The Ways of Mages: Starfire

by Catherine Beery

  So much blood…the desk was laden with it. Kaishan felt the Coldness lift its head in satisfaction. All is as it should be. It whispered to him. Kaishan shut his eyes to escape the desk. Nothing helped it his father’s study. Blood was everywhere. It could only be expected of a war leader. Crimson tapestries hung upon the walls. Rust colored carpet covered the floor. The furniture was all mahogany. The room was often referred to as the Room of Blood.

  Kaishan bowed before his father, only looking up when his father acknowledged his presence.

  “Kaishan.”Shantév seemed to be in a good mood today.“Merrendi has agreed to take you on as an apprentice.”Kaishan’s surprise must have been written on his face for Shantév chuckled benevolently“Why are you surprised, my son? You have proven that you have the raw talent for blades in training. Doeshan tells me that you have much potential.”Kaishan saw Doeshan nod his head with his lord’s words.“Merrendi can take you farther than Doeshan could dream of taking you. And only today, you have shown your dominance to your lessers and submission to your betters. There is no reason not to reward you.”

  Kaishan quickly hid his emotions, which were mixed. He was thrilled. To become the Winged Dagger, or at least have the chance of becoming the Winged Dagger, was every boy’s dream. At the same time he was disgusted. His brother was rotting in disgrace and Kaishan was being rewarded. Anger nibbled at him. He wanted to know who had wanted his brother dead. The predator glimmered briefly in his eyes. Luckily, he had lowered his gaze as his father talked and his anger was hidden behind a shroud.

  “Tomorrow, you are to start training with Merrendi.”His father continued.

  Kaishan looked up, his eyes revealing gratitude and excitement.“Thank you, my Imperial Father. Your reward is generous.”

  “I am glad you agree.”Shantév said, pleased.“You are dismissed.”

  Aritéwaded out of Kaishan’s memories. Released from his iron control, they seemed determined to flood the world. She caught images of his training with Merrendi and flashes of a night battle. That seemed to be all Kaishan knew; the blade and warfare. Sighing, Aritéopened her eyes. Flashes of memory still lingered in her mind’s eye. Eventually, Aritémade it to her feet. Her legs hated her. Grimacing over aching bones, she turned to go to her chair.

  Someone was in it. It was Veirsha Merrendi who lounged in her chair. Aritéblinked. It wasn’t her chair; it was Merrendi’s in his cabin. Aritéclosed her eyes. She knew what this was; a memory. She raised her mind walls, severing herself from Kaishan. When she opened her eyes, her chair was hers again. Old feet tired of holding her up demanded rest. She gave it to them.

  Upon sitting down, she felt it.

  Kaishan was waking up. His mind, previously, had been sheltered by the folds of sleep. Now it was exposed to the pain his body was in. Not yet truly awake, Kaishan reacted. He lashed.

  From a young age, telecers learn to keep their mental magics firmly leashed. This control becomes instinctive. To show ones true strength is to invite death. It shows your vulnerability if you have little telecyand puts you on top of everyone’s list of assassination if you have strong telecy. Those who survive in the world of Sheyestiva are the ones who have wills of iron.

  A telecer is only truly vulnerable in two situations: when they are first born and when they are seriously wounded. A baby has no control, but it is guarded by its mother. A seriously wounded telecer is truly dangerous. Their mind lashes: purposefully seeks to destroy nearby minds to protect itself. Only a stronger mind has a chance of defending against the assault.

  Luckily, Aritéhad a strong mind. Even so, she had a tough time keeping Kaishan’s mind at bay. It was easier when the Nirami helped her. Kaishan’s mind was strong, stronger than any mind she had encountered in a long time. Nearly as strong as hers.

  As she left memory viewing, she must have pulled Kaishan out of the deep sleep she had put him in. The pain she had pulled him into triggered his lashing. She felt the Nirami wrap itself around his mind, adding its strength to him. Then it channeled the lashes south. The Nirami allowed him to latch onto one mind only. A sleeping, vulnerable mind no less.

  “What are you doing?”Aritéasked aloud.

