Zantalth: The magic is returning

by Gary Burfield-Wallis

“Yes, yes, good point Ocrighast. What exactly?” said Elder Digast.

  “No idea, just thought it might be important.”

  “I grant you it is usual, but I don’t see it’s important,” Elder Uzwax said. “After all, I have a black beard.” Elder Uzwax liked to point out his back beard to all the other elders as often as he got the chance being very proud of it having successfully cast a spell to turn it black many decades ago and refused to tell the others how he did it. The other elders just ignored him.

  “Well, I don’t really see what we are supposed to do about this girl. What was Merek thinking?” said Elder Gutnaz.

  “Maybe we should all have a look at this girl.” Elder Flitrix suggested.

  “Good idea Flitrix,” said Elder Potwick. “But not until after lunch. Must be time for lunch.” A ripple of agreement went around the elders. Elder Potwick is an exceptionally fat elder who wears pink robes and who tends to walk with a sway. The other elders sometimes cruelly joke that his belly appears round a corner two days before he does.

  “I will have her brought down later then,” said Elder Digast.

  It was much later that afternoon, as the elders take lunch very seriously, Tallia was dozing on a soft chair in their quarters when the aide knocked and entered, “The council of the elders wish to see you miss.”

  A sudden wave of nervousness flooded her entire body, and with shaky legs, she stood up and looked at Poriya and then Jeb.

  “You’ll be great,” Jeb said and smiled at her.

  Tallia did her best to smile back, but it was a rather feeble smile as smiles go.

  Tallia followed the aide through the castle to the council chamber. As he opened the door, she could hear all the elders talking at once making quite a din as they were each trying to be heard over the top of the others, all except Elder Gileus that is, who rarely speaks.

  As she was ushered in, the room fell silent, and all the elders looked at her making her nervousness even worse. The chamber wasn’t anything like Tallia expected. She expected lots of highly polished wood and maybe a big table with ornate chairs around it. It was a round room with bare grey stone walls. In the centre of the room was arranged in a circle high back large armchairs with lots of cushions. The chairs looked old, dirty and threadbare and had an old looking man sitting in each.

  “Come into the middle my dear so we can all see you,” said Elder Digast.

  Tallia walked into the centre and stood looking at Elder Digast. He twirled his hand to indicate she was to turn around on the spot.

  As she slowly rotated on the spot, she looked at each elder who stared at her all with curious expressions on their old faces. Tallia had decided that it was best not to listen to their thoughts. After all, these were the wisest men in the lands, and their thoughts were definitely not for her to hear.

  She stopped turning when she was facing Elder Digast once more. “Does any elder have any questions for the young lady?” Elder Digast said. All the elders just sat in stony silence.

  “Right then, thank you young lady, you may go.”

  Tallia turned and walked out the door where the aide escorted her back to her quarters.

  “What happened? How’d it go?” Jeb asked as she walked in.

  “They just looked at me,” she said looking bemused.

  “Did you do a demonstration or something.”

  “Nope.”

  “They didn’t ask you anything?”

  “No nothing, they just looked at me.”

  Poriya laughed and said, “Don’t worry about it. They can be a little odd sometimes.”

  “Yeah your not kidding.”

  As the doors to the chamber closed behind Tallia, all the elders looked at Elder Digast expecting him to speak first. “Well you have now seen her...” he began.

  “Did you see her eyes?” interrupted Elder Ocrighast.

  “Yes, how very strange,” said Elder Flitrix. “Don’t know what to make of it.”

  They all began to talk at once all trying to make their opinions heard. After a while, the shouting died down and eventually silence descended on the council.

  “So what do we do about her?” Elder Digast said.

  They all sat in silence fiddling with their fingers or a loose bit of thread on their chair all avoiding each other’s gaze. This went on for awhile until Elder Dotrix said, “Green eyes. I remember reading something about green eyes. Just can’t quite remember where.”

  “I remember Merek saying something about green eyes when he was an initiate here,” said Elder Stakron.

  “Oh, that, yes, some silly old legend about Amalia Beastwalker,” Elder Ozlore said. “Load of nonsense if you ask me.”

  “I haven’t heard that name mentioned in a very long time,” Elder Uzwax said. “Yes, I do remember it now. Tended to get the initiates all excited. Total rubbish of course.”

  “Wasn’t that the one about some girl with powers greater than ours?” asked Elder Flitrix

  “Yes, yes, that’s the one.”

  “Load of nonsense. How can anyone be more powerful than us, and a girl, pah.”

  “Well that’s all well and good, but we need to do something. We can’t have this girl running around here smashing the statues up,” said Elder Ruwyn.

  “Send her to find the legend,” Elder Gileus said.

  Everyone turned to stare at him in surprise that he had said so many words, or even spoken for that matter.

  After several moments of silence as they all expected him to say more Elder Digast said, “I’m sorry Gileus we don’t follow you.”

  Elder Gileus let out a loud sigh and said slowly so they all could follow and he wouldn’t need to repeat himself, “Send the girl on a quest to find this mythical Amalia Breastwalker. It is said she hides up in the northern mountains, very dangerous place, unlikely to survive.”

