He needed to leave the palace soon and head back to Faldor’s Keep. He knew the keeper would be anxiously awaiting his return, and there was still much for him to learn. Staying at the palace for a week or two wouldn’t benefit anyone. He would look forward to meeting with Kalista the next morning, but that would have to be the last time.
5
From high atop the city wall of Candus, Brock could see far off into the distance. Other sentries found it boring to be positioned on the wall, but he didn’t mind it at all, especially in the spring. The weather was usually nice, and the view was spectacular. He had been stationed on the wall above the eastern gate several days earlier and would remain there until his rotation was over in a few more days.
He had enjoyed watching the parade two days ago. His position on the wall had commanded the perfect view of the magnificent procession. He had been the first to spot the victorious soldiers marching towards the city and had watched until the last of them passed through the gate. Nothing exciting had happened since their arrival, but he didn’t mind. As long as the weather remained nice, he would continue enjoying the view of the countryside and his own thoughts.
Around midmorning he spotted someone in the distance riding hard towards the city. As the rider grew closer, he could see that it was a messenger from the army. He wondered why the man was riding so fast. Was it possible that the Balthan Army had been reinforced and was returning to Kalia? It didn’t seem very likely. With the death of the Balthan wielder, he didn’t think the Balthans would be eager to engage the Kalian Army anytime soon.
He sent the other sentry on duty with him down to inform the guards at the gate that a messenger was quickly approaching from the east. He then returned to studying the rider. The man looked as though he were in a great rush, even for a messenger. Brock wondered once again what could be so important. If he was lucky, rumor would trickle back to him about the messenger’s report.
He settled back to staring out over the green landscape. He watched as a few white clouds appeared on the horizon and lazily drifted their way towards him. He then noticed a dark smudge on the horizon. He squinted and watched the smudge, making sure he truly was seeing something in the distance. The smudge slowly began to grow. It was still too far away for him to tell exactly what it was, but it looked as though a large group was making its way towards the city. Perhaps today wouldn’t be as quiet as he had thought.
* * * * *
Blaize settled down in his temporary office. The morning had been fun, but now he had a long day of administrative duties in front of him. He had spent the morning with Traven, just as he had the day before. They had gone through their forms first. Even the elf, Darian, had joined in. Blaize had been surprised by the elf’s quickness and skills and had gained deeper respect for the strange race. It was still hard to believe that the elves existed, but he had plenty of proof in the form of Darian.
After their routines, Traven had explained more of what he had learned to do. Blaize had listened intently and asked many questions while the elf sat to the side in silence. It was amazing to learn what Traven was capable of doing. He had found out that his young friend could do much more than just command the elements in attacking someone. Two of the most interesting things he had learned about were what Traven called ‘screeing’ and ‘whispering on the wind’.
By screeing, Traven could look almost anywhere he wanted by reflecting the image of a specific location on a flat, reflective surface. The uses of such a talent in wartime would be a great advantage. He assumed that was how the Wielder Kadrak had located the leaders of the Kalian Army so easily the last day of battle. Traven’s ability to scout and locate both enemies and allies would be helpful indeed if there was ever another conflict.
The ability to whisper on the wind would be just as useful in a battle. Messages could be sent to other leaders in the army, and the attack or retreat could be coordinated over great distances. It was too bad Traven hadn’t arrived sooner. Then again, if he had been any sooner he would have left Faldor’s Keep without learning about all the amazing things he had.
Blaize could hardly believe an ancient keep was hidden somewhere in the desert where someone had been waiting to train Traven in the ways of the ambience. It seemed crazy to think that anyone could see into the future. The more he learned and saw in the world, the more he was convinced that he didn’t know half of what was really out there.
He picked up a stack of papers and shuffled through them. It was hard for him to focus on them with everything that was swimming through his head. It was also hard for him to be sitting inside on such a nice, spring day. He sometimes wondered why he had accepted the post of commander general. He supposed it was because he knew he was getting older and couldn’t keep running around across the countryside forever. He would soon have to leave the adventures to those who were in their youth, like Traven.
Blaize knew his new position would offer a new kind of challenge in his life and a steady stipend. He would stay at the head of the army for several years and then could retire comfortably. It wasn’t a bad plan at all, but it was one that he had never considered in the past. He set down the papers in front of him and waited. He had read through them several times and already knew their contents. Gavin would be arriving shortly to go through more details of the army’s march back to Calyn. By the end of the week, Gavin would become the new baron and turn complete command of the army over to him. Blaize would then truly be in charge.