  Seeming to ignore her question, the Nirami replied.“Meeting.”

  Chapter Sixteen- Nightmare

  “We have an appointment with destiny” -Bendon D’Armis

  It was the dark of a dreamless sleep.

  Terana was enjoying the restful peace of it, but something was against this. She felt its questing touch before it swamped her. A terrible storm’s rage surrounded her. It hit her then; horrible, mind scorching pain washed through her. She screamed and cried and fought. It was chaos. Slowly it let up or she went numb, didn’t know which was true...didn’t really care. It was a relief. She became aware of the fact that she had fallen to her knees. Terrified sobs were the next things she became aware of. A second later she realized the sobs emanated from her. Usually, she would have been disgusted with herself, but not right now. She hurt too much to care, much less stop them.

  Strong arms brought her to her feet and held her to a man’s chest. At first, she clung to him; he was the only stable thing in her world at the moment. It didn’t matter that she didn’t know who he was. How could she care? Beggars couldn’t be choosers and she was begging for comfort. Terana sobbed and trembled in his arms for several moments before a steady pain finally registered in her mind. He held her to him in a savage grip. Terana pushed against the hard wall of his chest. His fingertips bit into her back, forcing a cry of protest from her. She could hear him growl. Her hands were wet. Not from the storm, it wasn’t raining that she could tell. No, the storm didn’t do anything but terrify her to death. She opened her eyes to see his bare chest. It was covered with a horrible burn. Blood ran in rivulets from where she had pushed against him. His blood coated her hands.

  “I’m sorry!”She gasped, looking up into his face. Her heart jumped. His face was exceedingly attractive, but at this moment it was the scariest thing she had ever or could ever see. She was frozen by fear. Her captor’s expression was of death, his intense blue eyes were filled with pain fed insanity. Veins of black seemed to thicken turning his eyes a darker shade.

  Her heart nearly strangled her as he lowered his head, his lips near her ear. His short cream blond hair tangling with her own copper locks. “You will be,”there was deadly promise in his voice,“for what you have done.”

  “I didn’t know!”Her plea of innocence was thrown against an uncaring wall.

  “How could you not?”He snapped, his head coming back.“You’re the one who did this to me!”He continued, gesturing at the horrible burns. His voice returned to merciless promise.“I am giving you a taste of your own medicine.”

  “I didn’t do this to you! I don’t even know who you are!”Terana struggled futilely.

  “You will.”His breath tickled against her ear.

  Impatient, roaring, biting, tearing pain collapsed on top of her. She couldn’t even scream. She knew that she was probably going to die or at least go insane.

  Deep within her, something stirred. A soothing warmth rose. It muted the storm and kept her whole. She relaxed in her captor’s grasp, relief flooding her. No more pain. She smiled, happy for the reprieve. He relaxed his grip. Faintly, she felt something trying to pull her away from this world of pain. Her captor tightened his hold, refusing to let her go. Terana noticed that his grip no longer hurt her. If anything, it was comforting. His arms around her were strong and protective, giving her a wondrous shelter. Terana’s eyes widened with wonder. This was the first time that a man outside of family had hugged her. Unconsciously, Terana knew that she did not want to leave this embrace. Amazing how things change. Not moments ago she had been fighting him, now she never wanted to leave him.

  The thought worried her a little. She didn’t even know who he was and a second ago it seemed that he had been intent on killing her. Terana swallowed, confused.

  Drawn by suffering, that
soothing power had flowed from her to him. She heard him sigh. His head lowered to her ear again, his breath warm on her neck. Terana shivered, letting her forehead rest against his collarbone. His hand slid up her back to cradle her head. The feeling that she belonged here in this stranger’s arms intensified.

  “Never has anyone…”He voice was aching with longing, but whispered so softly she could barely hear.

  “What?”She whispered.

  “Who are you?”His voice was pitched slightly louder.“What are you?”

