The Flames of Deception - A Horizon of Storms: Book 1

by AJ Martin

  “This isn’t necessary,” she said to the man, and she felt the power slide down her arm and caress the man’s skin. She wasn’t sure what she was doing, but it felt… right somehow. “Please, tell your friends to leave us be. I will see that you are compensated. But I cannot do that if you start killing these men,” she indicated to her party.

  The man’s expression changed as she spoke to him. The frown softened and his eyes seemed to grow less hateful. He swallowed. “I… I…” he fumbled, as he looked at her with a mixture of confusion and intent. Then he nodded. He turned his head. “Lads, let them pass.”

  “What?” The wiry man hissed, standing up and dusting himself down.

  “You heard me!” his friend barked. “Her word is good!”

  “Like hell I will!” The man ran, blade in hand, towards Matthias. The wizard raised his staff and then threw it down again as if about to strike a hammer on an anvil. The man’s chest crunched, and he fell, clutching himself and wailing. “My ribs! They’re broke! Demon!”

  The other men looked to each other as if unsure what to do now. Josephine addressed the burly man again. “Please, will you stop them?” she asked him. He nodded and turned to the group of men.

  “Lads, if any of you decides to hurt this woman or her friends again, I’ll break their necks myself. Got that? Now let them go.” One by one, they nodded and stepped aside.

  Josephine nodded, somewhat surprised herself. “Thank you. Matthias, please take whatever coin you have to hand and leave it on the ground for these people.” Matthias nodded, befuddled, and rifled in his pocket. He pulled out a handful of gold and silver coins and threw them behind them. The men’s’ faces went from terror to lust in an instant and they slipped around them and began scrabbling at the coins, pushing each other out of the way. “Shall we go?” she asked. Matthias nodded.

  “I would suggest we leave quickly.” They started away from the gang, at a brisk walk at first, but then they ran, as the men continued to jostle for the precious coin, the wiry man sobbed in pain and the burly man stared at the scene in front of him, disorientated and bemused.

  A Shortcut

  129th Day of the Cycle, 495 N.E. (New Era)

  They ran for what felt like miles, up a dusty road out of the town and carried on along its length until Tanavern was just a blot on the green landscape. Up ahead, the Gormal Mountains towered above them. In the light they looked purple and strangely welcoming.

  “Stop!” I can’t go any further!” Josephine wheezed and collapsed to her knees. They all fell in around her.

  “They aren’t following,” Thadius panted. “Just as well for them, or I would have killed them all.”

  “They were desperate people,” Josephine retorted. “Misguided and desperate. But they are still my people.”

  “Why did you tell them your name?” Matthias cried. “Now rumour will spread like wildfire! ‘The Princess of Aralia was in Tanavern!’”

  “I had to do something!” she panted. “I could not just stand there whilst the situation deteriorated! I knew what I was doing.”

  “Did you?” Matthias asked. “Because I didn’t. What you did to that man was unlike anything I have ever seen. One minute you can barely snuff out a candle and the next you’re influencing people’s decisions.”

  “You’re saying that the princess persuaded that man with her power?” Thadius asked, his mouth gaping open.

  “It’s been written as happening before,” Matthias said. “But not for centuries.”

  “It just felt… natural,” the princess said. “In that moment I knew exactly what I had to do. I cannot explain it more than that.”

  Matthias nodded. “Sometimes I have done things with the earth power that I was never taught. Nothing quite like that, mind you. It was a very risky thing to do.”

  “I am sick of feeling helpless, Matthias,” she responded. “You men all bear arms and I stand there like a lemon!”

  “I know you are fed up of feeling like that. But taking unnecessary risks is not the way to go about alleviating that! They could have hurt you. You are far too precious to me to allow anything like that happen.”

  “To precious to you?” Josephine asked.

  “To us,” Matthias corrected and tried to stem the redness flushing his cheeks. The princess looked away from him, her own cheeks blushing.

