24
FAMILY REUNITED
Vincent slowed the horse down. He had been riding hard for a long time and he felt like the terrain was changing significantly. And he worried that he may have missed the path.
He had expected it to be obvious, as few would bother to travel this far. In his mind the amulet that Freyda had handed them was more of a token to make them feel more comfortable. But more and more he suspected that it was more than that. That there was something else that he was missing.
The path travelled up and up, and he didn’t feel like it was the right direction. It seemed to be meandering into more rocky cliffs than a real destination. So, he turned the horse around and retraced his steps.
He worked his back to another narrow pass and paused. There was something different about this area. He remembered it from when he rode through initially, but he was too preoccupied with his speed to pay it any attention. But now, once again, he had a feeling that something was off. But he couldn’t put his finger on it.
Vincent dismounted and tied the horse to a large stone nearby. If there was something here he had to take care and look properly. His feet crunched on the ground as he walked around, looking for some signs of an alternate path. Something was nagging at him, but he couldn’t spot anything of note. As he turned something did finally catch his eye. A glint that didn’t belong. He turned back and crouched down, carefully examining the area. There had been some snowfall recently, but he spotted the glint again. In a recess of a rock he spotted something. He reached in and plucked it out.
“My father’s ring,” he said quietly in astonishment. It had been placed there deliberately, a sign for him to follow.
“Well done Alrion. I feel bad that I almost missed it, but you did well to signpost the way.” Vincent cleaned off the snow and put it back where he found it.
With any luck my wife will find it too, he thought. It was worth a shot. He had no better way of alerting her, and if need be they could always retrieve the ring. He stood and examined the rock wall from another angle, and saw something odd. He placed his hand on the stone and it passed right through.
An actual hidden path. Now this is certainly mysterious. They give the wizards some competition!
After experimenting with the effect briefly, he strode back to his horse and quickly untied it. Leading it behind him, he ventured through what he thought was the new pass.
It was unnerving but soon he and the horse had passed through completely. Looking back, it was like there was no wall at all.
“Very clever. But now I need to make up for lost time.” He mounted the horse swiftly and nudged a little too enthusiastically. The horse bolted forward, and Vincent scrambled to hang on.
That’s the way, he thought with a chuckle. Although with the weather ahead, he expected he would need to slow down considerably.
The ride moved ahead without anything of interest, although he did spot a black hand sticking out of the snow. After investigating he realised it was a dead Tracker, and that they had managed to account for the last one that was closely tailing them.
“I should have been here,” he said as he remounted the horse. But he couldn’t have continued without leaving a message for Celes. She was incredibly resourceful, but needed to be updated. It was dangerous country and she would most likely be alone. He had no choice but to make arrangements.
The first view of the buildings should have filled him with wonder, but instead it just focused his thinking.
“I’m not far now. Hopefully I make it in time.” He tried to spur the horse faster, but the snow was falling thicker and caused plenty of trouble. Light was fading too, so he had to balance the need for speed and the danger of rushing along in treacherous conditions and low visibility.
Finally, he saw a figure standing before him. He slowed the horse to a slow walk and approached carefully. The figure was in a robe and was waiting.
“Hello there!” Vincent shouted as he closed in. He wanted to know if the figure was friendly or another attacker.
“Welcome, Andar,” the female voice said. Vincent was initially shocked but hid it quickly. He had to assume they knew all about him. It was just a shock hearing his original name used again. He would have to get used to it, since he doubted they would call him Vincent.
“My son has arrived already?” he said after he dismounted.
“Yes, he is resting. Did you want to meet the elder now or wait until morning?” The woman gave him an odd look. He knew she was waiting to see how he would respond. He knew what he should do.
“Has she met him already?”
“Yes, he insisted. She sent him away until you arrived.”
“Then I’ll wait. Let’s do everything at once,” Vincent said. In a way she had given him an out by mentioning how Alrion had been sent away. But he could guess as to why.
“I didn’t get your name.”
“Marla.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“And you too. I’ll take you to where they are staying.” Marla strode off confidently and Vincent rushed to keep up. Two women came to take the horse, and he handed over the reins. He looked around now at the domed buildings, marvelling at how they had been built.
Not by any means I know of.
Perhaps they were a clue as to the abilities of the Mystics. The cold was sharp and biting, and he looked forward to getting inside. It had been a long and hard ride to get here. Marla stopped in front of one of the domes and threw the doors open. She gestured inside.
Vincent entered quickly, and saw Lara jump to her feet.
“You still have great instincts. But it’s just me,” Vincent said. Lara ran over and hugged him.
“That’s a welcome. Everything alright?”
“It’s fine. Just happy to see a familiar face. And Alrion was turned away because of you.”
“I heard. I also spotted the fourth Tracker on the way here. Sorry you had to deal with that.”
“We survived. Alyx too.” Lara looked down at her. The weapon master was sleeping soundly.
“Good. I suppose I should take a rest too.”
