Vault of Silence (The Hidden Wizard Book 2)

by Vaughan W. Smith

  "Where's my father?" he said.

  "He went to visit the monks to see how they were doing. I think he was restless sitting around here doing nothing. Don't worry he will return soon. What was in your dream?"

  "My grandfather told me that Spark was only half of what I needed for the spell. He created a doorway that took me to a wintery place, a snowy mountain. At its peak, I found a woman who was casting some sort of spell. Only where I had a core of fire, she had one of water. And when she turned to look at me, her eyes were glowing blue," Alrion said.

  "That's very interesting. I think you have your next goal," Ashra said.

  "You know where this is?" Lara said.

  "There are stories, but not confirmed, of a group of women. Some call them witches, others refer to them as mystics. They can cast magic of a different sort, from a different source. I had never really taken much stock in the stories, because I had no need to. But it seems plausible," Ashra said.

  "Do you know any more about them? Where do they live? What can do they?" Alrion said.

  "Well you already know where they live, deep in the north amongst the mountains. Although there are stories that they travel and are hidden in many places. In plain sight. In terms of what they can do, it's hard to really distinguish fairy tales from the potentially real."

  "Give some examples?" Lara said.

  "Healing, fortune telling, granting wishes, and mind control for example. Fairly outlandish don't you think?" Ashra said.

  "That's useful, even if most of it is nonsense. It will help us find women who fit that description," Alrion said.

  "Indeed, you may even find one on your way there. I think this is the right path for you, there is enormous potential. They may be able to assist you with the Blight's taint, or even show you how to harness their power," Ashra said.

  "I have a goal and I have a direction. How long will it take?" Alrion said.

  "You need more time to heal, because the journey is harsh. After you cross the desert, you need to travel quite a distance north. You should have horses for that. Then the trek into the mountains is not for the faint of heart."

  "Have you been there?"

  "No, I haven't. Perhaps if I had, I could offer you more guidance. But you will have able companions, so you will be fine. The only other issue is the Blight," Ashra said, pointing at Alrion's chest.

  "What do I do about it?" Alrion said.

  "Don't use your Spark for starters. Just use your Will and whatever skill you can muster up with a sword. I also recommend meditating every day. The body resists the Blight by itself, any effort to assist will buy you some more time."

  "Thanks, for everything. Are you sure you won't come with us? You can see the women of the north for yourself, these mystics," Alrion said.

  "No, as before. My place is here, and your quest is your own. Come visit me again, and I will hear your tales of them," Ashra said.

  "As you wish, but if you change your mind..." Alrion said.

  "I will not, but thank you for the offer. If you apply yourself, you can leave in a week," Ashra said.

  "A week? Not sooner?"

  "That's up to you. But I won't let you leave here until it is safe. I have my ways," Ashra said with a grin on his face.

  "Yes, I've noticed," Alrion said, remembering the last time he had tried to leave without Ashra's blessing. The idea of meeting the women magic users, and the possibility for a new type of magic filled him with hope. But there was a nagging doubt below it all. He pushed it away, but knew it would return. For now, he just had to keep his focus on recovering his strength and beginning his journey.

  38

  Epilogue

  Ashra waved goodbye to Alrion, Lara and Vincent and wished them well. Alrion had recovered incredibly well over the last week, although Ashra could see that the Blight was having an effect on the young wizard. He had taken Vincent aside and mentioned it specifically. Vincent would monitor the situation and keep Alrion's spirits up.

  "I hope he makes it, but it's such a tall order. How can he reach them in time?" Ashra thought. He had seen many suffer the Blight's taint, and even the ones that resisted the most had turned in time. Alrion had a long journey ahead of him, one that would be a race against the infection.

  "Better he keeps his hope up. Any dark thoughts will work against him," Ashra said to himself. It was his justification for hiding from Alrion the true timeline he was fighting against. In some cases, ignorance was definitely the better option.

  The desert wizard had a restless afternoon, and evening. He tried to get into his normal routines and carry on as normal, but he couldn't settle down. The events that had just occurred were momentous.

