Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two

by J. J. Thompson

  He glanced at Aeris, who was watching him silently.

  “My friends inform me that wizards can live to be very old indeed and, if that's the case, I want my home to have all of the amenities that it can in this brave new world that we live in.”

  He continued making the coffee while Tamara nodded approvingly.

  “Very practical of you, my friend. In my research, such as it is, I've come across the same sorts of stories; that spell-casters age more slowly than more mundane humans.”

  She made a face as Simon walked over to her with the coffee.

  “As long as I stay looking about the same, I'm okay with that.”

  She accepted the coffee with thanks and took a long, slow sip, her eyes closed with pleasure.

  “Wonderful,” she sighed.

  Simon sat down at the end of the couch and grinned crookedly at her.

  “Well, if we do live longer than most, you and I and the other casters will be friends for a long, long time.”

  “Good. Friends are important. I may come across as rough-edged as sandpaper at times, but I cherish my friends.”

  Tamara scowled as she stared into he cup.

  “Which is why I'm even more furious that Octavian used me to attack you. It's outrageous!”

  “I agree,” the wizard said as he drank his coffee.

  Aeris flew over and settled gently a few inches above the arm of the couch beside Simon. He continued to listen quietly and the wizard wondered what he was thinking. It wasn't like the elemental to stay silent for so long.

  They finished their coffee, each lost in their own thoughts and then Simon invited Tamara to tour his home.

  “We've got some time to kill,” he told her.

  The mage accepted with pleasure.

  Tamara was delighted with the layout of the tower. She especially liked the study and took a few minutes to examine his well-stocked bookshelves.

  Simon took her up to the roof and introduced her to the air elemental on duty, who just happened to be Brethia.

  “I am honored to meet you, lady mage,” she said with a deep bow.

  She was hovering on top of the low wall that surrounded the roof.

  “As am I,” Tamara replied with a gentle smile. She seemed quite taken with the female elemental.

  “You enjoy helping to protect my friend's home?” she continued, with a nod at Simon.

  “Very much, lady. It is a great honor to work for a wizard. And my master,” she said and then stopped with a shy grin as Simon frowned.

  “Forgive me, my employer is the first wizard in history to treat elementals as people.” Her smile widened. “I am much envied back home.”

  “Are you really?” Simon asked and turned to look at Aeris, who had been following them on their tour. “You never told me that.”

  “Really? Hmm. Must have slipped my mind,” the air elemental replied with an indifferent shrug. Then he glared at Brethia.

  “Did you have to tell them that?” he snapped.

  “What did I say?” she asked in confusion.

  “Don't worry about it,” Simon reassured her while Tamara shook with silent laughter. “Aeris likes letting me think that he's doing me a massive favor by hanging around here. Makes him feel superior, I suppose.”

  “It does not! And I am doing you a favor,” Aeris said loftily. “Why, if there were any other wizards in the world, they would be lining up, begging for my services.”

  “Too bad there aren't, isn't it?” Simon asked teasingly.

  Aeris just sniffed with disdain and turned away.

  Brethia was watching them, completely baffled.

  “Ignore them,” Tamara told her. “They're just boys being boys.”

  “Ah,” the air elemental said and nodded wisely. “I understand.”

  Aeris spun around but, before he could say something smart, Simon caught his eye and he stifled himself.

  “Thank you for your time, Brethia,” the wizard said.

  “My pleasure,” she answered and bowed again.

  When they got back to the main floor, Simon led the way outside and around toward the rear of the tower. Tamara examined the outer wall as they walked and spotted several of the earthen who were patrolling along the top.

  “You are well guarded, my friend,” she said as she watched one of the sentries.

  “Yes, I suppose I am. I trust them. Elementals can't lie and don't understand disloyalty. I like that.”

  Tamara stopped and Simon was forced to do the same. He looked at her curiously.

  “What about the water elementals?” she asked, a hard edge to her voice. “They seem to understand disloyalty quite well, don't you think?”

  Aeris actually growled and both casters stared at him, startled.

  “We do not speak of them, lady mage,” he told her. “They have shamed not just themselves, but all elementals from all realms.”

  “I disagree,” Simon told him.

  “You disagree?” Tamara asked incredulously. “What are you talking about? The water elementals made a pact with the dragons, our mortal enemies! And they betrayed you specifically, Simon.”

  “No, they didn't,” he told her calmly. “Their leader did that, not the water elementals themselves. I believe, for the most part, that they were shocked by their lord's actions; possibly even horrified. The water elemental who served me never betrayed me, and she had every opportunity to do so.”

  “Anaposus? Hmm. That is true,” Aeris said, his anger fading as he thought about it.

  “Her lord sided with the white dragons but when the white primal fell, the elementals were yanked back to their own world,” Simon said to Tamara, who was listening closely. “But you already know that.”

  They continued walking around the tower as they spoke.

  “I do, yes, but you never mentioned that one of them could have done you harm and didn't. I find that very interesting.”

  “Ana was a nice person, no matter what happened with her people and their leader. I've often thought about getting in touch with her, just to see how she's doing now.”

