by AJ Martin
Josephine nodded her head sleepily. “I am well enough, thank you. My arms and legs ache, but aside from that, I am surprised how well I do feel.”
Matthias nodded. “Your body has rested. Wielding energy can be exhausting, but from my own experience, after a good sleep, I usually feel right as rain. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Josephine rubbed her eyes. “How is your hand?” She asked.
“Oh, good as new!” Matthias grinned, and flexed his fingers, showing her his repaired palm. “Just needed to repair the skin.”
Josephine smiled. "Mahalian tricks. Is there anything you cannot do?”
He thought a moment. “I’ve never been very good at cooking,” Matthias ventured.
Josephine smiled. “Then you are in good company. I have never cooked a meal in my life.” She shook her head. “That was… quite a night.”
Matthias nodded. “I’ve had better,” he said. "But then again, I've also had worse."
“Matthias,” Josephine started again, and then stopped, awkwardly. “I-”
“There’s no need to say anything Josephine,” Matthias intervened. “You weren’t responsible. If anything, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have tried to communicate with my people.”
Josephine shrugged. “Nevertheless I should have been able to block whatever was trying to control me.”
Matthias shifted his position and moved closer. “Well at least we know one thing now. Your strength in the pure power reacts to your mood. When you calmed yourself down, the storm died off.”
“I could feel the barriers slipping away. There was nothing I could do. I was petrified. And I think you are right. I think my fear did fuel the energy further.” She brushed the hair from where it blew across her face, and tucked it behind one ear.
“It’s alright to be scared with that much power running through you.”
Josephine shook her head. “I wasn’t afraid for myself. I mean, all the pain that was passing through my body was terrifying, but my life didn’t seem to matter. I did not care what happened to me. All I could think about was that I was going to die and I had failed everyone. Rina was going to go up in flames because I could not control myself, and I could do nothing to stop it.” She wiped her eyes. “Through it all I saw my mother again, as she was the day she died: Lying there at my feet, as clear as it had been the night it happened. The same face has haunted me every day since she died, but never has it seemed so strong an image as it did yesterday. The shock that was ingrained on her face… and yet, she was gone also. She went from being my mother to being a shell in less than a second. Her eyes were so vacant...” Josephine swallowed back tears as she choked on them. “I killed her, and if I fail in this I have as good as killed my people as well.”
Matthias looked down at Josephine’s sodden face. “My mother died when I was young,” he said suddenly and licked his lips. “It was my fault.”
Josephine stared up at him. “How?”
“She was able to wield the earth power. She had been able to since I was born. No - one knew, save my father and our family, until, one morning, when we had gone to market, to peddle our wares, I was attacked by a thief. He drew a blade on me and held it to my throat, and said he would kill me unless my mother and father handed everything they had over to him and his friends. If we did that, we would surely starve, but they did so nonetheless.” He snorted. “But then the thief wouldn’t let go. He held on to me, pulling my hair, pressing the blade into my throat. He said he would release me when he reached safety. And then... my mother snapped. She ripped the knife from the man’s grasp with threads of energy, picked him up into the air, and threw him across the path to save me. She did this in broad daylight, in a Mahalian town.”
“Why do your people hate women who can use the powers so much?” Josephine asked.
Matthias shook his head. “It’s a foolish, ancient belief that if a woman can wield the power she wields it for the side of the evils of the world. It has something to do with ancient folklore surrounding the earliest days of life. A woman was said to have been the first human to surrender to the urges of the dark, and with her allure, she persuaded men to join her.”
“I am surprised your people would place such stock in a story.”
Matthias smiled. “Some tales grow more powerful as they age until the very fact they are so old and have survived so long means there must be a truth in them somewhere.” He shook his head. “In any case, the city was soon made aware of my mother’s actions. A few days later my mother was taken away. I learned soon after that she had been killed trying to escape. She was screaming my name as she died.”
“That’s awful,” Josephine whispered. “I am sorry, ambassador.” Her brow furrowed. “Yet you became a wizard?”
Matthias smiled. “That is another story, and one which I might tell you another day. The world is but a series of contradictions, if nothing else.” He shifted, and grasped her hand. “In any case, the reason I am telling you this is to show you that you are not alone in your pain. We all have experienced tragedy in this world in some way or another. And we all- or at least, most of us- find ways to cope; be that seeking comfort in others, the gods, or in other ways.”
“I might find that comforting were I not directly responsible for her death,” Josephine sniffed. “It was my hands that struck my mother. And unlike your own mother, mine was not saving me from harm. There was no apparent danger. She was just talking with me and then in the blink of an eye, her life was taken from her. It was a pointless death.”
“You are not responsible for circumstances out of your control Josephine. Just like today.”
Josephine took a breath and wiped away her tears. “If only I could believe that,” she said. “You know wizard... I have always believed that I would live a short life.” She shook her head. “No, it is more than belief. It is an instinct, one whose presence I have always felt. When the power emerged I felt a form of vindication for that instinct. In the years since I have felt my mortality more acutely than I can explain. That is partly why I agreed to go with you. If it is true, if I am to die young, then my final moments will be in aid of helping people. My death will not be pointless. And so, in turn, neither was that of my mother.”
