"Fine by me. I will wait on the edge of the bridge and begin my preparation. Be careful of the tight quarters.” Certan knelt down before the bridge and started to meditate.
"It's still just standing there," Lara said.
"I know. But let's open the attack, we don't want Certan charging in without cover," Alrion said.
Lara nodded and pulled out a handful of daggers.
"Go!" Alrion whispered and started preparing his spells. As Lara threw her first salvo of daggers, Alrion hurled his force spells, focusing on the legs. He wanted to make the Shade unsteady on the bridge. Lara's daggers bounced harmlessly off the Shade, and it remained motionless. Alrion's spells also had no effect.
"My throwing daggers didn't work, I'll need some assistance," Lara said.
"Sure." Alrion couldn't understand why his other attacks had just failed to do anything, but he didn't have time to ponder it over. He instead changed his focus to supercharging the speed of Lara's daggers. They flew faster and harder directly at the Shade, who was still motionless.
Three daggers dug into the Shade's torso with the additional force provided by Alrion, but again the Shade didn't react.
"I don't like this," Lara said.
"I know. But Certan will be ready soon," Alrion said.
"Here we go again," Lara said, and prepared another round of daggers. Alrion prepared his spells and watched them fly, throwing twice as much force behind them. He was finding it easier to spot and catch the daggers with his force waves. The Shade made no attempt to dodge, and the daggers made a neat row just below the first three.
"Ready," Certan said, and Lara stepped forward to lob a crystal vial through the air. It smashed right before the Shade, throwing up a smokescreen. Certan rose swiftly and moved with incredible speed, as if he was flying along the ground. He disappeared into the smoke and Alrion heard the impact of Certan's attack.
"It connected!" Lara said.
"Definitely. I hope that did it." Alrion found the smoke screen a hindrance, unsure of what happened. He started to walk closer, and Lara joined him. As the smoke cleared they saw Certan kneeling before the Shade. It had been knocked back but otherwise appeared unharmed.
"What? That can't be," Lara said.
"I felt something strange happen. I can't describe it though," Alrion said. Suddenly the Shade reached out and grabbed Certan, drawing him close. Certan cried out in pain as the Shade spun him around and seemed to dig its fingers in.
"We. Meet. Again," Certan shouted, in harsh and disjointed words.
"What are you saying?" Alrion continued approaching his friend.
"You. Left. Me. For. Dead," Certan said.
Alrion stopped dead in his tracks.
"What is it?" Lara said.
"No. It can't be!" Alrion said.
"Yes! This. Is. What. Happens. When. You. Turn. A. Wizard. Further," Certan said.
"What is he talking about?" Lara said. Alrion looked closer at the face of the Shade, and saw the confirmation he was after.
"This Shade is Branthor. He's become something else. I don't know how, but he survived and he's morphed into some sort of monster. That's why none of our attacks worked on him," Alrion said.
"No!" Lara said, shocked.
"I. Did. Not. Expect. This. It. Is. New. But. I. Will. Conquer. This. Form," Certan said. The pauses in-between words had reduced, but it seemed hard for him to communicate.
"What do we do? We need to rescue Certan," Lara said.
"Let's see if we can just release him first, then together we can come up with something. I get the feeling that it's not completely in control, so we may have an opportunity," Alrion said.
"How do we do that?"
"Let's just grab him, I'll use my sword to sever the hand holding Certan back," Alrion said.
"Good, I'll come with you, I'll try and distract it," Lara said. The two of them carefully advanced, step by step. There was no further communication from the Shade via Certan.
"What do you want?" Alrion said.
"You. Know. You. Can. Still. Join. Me," Certan said.
"Why would he join a freak like you? You're an absolute monster. All you deserve is a sword through your heart!" Lara said to Branthor, lacing the words with as much spite and disdain as she could muster. Certan and Branthor pivoted to look at Lara. Branthor's face still seemed straight and emotionless, but Lara thought she could see the anger within it.