  “What do we do now?” Luccius asked, sensing the embarrassment.

  Thadius shrugged. “There’s nothing we can do to stop them gossiping that the princess was in their town. We will just have to carry on and hope that the news doesn’t travel too far, too quickly.” He looked up at the Mountain ahead. “Gormal. It has been a long time since I’ve been there.”

  “Is it safe?” Matthias asked him.

  “As safe as anywhere else right now!” he shrugged. “Wherever we go, danger seems to follow us. I feel like we’re dragging death along behind us on a leash!”

  Matthias nodded. “A fair point.” He stared off into the direction of the mountains. “It’s still a long way.”

  “A good day’s walk, I would say,” Thadius nodded. “And we are a good few hours into this one already.”

  “We could get there quicker if we cut out that winding road,” Matthias said. “Could we make our way through that field of barley ahead?”

  “That would be trespassing,” Thadius retorted.

  “You’re the king’s right - hand knight now! How can it be trespassing if this is his land?” Matthias rebuffed.

  Thadius thought for a moment, and then nodded. “I suppose you have a point.”

  “It might be safer too, in case those men do come after us,” Luccius added.

  Matthias nodded. “Come on then. Before the princess of Aralia has any more urges to divulge her identity to the locals.” Josephine shook her head and pursed her lips, her hands on her hips.

  They began making their way across the half-grown field of barley, watching their step wherever they could. The crop was thick and it was surprisingly painful when they trod on a broken stem.

  “Damn!” Thadius growled as he snapped one stalk. “This is going to make those villagers poorer than they already are!” he winced as he blundered forward.

  “Like you said, it’s the nobles who get all the money,” Matthias called behind him as he wove around the plants. “But you could be a bit more careful! You’re blundering about like a blindfolded bear!”

  “Don’t push me wizard!” Thadius growled. “I am not in the mood today!”

  “That makes a change,” Luccius whispered under his breath with a grin.

  “I am sorry, Matthias,” Josephine said. “I didn’t mean to ruin everything we have done so far.”

  “You haven’t, Josephine,” Matthias replied, as he slipped between the crops. “I was just frustrated. I didn’t mean to upset you. We’ll just have to watch out for people who might recognise you. Perhaps we can find some dye in Gormal for your hair,” he mused.

  “Dye my hair?” she exclaimed.

  “A good auburn would change your appearance instantly,” Matthias added.

  “There are worse ideas,” Luccius said from behind her.

  “I would preferred to have kept the mud on my face!” she said.

  Matthias laughed. “That could be arranged,” he retorted.

  “So I am forgiven for my error in judgement back there?” she asked.

  Matthias stopped and turned to her and grabbed her hands. “You don’t need to apologise princess. You are a kind and generous person. What you said back there wasn’t the best thing you could have done, but...” He paused, and then nodded. “But it was perhaps the right thing to do, if perhaps at the wrong time.” He smiled. “I do not think you realise quite how beautiful a woman you are. Desperate men do not care a jot about honour or decency, whether they are your subjects or not.” His stare lingered on her a moment, and then he shook his head. “There is nothing to forgive, and let us draw a line under it.” Then he let go of her hands, and t
urned back to weaving through the crops.

  Josephine sighed, staring after him a moment, before she followed.

  The field stretched on for miles in all directions. After a while, they stopped and rested together in an opening within the crops.

  “Are we lost?” Thadius asked. “I can’t even see the bloody mountains now!”

  “They’re in that direction,” Matthias indicated to his left. “I don’t think there is far to go.”

  “You are quite adept at this weaving around these crops Matthias,” Josephine commented, as she caught her breath. “I keep tripping up over my own feet!”

  “I have had practice,” he laughed. “I took what you could say was a direct route across the region on my way to Rina to see you. There was no use wasting time on roads when the world’ could be at stake.”

  “That must have been quite a journey in itself,” she commented.