“We will summon you in the morning,” Marla said, and closed the doors.
“They sure do love their mystery and ceremony here,” Vincent said.
“They do. I hope they can help. We found the missing notebook and there was another message?”
“What was it?” Vincent walked over and sat on the last bed.
“The Mystics are not the solution, just a step.”
“Hmm how did Alrion take it?”
“He seemed fine generally. But a bit worried.” Lara looked over at him sleeping, then sat on her bed.
“Anything worth mentioning for you?”
“No. I rode back and asked Beatrix to pass on a message to my wife and explain what we’re up to. Then I came straight here.”
“And you found the clue?” Lara chuckled.
“I did. Well, after I rode past it once. It was a clever idea. I left it for Celes, hopefully she finds it too.”
“I’m sure she will. I hope whatever happens here, it happens quickly. Alyx’s infection is quite progressed.”
“That is a worry. But we’re here now; there will be what we need. Looking back, I can’t imagine this trip without her. She’s been instrumental in our survival.”
“I know. Well, you probably need to rest. All will be revealed tomorrow.”
“It most certainly will,” Vincent said. He doused a nearby light and prepared for sleep. He was nervous about what would happen tomorrow. He had no idea how it would go. But one thing was for certain. It would not go well for him.
Vincent awoke first. It was to be expected but still he was glad. He had time to prepare himself before Alrion woke. Lara woke next, but they didn’t talk much. They waited for Alrion. When he did eventually wake he sat bolt upright.
“Where are we?” he said, looking around.
“The Mystics, remember?” Lara said. Alrion nodded, but
he had already spotted his father.
“Dad! You made it.”
“Of course I did. And I appreciated you leaving that ring. I had underestimated the difficulty in finding that path, and I had already missed it once. How are you feeling?”
“Not amazing, but good enough. Now that you’re here we can go get some answers from the Mystics.”
“Of course. Marla did mention something about summoning us, but I’m sure we can initiate something,” Vincent said with a wink.
“Absolutely. I didn’t trek to the end of the world to wait around for a summons.” Alrion rose quickly and walked around the room. He spotted some food and started to eat. Vincent chuckled to himself and joined his son.
They all ate quickly, and prepared to leave.
“We’ll be back soon with a cure, Alyx. Keep resting,” Alrion said. Alyx made no response.
“She’ll be fine, just needs to recover a bit more,” Lara said.
“They will take good care of her. Let’s go get those answers you’re after,” Vincent said. He felt a clenching in the pit of his stomach. But he couldn’t avoid it any longer. He had to face up to it.
They walked slowly through the settlement. There were still very few people moving around. Those that were continued going about their business, completely ignoring the travellers.
“Here we are,” Alrion said. They stood before the giant hall. Vincent whistled.
“Looks spectacular. I should have expected it. I’ll do the honours,” Vincent said. He opened the giant doors and walked inside. The room was almost full. The sides were packed with seated women in robes. A large fire burned in the centre of the room and at the very end sat an older woman in a throne, with what looked like Marla at her side.
“That’s the elder, Jovana,” Alrion whispered to his father.
“Thanks,” Vincent said. And here we go, he thought. He walked through the room with fake confidence, his footsteps echoing through the eerie quiet. Alrion and Lara followed close behind, remaining quiet. As they approached the throne the older woman waved her hand and Vincent stopped. He saw her disapproving gaze and felt the full force.
“Only now, at your most desperate, have you come to me. My son,” Jovana said.
“I’m sorry. You seemed more of a memory than a person I could actually visit,” Vincent said. His voice was stronger than he expected. Alrion pulled him aside.
“She called you her son. She’s your mother?”
“Yes, she is. My father took me away when I was very young.”
“You knew this the whole time? And you said nothing?” Alrion looked angry and confused. Vincent sighed.
“I see your son is surprised also. Rightfully so. You kept this from him too?” Jovana said.
“Until recently he even hid the fact that Granthion was my grandfather,” Alrion said. Jovana shook her head.
“You have disrespected and neglected your family. For what?” Jovana looked through Vincent. He didn’t have a good answer.
“It was easier that way. You may not know, but I left my father. I forged my own path.”
“Of course I know, you’re my son. And what good did that do you? You’re here with the same problem that he was faced with.”
“The Blight.”
“Exactly. It was his obsession, and eventually his undoing. Your sticking your head in the sand for over two decades didn’t help at all did it?”
“At least my son had a normal upbringing!” Vincent felt like he was right in what he had done. Even if he had insulted his family in the process.
“A normal upbringing? He’s the grandson of the greatest wizard and Mystic that ever lived. Why should he have a normal upbringing?”
“Because I never had one.” The room went quiet.
“Well, because of your decision you have missed a lot. Did you know that you had a twin sister?” Jovana said. Vincent was floored.
“No,” he managed to say, his voice cracking. He looked around the room.
“She’s not with us anymore. She passed giving birth to her daughter, Marla.” Jovana reached out and held Marla’s hand. Vincent looked at her more closely. He could see a resemblance. It made sense now.
