The Ways of Mages: Starfire

by Catherine Beery

  In the silence the Mage Fire died. Breeya had scrambled to Lanol. He was slouching from a sitting position not too far from his gutted horse. The last vestiges of Mage Fire died from his hand. Breeya had gone to him, avoided looking at the eviscerated horse. Out of the corner of her eye she saw it twitch in its death throes. Tears had streamed down her cheeks as she knelt by Lanol

  “Are you okay?”She had asked. Lanol’s color, or rather the lack of it, was worrying her.

  “No.”his voice was weak.“She raked me.”

  “Where?”

  “My back.”Breeya hurriedly looked at his back. His shirt was torn and blood soaked. She ripped the shirt off of him. The action of which enlisted a grunt of pain from him. She tore the reasonably clean front into strips. Tying the strips to him was a messy business. They soaked instantly. The entire time, Lanol groaned in pain.

  With a gasp he had said“Breeya, you can finish that later.”

  “You are losing too much blood. I need to stanch it.”She had insisted.

  “Breeya.”His sharp tone had stopped her.“I need your help getting to the cave. Something about it stops the Curse. I need that more than your painful ministrations right now.”

  “But…”

  “Breeya, look at the sky.”She looked and saw that it was darkening. The sun was starting to paint the blue canvas with fire.“I can feel it burning inside of me. If I’m out here when it sets I will be the death of you.”Breeya heard the sharp note of fear in his voice.

  Swallowing a lump of fear, Breeya had bent and helped him to his feet. He had swayed dizzily. Breeya gritted her teeth. She should not be moving him, but he refused to stop. His eyes would look skyward with such fear…She would hurry her steps, dragging him toward the cave mouth. Loralla had nickered a greeting when they stumbled in. People, led by Parrend who assisted Lanol in the library, met them. They quickly patched Lanol up and brought him to the clinic. The numbing shock of the attack had worn off at that point. Breeya had trembled with fear. A chill ran down her back with how close she had come to losing her brother. If he had not tossed himself from the saddle, he would have been dead. If they hadn’t been near the cave mouth she would have lost him to the Curse. If Parrend hadn’t met them, he would have died from blood loss. So many ways she could have lost him.

  It made her shudder now just to think of it.

  She almost had lost her own life, too. Would have if Lanol hadn’t used the Mage Fire. As it was, she had lost a dear friend. Somewhere out here, Olidiya flew…Breeya cast another glance about the mountains and still nothing alarming met her eyes. The memory pulled her back.

  Her hands had been sticky with Lanol’s blood, but she couldn’t leave him till she knew if he would live or not. She could be especially stubborn when she wanted to be. She even ignored the pain in her left hand. Even when it had been burning. It was the sudden bout of nausea that had sent her away. Breeya had been violently ill for a long time. At one point she became conscious of Parrend holding her hair. Gentle hands had cleaned her up. The blood had been scrubbed from her hands.

  Her left hand had been swollen. A tiny cut was the focus point. Its edges were puckered like dried lips. Puss had been seeping out of it, like spittle from a rot bloated thing. She had been nearly sick again from the sight. The healer of the Carsians, a man named Thauvi, quickly cut it to drain it out. Spirits that had hurt! After he had drained the puss from her hand, she had gotten over her nausea. But strangely enough, her hand took longer to heal then Lanol’s wound. Hers had been the smaller injury by a lot. And it hadn’t been infection that had slowed it down, because it had been healthy after the puss was drained.

  It was the difference in healing time that made the people wonder at her. They all healed quickly like Lanol.

  “I think, Little Wing, you have escaped the Curse. You were sick because your body was fighting the poison.”Lanol had observed at one point. It annoyed her how clinical he had been about it. He had nearly died and here he was being the scholar.

  It soon clicked in her mind, her brother was now like the others of Carsa. He couldn’t leave without becoming a monster. Not that he seemed particularly worried about it. At least he hadn’t when Breeya had left. Now that he was like the Carsaians she felt pity. He could not leave. They could not leave. They were trapped. When she experimented walking outside with a rope tied about her waist so if she started the change, Lanol could yank her back in, nothing had happened. She remained human. She was the only one free to come and go as she wished. She wanted that for all of the Carsaians. That way, if they ever did want to leave their cave, they could.

