by Jeff Inlo
"So you didn't see me cast the spells that teleported Scheff and Macheve away from the camp?"
"The casting? No. I did see a flash a bright white light and heard the explosion. There was dirt and rock everywhere. That is when I saw Shantree in the tree above you... and you standing in the crater."
As the elf sorceress focused on the memory, she believed she understood what troubled the elderly wizard. It brought a question to her own mind as well.
"I know you were able to send Scheff and Macheve away from this dimension, but how did you break through their defenses?"
Jure explained the sequence of events in a way only another magic caster could understand, but when he was done, Haven remained confused.
"How were you able to remain here?" she asked.
"I'm trying to figure that out myself," Jure admitted. "When the portal started to form and enveloped Macheve and Scheff, they still had their shields somewhat intact. All that magic I poured into the spell broke their shields, forced them into the portal, and eventually caused some kind of energy surge. I should have either been teleported away with them, or I should have died in the blast. I survived when I shouldn't have. I'm wondering if someone intervened. In all honesty, I thought you did. You're the only one I know who has the power..."
"It was not me," Haven responded with absolute certainty.
"Do you think it might have been another elf spell caster? Is there another in your camp with that kind of ability... strong enough to have protected me?"
"We have several talented casters, but they were all engaged with the rogues."
"But maybe they would have seen us, saw that Shantree was in danger. That would have caused them to forget about the rogues, wouldn't it?"
Haven frowned ever so slightly. She did not wish to reveal the truth so abruptly to the compassionate human wizard, but she knew he sought answers. She did not want to deny what she knew was beyond doubt.
"If any elf of my camp understood what was happening—saw that Shantree was in jeopardy—they would have went to her aid. Though they would have known you were trying to assist our elder, they would have saved their energy to ensure Shantree's survival."
"So they wouldn't have wasted it on me," Jure offered, truly understanding the message.
"The elder must not be harmed," Haven confirmed.
"So I wasn't saved by an elf's magic," Jure noted.
"I cannot see how that would have happened."
"Then I'm back to where I started."
"And you do not have any other clues?"
"I don't really remember much of what happened after the portal formed. I'm not sure I even remember the blast. The truth is... I didn't think I was going to survive even before I cast the spell."
Jure considered what he just said and decided he needed to clarify his point.
"I'm not looking for anything from this other than trying to figure out what happened. I'm not telling you this because I want some reward or anything. I don't want to turn this into some kind of hero's tale."
"I understand," Haven allowed, "but you did a very brave thing. You were willing to sacrifice yourself to save Shantree. It is something every elf understands. You have nothing to be ashamed of in what you have said."
"Good, because it really doesn't make any sense to me. I opened myself up to a huge flow of magic. It was enough to break through shields created by Reiculf's energy. That much power should have ripped me apart. You saw the crater the surge left."
"Did you cast a spell of defense? Perhaps the energy offset itself."
"No, I didn't want to risk it. I used all the magic on attacking Scheff and Macheve. I didn't think I could spare any for another spell. I jumped out of the tree with just two spells in mind. One to break through their shields and the other to send them away as far as possible. After that, things get confusing."
"What exactly do you remember?"
"A very bright light. I was in the middle of it. The magic exploded around me, but I didn't hear it. It was calm, almost peaceful. I couldn't see anything. The next thing I knew, Shantree was asking me if I was alright. The light faded and I was standing in the middle of the crater."
"Interesting."
"To say the least. Do you have any ideas on this?"
Haven hesitated, not to reflect upon alternatives, but to consider if she should speak of them openly. Her beliefs were built on a foundation of being an elf, as well as her abilities as a spell caster. She cast not in a perfect circle but in an equal sided triangle, and she understood the balance between her physical being, the magical energy, and her spiritual essence. The wizard was a human with a history that was unknown to her and from a culture that was somewhat of a mystery to all elves.
Jure noted the uncertainty in the sorceress.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"Not necessarily wrong, but my insight may not be advisable."
"I doubt that would be the case."
"Do not be so quick to judge. A discussion involving the phases of life—and death—enter into aspects that may be affected by our differing backgrounds."
"You think an elf's viewpoint of life and death would be so much different from that of a human?"
"The basis for such a discussion requires a certain level of common appreciation. If we do not share certain points of reference, we may only succeed in confusing each other."
"I'm already confused, so what is there to lose?"
"Perspective," Haven responded.
The response surprised the wizard.
Perspective.
He had to admit, alterations caused by magic had already forced him to restructure his views of reality in many ways... his own self-awareness included. By becoming a spell caster, he learned to tap into a source of energy that allowed him to perform tasks which he previously would have believed impossible. In many ways, spells appeared as miracles, and he seemed capable of achieving a transcendent existence.