  “Could you do that safely?” the mage asked as they approached the rear gate. It was wide open and Simon assumed that Kronk was out with the horses.

  “Oh yes, there wouldn't be a problem with that. Once a wizard summons an elemental, we share a kind of bond. I could recall her here with no trouble and, if she presented any danger, I could banish her again quite easily.”

  “Huh.”

  “But we have more important matters to worry about right now,” Simon said. “It's just something I've considered.”

  He walked out of the gate and into the field. Tamara and Aeris followed and then the three of them stopped to watch the scene before them.

  The horses were grazing close to the shore of the lake while the cattle were scattered here and there, also munching on the rich grass. The sun glowed warmly off of the animals, all of which looked healthy and content.

  Chief had accepted the cows with little concern and so his mares did as well. As for Sunbeam, the young filly, she and Misty the calf had struck up a friendship and were now inseparable.

  While the trio of visitors watched, the calf and the filly went racing along the water's edge with the kind of energy reserved for the very young. The adults of both species looked on placidly.

  “Ah, so these are your new cows,” Tamara said as she looked around the pasture. “We've rounded up some of our own, but not as large as these. Gods above, they're huge.”

  “They are that. But their Change seems to have made them more docile, not less,” Simon told her. “Once I Gated them here and they settled down, they accepted their new home almost at once. They don't shy away from me when I approach them and, like the horses, they seem very fond of Kronk.”

  “I am pleased that you think so, master,” said a voice from behind them.

  The group turned to see Kronk walking out of the gate, smiling. He bowed briefly to Tamara.

  “I was just
cleaning out the stable, master,” he told them.

  “You don't leave the horses out all night?” the mage asked as the little guy joined them.

  “No, lady, I do not. The protection of the tower does not extend beyond the outer wall. If a dragon attacked during the night, our horses would be exposed and vulnerable. So I bring them in each evening.”

  “Ah, I see. I don't know though. That lad looks like he could deal with almost anything.”

  Tamara was staring at the stallion. His magnificent horns glinted like white metal in the afternoon light and he stood with his neck proudly arched, surveying his mares and the field around them. He truly looked like a picture from a book of fairy tales.

  “Anything on land, lady,” Kronk agreed. “But dragons attack from the air. Chief would stand no chance against that. Perhaps I will leave them out over night later in the season, if things seem safer.”

  “Can I get closer?” Tamara asked.

  “As close as you like,” Simon told her with a smile. There was a stump near the gate and he sat down carefully, mindful of slivers. “Kronk, go with our guest, won't you? I'll wait here.”

  “With pleasure, master.”

  The wizard watched as the mage and Kronk wandered off. Aeris stayed with him, floated and swirling in the warm breeze.

  “Were you serious earlier?” he asked when Tamara was out of earshot.

  “About what?” Simon replied absently. He was watching the mage. She'd been through a lot recently and there was more trouble to come, but for the moment she was distracted and seemed fairly happy. And he was happy for her.

  “About talking to Anaposus. You really want to get in touch with her?”

  “Eventually, yes. Why? Don't you approve?”

  “My approval isn't necessary, my dear wizard. We both know that. But...”

  Aeris was silent for a long moment and Simon finally looked away from Tamara.

  “What is it? What's wrong?” he asked.

  “Perhaps nothing. I mean, if you'd been around six months ago and said you wanted to communicate with a water elemental again, I would have told you that you were mad.”

  Simon pulled up a knee and rested his chin on it as he watched the air elemental.

  “And now?”

  “Now? Well, think about it for a moment. Our last great enemies, besides the gods of Chaos, of course, are the red dragons. And the red dragons primary attack is fire.”

  He looked at Simon who shrugged.

  “So?”

  “So? So fire and water, my dear wizard! The water elementals are uniquely gifted to fight an enemy that uses fire as a weapon. More than any of the other elementals, they could be a valuable asset in the coming battles.”

  “I thought you hated them?” Simon asked, watching his friend's face.

  Aeris seemed to be experiencing several emotions at once, but finally seemed to settle on resignation.

  “I did. Part of me still does, I suppose. But what you said earlier hit home. Like my people, and Kronk's for that matter, we elementals must obey our lords in all things. I cannot blame Ana for following her nature; I would have done the same.”

  He sounded almost embarrassed and Simon smiled sympathetically.

  “I know,” he said gently.

  “Yes, well, my point is that they could have a role to play. And things in the water realm may have changed since the white dragons fell and Ana's people were recalled home.”

  Simon sat up attentively.

  “Changed? How?”

  Aeris looked around as if afraid of being overheard, but Kronk and Tamara were a long way off, watching the calf and filly chase each other around. Simon could just hear her faint laughter in the distance.

  “There's been word of a disruption in the water realm,” the elemental said quietly. “Powers have been unleashed and lives have been lost.”

  “Lives?”

  The wizard stood up and Aeris flew higher to speak to him face to face.

  “What are you talking about?” Simon asked in a hushed voice.

  “Revolution, sir wizard. Revolution. Whispers among my people hint at an overthrow of the ruler of the water realm.”

  He lowered his voice even further and Simon had to lean in close to hear him.

