Kronk looked startled but nodded quickly in agreement.
“Good thought, master. Galder and his people need to be prepared.”
“Exactly. Do you think that I should go myself or send Aeris?”
The earthen hopped down off of the wall and tip-tapped across the roof to stand closer to Simon.
“You need to work on that instruction booklet for the Defiant's mages, master, if you don't mind me saying so. I think that sending Aeris would be fine. He can certainly express the gravity of the situation to the bear people, and they already know him.”
“Oh right. That booklet. Okay, I'll do that.”
They bid Brethia a good night and headed down to the study again.
“Any idea where Aeris is?” Simon asked the earthen.
Kronk grinned and gave him a wink.
“He is dusting the storage rooms in the cellar,” he said in a low voice. “It is that time of the month and, even though he hates it, Aeris is conscientious when it comes to that sort of thing.”
Simon laughed in surprise.
“Is he? Well then, I have a feeling he'll be thrilled to get an assignment that gets him out of cleaning. Could you ask him to come up? I don't want to summon him; that clap of thunder will just give me a headache.”
“Of course, master. It will only take a minute.”
The little guy hurried out of the room and Simon sat down at his desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out a sheathe of papers.
A quick scan showed him where he had left off and he took out a pencil and began writing.
He quickly became lost in his tutorial and jerked upright when someone cleared his throat.
Aeris was floating a few feet away, watching him with an amused expression.
“You called, oh magnificent one?” he said and bowed so low that he somersaulted in midair.
Simon snorted a laugh.
“Cute. Yes, I called. Where's Kronk?”
“He offered to finish my sweeping. Apparently you have another task in mind for me?”
“I do.”
Simon sat back and stretched. He yawned and settled more comfortably into his chair.
“It occurred to me that our new furry friends to the south should be warned about the possible threat from Ottawa. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind heading down there and giving them that message?”
Aeris' eyes lit up and, seeing his delight, Simon decided to tease him a bit.
“Of course if you're too busy, I can Gate down and tell them...”
“No, no, no,” Aeris said hastily. “You're obviously deep in your instruction manual and I wouldn't want you to get distracted. It's very important for the people of the Defiant, after all. No, I'll tear myself away from my many other duties to carry your warning for you.”
Simon clamped his lips together tightly to keep from laughing and nodded silently.
“Excellent. I'll leave now while it's still daylight. See you soon.”
Aeris vanished and Simon chuckled as he went back to his writing.
Completing the manual took the better part of the evening. It was well past midnight when Simon finished proofreading the final ten pages and dropped his pencil.
He rubbed his face and ran his fingers through his hair. It hung down below his shoulders now and felt oddly comforting.
Simon straightened the pile of papers and stood up. He weaved a bit and stood still until he had found his balance again. Oddly enough he was exhausted but not sleepy and decided to head downstairs for a last cup of tea.
Kronk had begun his usual patrol of the outer wall with his fellow earthen and Aeris still hadn't returned, so the tower was quiet as the wizard walked down the stairs. The building creaked and settled around him as a brisk wind blew past outside and Simon shivered at its mournful sound.
He crossed the main floor to the fireplace, added several small pieces of wood to the low-burning flames and stood watching the fire until it began burning brightly again. It was always comforting late at night to have a fire blazing in the hearth.
“Primitive man at his best,” he said out loud with a self-mocking smile.
He went over to the sink and began pumping water into his kettle.
“Sir wizard, sir wizard!” someone said urgently from behind him.
Simon spun around to see Orriss come flying down the stairs. He put down the kettle and stared at the air elemental.
“What is it?”
Orriss shot across the room and stopped a few feet away from the wizard, his eyes wide. He looked more confused than frightened.
“My lord, please come up to the roof. I have spotted...something flying high in the air to the east, perhaps as far away as that ruined city, but I don't know what it is. You must see it and decide for yourself.”
“Um, okay. Lead the way.”
Simon forgot about his fatigue as they rushed upstairs. He was confused by the elemental's report. All of these lookouts were ancient beings. If Orriss saw something that he couldn't identify, that was very troubling.
The wizard climbed up the ladder to the roof. Orriss had left the trapdoor open and he pulled himself up and out.
The stars were blazing in their velvet mantle and the chilly night wind whipped his hair around as he joined Orriss on the east side of the roof.
“There, sir wizard,” the air elemental said and pointed.
He was glowing with a dim light and Simon had no trouble following his extended arm.
Something was gliding across the sky in the distance. It was flying at a great height and blazed with a horrible purple fire. It left a trail of light as it moved in large circles and Simon guessed that Orriss had been correct; it could very well be flying over the ruins of Ottawa.
“What the hell is that?” he wondered aloud.
“I have no idea,” Orriss replied. “I have never seen something of that color that could fly. Magic, sir?”
“I'd say so, but what kind? That purple is ominous though, isn't it?”
“Yes, my lord. It is.”
They stood atop the windy tower and watched the point of light swoop and circle in the blackness for a long time. Finally it seemed to just fade out and disappear and the pair exchanged a puzzled look.