  “You could say that. A great deal of my life of late has involved crawling through fields.”

  “You must tell us that story sometime!” she said.

  “I would say another half a mile, perhaps less, and we will be out,” suggested Luccius.

  “Ah, well, in that case,” Josephine grinned. “The last one to the other side buys the drinks at the next inn!” She darted forward.

  Luccius smiled and leapt after her. “I’m game!”

  “What have you done to her?” Thadius said to Matthias. “She will be singing bar songs and gambling before long!”

  “I only wanted her to blend in,” Matthias said back. “Blame Luccius!” Then he turned and ran through the barley. Thadius shook his head, before he too darted into the undergrowth.

  After another half- hour they emerged from the crops near the base of the mountain. Josephine emerged first and raised her hands in triumph.

  “I won!” she exclaimed as Matthias, then Luccius, emerged, followed by Thadius.

  “There,” Matthias dusted himself off. “We must have saved ourselves time, rather than snaking around that road!”

  “It wasn’t worth it,” Thadius replied, blundering out of the field, his chest heaving. “I have done far too much running for one day!”

  “Oh I don’t know, I think it was rather fun!” Josephine added, as she brushed her skirts and loosened the debris that stuck to the material.

  The wizard bowed his head. “I am glad your highness and I have seen eye to eye in this instance.” He grinned.

  “Do not get used to it,” she retorted, with a smile. “I am sure there is plenty left for us to disagree on. Come, there is no use standing around here, or we will have wasted our advantage. Besides, Thadius owes us all a drink!”

  The Third

  129th Day of the Cycle, 495 N.E. (New Era)

  Gormal was quite busy despite its relatively small size. Known unofficially as the Third City of Aralia, it verged on its border, clinging to the edge of the Gormal Mountains that separated the realm from Olindia. Rising smoke curled its way upward from the many chimneys that dotted the tall buildings: the temperature was cool so high up.

  Taico Grimm paced the streets, watching his breath mist in front of him. He readjusted a tattered sack on his back and trudged about looking for the meeting spot where he was supposed to rendezvous with the third sorcerer. There it was: a statue of a woman holding a reef of flowers. His host was propped up against it: a tall man, unmistakable alone by the confidence he emitted. It had been quite a time since he had seen that face. Grimm flashed back momentarily, to the darkness and the terror he had first felt when he opened his eyes from that lengthy unconsciousness: the strangeness of it all as he looked around at the four faces staring down at him. He had been at peace before: a peace that had eluded him for years. Then they had converted him and suddenly he knew what had to be done and why he was back. It was as if they had flicked a switch in his mind, opening him to the reality of his situation. That day he had become Taico Grimm.

  Grimm walked up to the tall man and lowered himself to one knee. “My Lord Kala, I have arrived.”

  The man chewed at a piece of straw clenched between his teeth and gave him a cold stare. “Yes, I can see that Grimm. It has been a while. You look even more haggard than before and that is saying something, given the state you were in then!”

  Grimm nodded. “I am weak. Time is catching up to me.” He swallowed.

  Kala nodded. “So it would seem. But there is a lot more for you to do for us Taico.”

  “Time catches up to us all,” Grimm continued, ignoring him. “Death will come for you too, eventually. I have seen him. He brings the silence.”

  Kala smiled. “Death wouldn’t dare pick a fight with me.” He plucked the straw in his mouth and held it between his fingers. “I hear from Maevik that you failed to stop the princess from leaving Rina?”

  “There were complications. But that is not an excuse. Do with me as you wish.”

  Kala smiled. “We already do!” he scoffed. “Never forget that you are here simply because we wish it to be so.”

  “I understand,” Grimm swallowed. “Though sometimes, the darkness of before seems so welcoming to me. It was so peaceful.”