“I’m sorry, I have done you all a disservice. But it was not out of malice.”
“Of course not. You’re just a foolish boy. I knew that you would be in trouble with your father, but that was how it had to be. So here we are. Much too late you have arrived on my doorstep asking for help. You should have done so sooner, and all of this could have been avoided!”
“What do you mean?” Alrion said.
“You really should know better. Had you come to me earlier, you could have been trained properly.”
“Trained in what?”
“The power of Soul. Our power. It runs through your veins, because you are my grandson. My son has it also, not that he ever thought to use it.” Jovana had a defiant smile on her face. Vincent felt his blood run cold. He had never considered that. He always assumed that his parentage was just a fact, that it had no repercussions.
“That’s not possible. Only women are Mystics,” he said.
“Generally, yes. But there are exceptions. And a wizard can make a big difference.”
“I am a wizard and a Mystic?” Alrion said.
“Yes. And as a Mystic, if you had come to train with us, you would already be immune to the Blight.” Joana’s look was half-amusement, half-concern. Alrion looked incredulous.
“I don’t believe it.”
“Why do you think the infection has moved so slowly?” Marla said. Alrion just stared at his hands.
This is not quite what I expected, Vincent thought. He was as blindsided as Alrion. Perhaps things could have been different. If he had embraced his family, really thought about what the benefits could be to Alrion, he could have avoided so much. He felt sick. His own selfishness in doing what he thought was right had cost them so dearly.
“You are not beyond help. You can both be trained. We should not waste time,” Jovana said.
“How will training help me now? I’m so far gone. Can’t you just heal me?” Alrion sounded defeated and overwhelmed.
“I can’t heal you. Why do you think we never cured the Blight? Because that is not how our power works. I have done the impossible many times in my life, but that is one thing that cannot be done with Soul power alone.”
“So what hope is there for me then?”
“Learn the power. Unlike your Spark, it cannot be tainted by the Blight. Unlock your full potential and you will cure yourself!” Jovana looked triumphant. Alrion looked up at her, a hopeful look on his face. But he needed encouragement.
“Alrion, we will do this together. We will set things right. Correct the course that we are on. You can cure yourself, then you can learn how to cure Alyx. He can do that right?”
“Your father found a way, and he had no Soul power. I’m sure Alrion will discover the secret. That’s the whole point of your quest, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Alrion said.
“And I will learn too. So that I can’t be infected. Then I can protect you.” Vincent was resolute. He would not fail his family again.
25
A NEW POWER
“Marla will start your training. Immediately,” Jovana said. She waved them away and returned to staring into the bowl of water before her. Marla descended the steps smiling.
“There’s a lot for you to learn, cousin,” Marla said. Alrion blinked. Of course.
“Sure. Sorry I had no idea we were related. I had no idea of a lot of things,” Alrion said. He felt completely blindsided. He had travelled all this way, not knowing the real reason. And his father had gone with him, all the while saying nothing. He couldn’t believe that, after all that had happened, he still hadn’t revealed this. He looked at his father as they walked through the hall. The women on chairs had been silent the entire time. Just watching proceedings.
“Mum was so angry at you when you revealed who you
r father was. This is just the next level,” Alrion said. Vincent winced in pain.
“You’re right. I’m in serious trouble when she arrives.”
“Jovana would say you deserve it.”
“I would agree.” Vincent paused and opened the giant doors. Lara walked through first. Alrion watched her go. She had been quiet the whole time. He rushed past his father to catch up to her.
“Dad we will discuss this again later. Lara, what are you thinking?”
“I’m still trying to grasp everything. You’re not just a wizard, but also a male Mystic? It’s a lot to take in. They can’t cure Alyx?”
“I guess not.”
“What the eldest said is true. But, we can help her. We are Healers after all,” Marla said. She overtook them and started to lead the way.
“Before we start, we need to see her. To explain what is going on.” Alrion needed Alyx to understand the situation. He had promised to cure her, but he hadn’t expected to be the one to do it himself. She had to understand that it was his top priority.
“Very well, we will stop there first. But this is not a fast process. Even though you are descended from the eldest, it will be very difficult for you. Perhaps even more so with your … infection.” Marla looked at Alrion’s neck as she spoke, and he shied away. He was very self-conscious of the marks. They showed how far his infection had come. But it sounded like he could do something about it. The Soul power could keep the infection away, or even overpower it. That was something he desperately needed. The sooner he could be rid of it, the sooner he could access his Spark.
“Don’t be alarmed, we already have some Mystics visiting your friend,” Marla said. They had reached their dome, and Marla opened the door. She waited outside and ushered them in.
Alyx was sitting up and alert. There were two Mystics beside her, their hands glowing with a bright white light.
“What are they doing? The elder told me you can’t cure the Blight,” Alrion said.
Spark of Truth (The Hidden Wizard Book 3) Page 19