Catalyst (Book 1)

by Marc Johnson

  “Sire?” Prastian said.

  “I'm delighted to have the services of a wizard among us again.” Sharald’s voice was kind and inviting, if not accurate. “It’s been ages since I’ve last seen a wizard. Not since I was a young boy and my father sat on the throne. Despite all that’s happened, this is a great day indeed.”

  “That’s how you were able to cast aside our net and defeat the ogre,” Behast said. “Magic.”

  My two companions stared, boring holes through me.

  “I have never seen or met a wizard before,” Prastian said.

  I opened my mouth to counter his statement and say I wasn’t a wizard yet. Master Stradus’s words and their expressions told me not to. I remained quiet, not offering any answer and praying that King Sharald wouldn’t push me further on the matter. If he did, I’d have to tell them.

  After a few awkward moments, Behast said, “The attacks are getting worse. We need to do something.”

  “I know,” Sharald said, frowning. “We need to go and find out what has happened to Alexandria and to the earlier expedition.”

  My ears pricked up at this. I wanted the conversation to go this way, but didn’t know how to get it there. King Sharald might question why I wanted to know about Alexandria, and why I, an outsider, should be a part of their plans. Thankfully, Sharald seemed willing to let the conversation continue.

  “Perhaps we can send another group, cousin,” Prastian said. “And I can lead that group?”

  “You called me cousin,” Sharald said. He smiled. Prastian’s cheeks turned a dark green. “It has been a while since I heard that.” Sharald laughed. “I take it you must really want to go.” He took a heavy breath. “I’m going to miss hearing that more often before I return to the earth. You may go to Alexandria, Prastian.”

  “Thank you, Sire.”

  “While I trust your expertise, something up there’s amiss. You're going to need a little more help. Maybe help of a wizardly kind.” Sharald put up a finger and smiled. “Hellsfire, I already owe you for what you've done, but I have one more favor to ask of you. Could you please accompany my elves to the kingdom of Alexandria?”

  My eyes widened. I was already going to Alexandria, but going by myself to check on things and being a part of an envoy were far different. Something was clearly wrong in Alexandria, and as yet I had no idea what it was. While the monsters were getting by Alexandria’s defenses, the city hadn’t fallen. Otherwise, there would have been refugees in Sharald, and I hadn’t seen any. If I went alone, I could move freely. As part of Sharald’s envoy, there would be a lot more politics to deal with. Whatever I did, for good or ill, would reflect on King Sharald. On the other hand, as a royal envoy, I would have a better chance of getting an audience with the princess. If she remembered me, I was sure she would see me.

  I felt I should heed Master Stradus’s words. It was bad enough the elves knew of my abilities, but I didn’t want those in Alexandria to know. Even if I wasn’t a wizard yet, my power could sway things and make them a lot worse. I didn’t want to be like Renak during the War of the Wizards, when he defied the Council and took matters into his own hands, thus starting the war that divided the land. Lastly, the elves in Sharald were friendly to wizards. The people in Alexandria might not be.

  “I’ll…have to think about it, Your Majesty,” I said. “If that’s all right.”

  “Of course.” Sharald was obviously disappointed, but his fading emerald eyes twinkled. I knew he wouldn’t let it go.

  Sharald dropped the discussion of sending a team to Alexandria and changed the subject to more personal matters. He dismissed me and said I was free to roam the city if I liked. I did want to explore Sharald, but I also felt like being alone. I needed to decide whether or not to go with the elves to Alexandria.

  I took leave from the others and went outside to get some fresh air. I stood in a beautiful garden. Hedges cut in the shapes of animals surrounded me. There were large ones, like elk and horses, along with smaller sculptures of grasshoppers and pigs. In the middle of them all was a small pond. I stood at the edge of it, watching the turtles, fish, and frogs. Waterfowl dove beneath the water, gulping down food. The place reminded me of Peaceful Pond, and more importantly, of home. My heart ached to return there. Fresh footsteps approached me from behind.