  ***

  Aritéwatched curiously as Kaishan went through several different phases. First his expression was merciless and cruel. His body broke out in a sweat, a growl rising in his throat. Aritéshuffled closer to him. She could see his lips moving. But no intelligible sound came from him. A few moments passed where Kaishan was obviously suffering from the pain of waking. Aritéwas surprised that the pain didn’t drive him unconscious. For some reason, he did not want to go under again. Unable to watch anyone suffering for long, Aritémade to send him back to the void of sleep.

  A soft touch made her pause. She looked down at the Nirami’s illusion child. It was shaking its head.“Don’t mommy. Not yet. Wait. Watch.”

  Aritélooked. Thin furrows of blood were seeping upon his chest. That did it for her. He was her patient, she needed to do something.“I can’t watch a soul in pain.”Aritéprotested, her tone determined.

  The child shook its head again.“Wait. Look.”The child pointed. Aritélooked back at Kaishan. The tension in his frame was seeping away. His expression became relaxed. Aritésaw the furrows on his chest fade to nothing. Whatever was doing this was not done. Kaishan’s most serious burns cooled. Now his wounds were all healed, but for what looked like a sunburn.

  Aritéturned to the child.“What did this?”

  The illusion child cocked its head as if wondering if Aritéwas being slow on purpose or not.“I told you, mommy, the meeting.”

  “Meeting with what?”

  The child made a sound of exasperation.“The…”It but was interrupted by Kaishan.

  Kaishan had been whispering. Suddenly he cursed eloquently; an amazing feat for an unconscious man. His head rocked from side to side on his pillow. Aritécould feel his mind reach out. It bushed along hers, but didn’t even try breaking her walls. She heard an echo of his call. He reached and reached, but his mind didn’t go very far. Exhausted, he fell into the void of sleep again with a final choice curse.

  ***

  Whatever it was, it was annoying. Insistently it shook her, demanding that she heed and obey it. Terana did not want too. He tried to keep her with him, but she was dragged away.

  Moaning, Terana came into herself. A vice was attached to her arm. Faintly, so only her subconscious thought it heard it; a question was asked. Terana opened her eyes. The question became unreal and a dream fragment. She didn’t even bother answering it.

  Towering above her were her four companions. Even Zeeve towered by standing on her forehead. Four sets of eyes; gray, hazel, warm brown, and amber gazed at her with concern. Kadrean’s hand was the vice on her arm.

  “What?”She asked. Terana blinked in surprise at her rough voice. It was as if she had screamed long and loud.

  “What? What!?”Zeeve’s voice was high with incredulity. He started to pace on her forehead.“’What’you ask? I’ll tell you‘what’. You became a banshee in your sleep. Screamed like the world was ending…”Zeeve stopped and peered into her eyes.“And you wouldn’t wake up. That was worst part, we couldn’t wake you.”She could see the fear in his bearing.“I thought you were going to die.”He admitted softly.

  “No.”Terana told him with a slight shake of her head. Zeeve responded to her silent message and jumped to the ground.“I wasn’t going to die. It was just a dream.”

  “One hell of a dream.”Kadrean remarked.

  “I don’t think it was a dream.”Liam’s voice was soft. Terana glanced at him.

  “What do you think it was?”She asked as she made to sit up, but she gave that up quickly. Her entire body felt as if it had been beaten.“Oh! What happened?”She gasped as she fell back onto her back.

  “What did you dream?”Liam asked.

  Terana blinked at him. Then she closed her eyes and thought. A howling wind shrieked at the edge of her memory. She opened her eyes again.“There was a storm. A bad storm.”She added in a whisper. Her brow furrowed as she thought.“There was so much pain.”She looked up at Liam, meeting his gaze.“It was real. Real pain. And there was a man. He seemed to be the heart of it all. He was covered in burns and blood. And…”She trailed off remembering his face. Terana felt her cheeks flush as she remembered what she had felt in his arms. She made to sit up again, shivering at the memory. Russy sat next to her to allow her a support.

  “And?”Liam prompted as she settled into a seated position.