Matthias nodded. “I cannot say what lies in store for you Josephine. I will try my utmost to protect you, to train you, but the gods alone know where we will tread.”
Josephine sniffed. “The gods who gave me this power and then left me to deal with the circumstances alone? Do you really believe they have any grasp of this ball which they have started rolling?”
Matthias shrugged. “I try to have faith that the gods will prevail. They have lived millennia in watch over us. They have seen more wonders and more dangers than any other creatures on this world. They may not be able to touch the world directly any longer, but I have to believe they know what they are doing in entrusting you this responsibility, in sending down the seeing Stones to guide us.”
She shook her head. “Perhaps. I am not sure what faith I place in the gods. It has always been a point of contention between my father and I. Anyway,” she said, taking a breath, “it is no use talking over such matters now. It will make no difference. Gods or not, what matters now is my kingdom and how to save the world from more torment.”
Matthias nodded and turned to scan the horizon. “If we make it to Crystal Ember in time, then Aralia will be safe.” He smiled. “You will find a way to stop the dragon.”
“Your faith in me is both encouraging and unnerving,” she said and smiled.
“You are not alone in this. I won’t let anything happen to Rina or to you. Not if I can help it. You can trust me princess.”
Josephine nodded after a pause. “I do trust you.” She sniffed. “Though I will confess, I still did not completely until last night.” She looked up at him. “But without you I would have ripped myself apart. I owe you my life.”
Matthias shrugged. “I didn’t do anything particularly. It was
all you. You regained control.”
“But it was your being there that calmed me down so that I could do so. For that I am in your debt.”
Matthias shrugged. “Think nothing of it princess.”
She shook her head, and gave him a warm smile. “Oh for goodness sake, call me Josephine.”
The Web Grows
120th Day of the Cycle, 495 N.E. (New Era)
King Arwell had awoken early every day for the last week. That was of course when he could get to sleep in the first place. Since Josephine had left, he had slept very little
There had been no more sightings of demons since the night of her disappearance and no more news of his daughter since that night. Whilst he supposed that was a good thing in that it meant his daughter was lying low and hopefully, therefore, on her way to Olindia, he would have given anything to know exactly where she was and what she was doing. He had contented himself to hunting on the Plains of Rina and the Eastwood nearby, but even though it provided a reasonable distraction, his thoughts always returned to Josephine. The only cure, it seemed, was to drink as much as he could and look forward to a few hours of unconsciousness in the evenings before his nightmares woke him once more.
As he ate his morning meal he read through papers presented to him by his advisors: dry documents about the continued bad harvests to the south of Aralia. It was hardly surprising news given how close to the borders of the ruined lands of Helriven those fields affected were. It was lucky that anything grew around there given the scar that the Blasted Lands had cast across Triska’s southern reaches for the last four hundred years. Still, it seemed that the pestilence was spreading further north than it had done for many years. The only option it seemed would be to try to approach Tekri and purchase some of their grain. It was hardly ideal, especially considering the self - worth that the emperor of their realm already felt towards his land.
As he finished the last mouthful of meat, Darien, one of his youngest aides, knocked on the door and entered, bowing deeply to him.
“Your Grace, beg my pardon interrupting your breakfast, but there is a man who urgently wishes to meet with you.”
“This early?” He looked out the window. The sunrise must have only been an hour ago at most. “Who is it?”
“It is a wizard, Your Grace. His name is Lord Fenzar?”
Arwell’s stomach lurched. “Fenzar? Are you sure?”
“Quite sure, Your Grace. He left me little room for error.”
The king nodded. “That does sound like Fenzar. Send him in at once,” he advised and rose from the table. What could this be about?
A few moments later an elderly man cloaked in a purple and green coat as thick as the pelts of at least a half dozen animals walked into the room. His face really was as gnarled as Arwell remembered and his hair had grown even wispier than the last time he had seen him.
“Your Grace,” the man said airily as he bowed, clutching with wrinkled fingers tightly to his tall, golden staff, stopping him from falling on to his face. “I am grateful you have agreed to meet with me at such an early hour!”
“You hardly left me with much of a choice, ambassador,” King Arwell sniffed. “It has been a long time.”
“Indeed it has Your Grace. I have been incredibly busy of late and your good kingdom has suffered a lack of my attention.”
“And yet it has survived,” the king smiled haughtily. “No escort today?”
“Alas, I did not have the time to bring with me the same luxuries as on a normal visit. I have only brought two other men with me this time. They are dining at your pleasure as we speak.”
“Well how very generous of me.” The king offered a seat to the man before taking his own.
“Your Grace, forgive me if I am wrong, but you seem a little highly strung.”
The king looked at him in mock surprise. “Highly strung you say? Well, I wonder why that would be?” He snorted. “What do you want, Fenzar? I have had more than enough unexpected visits from Mahalia of late and I am in no mood for any more games.”
The old man’s face screwed up and the wrinkles along his cheeks deepened. “Visits, Your Grace? What visits would those be?”
‘Why, ambassador Greenwald, of course!” the king exclaimed.
“Greenwald? Matthias Greenwald?” Fenzar asked. The king nodded and the man raised a hand to his lip. “I see.”