While he did not seek to limit his potential, he did not wish to dive into a pool of arrogance as Ansas had done. Instead, he hoped to remain grounded in a belief that there was a greater purpose for his growing abilities, and he held firm to an awareness that a guiding hand was always there to help him on his journey.
He wondered what perspective of life—and death—an elf with great control over light might offer. The yellow energy was one of the most difficult elements for Jure to fully control in his quest for casting with pure white magic.
Haven had no such difficulty. Her essence burned with the light, and Jure realized her awareness was expanded by such an inherent quality. He could not deny that her perspective would be enhanced by such a condition, and it might, in fact, be beyond his ability to comprehend.
"You could be right," Jure allowed. "As much as the magic helps me understand all the things around me, I still don't understand it all. You could just end up adding to that confusion. But I'm still curious about what happened. If I was a delver, this would probably drive me crazy."
"But you are not a delver. You are a human wizard capable of tremendous growth."
"I always thought growing meant seeking more understanding."
"There are certain aspects of our existence that are beyond our comprehension. That is the way of life."
"So should I just believe I was lucky to survive and leave it at that? I suppose I can, but what if it's important for me to know exactly what happened?"
"Would it really cause you such great disappointment if you never discovered the answer?" Haven questioned.
"Hard to say. I can handle disappointment, but what if I find myself in that situation again? Reiculf is still out there. I don't think we're done with him yet. Do you?"
"No, I do not."
"Then what happens if we face a similar situation? Do I get reckless because I was saved once? And should I rely on whatever happened to save me again?"
Haven could not dismiss the concern. There was substance in Jure's question beyond basic curio
sity. Experience can lead to wisdom, but only if the circumstances are understood properly. She decided to assist the wizard further, but to do so, she needed more information herself.
"May I ask what made you take such extraordinary actions in the first place?"
"You mean regarding my attack on Scheff and Macheve?"
"Yes."
"I didn't think I had a choice."
"Looking back now, is that still the case?"
"Yes, it is."
"So you were willing to die to save Shantree because there was no alternative?"
"That's not quite the way I would put it."
"Is there another way?"
Jure wanted to explain what he knew was in his mind the moment he decided to attack. In order to do so, he realized he would have to reveal his own beliefs, and in doing so, he understood Haven's original reluctance. It would be difficult to clarify his decision without a common frame of reference regarding such things as faith and Providence. Still, he thought he was making progress toward a possible answer and he did not wish to end the discussion.
"When I said I didn't have a choice, I didn't mean that there weren't other things I could have done. I could have tried to teleport away, or I could have attacked with a lesser spell. I could have called out for help. Or I could have done nothing at all, but none of that would have been acceptable. It was more of a situation where there was only one clear path, only one thing I could have done and still lived with myself."
"So you were hoping to avoid guilt?"
"In a way, but I was also trying to do what was right. You see, I think I was there, at that precise moment, for a reason. I don't think it was just random circumstances, but that I was guided there by a, I'm not sure what you would call it, so let's just say a higher power."
Haven smiled.
"Now we have a point of common appreciation," she suggested.
"So you understand what I'm saying?"
"I do. And I agree with you. I also believe that the same power that guided you to Shantree's side is not done with you. That is why you survived. And that is why you are here now."
"You think?"
Haven nodded.
Jure could not help but smile as well. He felt as if he had just received something even greater than insight. He felt validated in his beliefs.
He would have liked to continue the conversation, but he saw the elder walking determinedly back toward them. He could not help but notice her bleak expression, and he was forced to refrain from further discussion with Haven. He also began to notice much more activity around the camp, and while the elves did not appear frantic, their movements revealed a newfound concern.
Shantree's tone was just as grim as her appearance. She foreshadowed any explanation with an apology to the human wizard, an apology he did not quite understand.
"I am sorry, Jure, but you were the reason the council requested a private meeting. It was a meeting you should have both attended."
"What's wrong?"
"There is a sickness spreading through the guards at the outer perimeter of the camp. Members of the council were not certain you should be included in such matters, but I believe your assistance will be needed. I need you both to come with me."
Shantree guided the two spell casters to the northwest, to an area where Jure noticed earlier activity. They came upon a quickly crafted hut made of tightly woven branches. It was far larger than those Jure had seen utilized for the storage of food or weapons.
Inside, Shantree revealed five elves stricken and unable to walk. They moaned slightly, but there was little movement. They appeared rigid, almost like fallen tree trunks caught in the mud and still rooted in the ground. Open sores covered their faces and arms.
The sickness was beyond anything Jure had seen before, but he had little experience with elf diseases.
"Are you familiar with this?" the wizard asked.
"No," Shantree revealed. "The sickness is unknown to us. They are stiff and unable to move. Only one was able to speak for a short period of time, but the paralysis spread and now she can no longer communicate, thus we are unable to determine if there are other symptoms."
"When did it start?"