  After Elder Digast got over the shock of hearing Elder Gileus say so much in one go, he said, “The name is Beastwalker, Gileus, not Breastwalker.” Elder Gileus just tutted at him and rolled his eyes.

  “I say, he has got a good point,” said Elder Gutnaz. “Saves us having to waste any more time on this and makes her go away.”

  “Yes, yes, great idea,” Elder Potwick said enthusiastically. “Now that’s done let’s go get dinner. We will leave you Digast to sort it.” The elders all stood up and started to leave before anyone could think of anything else.

  Chapter XI

  Elder Digast visited Tallia and her friends later that evening. “We have discussed you at length, and we are unable to help you,” he said solemnly.

  Tallia’s heart sank as she heard his words and a feeling of desperation spread through her.

  “However,” he continued and Tallia looked up at him hopefully. “There may be someone who can.”

  “Who?” she asked.

  “There is an ancient legend of a woman who lives somewhere in the northern mountains. Her name is Amalia Beastwalker, but it has been a long time since her name has been uttered by anyone to our knowledge. If she still exists she is your best chance.”

  Tallia felt a little hopeful and asked. “What does the legend say?”

  “It is said that Larknoz created one person before...”

  “Merek told me of this,” she interrupted.

  “Ah good, good.”

  “He didn’t tell me much only that she had green eyes and great magical powers.”

  “Yes, that’s the one.”

  “I thought it might have been the woman in my dreams. But this woman was old and ugly.”

  “Well, the legend is an ancient one. I suppose it’s likely she has aged.”

  “Where did you say she is supposed to be?” Poriya said.

  “Somewhere in the northern mountains.”

  “They say that it’s a deadly place and anyone venturing in and are never seen again.”

  “Well it’s up to you of course but we cannot help you, and we cannot allow you to stay any longer. I’m sorry. She is your best hope.
”

  “I’m going to find her. I now know I am supposed to find her.” Tallia said with sudden determination.

  “Tallia, it’s dangerous, and I can’t guide you. I have never been any further north than here.” Poriya said.

  “Oh, my dear Poriya. You have fulfilled your pledge to me, and you should return home.”

  “I can take care of her,” Jeb said.

  “No Jeb you must return as well. This is my quest and my destiny. Yours is a different path, you are a great archer, and the village needs your skills.”

  “Forget it Tallia. You're not going without me. I vowed to protect you, and I will continue to do so forever.”

  “He has a point,” Poriya said. “We both vowed to protect you, but I don’t remember specifying a time limit. So sorry young lady you’re stuck with us.”

  Tallia’s eyes filled with tears.

  “You appear to have two champions who will not leave your side,” Elder Digast said smiling.

  “Thank you, thank you both,” she said through her tears.

  “Elder,” Poriya said. “Can you tell us any more about these mountains?”

  “Alas no, the legend tells us very little only that she lives in the northern mountains. It will be worth you talking to the guard. Someone from the northern patrols may have heard a rumour or two.”

  “Yes, thank you, I will.”

  Elder Digast headed towards the door. “My aide will escort you to the guard in the morning. They will at least point you in the right direction. I understand there are some places that should be avoided.”

  “Thank you elder,” Poriya said.

  When he had left Tallia said, “Why do you two want to risk your lives for me?”

  Jeb shrugged.

  “You have saved my life twice now,” said Poriya. “So I owe you two lives. Also, I am never going to get past Synape, and it’s a long way around the edge. I’ll probably die of old age before I get back.”

  “Oh yes, I had an idea for that.”

  Poriya held up his hand to stop her. “Save that for when we all need it, as I am not going.”

  Tallia smiled. “You didn’t say why Jeb.”

  Poriya laughed. “Can you really not see it. Try reading his thoughts.”

  “No don’t, please.” Jeb blurted out.

  “I don’t understand Jeb,” Tallia said.

  “He loves you, for crying out loud,” Poriya said.

  “SHUT UP,” Jeb shouted and ran to his room.

  Tallia stood looking at his closed door her mind whirling. “I knew he thought I was pretty, but.”

  “I am amazed you didn’t know. Even without your abilities, it was so obvious.”

  “Really? Oh. What should I do?”

  “How do you feel about him?”

  “He has been my friend all my life. I am very fond of him and could never imagine him not being with me. I am not sure if that means I love him.”

  “Close enough. You better go talk to him.”

  Tallia walked slowly over to the door to Jeb’s room and knocked on the door.

  “Go away.”

  Tallia ignored him and walked in closing the door behind her.

  “We’ve been friends forever and I could not wish for a better friend than you,” Tallia said.

  Jeb just shrugged but did not dare look at her.

  “I’m really happy to hear you love me Jeb. And I think I love you as well.”

  Jeb’s head shot up. “Really?”

  “Yeah, I think so. It’s just, lately, I have had so many other things to think and worry about.”

  “Yeah, I know, sorry, it’s why I, sort of, kept it to myself.”

  “When did you know.”

  “When you threw me in the haystack.”

  “What? Really?”

  “Yeah, stupid innit?”

  “Oh Jeb, you are funny.”

  “I could never leave you.”