“Well, I have no clue about whatever that was,” Simon told the elemental.
He leaned on the parapet and shivered. The night had gotten cold now and the wind made it even worse.
“Neither do I, sir wizard. I will continue my watch. If I see it again, should I report it?”
Simon folded his arms and hugged them close to his chest.
“No, not unless it approaches us. Just make sure to report any more sightings to Brethia when she comes to relieve you. I have to get indoors before I catch pneumonia.”
Orriss looked concerned.
“Of course, my lord. Please do. We cannot risk your health. I will report any anomalies and sound the alarm if I spot any dangers.”
“Thanks Orriss. Good night.”
“Good night, sir wizard.”
Simon climbed back inside and felt immediate relief as the warmth of the tower wrapped itself around him. Between his exhaustion and the cold night air, he suddenly felt very ill and gave up on the idea of tea. All he wanted to do was to slip into bed and try to feel warm again.
“I hate this.”
“Well, so do I, my dear wizard. Especially since you are just so kind and sociable when you're sick. Now take this tea before it gets cold, please.”
Simon was sitting up in bed with his blanket tucked in around him. His pillows supported his back and he looked sourly at Aeris, who was offering him a steaming cup.
“Where's Kronk?” he asked petulantly as he accepted the cup.
“Doing his chores, of course. Why, did you want him here to wait on you hand and foot?”
Simon stared at Aeris. The elemental sounded even more sarcastic than usual, bordering on angry.
“What's wrong with you?” he asked pointedly after drinking some tea. “You're ang
ry about something.”
Aeris glowered at him as he hovered next to the bed and shook his head. He sounded a little calmer when he answered.
“Not angry, no. Perhaps a little frustrated. You know how delicate you are,” and he held up a hand as Simon began to protest.
“Please don't argue. You asked a question and I'm answering it. You are a wizard, not a warrior, and you know how it works. The stronger the spell-caster, the weaker their constitution. You cannot have one without the other.”
He became thoughtful and Simon stayed quiet and listened, fascinated as always when Aeris reminisced about the past.
“I knew wizards eons ago who could barely cast a handful of spells without having to take to their beds for days. One extremely powerful man, the head of the Wizard's Council at the time, could literally destroy a building with one spell, and then would collapse almost into a coma and had to be taken care of by his servants.”
“Not very practical then, was it? His power, I mean.”
Aeris smiled reluctantly at that comment.
“Not very, no. My point, my dear wizard, is that you have been laid up by your frailties several times now and yet you keep pushing yourself beyond your limits when it isn't necessary.”
The air elemental floated across the room and opened a window, letting in a warm breeze and brightening up the bedroom.
“We know that there is a new threat which is very close to us here,” he continued. “And we need you ready to deal with it at a moment's notice.”
He returned to the bed and stared at Simon, hands on his hips.
“So please, for everyone's sake including your own, pace yourself, hmm? You should be feeling better with a few hours extra rest but the next time, you could be prostrate for days, and that could have dire consequences.”
“Fine, Aeris. Fine. I get it.”
Simon adjusted his blanket guiltily and looked at the open window. The day was fine and bright and he promised himself he'd go out just as soon as he was feeling up to it.
“I'll rest and try to pace myself, okay? But the memories of the old Simon run deep and, once upon a time, I was a bull, not this delicate flower. And old habits, you know.”
“I understand that. But it has been years and you must accept your new reality.”
“I'm trying. Now let's move on. How did Galder take your news last night?”
Aeris descended to stand on the bed next to Simon's legs and his expression became quite serious.
“He was grateful for the update, of course, and sends his thanks. He also let me know that among his people they have a shaman who is connected with the lords of Light. I didn't know that.”
“Neither did I. A shaman? Huh. That's probably good news. If they are attacked by the walking dead, having divine aid could only help.”
“I agree. I didn't meet her; Galder said that she is very reclusive, but he was going to pass on our information to her, and to the rest of his people. So that's taken care of. And since we are exchanging news, what's this I hear about some strange light in the sky over the city? Apparently standing on the roof without a jacket and watching this unidentified thing for hours is what brought on your ill health today.”
“Orriss has been telling tales, has he?”
Simon finished his tea, set the cup down on the bedside table and sat back with a tired sigh.
“Well, since he told you, I doubt that I have much to add. Whatever it was, it was too far to make out any details. All I do know is that it was an awful, purplish color, and that it must have been big; really big. Ottawa is over fifty miles away as the crow flies and yet this thing was quite easy to see.”
“Big and purple and it could fly,” Aeris muttered to himself. He tapped his chin and frowned as he became lost in thought. He shook his head after a few minutes.
“Nope. I don't have a clue what that could be. But the purple color sounds ominous, doesn't it?”
“Anything flying freely over the city sounds damned ominous right now,” Simon replied. “But all we can do is keep watch. I'm going to try to get some more sleep. I finished writing that instruction manual for Veronique and I'm going to have to Gate to the Defiant soon to give it to her, so I'd better...”
