her, patting his chest to show where Kael had stabbed the attacker.
Ember looked from Max to Yrlissa with a smile. “He’s alive, did you hear that? It has to be him. They’re only a couple days ahead of us.”
Max breathed a sigh of relief. “Yeah, and those stick fighting lessons and all that practise seems to have paid off. Now do you agree?”
She hugged him as she laughed. “Yes, Max. With what you taught him he’ll be the best swordsman here,” she exaggerated, laughing.
“Olo, was there anything else you noticed?” Giddeon asked, not nearly as overjoyed as the others.
Olo answered, but the tone of his voice took on a dark edge. “Just one, Master. The man who tried to cast the black-lightning magic? The man who stabbed the bad man? His arms were covered in black tattoos, they looked like black weeds, the prickly kind. They saved us, Master Giddeon, and they protected us for a whole day so we would be safe, and they left without hurting anyone or stealing anything for protecting us all day. He tried to use underworld magic, Master Giddeon, to save us and to protect us. Why? Aren’t DeathWizards bad? And vampyrs?” Olo asked, clearly agitated, puzzled, and way beyond his limited understanding.
“I don’t know why, Olo. I really don’t, but we’ll find out. I promise you that, fair enough?” Giddeon asked, cupping Olo’s cheek and giving it a pat. The boy nodded and he could see the relief set into his confused mind. Remembering what Olo had told him, he called back over his shoulder. “Ember? Does Kael have black plant-like tattoos?”
Frowning, she answered, “No, he doesn’t, just the scars from the shooting and the surgery afterwards. Why?”
Shaking his head, Giddeon replied, his voice riddled with concern. “Because for some reason, he does now. If it’s not a normal tattoo, then it must be magical.” With no answers, he pushed his worry aside for something to think on later.
Giddeon walked farther back among the refugees until he found Jaque, and got a very similar story. The elder’s son pointed out the extravagant black tattoos on Kael’s arms as well, but claimed the tattoos resembled black vines with wicked thorns, all incredibly realistic. Giddeon felt it wasn’t enough information to waste time thinking about; there were more pressing concerns.
For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what Kael was up to. In a matter of less than two weeks he was already making people take notice of him, and not in the way expected. He had somehow also attracted a vampyr, but that wasn’t a surprise. DeathWizards attracted evil no matter where they went, like iron to lodestone. The black tattoo-like markings were something new, and he tried to remember if Jasala had them in his vision, but it had happened so fast and twenty years was a long time to remember every detail, even for him.
He saw Ember talking with Yrlissa and Max, so he called Kasik over where they could talk privately. “What do you make of that story, Kasik?”
“Tyr only knows, but it doesn’t sound like he’s losing his mind or falling to corruption. But that description Jaque gave of those tattoos sounds an awful lot like the one Yrlissa has on the side of her face and neck,” Kasik said.
“I know. I think it’s time we get some answers.”
“Fair enough, but be careful. After what happened in Stillwater if you push too hard, this mountain pass will drink more blood today.”
“Good point,” Saleece added. “Please, Father, be easy.”
The three approached Yrlissa and Ember, while Max wandered a dozen feet to the rear to keep an eye out. Yrlissa lifted a hand and pulled down her hood. The black flower and vine tattoo on the right side of her face stood out in sharp contrast to her pale, Elvehn complexion and her long copper hair.
“I heard what the villager said,” she offered before Giddeon could ask.
“Then perhaps you’d like to tell us why his markings sound so similar to your own?” It was clear the question was a demand for an answer.
Never one to be intimidated, Giddeon pushed harder. “You seem a little defensive, assassin. Perhaps I should force you to tell us why.” Yrlissa responded with a crooked smile.
Ember slid from her horse and jumped between the two. “Enough! Giddeon, if there’s something you want to ask, just do it. Stop trying to force a fight. If you don’t want us here, we’ll happily leave. I thought that was already made quite clear. You were the one who came back begging us to stay.”