The king leaned forward. “What’s wrong? You did know about his visit?”
Fenzar shook his head, “I am afraid we did not, Your Grace. He was not sent by the Council.”
Arwell’s head spun. “What do you mean?”
“Matthias Greenwald is a junior wizard, by most definitions. To my knowledge he was on assignment in Tekri on a trade mission. We would never have sent such a man to meet with you, Your Grace. Especially about the matter which I have come to speak with you about today. Is he still here? I should speak with him.”
“No. He left some time ago.” Arwell swallowed. “And he took my daughter with him.”
Fenzar rose from his chair. “Matthias Greenwald took your daughter? Where?” he asked, his tone growing anxious.
“To Olindia. He told me that the dragon was breaking free and that only my daughter could stop it. Oh my gods, what have I done? It was all lies, wasn’t it?”
“Lies?” Fenzar shook his head. “No, in that regard he was telling the truth. The dragon is breaking free.”
The king stood again. “Then I do not understand what is happening here!” he barked.
“Your Grace knows of your daughter’s abilities?” Fenzar asked.
Arwell looked at him through blazing eyes and nodded. “I have known for some time,” he said defiantly.
“I see. Yet you did not tell us about it?” Fenzar probed. “You did not trust us?”
The king snorted. “You know what our relationship with Mahalia is like.”
Fenzar nodded. “I will admit that our dealings with you have been fragile, at times. But I am dismayed to learn quite how little you put your faith in us.” Fenzar pointed a finger at the king. “You truly think that your daughter could stop the dragon’s release?”
“Matthias told me the truth about what power my daughter holds inside of her. She is strong.”
Fenzar shook his head. “Oh my, my, my, I am afraid that is where you are wrong. Young Matthias Greenwald has been spinning you grand tales I am afraid. His assumptions are quite incorrect. He is both young and naïve if he has been filling your head with such nonsense!” The ambassador began to pace the room. “The Council is working on stopping the dragon ourselves. We believe we now know who is responsible and we are pursuing them. When we find and stop them we will in turn stop the dragon’s release.”
“Then your people never had any intention of using my daughter?” the king asked in surprise.
“Oh goodness no! Your daughter should have no part in this. No woman should be involved in such a task. To do so invites destruction on us all.”
Arwell struggled to breathe. “Then you are telling me that Matthias has taken my daughter against your knowledge? What is he? Some kind of a… rogue?”
Fenzar nodded gravely. “It would seem so.”
“Darien!” Arwell cried and the man came bursting into the room. “Fetch Tiberius. Get him here now!” The man bowed and left the room hurriedly. “I must find my daughter,” Arwell continued, shaking. “I will kill that wizard! Why would he be doing this?”
“I may have an idea who is behind this,” Fenzar nodded. “There are some in our Council who do not always see eye to eye with the Consensus. It may be that Matthias is working under instructions from them.” He folded his hands into his coat. “That is a separate matter entirely, however, and one we will deal with internally. The most important thing now is that we find your daughter, Your Grace.”
“For once it would seem we are in complete agreement ambassador.” The king’s face suddenly grew dark. “But… if Josephine was not meant to stop the dragon, then why
are you here?”
“My reason for coming was to help your daughter. Her sickness must be cured.”
“Sickness?” Arwell repeated. “What do you mean by that?”
“Why, the abilities she wields. They are a poison! They must be drained from her.”
“Drained? How?” The king’s stomach grew icy. He had heard such words before from Mahalia.
“We would bring her back to Mahalia where she would be cleansed of the abilities. As all women are with such a curse.”
“Cleanse my daughter?” Arwell growled. “How do you cleanse such power when you have no knowledge of it?”
“We would of course find a way. We are highly skilled in such matters.”
“And if you could not?” Arwell growled. “What then?”
“It is best not to think of such things, Your Grace.” Fenzar smiled. “We are here for the good of your people. To help you and your daughter. As we always have been.”
“No!” the king yelled angrily. “No, what you have always done is twist events into a manner that suits your realm.” He pointed angrily at the man. “You will not touch my daughter! You will go nowhere near her!”
Fenzar glowered at him. “Your Grace, this is not simply some young woman who has tapped into minor powers. This is much more than that. The gods have sent us a warning about your daughter. The seeing stone we found has given us the opportunity to stop the dragon and your daughter, before it is too late.”
“You speak as if she is a threat to the world!” Arwell barked.
“She is, your grace. You do not want to hear it because she is your blood. But she could destroy this world. We must stop her before it comes to that.”
King Arwell ran forward and grasped the man’s collar, forcing him against the cold, stone wall. “I will kill you, you old goat, if you even think about pursuing her!”
Fenzar smiled. “Your Grace, please remove your hands, or I will have no choice but to remove them by force.” Arwell puffed and panted as he gripped the man’s clothes. But finally he loosened his grip and let the man go. “Thank you, Your Grace.” He smiled. “It pains me to put it this way, Your Grace, but my coming here was but a courtesy to you. We were not seeking your permission to do anything. We are wizards after all, Your Grace. We have guided Triska in the absence of the Akari for four hundred years.”