“Recharge your batteries?” Aeris interjected.
“Yeah, something like that,” the wizard said with a weak laugh. “Thanks for the tea.”
“A pleasure. Sleep well.”
The trip to the Defiant was a quick one. Simon felt strong enough that afternoon to take the manual to the ship. Captain Martelli promised to pass it on to Veronique and Sylvie and asked him to stay for dinner, but just a few moments on board set off Simon's queasy stomach and he decided to pass.
Deborah snickered at his obvious discomfort but stopped as she noticed his pale complexion.
“You're ill, sir wizard?” she asked as the crew went about their duties around them.
The deck of the ship was a busy place, as usual.
“A bit under the weather is all. Please tell the mages that if they have any questions, to get in touch with me.”
“I will do that. Thank you for this. We can never have too much protection.”
Simon took a moment to look around and then moved closer to the captain and spoke quietly.
“Where's Vepolas?” he asked.
The captain gave him a sharp look and lowered her voice as well.
“Believe it or not, she's patrolling the waters around the ship. She's apparently taken a liking to us and has offered her services as guardian. We accepted, of course.”
“Of course. Interesting.”
Simon thought that Deborah looked a little uncomfortable talking about the situation, but if she wanted the elemental around, that was her business.
“Well, I did tell Vepolas that she was free to stay on this world or head back to her own, so if you like having her around, that's between the two of you.”
“I do, Simon,” Deborah said. She looked at the sailors working around them. “I have few friends among the crew; it's better that way if a captain wants to maintain her authority. But Vepolas and I have hit it off for some reason. She seems to like me and I find her and her stories fascinating. Is that weird?”
Simon had to laugh.
“You're asking a man whose two best friends are elementals?”
The captain chuckled in response.
“Good point. Anyway, we get along for now and Vepolas is free to leave if she wants to. So far, it's working out just fine.”
“Glad to hear it. Okay, I'm off. Say hello to the others for me. Oh and I added a note at the end of the manual about a situation that's come up. It shouldn't affect you out here on the ocean, but you should be aware of it. So feel free to read it before you pass on the information to Veronique and the rest.”
“What sort of situation?” Deborah asked as she shuffled through the pile of papers.
“Undead,” Simon said grimly and when the woman looked at him incredulously, he nodded.
“Yes, I'm serious. It's all in there though, so read it first. As I said, any questions and Veronique can call me.”
When Simon got home, he was greeted by both Kronk and Ana. The water elemental rarely came inside; she preferred to spend most of her time in the lake behind the tower; she said she found it soothing.
“Hey there,” Simon said as he walked in. He always liked to Gate back to the front yard; less chance of materializing inside of a wall or a piece of furniture.
“Welcome back, master,” Kronk said.
He'd just carried in a load of firewood and was arranging the pile next to the fireplace.
Ana was standing on the kitchen table, watching him. She turned to look at Simon and bowed gracefully.
“Good afternoon, sir wizard,” she said in her usual gentle way. “How are you this fine day?”
“Better than I was this morning,” Simon said as he leaned his staff next to the door and walked over to the counter.
He pumped up some
fresh water and drank down two glasses of the cold, refreshing liquid. It always helped to settle his stomach when he was feeling a bit nauseous.
“Sea sickness, master?” Kronk asked as he finished with the wood.
“As usual. My God, how anyone could live on a boat is beyond me.”
“It is a ship,” Ana corrected him with a smile. “Not a boat.”
Simon snorted and began filling the kettle.
“Call it what you will, but I simply can't find my sea legs, or whatever they call it. Give me a sturdy building with deep roots any day of the week.”
“I absolutely agree, master,” Kronk said heartily.
“Of course you do,” Ana told him acerbically. “You are an earthen. But life on this world was born of water, not of earth. I am sure that you could become used to living on board a ship if you had to, sir wizard.”
Simon hung the kettle over the fire, sat down at the table and gave the water elemental a dubious look.
“Maybe. But you'll forgive me if I hope to never put that to the test, hmm? So what's up? You know that you're welcome inside at any time but it's rare to see you in here. Problems?”
“Possibly.”
Kronk hopped up on to the table and stood next to Ana. Simon was amazed as always by the contrast between the two.
Kronk was solid and craggy, almost black, with glowing red eyes. His skin was pebbly and had tiny bits of quartz that caught the light in surprising ways.
Ana pulsed and flowed like animated, clear jelly. Her body was smooth and feminine and her features were quite lovely.
Both were about a foot tall and humanoid in shape, but that was where the similarities ended.
“I was up north visiting the river last night,” Ana said. “I do that occasionally. It is good to experience the freedom of joining with a large body of water. And once in a while, Aquamastis will sense my presence and speak with me.”
She smiled wistfully.
“It is rare, of course. He is mighty and I am less than nothing to one of his power, but he is gracious to me. Anyway, in the darkness of the night, he came to me as I flowed with the pulse of the river and he showed me something. Something, sir wizard, that he wanted me to make known to you.”
Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two Page 63