"Just recently, all of these guards were at their posts. It manifested quickly. None of them displayed any signs of sickness earlier in the day. One called for help. We immediately constructed this shelter to hold them."
"The one that was able to talk, did she say anything about an attack?"
"No, and no intruders have been discovered. We have sent out additional patrols to..."
Before she could finish, Birk Grund entered the shelter.
"I have recalled the patrols," the captain announced. "Three more guards have fallen. They are being transported with the help of others. The disease is spreading and it stiffens the joints almost immediately. I cannot afford to have guards fall ill far beyond the borders of the camp. They would not be able to return and could fall prey to dark creatures."
"Has anyone seen anything?" Jure asked of the captain.
"There was a shag further off to the north. It has a den in the area. It leaves us alone. I sent a patrol to check on it. They located it in its den. The creature appears fine, but one of the guards on the patrol has already begun to show symptoms of the disease."
"We should start trying to heal them," Jure suggested.
"I have called for healers," Shantree acknowledged, "but not knowing the source of the sickness will hamper our efforts."
Another elf guard staggered into the hut. Open sores covered his face and hands. He shuffled forward, determinedly forcing one foot forward and then the other, but his legs would not bend. They appeared as if they were made of wood. He was wheezing and his mouth could barely move, but he managed to whisper the fragments of a report. Birk appeared to understand, but the wizard was uncertain of the details.
"What did he say?" Jure asked.
"More are coming, and several have fallen ill at their posts," Birk explained as he helped the collapsing elf to a cot. "He's from the northern perimeter. The disease is spreading faster than I can recall my guard."
Jure realized the sickness was not some simple disease. It was quickly becoming catastrophic. Linking it to his own presence at the elf camp, he feared the worst. He called out to Shantree.
"Have you ever experienced anything like this before?"
"No."
"I don't believe in this kind of coincidence," the human wizard revealed. "This has to be Reiculf."
"You believe he would strike with plague?" Haven questioned. "That would seem more like the work of draevols. They are plague mages and their skill with sickness is unmatched."
"We can figure that out later. Right now, we have to get Shantree out of here."
"I can not leave!" the elder objected.
"You have to. You're in danger."
"Then I should stay here until we know the true threat," Shantree objected.
"By then it could be too late."
Shantree took one long moment to consider every known detail. With absolute certainty, she revealed her decision.
"No, I have to stay. Our defense is based on Ansas' strategy and avoiding Reiculf's strengths. If it is Reiculf, he would not target me with the sickness, would he? He wants me alive."
"But we can't leave you in the middle of a plague. There's too much confusion."
"And sending me away would be just as dangerous. What would you do if you were Reiculf? I would create panic, and force a mistake. If I flee, I will be vulnerable, like I was before."
"I agree," Birk stated. "We almost lost her before because Scheff started a panic. If Reiculf wants to isolate her, this is the way to do it."
Before they could argue further, another elf guard entered the hut, but this one was not yet sickened in any obvious manner. The guard offered a quick report to his captain.
"All patrols have been recalled," the guard stated. "We have set two tight perimeters around the center of the camp. Mo
st of the outer guard has been accounted for, but three members of a patrol to the west have not yet returned."
Birk knew he would have to retrieve the missing guards, but he needed to ascertain the status of the camp.
"How many elves show signs of disease?"
"Over a quarter of the camp is stricken. Many more are beginning to show the onset."
"Have any been healed successfully?"
"None that I am aware of."
An idea erupted within Jure, and he could not help but interrupt the report. He directed his first question to the elf guard.
"Do you feel any symptoms?"
"No."
"Good, because I want to cast a spell on you. If Reiculf is responsible, Shantree is right. He won't want her harmed. Haven might be right as well. This could be the work of draevols. If Reiculf is using their plague magic, then it would be cast to specifically avoid Shantree."
"What do you propose?" Birk asked.
"I can cast a spell that would mimic Shantree's magical essence, surround healthy guards with it. It could keep them from falling to the sickness."
The guard was immediately willing to accept the spell, but he looked to his captain for confirmation.
"Any dangers?" Birk asked before allowing the wizard to move forward.
Jure had to admit one.
"In a certain sense, he will appear as Shantree. That means it's possible he would be targeted as she would. Reiculf wants to seize her. If he uses plague magic to attempt to isolate her, he could mistake one for the other. That means he would be in as much danger as she is for possible abduction."
"Could that not work to our advantage?"
"It could cause confusion, but that's only a small possibility. I'm trying to create protection from the plague magic, not from Reiculf."
Birk asked if the guard was willing. After receiving affirmation, he directed the wizard to cast the spell. Once it was cast, the elf captain pressed for further assistance.
"How many can you protect with that spell?"
"Probably the whole camp," Jure advised. "It doesn't require a great deal of energy. It's just a simple mimic spell. But it won't help those already infected."