  “May I speak with you?” King Sharald asked.

  I turned around and bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

  “Sharald, Hellsfire. Please call me that.”

  “Forgive me Si—Sharald.”

  “It's all right. I need your help, Hellsfire.”

  “I’m flattered, but I haven’t decided anything yet.

  “Please, you must listen to me,” Sharald said, grasping my shoulder with his soft hand. He looked up at me, green eyes pleading, while he waited for a response.

  I nodded.

  “I may look healthy to a human's eyes, yet I’m not. I’m getting on in years, though I do my best to look well in front of my people. Although some suspect the truth, they don’t acknowledge it. I’m sorry to say I have no natural successor. I'm barren and the line of Sharald ends with me. Prastian is to succeed me. He’s skilled at dealing with those both in and outside this forest, he’s excellent with words, and he’s good in combat. The problem is, he’s a bit too adventurous. Instead of remaining here, he prefers to travel, to better understand people. He may get himself killed before he is able to become king. I need to find out what happened in Alexandria, so I’m going to have to send my best elves. But if anything should happen to them….” Sharald rubbed his hand across his wrinkled ear and stared at me, reading my face. “I can see you do not understand, Hellsfire. Let me tell you what's been happening lately.

  “I don’t know if you are aware, but things have slowly been getting out of hand here in the north. The creatures of the Wastelands have been sighted more and more often. We were used to occasionally getting a few, though even that was a rarity. Yet for the past six months, we’ve had to send regular patrols to kill the creatures. The thought did cross our minds that Alexandria had been taken over, though word of that would surely have reached us, and the creatures would come in greater numbers. Nevertheless, something is terribly wrong up there. It’s as if creatures are regularly walking by Alexandria’s defenses. I need to find out what is happening, and your services would be greatly appreciated. Like in days past, we need a wizard.”

  That was the problem. Master Stradus had taught me a lot about being a wizard. He taught me how to perform spells, how to use my powers correctly, how to access and use mana. But what he didn’t teach me, what he didn’t have time for and what I might have to learn from experience, was how to be responsible. How was I to use my powers with non-magical people, but not overdo it or have them rely on me?

  “This isn’t just for me or my people, it’s for all Northern Shala,” King Sharald said.

  I raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

  “The things that come from the Wastelands aren’t just a threat to us, Hellsfire, they’re a threat to everyone. Look at it this way. Why did Shala beat Renak? Renak had the better wizards, more resources, the element of surprise, was more aggressive, and was better organized.” Sharald swept his hands across the pond. “But it was Shala who came out on top. Shala won because he was able to pull together the different peoples of the land. If he had not, we all would have lost. I see the same thing happening now.

  “We are all different peoples, but unlike then, there’s no one to lead us. If the creatures get through and Alexandria falls, we will all fall—one by one. Hardly anyone in the land will be safe. Our first defense is and always has been Alexandria. That’s the reason why it was built in the first place, and that’s why it must always stand.” His voice grew louder and stronger. “We must find out what’s going on there.”

  I cringed at the thought of my homeland being overrun by the foul creatures and my mother and friends dying because of that. “Even Sedah will fall?” He stared at me, confus
ed. “It’s my hometown, Your Majesty.”

  Sharald nodded. “Sedah will most assuredly fall. It’s just a small agricultural village. It holds no significant importance, but the creatures will destroy all in their way. That's just the way they are—the way they have always been. Will you please help me and, in turn, save those you love?”

  I took my time before making a decision. Sharald was kind and didn't interrupt me or stare at me while I thought. He looked out over the pond and animals just like I did, but my mind no longer paid attention to what I saw. My training was incomplete, and I could still make things worse with my power. I could also make them better and help people if I made the right choices.

  The stories I had learned growing up played through my head, and starring in them was Shala. He didn't want to go to war with Renak, but soon realized he had no choice. Shala did it because Renak had to be stopped. There was no one else to challenge Renak, and a lot more people would have died if he hadn’t come forward to do what he could.