  “And lots of blood.”She replied not at all willing to share the rest of the strange dream. Liam glanced at Kadrean and shrugged. Absently she rolled back a sleeve to investigate the pain throbbing there. Faint pink splashes of color were already fading away. In seconds there was nothing left and the pain was gone. Swallowing quietly she rolled the sleeve back. Russy sniffed her ear. She gently moved his nose before he could snort. She turned back to the rest of the party.

  They were all watching her. Which was unnerving.

  Terana, wanting to change the conversation, asked,“Tell me again what the kadelle is. I know you tried last night, but do you mind telling me again?”

  Kadrean stood up before he answered. He must of sensed her desire. When he was near the banked coals he answered.“It shows the level of magic present. In some cases it also can tell the type of magic.”

  “Like Liam for example.”Zeeve added.

  “Yes. When Liam touched the stone, it returned to how it had been and turned black. The stone’s reaction makes me think that Liam is some sort of drainer."

  “Drainer?”She asked.

  Kadrean nodded.“The nick name for those who can naturally reverse a spell.”

  “That doesn’t sound good.”Terana remarked.

  “True, but not always.”Kadrean said pulling out the familiar black bag. He tipped it over, displaying the repaired stone. On contact with his hand, it began to glow with a soft, warm light.“In this case.”He continued.“It helped to fix the stone.”

  Terana flushed again in embarrassment.“But what does a melting stone mean? What magic do I have?”

  Kadrean glanced at Zeeve.“I have no idea, Terana. All I can guess is something powerful.”

  Chapter Seventeen- On a Dark Moon Night…

  “So much mischief can be achieved in the absence of light.” –Arité

  Pershara- near the City of Pershara

  Duncan watched the sun set and began to pray. Tonight was the dark moon that he had been dreading since Ryan had come to warn them three days ago. Most of the army had been tucked away in the city. General Stanton had gone with the men because they needed their leader. Stanton had not liked walking away from a fight but he had understood the reasons why. He had clasped Duncan and T’Garen in a warrior’s farewell. He had told them that he would pray for them. Trevor had been more vocal with his displeasure of leaving his friends behind. But Duncan had been able to remind him of his responsibility to his men. Even so, Stanton had to drag the man to the city.

  The night was eerily quiet. T’Garen joined Duncan facing the dimming west.“It is so still.”Duncan whispered.

  The older man nodded.“The breath before the storm.”

  Duncan glanced at T’Garen before turning to watch the men finish preparing for the coming night. Most were Grimdian knights who agreed that it was their right to defend their fellow man from the evil that would be coming this night. There were also a few other soldiers who decided to stay and help even though they knew deep down that there was a very low chance that they would see the morning. Duncan mentally shook his head. There was a low chance that any of th
em would survive to see the morning. Duncan just prayed that God would be with them and give them the courage to do what they needed to do; to stand against evil. To not allow fear to master them.

  Perela joined the two men, her hand reaching out to Duncan’s. His hand wrapped around hers as if its presence would keep her safe. She smiled at him, her fear for the coming night flickering in her eyes. Duncan pulled Perela into his arms and held her. Kissing her dark hair he asked“Is your father coming?”

  Perela rolled her head to the side so she could answer him.“He is coming. I just don’t know how long it will take them. They were only a few days south of the Sigon Pass.”

  Duncan closed his eyes and buried his face in her hair. If Bendon’s party walked they would never arrive in time. If Bendon’s party had horses they would have to ride the horses to death and they still wouldn’t make it in time.“So we are on our own.”Duncan mused softly.

  Perela pulled back to look at him with a raised eyebrow.“We are never alone, Duncan. God is with us. And my father is coming. They will find a way to get here before it is too late.”Duncan could only nod. He readily agreed that God was with them. As to Bendon coming in time…Duncan took a breath and looked at where the sun had disappeared.

  The sense of uneasiness grew to the point that it raised the hair on everyone’s neck. Pressure built on the nape of Duncan’s neck. Screams could be heard in the distance all around them. The Grimdian knights and their fellow soldiers formed a circle in the center of camp. Every man facing out toward the perimeter. They drew their swords and held them at the ready. The stench of sulfur violated Duncan’s nose. He let Perela step out of his arms. She began to focus on her magic, ready to defend the men.