“Ask what you will,” hissed Yrlissa, moving even closer to Giddeon, her nose inches from his own. “I’ve had enough of your pompous attitude.”
“I will. Do you know more about DeathWizards than you’ve let on? And where did you get that tattoo? It’s unlike anything I have ever seen and I’ve been to Salzara many times. The most intricate tattoos are done there using magic and still they’re nothing like yours. It looks like a living plant.”
“This tattoo is a death-flower and it may be similar to Kael’s marks, but it’s not the same. You are supposed to be a fucking ArchWizard. This conversation is a waste of time, you know what a death-flower is, Giddeon, and what it means. The Elvehn have their own beliefs. My mark was done using Dyrranai magic eleven years ago when witches killed my husband and my one-year-old daughter…” Yrlissa hesitated as the last words escaped her lips, her voice faltering for only a second. “I didn’t commune, Giddeon. This mark is for those who don’t. It’s a secret passed down to children whose parents were both Dyrranai. We do it to remember instead of wandering the wilds like other Elvehn do when mourning. I don’t know why it’s similar to what they saw, but I don’t owe you any more of an explanation.” She held his gaze for several seconds before turning and walking away.
“Satisfied, Giddeon?” Ember snapped. When he nodded, she added, “I honestly don’t know how it’s possible that Kael has any of your blood. You are an obnoxious, uncaring, suspicious piece of shit. You’re not worthy to be Kael’s father. You never will be.” She spun on her heels to join Yrlissa as they both walked back to where Max stood watch, if for nothing more than to put distance between themselves and Giddeon.
“Sometimes, Father…” Saleece began, but she was cut off with a wave of his hand. The look on his face told Kasik and Saleece that he was ready to scream with anger at his own stupidity.
Unable to look at them any longer, he turned his back and spoke, staring at Ember and the others some ways off. “I don’t need to hear it, Saleece. What happened just now and back in Stillwater changes nothing, you both know why we’re here. Whether we actually decide to give Kael a chance or not, we still have to complete our orders. Just because he has figured out a way to fight the corruption so far does not make him a saint, regardless of his actions here. He is my son, but more importantly he is a DeathWizard, and we have to make sure he dies before this kingdom is either destroyed by him or by a war that he causes. The king has already notified both the Wizards and Elders councils of his existence and preparations are being made for if we fail. I need to know that you two can do what has to be done if it comes down to it.”
Kasik spoke for them both. “We already answered you, Giddeon. If you are ready to sacrifice all our lives for this, then we will stand behind you, but Max will avenge Kael and it’s quite possible now that Yrlissa will as well, if for no other reason than to kill you. Tyr’s bloody blade, Giddeon. Assassins aren’t exactly the forgiving type. Stop poking the assassin. We will do what has to be done. We gave our oath to the king and to you, but if you are not careful, you will also find that people rise up to defend Kael and then where will we be? If you told these people from Ipea you were going to kill him, what do you think would be their response? Even Olo knew something wasn’t right.”
“Fair enough, I see your point. Let’s get going. They’re only a day or two ahead of us. It seems that Lady Lykke has joined our side for a change, it’s by the grace of the luck goddess that we’re this close, let’s not blow it.”
Though Ember was thrilled at the thought of being only days away from Kael, inside she wept for Yrlissa and the torment she must have felt at having to relive her family’s slaughter, yet again, just to appease Giddeon’s suspicious nature.
“I’m sorry, Yrlissa.”
“It’s all right,” she replied, as she coughed to clear her throat. “We are close to finding Kael. We must focus on that, but I can’t be more clear to either of you…” She paused to make sure Max was listening. “I don’t believe their change of heart is sincere, even with what Salabriel told us,” Yrlissa said, confidently. “They will use the two of you to get close enough to Kael, so they can act. You must be ready to fight once we find him. Do you both understand?”
Max looked at Ember and they both nodded. “We do,” they said, in unison. Yrlissa returned their nod as she remounted her horse.
“Yrlissa? Did you hear anything that would help in that story the refugees told?” Ember asked, once she was back up in the saddle as well.