  She needed a cure. And where better then to search for one at Razyan’s Keep? That was why she was headed there now.

  Speaking of the Keep…

  Breeya grinned. The Keep was before her. It sat proudly on its mountain shoulder like it always had. Swirling mist from the great waterfall that fell from beneath part of the Keep glittered. It made the ancient palace seem surreal, dreamlike. Hope straightened Breeya’s spine after the long,weary ride. Loralla perked up as her rider did. She knew a warm stall and piles of hay and a trough of sweet grain waited for her. It was hope that started them on the final leg of their journey.

  Chapter Thirty-One -Wolf Wisdom

  It was fear that sent them racing.

  The Cursed had found them. That unearthly scream flickered down Breeya’s spin like ice water. Loralla sensed it now. Panic is such a little word to express what the two felt now. Loralla ignored all sense and fled down the hill at a breakneck pace. Breeya held on for dear life. They came to a dangerous ravine that separated them from the road. The Cursed was a wing beat behind them. Loralla didn’t even hesitate. She leapt the ravine. Breeya screamed and called wind to carry them to the road.

  She heard a wing beat beneath her. The Cursed had not been expecting the horse to be carried by the wind. It had dove too low, following the trail that, in a natural course of events, would have been the way they would have gone. It was now beneath them. Quickly it corrected that oversight.

  Loralla grunted as her feet came into contact with good old solid earth again. Breeya sent a bolt of wind behind them to throw the Cursed off. A pissed off scream was her reward. Breeya urged Loralla faster, which Loralla didn’t really need. With a huff, the mare lengthened her stride. Breeya thanked the spirits that no one came to the Northern Gate. It meant she had a clear road to race over.

  The guards upon the wall were staring in shock at what was hurtling their way. The doors opened just in time to allow her entrance. Unfortunately the Cursed was once again on her heels. Mage Fire, wind, and mundane arrows slowed it down. And really pissed it off. Being brought to the ground does that. Before the Cursed could regain its feet and enter the gate, a Wizard’s Shield covered it like a clear bowl.

  Breeya really wished that the shield wasn’t so clear. The Cursed slammed itself against the barrier. Little trickles of blood dripped onto the dirt of the road. It screamed again, thrashing against the shield. Breeya slid off of Loralla, stroking her neck to calm her. With all the master wizards around, the creature should remain detained. She hoped.

  The screams drew attention. And not just a little either. Teachers and a few students peered at the Cursed in mystified horror. The Cursed’s red eye watched them. Eyed them hungrily. If for some reason the shield was taken away, Breeya was sure no one in the courtyard would be alive.

  “All of you who don’t need to be here, now would be the time to go to where you are supposed to be. Students, that would be you. Teachers who have classes right now, I would ask that you would go with them.”A male voice announced. Breeya turned from the monster and spied Wizard Razyan standing in the middle of an ever widening ring as people did as he said. Being the Head Wizard had to be wonderful.

  His emerald gaze met hers and widened. He made his way toward her, his black green robes glinting with brighter green in the morning light as he moved. His shimmering green milbre or silk bird Chaya, perched upo
n his shoulder. Chaya was obviously disturbed. Razyan reached Breeya. His brow was furrowed by concern. That concern deepened when he spied the settled monster under the shield. It appeared that it had knocked itself out. Shock was also in his eyes.

  “Breeya, what happened? Where is Lanol?”

  “We found the city, Razyan. It is occupied with the descendants of the refugees from the Shadow War. Razyan, he was attacked by that creature.”

  Razyan gripped her shoulders.“Is he?”

  “He isn’t dead. He’s alive. Well, actually.”She said with an almost hysterical laugh.

  “Why isn’t he with you? Why did you not use the stone I gave you for emergencies?”

  Breeya blinked. The shock of the attack was really starting to get to her. Which was embarrassing. She shook her head.“We couldn’t use it. Hecan’t use it.”