Alrion took the opportunity to draw his sword and empower his swing with additional speed and force. Before Branthor could react, Alrion sliced through the Shade's hand, freeing Certan. Lara reached out and grabbed Certan, dragging him away.
Branthor let out an unearthly scream, that seemed to come from the depths of the ground. Alrion helped Lara drag Certan back to safety. He looked back as they ran, and Branthor was motionless but still screaming.
Then there was silence. Lara and Certan collapsed just past the bridge, and Alrion stopped to look back. There was no movement. Then Branthor rose. He lashed out with his arms, the bridge starting to disintegrate around him. Branthor reached out but there was nothing to hold on to and he fell into the river.
Alrion leaned over, trying to see where Branthor had ended up, but there was no sign of the Shade. The river carried on, as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you for the rescue.” Certan seemed to have recovered his senses.
"Are you alright?" Alrion said.
"I believe so. I felt like a puppet at the hands of a child." Certan had a distasteful look on his face. "He does not seem in full control of his new form."
"I can believe that. But he seems almost indestructible," Lara said.
"He might be. My spells had no effect. Whatever he is, he is more than a normal Shade. And what he just did then, I don't think that was a physical attack. I think he accessed some of his Spark," Alrion said.
"An almost invulnerable monster with magical powers, now that's a disaster!" Lara said.
"He may never regain control, we don't know," Certan said.
"Regardless, we need to be ready next time we encounter him. We can't always rely on him destroying a bridge and floating away," Alrion said.
"How do you think he found us?" Lara said.
"It has to be deduction. He sent the Shade to confront us at Vainbly, and came here himself. It is the main alternate route, isn't it?" Lara said.
"That would mean he either knows where we are headed, is coordinating his attacks or maybe even both," Alrion said.
"He drank from the Pool of Knowledge too, didn't he?" Lara said.
"Yes, even before I did."
"Then he may have all the same information. Maybe he also had the vision about the monks?"
"If he did, we are in grave danger. We must get there before he has a chance," Certan said.
"Was it absolutely critical that we cross the bridge?" Alrion said, looking out. The bridge was completely destroyed, with only remnants hanging from either side.
"It's ideal. Let's find a way down and see if there's another way to cross.” Certan stood up by himself, and tested his legs.
"Everything ok there?" Lara said.
"Yes, I'll be fine. Need to stick to normal activity levels for the next day though," Certan said.
"I can't promise anything," Alrion said, trying to make a joke out of it. Certan looked at him and didn't react.
"Let's try over here," Lara said, pointing at a mostly overgrown track. She took the lead and the others followed.
"There's no way we can get the horses down there," Alrion said.
"We'll have to leave them. I'll just untie them so they can go forage," Lara said. As she darted off Alrion inspected the track from closer. It appeared to be an old path, that was overgrown and worn down by the elements and time.
"Looks like it hadn't been used in a long time," Certan said.
"No need with the bridge," Lara said, returning.
"I'll miss those horses, we made great time," Alrion said, looking back, try
ing to catch a glimpse of them.
"They will survive. To be honest, I am more comfortable on my own feet. Others will be along and find them soon enough," Certan said, starting on the path and stepping over a slippery stone. The group had to walk slowly and carefully, as the path was quite steep and the growth had to be continually pushed back just to make progress. Alrion almost tripped and lost his balance several times, but he held on and hoped that his friends didn't notice.
After an hour, they had managed to find their way down to the bank of the river.
"It looks quite swift, but I can't offer much wisdom here. I grew up in and around the desert," Certan said.
"I'll take this one, don't worry.” Lara started to wade into the river, one step at a time. After a few steps, she wobbled then quickly regained her balance. Heading straight back she kicked her legs out to try and shake off some of the excess water.
"What do you think?" Alrion said.
"Too dangerous to cross safely, although we could manage it. But I had a better idea." Lara had a wicked smile which was slowly breaking out.