  “You will never be at peace again unless you do what must be done!” Kala rebutted. “You will wander in eternal purgatory unless we can lay to rest those demons that have haunted you. The gods that betrayed you and gave your life away so readily.” Kala smiled. “We are helping you to find your lasting peace, Taico.”

  Grimm nodded. “I know in my mind what has to be done, My Lord. That is why I am here. I wish to break the cycle once and for all!” He stared into space a moment. “But... the burning stench of flesh hangs in my nostrils like a plague. It never goes away!” He looked up at Kala, his face confused. “If the dragon is freed, that stench will become a reality. How can that be right? How can I escape it when it will cover the world?”

  Kala bowed his head, so he was face to face with Grimm. “Do you doubt us, Taico?” he asked. “Sometimes pain has to be endured in order for peace to be enjoyed later. Well, when we are done and our enemies have been eliminated, a peace will come. And then, so will your own. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. Yes, I do,” Grimm replied. “I am sorry, My Lord. There is so much confusion in my mind.”

  “And that is why you have been sent to me, Grimm. I can provide you with more clarity. I can give you more strength to complete your task. Remember, there is more for you to do than just kill the princess. If you are successful, then your final journey will await you. The path to peace.”

  Grimm stirred with happiness. “As you command, my Lord.”

  He indicated up a path with an outstretched arm. “Come, we will go back to mine to talk of what I have planned for you.”

  They made their way across the streets of the expansive town to a remote part of Gormal.

  “They will pass through here soon, My Lord,” Grimm advised as they walked.

  Kala nodded. “I know. It is tempting for me to intervene. But there is too much at stake for me to reveal myself. That is partly why you are so important to us, Taico. One of your tasks is to intervene where we cannot. You have seen what can be.” As they walked, they passed two young women who instantly caught Kala’s eye. When they were out of earshot, Kala asked Grimm: “How long has it been since you were with a woman?”

  Grimm squinted. “I... can’t even remember,” he answered. “There has been no room in my head for such things for decades.”

  “Your soul truly is ragged, Grimm!” he said. “When a man stops lusting for the simplest of pleasures in life...” he looked back at the women, who continued to talk. “Before we get down to business, perhaps we should have some fun! Coercion is such a useful trick to impress upon a person’s mind. Especially minds as weak as these fickle, little people.”

  Kala stopped and his eyes crackled a deep purple. He stared intently at the women until they froze a moment, as if in shock, and then, delicately, they turned around, looked at him, and smiled
seductively.

  “You see Taico, how easy it is to influence the minds of others?” he turned back to the man, but he was lost in thought. “Oh very well,” Kala sighed, and released his hold on the women. They seemed confused momentarily, but then, as if nothing had happened, went back to their conversation. “You really are no fun at all!” He put his arm around the skeletal man. “Come on then, let’s get down to business!”

  The Tangled Web

  129th Day of the Cycle, 495 N.E. (New Era)

  The trek up the mountain was the last leg of a long day that had drained the spirits of the four travellers by its end. With more to teach Josephine than could be imparted whilst travelling, and with no energy to continue onward through the mountains yet, they decided they would pay for a room at an inn and rest for a night before attempting to travel through the mountain pass and into Olindia.

  “Know anywhere in particular where we could stay, Thadius?” Matthias asked as they walked the cobbled streets.

  “There used to be a pub called the ‘Aslemerian’s Head’,” he suggested.

  “Charming,” Josephine sniffed.

  “If I remember rightly it is just off the central square. I last came here about fifteen years ago,” Thadius smiled. “The place has changed a lot since then. There are so many more shops and people. It’s become much more civilised.” He suddenly stopped them in their tracks and gasped.

  “What is it?” Josephine asked, glanced around. “Those men haven’t come back have they?”

  “That is the shop of Istaban Malazar!” crooned Thadius, and pointed to a building ahead of them, its window filled with swords, quarterstaffs and blades of all varieties that glinted in the sunshine. His pupils had grown so wide that his eyes looked like shiny black onyxes.