“Some. It sounds like his power is failing, and that in itself is quite surprising. He has not had any training and powers of magic are not figured out on your own, but there should be no shortage of power. Something unforeseen might be affecting him. I’ve read a little about the tattoo-like markings. A sealed old grimoire I read once mentioned them. From my understanding, the flower’s vines that are growing and have spread to his arms might mean that the trials of what he’s been through are weighing on him. If he is losing control of his anger, or has suffered pain and stress or loss, then the vines growth will increase in veracity,” she said, concern written all over her face. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Giddeon and the others were still out of earshot. “Do not forget, information about his kind is beyond rare, closer to non-existent. Most of what I am aware of has come from generations-old stories and a couple weathered documents. One cannot be sure of the truth of what is heard or read.”
“How do you know so much about what’s happening to him?” Ember asked, again, almost pleading for more answers.
Yrlissa’s response wasn’t what she was hoping for. “I told you before, that when you have been alive as long as I have, you hear stories and rumours, you see things with your own eyes. I have devoted most of my spare time to the discovery of the DeathWizard’s secrets. I have read tomes of knowledge in places that are now buried under tons of sand and rock because of the passage of time. My oath to you has been made, Ember. I will help you find Kael, but please don’t press further. Some of the knowledge I have will put you in danger. There are far worse people here than an ignorant ArchWizard. Do you understand?” Ember nodded, but Max frowned, refusing to answer.
“Let’s go,” he said instead, clearly perturbed. “Giddeon wants us to follow.”
Ember chuckled at the friction between Yrlissa and Max, confident she’d see Kael soon.
Chapter Twenty-Three
We have come close to the end of the Forsaken Lands. The fissure in the earth ahead is a terrifying sight. This place makes my head hurt. My senses ache with the pulsating throb of... of magic, I guess, but the wrong magic. I wish I had more understanding of these matters. How does one explain what I myself don’t understand? Crossing the fissure could actually be hazardous. In more ways than one.
EXCERPT FROM KAEL’S GRIMOIRE.
NORTH OF THE DEADZONE FISSURE
END-WINTER, 5025 PC.
DEADZONE FISSURE
2 DAYS PRIOR
It took Kael and Lycori close to a full day’s walk to reach the DeadZone Fissure. There were only three bridges that crossed the wound in the earth, and all were miles from each other. Crossing the man-made rope and wooden-slat bridge was
rife with danger for even the surest-footed people. Black mist hid the fissure’s true depth and shadowy movement ghosted at the corner of Kael’s peripheral vision. The steep sides and broken cliffs were honey-combed with gaping three-and four-foot-wide holes, most home to razorwing nests.
Two to three feet in length, the flying lizards attacked by the dozens. Wings lined with razor sharp claws did the most damage to intended prey. A perversion of the much larger wyverns found in the Dragon Isles, razorwings had a relentless hunger once they were disturbed. To the average person, they could inflict fatal cuts when their diving attacks hit their target. Incredibly aggressive, attacks with numbers in the hundreds wasn’t unheard of. Only the most agile of prey were capable of escape. They were one more nightmare creation of Jasala Vyshaan’s, meant to deter entrance to her domain.
Kael couldn’t help but comment as he stared into the gaping expanse and concealed depths. “Jasala Vyshaan was definitely a nasty piece of work, wasn’t she?”
Lycori nodded. “She is the monster that parents threaten their children with to be good. The creature in the shadows, under your bed, and in the fog. She is feared everywhere, even to this very day. When she couldn’t win the war against both kingdoms she tried to destroy the world. Never take chances when dealing with her left-over magics. My grandfather was a powerful wizard when I last saw him and even he paled at her name.”
“I get it and I won’t, but we still have to get past this bridge undetected. Ready?”
They planned to cross by using the ring Lycori had taken from the bounty hunter days before. Kael could see by using his esoteric sight that the ring’s power had changed while in their possession. The constant throb of dull light had become littered with unpredictable flashes of brightness.
“The ring’s getting weaker, I think.”