  "A young wizard accessing the Pool of Knowledge, conquering the Vault of Silence, and surviving against a Shade born from a Wizard. It's unheard of," Ashra thought. It excited him in a way that he had not been for some time. He felt a little disappointed that he hadn't taken Alrion up on his offer, although he absolutely could not tag along. Some journeys could not accept extra passengers.

  As he pondered the entire situation he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye.

  "Such simple tricks won't get past me," Ashra said, calling out to the intruder.

  "I didn't expect so, but you can forgive my caution in coming here," a voice said from the shadows. A man emerged, wearing a dark hooded robe covering his face.

  "So, you're the mysterious wizard following young Alrion around," Ashra said.

  "Yes, the very same."

  "I take it you don't need an update from me then," Ashra said.

  "No, I do not."

  "So why have you come?" Ashra said, about to say the man's name.

  "Call me Aydan," the man said.

  "Aydan? What's that mean? It's in the ancient language, isn't it?"

  "Yes, it means The Lost One," Aydan said.

  "Very well Aydan, I will keep your secret. What brings you to my humble home?"

  "First, I wanted to thank you for assisting Alrion."

  "Of course, but no need to thank me. I may be an outcast, but I can see what's in front of me."

  "An outcast only by your own making. That was my second reason for seeing you."

  "Yes? You have my attention," Ashra said.

  "I want you to return to the Academy, they need a new leader. You did wonders with Alrion, think of what you can contribute to the rest!" Aydan said.

  "I don't think you have the authority to make that request."

  "All the same, what do you think? Can you really stay here in the desert, knowing events are happening out in the world?" Aydan said. Ashra didn't have a response ready.

  "Maybe not," he said finally.

  "Then consider it as a possibility."

  "I will indeed. What about you?"

  "That's not my place, I gave that up. Alrion is my responsibility," Aydan said.

  "I thought as much, but thought it worth asking anyway. Thanks for coming to see me. I appreciate it," Ashra said.

  "I know that I can trust you, and I think you are wasted here. You're not as much of a loner as you think. Why have you saved all those lost idiots over the years?" Aydan said. Before Ashra could respond Aydan turned to leave and blended into shadows.

  "Such theatrics. Farewell," Ashra said, staring into the darkness.

  Alrion walked carefully, not trusting his body. His recovery had been frustrating and slow. And he could feel the Blight within him. Ashra and Certan had provided useful advice for trying to slow its spread. But he could sense the darkness within marching on regardless.

  He stopped suddenly, a curious thought entering his mind. He unstrapped his sword, and looked at it carefully. The diamond embedded in the hilt let off a faint but noticeable glow.

  "Don't worry, there's still time," Vincent said.

  Alrion nodded and put the sword away. At least he had a way of judging how far he had gone. He knew how bright the diamond had been when encountering Wraith. “That detestable monster. How
do I defeat him now, when I have no access to my power?" Alrion thought. His recent mastery of Will didn't seem like it would be enough by itself. The monks had not fared particularly well. He could almost hear Wraith laughing, in that strange and strained Shade voice.

  "It's not your imagination. We are linked now," Wraith said in Alrion's mind.

  The hideous laughter returned, much louder now.

  <<<<>>>>

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  The Story Continues

  Spark of Truth - Book Three of The Hidden Wizard

  A wizard without his power. An infected weapons master.

  A race against time to find a cure.

  Can Alrion find a way to heal himself and regain his power?

  Or will he be transformed into his worst nightmare?

  COMING SOON - Expected release September 2017

  Want more from The Hidden Wizard?

  I am publishing a series of free short stories on my website chronicling the adventures of a younger Vincent. They are called Tales of the Wandering Blacksmith.

  Check them out today, the first one is called Pillars of Light.

  About the Author

  Vaughan W. Smith is a fiction writer from Sydney, Australia, who explores big life questions through story. His favourite genres are Fantasy, Mystery, Science Fiction and Thrillers.

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  Copyright © 2017 by Vaughan W. Smith

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  ISBN: 978-0-9874694-9-6