"Why does that make me nervous?" Alrion said.
"No reason. You're the one that takes all the foolish risks around here," Lara said looking around.
"She's right you know," Certan said.
"Fine. What is it?" Alrion said.
"Why fight the river, when we can use it to our advantage. Go with the flow as it were," Lara said.
"If you're thinking what I think you are, Certan is going to be more nervous than with the horses," Alrion said.
14
Going with the flow
Lara inspected some of the plants by the shore. She selected a few samples, and sliced the long tendrils with her dagger.
"This will work for a short-term solution," she said.
"We're going to a build a boat of some kind?" Alrion said.
"More like a raft. There's plenty of trees around, and you and Certan are handy at knocking them around."
"For now, he can do the knocking," Certan said. The monk didn't even look up when speaking, he was so focused on his recovery.
"I'm on it," Alrion said.
Lara watched him concentrate, a comical expression on his face. She suppressed a laugh, and watched carefully. After a pause, she heard a noise nearby and watched a branch fall to the ground. Alrion ran over and inspected the fallen limb, unbridled glee in his steps. Lara joined him and looked for herself. The cut was precise and perfect.
"You could be in for a new career as a carpenter," she said.
"I don't think my father would approve."
"I guess he would rather you be a blacksmith?"
"With the right care and focus, I could probably work the metal with spells instead. But I think the time for that has passed." Alrion broke eye contact with her.
"You never know," Lara said, trying to keep things light. Under her direction Alrion cut down the nearest trees, and cut the trunk and branches to her specifications. Lara prepared the ropes by binding together the strands from the plants.
Certan joined them at this point and lashed the logs together, under Lara's watchful eye. It took longer that she had expected, but Lara stepped back and saw what looked like a serviceable raft.
"Not my finest work, but it should float," she said.
"Are you sure?" Certan said.
"Of course, let's go test it." Lara identified an appropriate spot on the bank and pointed it out. The three of them pushed it into the water, and Lara waded in further. While Certan and Alrion steadied it, she climbed on.
"Watch this.” Lara jumped up and down on the raft. It rocked a little, and took on some water, but kept its buoyancy.
"I'm satisfied, please don't do that again," Certan said. Alrion couldn't help laughing. He climbed on next and helped Certan onboard.
"Can you shove us off?" Lara said to Alrion. He held on tightly to the raft and leaned into it. The raft lurched away, almost flipping over. But Certan and Lara were able to scramble and balance it out, then the raft was caught in the river's flow.
"And now we wait," Lara said, sitting back, and looking very satisfied with herself. The countryside was going past at a reasonable rate.
"I must say I'm impressed. We seem to be going quite quickly. Is this a more direct route?" Alrion said.
"I believe so, what do you think Certan?" Lara said.
"Probably. The benefit is also that we will continue overnight. Perhaps we should take turns sleeping?" he said.
"Definitely. This isn't exactly the safest vessel," Lara said with a laugh.
"Have you given her a name, Captain?" Alrion said.
"Her?" Lara said.
"I thought all ships had female names."
"Only in the books. But for you, sure. Let's name her Lady Grace after her poise and elegance," Lara said. Alrion burst out laughing again. Even Certan cracked a smile.
"Is that an aspirational name?" Alrion said.
"No, she is exceptionally graceful already. Look at how she navigates these dark and stormy waters," Lara said with a straight face.
"Can't argue with that. And you even got Certan to smile. He's not been this jovial since we first met him."
"It was fuelled by alcohol then, as you know," Certan said.
"How do you feel now?" Lara said.
"Not quite myself yet. I feel as if life has been muted. Before I was in a haze of loud sounds, bright colours, and ridiculous antics. Now that they have been stripped away, things seem duller than they should. I know it's just perception, but it may take time to readjust."
"How long did you live like that?" Alrion said.
"It must have been a few years. I am amazed that I didn't completely lose my skills and conditioning. I can't explain it."
