The prisoner.
Aeris looked down at the crumpled form on the floor beside the cart. It was a man, naked except for a scrap of filthy cloth hanging from his loins. He was covered in running sores, some so swollen that they looked like boils. Dirty and stinking, the man was as pale as ice and, even unconscious, was shivering on the cold ground.
The light from the single weak torch barely illuminated the room and Aeris descended quickly to examine the prisoner more closely.
His long, matted hair covered his face and the elemental drew close enough to hesitantly pushed it aside.
The man had a hideous metal device strapped across his mouth, with a leather thong holding it tightly in place. Obviously it was meant to stop him from speaking or, in this case, from casting a spell. It was indeed Simon O'Toole.
“Oh, my dear wizard,” Aeris whispered in a shaking voice. “Look what they've done to you.”
Maybe it was the sound of a familiar voice in the middle of the nightmare that had become his life, but Simon's eyelids fluttered and he squinted at the elemental, mere inches away from his face.
His jaw moved but he was unable to make the slightest noise.
“Wait,” Aeris told him. “Wait a moment and I'll get that horrible device off of you.”
Demonstrating the amazing strength of even the smallest of elementals, Aeris moved around to the back of Simon's head, carefully pulled the thick leather strap with both hands and snapped it like it was a piece of thread. And then, for good measure, he moved down to the wizard's wrists and looked at the shackles on them.
Iron? Bah.
Aeris gripped the middle link of the chain that connected the wristbands and concentrated. He smiled grimly as the metal began to glow.
Fire elementals aren't the only ones who can heat things up, he thought.
There was a subdued snap of metal and the chain separated.
He zipped back up to Simon's head and gently removed the metal mouthpiece. There was a sharp blade on the inside of the device that would have sliced up the wearer's tongue if he had tried to say even one word.
“Monstrous,” Aeris hissed and he flung the strap across the room.
Simon's lips were swollen, and so was his tongue.
He's dry as an old bone, Aeris thought and flew up to look at the top of the cart.
Ah, there's a small flask of water. How considerate of those animals.
He grabbed it and flew back down to Simon.
“I have water, my dear wizard, but do try to sit up first. This cold floor will be the death of you.”
Bleary eyed and unfocused, nevertheless the man did his best to push himself up from where he was sprawled. Aeris slipped under his shoulder and shoved firmly and between the two of them, Simon was able to sit up and lean back against the wall.
The elemental took the flask and carried it to the wizard's mouth.
“Drink, slowly,” Aeris told him. “You won't be able to speak until you do.”
Simon did as he was told, watching the elemental through eyes yellow with exhaustion and sickness. When he pulled back, a stream of water splashed down his chin and over his bare chest, leaving a streak of white skin in the filth that caked him.
“Aeris,” the wizard whispered. “Is it really you? Or am I still dreaming? If I am, I hope that I never wake up.”
Air elementals couldn't cry, but Aeris stroked the wizard's cheek, his thin beard rough under the elemental's hand.
“It's really me, my dear wizard. Well, you've gotten yourself into a bit of a mess, haven't you?”
Simon laughed weakly, a laugh that turned into a raspy cough.
Aeris stared at him with concern. The wizard was badly wounded and the wounds had gone bad. He probably also had pneumonia. They had to get out of this place and find a cleric as soon as possible.
When he could breathe again, Simon closed his eyes and shook his head slowly.
“You could say that,” he finally replied. “All I wanted was to do a little sightseeing. Well, I have definitely seen some sights, I can tell you.”
“Simon,” Aeris interrupted him. “We can discuss your vacation later. Now is not the time and this is not the place. Focus and Gate us out of here.”
“Gate?”
The wizard blinked rapidly, as if trying to remember something.
“Gate. Yes, I should be able to do that, shouldn't I?” he muttered. “But I can't, Aeris. I can't.”
“Can't? What are you saying. The goblins kept you from speaking because they feared you would be able to use your powers. Well, now you can speak, so go ahead; use them.”
Simon frowned. He still looked a little dazed but was becoming more alert by the minute.
“I just said I can't. There's a wizard here, an evil creature named Gant.”
“I've heard the name,” Aeris told him.
“I wish that I never had. He's invoked a spell of some kind. It's constantly draining my magic; I don't even have enough energy to light a candle.”
Aeris' eyes widened in surprise.
“That globe!” he exclaimed. “That purple globe! That's what the wizard was using it for.”
Simon painfully pushed himself upright an inch or two, staring at the elemental in surprise.
“You've seen him?” he gasped.
“For an instant, yes. Luckily he didn't see me. He sensed me though and I barely got away in time. But he was huddled over this glowing globe and I'll bet that is what is draining away your power.”
Simon settled back against the wall with an exhausted sigh.
“Well, good to know, I suppose, but it doesn't help us now. How the hell am I going to get out of here?”
The wizard and the elemental stared at each other blankly. Both knew that the goblins would be back soon but neither could figure out what to do next.
“If we hear those two returning, you have to get to safety,” Simon told Aeris solemnly.
The elemental snorted.