  I wasn't Shala. I wasn't a hero. The elves needed my help, and I needed theirs. It would be better if we worked together.

  “I'll help you,” I said.

  “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” His old ears twitched in delight.

  “But before I help you, Your Majesty, there’s something you should know.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  I couldn’t help but break my serious expression and smile at that. “I’m not a wizard yet. I haven’t completed my training.”

  I held my breath and stared at him, waiting to see what his reaction would be. The great elf glanced away and looked at the pond. His eyes followed a turtle as it finished its basking and dived back into the water.

  “I can see why you don’t want to go,” Sharald said, keeping his eyes on the water. “Thank you for telling me.” He turned his attention back to me and smiled. “None of that matters now. You’ve done well in helping the others. I still want you to go with them.”

  “Me too.” I surprised myself by saying that, because it was true.

  “Good. Even though you might not be a wizard yet, your expertise will come in handy.”

  I nodded. I could only hope he was right.

  “Now that that business is over, you must help us prepare,” Sharald said.

  “Prepare for what?”

  Sharald’s smile was as wide as the horizon. “A celebration.”

  I yawned and put a hand to my mouth. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I don’t understand.”

  “Tomorrow, we will celebrate. According to my healers, Demay should be well by then.”

  “Are you sure we should have a party? Shouldn't we get ready in case Alexandria is in serious trouble?”

  “We're not at war, Hellsfire. Not yet, anyway. We’re as ready as we can be until we find out what’s happening up there.” Sharald took a deep breath and his body seemed to melt. “I'm about to send my heir and an apprenticed wizard into a possibly dangerous situation, my younger cousin almost died last night, and I, myself, am dying. So yes, a celebration is exactly what we need. When I was younger, someone once told me to enjoy life because you never know what tomorrow may bring. That's what we're going to do. It's an order.” Sharald smiled.

  I smiled back at him. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

  “Excellent. Come, I will get you a room so you can rest. No one deserves it more.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  We left the serenity of his garden, and I finally got some sleep. I spent the next day setting up for the party. Demay was even helping, although he would wince and complain whenever we had to do hard work. We lined each home with flowers and made flower necklaces, hanging them around everyone’s neck. I enjoyed the flower necklace. It had a festive feel to it, smelled good, and stood out from my dark robe. The elves also had a leaf in each ear.

  That night, there was plenty of dancing. The exotic, fast-paced music kept me moving. Even though I couldn’t keep up with the elves and their style of dancing, I still had a lot of fun. I danced with all the pretty young elves who’d come up to me. But elves weren’t the only ones there. All travelers and traders were invited to stay and enjoy the festivities.

  A great bonfire was erected, stretching into the sky. It moved and swayed with me, though I wasn’t using any magic. In the midst of everything, the mana of earth radiated from the elves. It had the power of an earthquake, far more powerful than even their domed castle, and yet it felt gentle. It was no wonder the elves were close to the land and were good harvesters. I hadn’t been able to sense the magic from Prastian and the others before. It was too small, and worked without them knowing it. But with so many elves together, I felt it. People always said the trees talked to the elves. It was true. I heard their whispers, although I couldn’t understand what they were saying.

  During the celebration, Sharald told me the team to Alexandria would consist of Prastian, Behast, Demay, and myself. Sharald thought it best he should keep the group together, since we had already proven we worked well together. He had tried to keep Demay out of it, but Demay wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  Time flew by. I think I drank a little too much, as I passed out somewhere on the ground. At dawn, someone’s foot nudged me. He told me where the others were. I wiped the drool and dirt off my face and scurried to find them. My head pounded, but it had been worth it.

  When I found my newly acquired friends, they had all the provisions and horses ready. They smiled at me as if I had made an ass of myself the previous night, but I shrugged it off. I couldn’t remember much from my drunken haze, nor did it matter. Sharald came to see us off and wished us luck.