"And that all stemmed from one event?"
"Yes, sadly. It was like the flood gates opened and I was swept away. I relinquished control, so I could pretend I had no responsibility over my actions. But that is not true, I was just hiding away."
"Do you miss it?"
"The mind and the body still ache for it. I find myself thirsty despite having drunk lots of water. It might be a while before that passes. But it wasn't real. It was a long dream with no substance, and I don't want to lose myself like that again.” Certan looked out over the river, not really focusing on anything in particular.
"We'll help you with that, and I'll continue trying to get you to crack a smile," Lara said.
"Sounds fine to me," Certan said.
"Good, good," Alrion said, watching the terrain fly past. They rode the river in silence for a time, each lost in their own thoughts. Certan broke the silence abruptly.
"I've been watching our progress, and I had a good idea," he said.
"What is it?" Alrion said.
"It would help to provide you with some training in times like this, so that you might be better prepared for your trial."
"What did you have in mind?"
"I must admit I know little of magic. But there is a certain visualisation and mental focus, right?"
"Yes. When I prepare a force spell, I am visualising what will happen, applying my will, then fuelling the spell with my internal force or Spark."
"Good. Then we can do an exercise to help you train your will.” Certan peeled off a sliver of wood from their raft and tossed it onto the river. It landed on the water, but instead of bobbing along the surface, it rose up and floated just above the water.
"That's odd," Lara said. Whatever it was looked like magic to her.
"Yes, and it's not hovering in place. Somehow, it's still moving with the water just floating at a fixed height above. Are you doing that with your mind?" Alrion said.
"Yes. Now you try," Certan said. Alrion looked at the sliver of wood, then worked on peeling off another one. He tossed it off the raft, and it bobbed on the water as expected.
"Try harder," Certan said. Alrion went silent. Lara watched him with interest. The young wizard's eyes squinted increasingly
. Eventually the tiny piece of wood lifted up and floated alongside Certan's piece and Alrion let out a loud breath.
"There!" Alrion said.
"It's not the same," Lara said. Alrion's sliver of wood seemed motionless, yet Certan's seemed to go with the flow of the river.
"You have achieved an appropriate result, but not mastered the process. Keep trying," Certan said. Alrion kept it up, and soon sweat dripped down his face. While he was still trying Certan spoke up again.
"Lara, why don't you try it," he said.
"Me?"
"Of course. It's using your mind, there's no magic involved. Alrion has an advantage in that he has been practising the visualisation more, but otherwise there's no difference," Certan said.
"Watch out, I'm going to beat you.” Lara prepared a sliver of wood of her own and threw it next to the two others. It plopped into the water and floated along.
"Not like that you won't," Alrion said.
Lara scowled at him, and returned to her concentration. She knew how to focus herself, surely this piece of wood wouldn't mind falling in line. Little by little it began to rock from side to side, then floated slowly up to match Alrion's piece.
"See!" Lara said.
"Well done. I'm still winning though," Certan said. Neither Lara nor Alrion could seem to make their piece move the same way as Certan's.
The competition continued in the same fashion for a while without any change. Alrion and Lara seemed to be quite tired from the effort, but Certan was relaxed and confident.
"I think it's time to mix things up," he said. He leaned over and whispered something into Lara's ear.
"Really?" Lara said with interest, and refocused on her tiny wood shaving. She tried harder and harder, then just sat back. Her piece of wood was moving in concert with Certan's.
"Looks like I did it. How's things over there Alrion?" Lara said. Alrion's piece was the same, but looked stilted and forced in comparison to the other two.
"That's not fair, you told her the trick," Alrion said.
"No, I gave her a hint. But you need to discover it for yourself," Certan said. Alrion just huffed at them both and went back to his concentration. After some intense focus his piece of wood moved more, mimicking the flow of the water.
Vault of Silence (The Hidden Wizard Book 2) Page 10