  “Breeya, tell me why.”His voice was calm, urging her to be calm as well.

  “If he leaves the caves he will become like her.”She chocked on the last word. She pointed shakily at the Cursed.

  “Her?”

  “That usedto be my friend, Olidiya.”

  ***

  The evening before was when Terana first saw one of the most incredible sights of her life. She and her companions had been traveling the Vermair, or the Great Western Road, as it climbed into the Vermillion. Terana had kept looking behind her because the view grew in splendor. Kadrean had chuckled at her several times. Which, at first, embarrassed her. But that didn’t stop her from peeking behind a few more times.

  If she was honest, none of those vistas could compare to what she saw now.

  “That is Razyan’s Keep?”Her voice trembled with a mixture of anxiety, fear, awe, and a little excitement. The Keep was, for lack of a better word, magnificent. It was a vast palace perched on a treacherous mountain’s slopes. Part of it had been built over a turbulent river that roared over the edge of a precipice that could make even the fearless swoon. Every reflective surface in this sheer mountainous region glimmered golden in the evening sun. Terana could hardly breathe as she gazed at the Keep surrounded by a veil of golden mist that rose from the waterfall.

  “Indeed it is.”Said Kadrean. She turned to him to find he had eyes only for the dancing golden droplets and the palace beyond.“The only place worth calling home.”He chuckled.“I have been traveling back and forth for years and I still can’t get over the sight of it.”

  Terana glanced at Zeeve settled between the gilding’s ears. Over their travels here, Zeeve had never been tongue tied. She had seen him in shock when she melted the kadelle, but that hadn’t kept him quiet for long. It seemed he always had a remark on the tip of his tiny tongue. That seemed not to be the case now. And there was Liam. His dreamy gaze was wide now in wonder. She probably looked a lot like that.

  “It’s incredible”His voice was barely loud enough for her to hear. She turned back to the enchanting vista. A snort interrupted her viewing. Russy had sat down and was eyeing the rest of them with a look that expressed clear boredom. His amber eyes met hers“Humans are easily fascinated. Can we stop salivating over a bit of rock and water and actually go to it?” His mind voice held a dry humor. Terana barely suppressed a grin. It was becoming easier to accept that Russy could talk to her. It was actually kind of cool to hear what her longtime companion had to say. Some of which, make that a lot, made her look at things differently. The thought that the humans of their group looked like salivating dogs was enough to draw a chuckle from her. Which drew the others attention.

  “Sorry.”She said, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth to stifle the laughter.“Russy just looks bored.” They all looked at Russy who in turn put on an extra show of boredom. He slid down to the ground with a groan and covered his snout with his paws. Kadrean and Liam chuckled.

  “Okay, Russy. We’ll move on.”Kadrean said. He tugged gently on Tivi’s reins. Russy, seeing what he was doing sat up quickly. On his way past, Kadrean patted the wolf on the head. Russy gave him a look, before panting with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth in a droll grin.

  Terana had to force herself to look at what was ahead of her so she wouldn’t walk off the edge. Her eyes were continually drawn to the Keep. To distract herself she thought about the last fortnight of travel. Last month she would never have thought that her life would become so different. How could she have known? She figured it all started with finding Zeeve. He had added a taste of the outside to her life, and then she had found out that her parents were not really her parents…it still hurt to think about that, not that she did think about it often. Mostly she had something to turn her attention to so she wouldn’t have to think about it. Then there was her meeting with Kadrean who said she had magic…which, with the kadelle melting and her escape from that grave just outside of Zeeveria, she could no longer deny.

  And then there were those dreams. They were so real…Who was the man in them? Who was the old woman? Were they real people? They had seemed like it at the time, but maybe that was just how the dream was. But then, the woman had known what had happened while Terana was unconscious after her near burial. She had known what everyone else had been doing…Then again, perhaps Terana had been half awake and had seen what was going on?

  Terana sighed. Her thoughts were going nowhere. And who really cared? They were dreams. They had no bearing on the real world. She managed to convince a third of her mind with that logic. The rest was pretty sure there was more to it, but had no way to put any of the puzzle pieces together at the moment.