  “It would not do for my lord to get wind of the fact that his people know of such things, but the story goes that the majority of the water elementals rose up against their leader. There were, of course, many casualties but in the end, he was destroyed and a new ruler commands that realm now.”

  Simon stared at him in amazement.

  “A revolt?” Aeris nodded. “Good God, that's incredible. I would never have imagined that such a thing was even possible.”

  “I wouldn't have either,” the air elemental agreed. “But there it is. Mind you, this is still conjecture. The rumors are only rumors. It would take someone from the inside to confirm them.”

  He gave Simon a significant look.

  “Someone like Ana, perhaps.”

  “Aha. You want me to contact her to see if this is true?”

  “No, my dear wizard. I personally don't care if it's true or not.”

  “What?” Simon said in confusion. “But then why tell me about it?”

  “Because, while I may not care, I know that you do. As your servant, and your friend, I want you to succeed. And you will need as many allies as you can get in the coming months.”

  Aeris sounded a little exasperated.

  “Can't you see that? I know that you're a primal-slaying prodigy, but maybe we could use more help than just you when we face the final primal dragon?”

  Simon felt himself blushing and turned away to watch Tamara and Kronk. They were slowly making their way back toward the gate, chatting amiably.

  “I'm no prodigy, Aeris, so knock it off. I've gotten lucky and I do have a bit of a sneaky streak, I suppose, but that's about it.”

  “I know that,” the elemental replied and smiled when Simon caught his eye. “I only said that for shock value. So, can you see how we might want the water realm's aid in this?”

  “Yes, of course I can. And thanks for the information. One crisis at a time, but once this situation with Tamara is sorted out, I'll definitely get in touch with Ana again and see what's going on with her and her people.”

  “Excellent,” Aeris said, seemingly satisfied.

  They waited until the mage rejoined them. She looked a little flushed and was laughing at some comment of Kronk's when they got back.

  “Your friend has a lot of very interesting stories to tell,” she said to Simon as they walked back through the gate. Kronk waved at them and walked back toward the horses.

  “I think that I could listen to him for hours.”

  “Well, as I've been reminded recently, most elementals are quite old, appearances to the contrary, and have seen and done a lot over time. They are walking history books and I'm always fascinated to hear what they have to say.”

  “Always?” Aeris asked with a hint of sarcasm.

  Tamara chuckled as Simon gave the elemental a wry glance.

  “Okay; most of the time. Now, I think that we've given Malcolm and the others enough time to get back to the castle and do whatever it is they planned to do.”

  They walked around the building, climbed the front steps and reentered the tower.

  “So let's get in touch with him, shall we?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Tamara agreed and they both sat down at the kitchen table.

  Simon picked up the mirror, but before he could invoke the magic, the mage touched the back of his hand, stopping him.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “I was just wondering something. Why didn't you want to join Malcolm, Liliana and the rest to take on Octavian? I'm well aware that you are probably not afraid of him.”

  The wizard grimaced at the thought.

  “Quite the opposite actually. No, I didn't offer because I don't know your castle, at all. Stumbling around a pl
ace like that, searching for enemies and not knowing friend from foe? Bad idea for a wizard. And before you ask, I didn't want you back there just in case Octavian could re-exert his influence over you. We need to know how he did that so that we can counter it, in case it ever happens again. For now, until he is captured and contained, you shouldn't be anywhere near him. Plus, you needed some time to rest and regain your strength.”

  Tamara sat back, nodding her understanding.

  “I thought as much. Sorry for interrupting, but I was just curious.”

  “No problem. And I have faith in Malcolm and the others. Let's remember that he and Aiden have werewolf blood running through their veins; it makes them incredibly resistant to hostile magic.”

  “I know. It took me a while to get used to that idea, to be honest. I mean, werewolves? Really?”

  Simon grinned as he looked into the mirror.

  “No weirder than wizards.” His grin widened. “Or mages for that matter.”

  “Funny man,” Tamara said lightly.

  “I do try. Okay, here we go.”

  Chapter 20

  “Simon! Thank God you called. We're pinned down here and could really use your help.”

  That was the first thing that Malcolm said when Simon connected with his Magic Mirror spell.

  It was night time in Britain, and hard to see the big man's face in the flickering shadows and chaos that surrounded him. The wizard and Tamara could hear shouts and screaming, explosions, and, chillingly, roaring that sounded like dragons attacking.

  “Malcolm? What the hell is going on?”

  “A full-blown battle, that's what.”

  There was a high-pitched whistling sound and they saw the warrior dive behind a low wall, which shattered as a multitude of glowing projectiles hit it.

  “Magic Missile spell,” Tamara said tersely.

  Simon nodded.

  “Where are you?” he asked loudly over the ear-splitting din.

  “On the wall. We made our way through the hidden tunnel and then up from the cellar to one of the corner towers. Liliana joined us, by the way. Everything was quiet and I figured we'd made it in without being spotted, especially since the sun had gone down and it was dark. No such luck. Yikes!”

  Malcolm leaped to his feet, sprinted about ten yards and ducked behind cover again. This time a fiery explosion blasted the wall he had hidden behind.