  “I know Jeb. You are my hero and champion, but I am scared. I need to find out what I am and how to control this thing in me. I’m scared I will one day hurt you if I can’t control it and that will be so terrible I would no longer be able to live with myself.”

  “I know Tallia. Don’t worry I will make sure you get your answers. I don’t know how yet but I will.”

  “With you at my side, how could we fail?”

  They stood looking at each other not sure what to do now. Eventually, Jeb said, “Right then, we better get some sleep if we're starting our quest in the morning.”

  “Good night Jeb, sleep well my champion.”

  Jeb bowed low. “My lady.”

  Merek knelt at his alter with the bowl of water in front of him chanting. The mist began to appear, and slowly a room began to materialise. He didn’t recognise the room, but he thought it looked as it might be in the castle.

  Suddenly the face of Elder Digast appeared and filled the whole bowl as if he was looking straight back at him. In a panic, he quickly knocked the bowl off the alter spilling the water everywhere. Merek swore and began to worry that the elders would want to talk to him.

  Chapter XII

  The three of them ate a good breakfast supplied by the aide before packing their things plus additional supplies that they were given.

  The aide escorted them down to the courtyard and through a door in the centre of the left wall. It was a long room that ran all along the edge of the courtyard. To the left looked like it was a place for people to relax and talk with many sofas and low tables. To the right was a long plain wooden table with many chairs seated around it.

  A group of ten guards sat around the far end talking and drinking. As they approached, they stopped talking and turned to stare at the group.

  “Halthor, I believe you know these people?” the aide said.

  Halthor stood up scraping his chair noisily across the stone floor as he did. “Indeed I do. How are you Poriya my friend?” Poriya nodded,

  “Elder Digast has sent these on a quest to the northern mountains and thinks you may be able to offer some advice or at least point them in the right direction.”

  “Always happy to help a friend,” Halthor said. “Come sit and tell us about your quest.”

  The three of them thanked the aide, and they took a seat opposite Halthor as the aide left.

  “We are in search of Amalia Beastwalker,” Tallia said. “She is said to reside in the northern mountains. Have you ever heard of her?”

  Halthor sat back and thought for a moment. “I can’t say I have. In the northern mountains you say? I have never heard of anyone living up there, What about you lads? Ever heard of such a thing when you have been patrolling the north?” They all shook their heads saying no.

  “Do you know of where we might be able to find someone who might know of her then?” Tallia asked.

  “I suppose you might find some information at Darkedge, but I would say your best chance is in Kargell Landing. It’s the most northerly city and fishing port. Still a good distance from the mountains but my guess if anyone has heard of this woman it would be there.”

  “Can you point us towards this Kargell Landing?” Poriya asked.

  “You have two possible routes. The safest and longest will be to head east to the sea and then follow it north. The other way will be quicker but more dangerous. Head north to the edge of the Lost Forest then turn east until you find Darkedge from there is a well-worn road to Kargell Landing.”

  “If it’s quicker and passes though Darkedge, then I guess that might be better.”

  “Means going toward the Lost Forest and that can be dangerous. Try not to get too close to it and whatever you do, do not enter. You will never come out of there again.”

  “That’s okay we will stay far enough away that we can only just see it,” Jeb said.

  “If only it were that easy young archer. Strange things happen in the area around the forest, thick fog that you can lose your bearings in and end up lost and heading towards the forest edge. Impassible lak
es appear and disappear without warning that to go around will take you close to the forest edge. I have also heard that travellers are fooled into walking into the forest by voices calling them.”

  “Sounds like a load of fun,” Poriya said sarcastically.

  “All I am saying is keep your wits about you and don’t trust anything to be what you think it is,” Halthor said.

  “Thank you for your advise Halthor,” Tallia said. “If there is nothing else then we should be on our way.”

  Halthor walked with them through the courtyard and out the castle doors. “Good journey my friends,” he said, “and I hope you are successful in your quest.”

  “Thanks, Halfor,” Poriya said, “hopefully our paths will cross again someday.”

  It was Jeb that spotted the Lost Forest early on the third day. They all squinted into the distance and could just see the tops of the tall trees. They continued walking towards it until they could see it more clearly where they turned towards the east to follow its edge.

  That evening they made camp with a good size fire. As they rested and the darkness descended around them they could hear many strange noises coming from the forest. “What is all that noise?” Jeb asked.

  “I would guess it is all the night creatures in the forest calling to each other,” Poriya said.

  “Have you heard anything like it before?”

  “You get noises from the forests south of the crack but nothing like this.”

  “It sounds scary. Do you think they know we are here?”

  “Yeah, I would think so.”

  Jeb’s eyes opened wide in fear and stared into the darkness towards the forest. “D-d-do you think they will come out of there.”

  Poriya honestly didn’t know but didn’t see any point in scaring his young companions too much. “I doubt it very much. There forest creatures and won’t be able to move easily in the open.” Jeb relaxed a little but still kept watching.

  “I can’t sense anything close to us,” Tallia said.

  “Just stay close to the fire and you’ll be fine,” Poriya said.

  They took it in turns to keep watch and keep the fire burning, but none of them slept very well not being used to the noise coming from the forest and the worry of what may try and come out.