“Not likely. I've found you and I'm staying with you, no matter what. I know where my duty lies.”
Simon began to object and Aeris raised a hand to cut him off. He grinned at the wizard.
“Besides, I have an idea.”
Chapter 20
“Uh-oh, your ideas don't always work out as planned,” Simon told the elemental nervously.
“Bah, that's not true. Well okay, occasionally things don't quite go the way I'd like, but it's rare.”
Even though his eyes were swollen with illness and distress, the wizard still managed to look dubious.
Aeris rolled his eyes.
“Relax. This is something that you can do to save us, even if your powers have somehow been weakened.”
“Drained, Aeris. They've been drained.”
“A temporary condition, I'm sure,” the elemental said blithely. “Once you get away from that cursed goblin wizard, I have no doubt that your magic will return.”
Simon closed his eyes, too tired and sick to argue.
“You're very reassuring,” he muttered. “So what do you think I should do?”
“Do you remember the visit you had from the great Astrandamus?”
The wizard rubbed his eyes with hands that shook weakly and peered at Aeris.
“How could I forget it? Your ruler is a bit overwhelming,” he said with a smile.
Aeris noticed that one of Simon's bottom teeth was missing and several were chipped and he felt a fresh surge of anger. He pushed it aside and focused on the task at hand. Getting distracted now could prove fatal.
“Well, he mentioned that you could summon aid at need. I'd say that this situation qualifies, wouldn't you?”
The wizard gaped in surprise.
“Aethos! He said that I can call upon Aethos.”
“Exactly. And may I remind you, my dear wizard, that you are an elementalist? With your ability to speak restored, you can call upon any of the elementals that you have summoned in the past by name and they must respond. No powers or sp
ells necessary.”
Simon seemed to collapse into himself with relief. He laughed softly even as he winced with pain.
“I did forget. What the hell is wrong with me?”
“In your defense, this place,” Aeris waved at the dismal cell, “is a trifle distracting. But now you know what you can do. Aethos will aid you and, considering the pair of armed guards that are stationed at the end of that hall out there, you might want to call in some extra firepower.”
“Do you have a suggestion?”
“Incendus,” the elemental said with a wicked grin. “He is very fond of you, I believe.”
“Is he? It's hard to tell through the flames.”
Simon tried to push himself to his feet, hissed in pain and fell back against the wall again.
“That was a bad idea,” he said through clenched teeth. “I think my left leg is broken. Funny how the larger pains can blend together with the smaller ones, isn't it?”
“Funny isn't the word I would use,” Aeris said, trying to sound calm as his anger rose again. “Now do get on with it. We need to get you to one of the clerics at Nottinghill Castle.”
“Ah, that sounds nice. You do realize that if I summon Aethos, his entrance is going to alert every goblin in this hellhole, right?”
Aeris flew back to look out at the hallway.
“I know. That's why I suggest that you call upon Incendus first. He can deal with any threats while Aethos gets you out of here.”
“Okay. Fine.”
Simon used both hands to gingerly straighten out his broken leg. It was swollen to twice its normal size and he flinched as he tried not to look at it.
He glanced over at Aeris, who nodded encouragingly, and turned to stare across the cell.
“Incendus, I need your help,” he said as firmly as he could.
A hissing sound filled the room, as if someone had poured a large quantity of water on an open fire. The air immediately became warmer and Simon sighed with pleasure. A chill had settled into his bones and he wondered if he would ever feel genuinely warm again.
A spark of red appeared in midair and suddenly bloomed into a blaze of wicked fire, vaguely man-shaped. The cell glowed brightly and the air became even hotter.
“Wizard, you have summoned me and I answer as I am bound to do,” Incendus said in a voice that crackled like flame.
A face, with almost human features, appeared on the head of the fire elemental and he seemed able to see Simon clearly for the first time.
“What has happened here?” Incendus exclaimed, his voice rising. “You are injured. You have been attacked? That is intolerable!”
“Easy there, my friend,” Simon told him, trying to keep the volatile elemental calm. “I'm okay. Sort of. Thank you for answering my call. I've been a prisoner of goblins and I am, at the moment, powerless, which is why I've had to disturb you.”
“The only thing that disturbs me is the attack on someone I respect,” Incendus growled. “You need rescuing, I assume, but I am sorry to say that I cannot carry you away from this place. My very touch would prove fatal to you, sir wizard.”
“He knows that,” Aeris spoke up.
The fire elemental turned to look at him and nodded in greeting.
“You are the one who found the wizard?” he asked.
“I am,” Aeris replied. “And I suggested that he summon you to protect him while he calls upon one who can carry him away from this horrible place.”
“Wise. Well done, little one.”
Incendus crossed the cell and moved to block the door.
“Summon away, sir wizard. None shall pass by me, I assure you of that.”
Simon nodded, feeling better for the first time since he'd first awoken in the midst of this nightmare.
“Thank you.”
Aeris moved away from the fire elemental; even he was threatened by Incendus' intense heat.
“Aethos, please come to me,” Simon called out.
“Ah, Aethos,” Incendus murmured. “Good choice.”