  “You okay, Terana?”Liam asked her.

  She started and met his eyes.“What?”

  “You sighed a moment ago. Is something bothering you?”

  Terana turned from him and closed her eyes for a moment.“Yeah.”She said glancing at him again.“I was just thinking.”

  “About?”

  She shrugged.“Stuff. Mostly about how things have changed.”She finally answered. And my dreams, she added silently.

  “And that caused you to sigh in frustration?”His eyes told her plainly that he believed there was more that she wasn’t saying. She sighed again.

  “It really is nothing, Liam. I’m just thinking about things that I can’t answer at the moment. And before you ask, I don’t think you can help. And it is kind of personal. I’m also scared, Liam. The world is so big. Bigger than I thought it was. And that.”She said, waving a hand in a sweeping gesture to incorporate Razyan’s Keep.“That seems to come out of a fairy tale.”

  “It is magical.”He agreed.“Well, you don’t have to tell me about what is really bothering you. Just know that I’m here if you ever do want to talk.”

  She gave him a small smile.“I’m sorry Liam. It just seems like it is something too small to worry other people with. It’s probably nothing anyway.”She finished with a shrug.

  “I’m still here if you want to talk.”He moved off to give her some privacy with her thoughts…which was kind, except she didn’t want to be left alone with them. They were not getting her anywhere fast. Why don’t I just tell him? She wondered. Because I’m scared that he is going to think I’m nuts. One part of her answered. He might also be able to answer for sure if the dreams are real or just figments of imagination. The first will unsettle you like nothing else. It might also thrill you, if you want to be honest. If it is the second, you will be disappointed. The smaller voice in her mind answered truthfully. Terana closed her eyes and worked to stifle the urge to groan.

  When she opened her eyes, Russy met them.“You could tell mewhat is bothering you.” He suggested in pup-like innocence.

  She went to him and knelt to cradle his head. She whispered in his ears.“My dreams.”She pulled back to meet his eyes.

  “I think there is some truth to them. Remember the child who told me to wake you?”He must have sensed her uneasiness because he continued. “But it doesn’t really matter. Not now, anyway. And now is all that matters.”He licked her face and pulled away. She stood and ran with him b
ack to the rest of the group.

  ***

  The brush of power faded from Grim's neck as he stepped through the portal that Jewel had created. He found himself in a shallow cave. Keeping his hand on his sword, the knight led his horse out into the late afternoon light. A mountainous vista greeted his eyes. The sight of the verdant grasslands and forests in the distance kept his attention for a time. Thomas Holden gazed at the lands before him and nodded to himself. Marlhema was a truly beautiful land. Though, in his mind, nothing could compare to home in its ability to warm his heart. His horse nudged his shoulder, demanding attention. Absently, Grim gave it.

  Looking at the landscape, Grim was glad that magical transportation existed. No matter how beautiful, it would have taken weeks to travel what he was looking at now. In the distance he could see the faint purple smudge that were the Central Mountains, or the Teheadrillion as Jewel had originally called them. The Lake of Ghosts had been on the other side of those mountains.

  After the Nirami's Child had told Jewel that she needed to be at Razyan's Keep in a weeks’ time, Jewel had driven them hard. She had said that the journey would take about three weeks, and that was being optimistic. The entire group had felt the urgency to act quickly, since the Child of Darkness was to be born in two months time. The race to find the Child of Light and the Three of Three had given the group the energy to move quickly. Jewel had told them that she had a transporter symbol that could get them to Razyan's Keep much sooner than horse back would, but they had to find it first as it was stationary. So they rode quickly there. Throughout the ride, Thomas had watched his niece. She hadn't been sleeping well, but she refused to tell him why.

  Pressure built again and Thomas turned to see his soon to be wife step through, also leading her horse. Soon after her came the two sailors. Last of all came Jewel. The portal closed behind her.

  "Where do we go from here?" Jay Dee asked.

  Jewel nodded toward the entrance where Grim was standing. "There should be a road down there." Grim looked. Further down the slope of the mountain he could see the winding way she mentioned.