  We needed all the luck we could get. There was something wrong with Alexandria, and whatever we found wasn’t going to be good.

  CHAPTER 11

  Between the urgency of King Sharald's mission and my worry over Princess Krystal, we pushed our horses on the way to Alexandria. What normally would have been a six-day trip, we made in four. We arrived at the Guardian City at mid-afternoon on the fourth day.

  I breathed a little easier when we neared the outer walls that surrounded the city. I had been worried that Alexandria might have fallen and would be overrun with Wasteland creatures. That clearly wasn’t the case. What did concern us, though, was the sparseness of the guards walking the walls, and the fact that we had met no patrols on our way to the city, which Prastian said was unusual. Had the king pulled guards from the south wall because of the increased attacks from the Wasteland creatures to the north? There was no way to know until we got inside and spoke with Prastian’s contacts.

  In the meantime, I gawked at Alexandria like the farm boy that I was. It was huge—far larger than Sharald—and built of wood and stone. The city spread uphill from the south wall, up to the towering castle that rose at the far north side of the city. From that height, the guards could get a magnificent dragon's-eye view of the city, the Daleth Mountain Range, and the Wastelands of Renak. It was from those towers that the forces of Alexandria had kept watch and guarded Northern Shala since the War of the Wizards, when Renak’s evil creatures had been driven into the Wastelands. The castle reminded me of the White Mountain—without the freezing weather and strenuous climb. Up close, it was both magnificent and intimidating. Unlike King Sharald’s castle, I sensed no magic emanating from it. Knowing that men had made it with their own hands, with no magical help, only enhanced its beauty. I hoped I would get the chance to explore its halls and see the views from its parapets.

  The south gate of the city was open, manned with two guards. That seemed like a small number, when so many monsters appeared to be wandering the countryside. We dismounted and led our horses through, expecting to be questioned, but the guards gave us no more than a cursory inspection. I saw Prastian and Behast glance at each other, eyebrows raised, ears twitching. Apparently, it seemed strange to them too. None of us said anything, but I felt uneasy. Something was wrong here.

  We passed throug
h a short stone tunnel that ran under the city wall, and found ourselves in a crowded marketplace. I had always heard that Alexandria was a prosperous, peaceful city, but many of the stalls and shops were closed and boarded up. As we walked, I noticed that most of the crowds were gathered around the ale shops and bawdy houses, or in tight, sullen-looking knots. The shops that were open had men standing outside with clubs or daggers, as if they expected to be besieged by thieves, and few people were buying. We passed by a butcher shop where a thin, hollow-eyed woman with two children clinging to her skirts pleaded with the proprietor. “No credit!” he snapped at her. “Coin only.”

  I moved closer to Prastian. “Is it always like this?” I murmured. He shook his head, a frown growing between his eyebrows. Behast walked with his hand on his sword hilt. Even Demay’s high spirits seemed dampened.

  We found stabling for our horses, wanting to keep them near the gate in case we had to leave quickly. Prastian paid the hostler well to keep our mounts safe, though I began to suspect we’d be lucky to find them still here when we returned.

  We were in a poorer district of the city, and there were beggars on nearly every street corner. Scrawny women and children tore at my heart. I moved to loosen my purse strings.

  “Don't,” Behast said, placing his hand on my arm.

  “What do you mean, don't?” I asked. “They need our help.” My eyes fell on a mother who cradled her crying baby. She tried to quiet him, but failed. The baby was so gaunt, it might not live past tomorrow. Tears welled up in my eyes. My mother and I were poor, but we always had food on the table. I couldn’t believe King Furlong and Krystal would let things get as bad as this. It wasn’t as though the city was besieged; clearly supplies could go in and out, just as we had. My inner fire rose, aching to be released. I didn’t know what made me angrier: Behast for telling me not to help, or my fear that the darkness from my dream had already crushed the princess, and Alexandria was falling apart.

  “We don't have time for this,” Behast said.