The wizard closed his eyes and put his hands over his ears in anticipation. A few seconds later, he looked up, startled, as someone started laughing.
A transparent figure, like a man-sized version of Aeris, was floating a few feet away. He stared down at Simon with a wide grin.
“You were expecting something a bit more...dramatic, I assume?” he asked.
“Well yes, actually. What happened to the whole 'thunder and lightning' thing?”
“Our lord has taken heed of your, shall we say, complaints about our signature style of responding to a summons and has allowed us to tone it down, at least when it comes to answering your call, sir wizard.”
Aethos nodded once at Aeris and then frowned at the back of Incendus, who was staring grimly down the hallway.
When he looked back at Simon, he seemed to notice his condition for the first time and his eyes widened.
“You are hurt. What has happened here?”
“Goblins,” Incendus growled over his shoulder. “Filthy, scuttling, evil goblins is what happened. The wizard has been imprisoned here and, as you can see, has been tormented by them.”
“How dare they,” Aethos fumed. “Oh, they shall pay for this, mark my words. They shall pay in full measure for this outrage.”
“Aethos, please,” Simon said, his voice beginning to quiver with weakness. “Can we just get out of here? I'm in no shape to start a war right now.”
The air elemental's rage turned to concern and he smiled down at the wizard.
“Yes, of course. But my vengeance is only delayed. Now, let us get you to safety.”
He bent down and gently picked Simon up in his arms. To the wizard, it felt like a gentle breeze was wafting over him, allowing him to float suspended in midair. It was a very soothing sensation.
“Rest, sir wizard,” he said quietly. “I've got you.”
He turned toward the door.
“Incendus, clear the way, won't you?”
“It will be my pleasure,” the fire elemental rumbled. “Follow me, but not too closely. I will need room to work.”
Simon had actually started to nod off, his exhaustion getting the better of him, when he jerked his head up suddenly and looked around wildly.
“Aeris!” he called out.
“Here, my dear wizard,” the elemental said from just a few inches away. “I am right here with you. Rest now. You are safe.”
With a child-like smile, Simon closed his eyes again and rested his head back against Aethos' chest.
The two air elementals exchanged a look and then Aethos nodded toward the doorway.
“Go ahead and keep an eye out. Goblins are full of tricks and we do not want any surprises.”
“I will.”
Aeris flew through the door, following the advancing figure of Incendus, but he stayed about ten feet behind the fiery form. Aethos waited a few more seconds and then moved out into the hallway.
A quick look at the wizard confirmed that he had either fallen asleep or passed out and Aethos took great care in holding him motionless. He did not want Simon to wake from his healing sleep.
“There are guards ahead,” Aeris said to Incendus in a low voice.
The fire elemental didn't answer but he began to pulse with heat, his body shifting from flaming red to an intense bluish-white. The moisture on the stone walls of the hallway evaporated in an instant as he passed by, filling the area with thick steam.
“Wait,” he growled back at them. “This will only take a moment.”
The others stopped and watched as Incendus disappeared through the doorway ahead. There were a pair of screams as the guards saw the elemental and then a quick flash of intense white light. The screams were cut off instantly and the fire elemental called back to them.
“Come ahead. The way is clear.”
Nothing remained of the two goblins but piles of ash and a few small pools of liquid metal, already hardening. Incendus looked at Aeris and pointed ahead.
“Do you know the way out of here?” he asked.
“I did,” Aeris replied with some embarrassment. “But I was pursued by a wizard and got turned around. I only happened upon this place by accident.”
“A happy accident,” the fire elemental told him. “Very well then. The way I see it, we have two choices here. Either we can fight our way out, something that I am not averse to doing, or we can wake the sleeping wizard and ask for his help.”
Aeris shook his head.
“He told you already that he is powerless at the moment,” he said to Incendus. “He can't Gate out of here.”
“I heard him, little one. I am neither deaf nor a fool.”
“I didn't say that you were,” Aeris replied hurriedly.
Angering a being as powerful as the fire elemental would be a very bad idea.
“Good. And when I said help, I did not mean spells. We need an earthen to cut us a way out of this warren. And not that little creature who serves the wizard, whatever his name is.”
“Kronk.”
“Whatever. We need one like Aethos and myself, with some real power. Tell me, has the wizard ever summoned such a one before?”
“I believe that he has, yes. Now, what was his name?”
Aeris thought furiously for a moment.
“I have it! It was Kassus. He helped the wizard during the battle with the primal white dragon, as well as with the construction of the new castle in Nottinghill.”
“Oh, I remember that battle. A glorious fight. Then those are our choices; fight to the exit or have the wizard summon this Kassus to burrow through to the outside. Which shall it be?”
The three elementals stared at each other, waiting for one of them to offer an opinion, when the sound of bickering voices suddenly distracted them.
The pair of old goblins, Haggs and Durg, came stumbling through the main door of the prison, arguing as usual.
“And I say a few slaps won't even be noticed,” Haggs told his partner. “He's already banged up, ain't he? Who'll be the wiser?”
Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two Page 144