He looked up from his desk as the door opened. In walked Gavin, the soon-to-be Baron of Candus and eventually the High King of Kalia. The young man didn’t look like he was ready to take on the responsibilities of either position at the moment. He was dressed sharply and walked erect, but there was a certain hollowness and darkness around his eyes. The former commander general had seemed slightly lethargic ever since the death of his father.
“Commander General Blaize,” he said in greeting, as he sat down on the other side of the desk. “I believe most details have been worked out. At the end of the week, a quarter of the soldiers will be released from duty and allowed to return to their homes. You will lead half of the army back to Calyn. Another quarter will remain with me in Candus for three months before returning to Calyn as well. That should be plenty of time to assure ourselves that the threat from Balthus has passed.”
Blaize agreed that three months would be plenty of time. He was sure the Balthans wouldn’t attack again. They had only done so in the first place because of the Wielder Kadrak. With him dead, there shouldn’t be any further troubles with the adjacent kingdom. They began discussing the logistics of the army’s march but hadn’t talked very long when there was a sharp knock on the door.
“Enter,” Blaize said.
The door opened to reveal a disheveled and winded messenger. He looked eager to make his report but stood quietly, trying to catch his breath, as he waited for permission to speak. Blaize could see from his insignia that he was part of the group of soldiers left just west of the Pass of Banshi. He wondered what was so important to have caused the messenger such obvious agitation.
“Proceed with your report,” Blaize commanded.
“Yes, sir,” the man began. “I bring disturbing news.” He took another deep breath before continuing. “The day after the Royal Army marched west, a group of about thirty bedraggled Balthan soldiers emerged from the pass with an unbelievable tale of how their camp had been attacked by strange beasts and most of their army had been slaughtered.
“At first we thought their tale was some sort of trick and perhaps part of an ambush attempt, but after a quick search of the pass, we determined there were no other soldiers nearby. It was obvious from their injuries that something had befallen the soldiers. We dressed their wounds and fed them. We offered to let them camp with us, but they were adamant that the beasts were following them and that we should seek safety behind the walls of Candus. We couldn’t abandon our posts on such a fantastic tale related to us by enemy soldiers
, but we allowed them to continue on while we remained at our posts.
“We sent several men into the pass to investigate the Balthan soldiers’ claims and set a double watch for the night. No sooner had night fallen than one of our men came thundering back to us. He reported that there were indeed strange and ferocious beasts in the pass and that they were heading towards us. The other two scouts never returned. We quickly packed up our small camp and made our way to the top of the rise that overlooked the recent field of battle.
“We could make out what appeared to be thousands of figures massing at the entrance of the pass. Seeing that our group of one hundred soldiers would be far outnumbered, we hurried west to the nearest village. Those who were left behind to watch the spectacle soon joined us and confirmed that the beasts were beginning to stream out of the pass and march in our direction. They also reported that there appeared to be a wielder with them, for they had witnessed a huge stream of fire piercing upwards into the air from the center of the field.
“We quickly evacuated the village and headed west, but our pace was much slower with the villagers. By the time we reached the next village, the beasts were gaining on us. Fifty of our men volunteered to go back and face the monsters while we evacuated the second village. All fifty were slaughtered at the hands of the beasts, but it bought us enough time to evacuate the villagers. We continued our march throughout the night as fast as we could, but the beasts continued gaining on us.
“We thought we would soon be overtaken, but with the coming of dawn, the pursuit stopped. We continued on and have evacuated every village along the highway between the pass and Candus. By midday, the villagers should arrive at the city’s gate. There are some ten thousand of them. As far as we can determine, the beasts are not more than a day behind. This is my report.”
Blaize stared back at the messenger. His papers lay forgotten, scattered on the desk in front of him. What was the man talking about? Strange beasts were now invading the land? He let out a deep breath. They would need to find space for the refugees, but at least the soldiers had brought them to the city safely. He looked at Gavin and found the future baron looking to him. It appeared this new crisis would be Blaize’s first true assignment as the commander general.
“What is the nature of these beasts?” he asked the messenger.
“None have gotten close enough to get a good view and live. We do know that they walk upright like a man but are slightly larger than us and appear to have skin as red as blood.”
“Are they truly wild beasts or are they sentient?” Blaize asked.
“They are armed with weapons and appear to be moving in a somewhat organized fashion.”
“How many are there?”
“They number at least in the thousands, Commander General,” the messenger answered. “Perhaps in the tens of thousands.”
Blaize stood up from his desk. He needed some fresh air to clear his mind. He had spent the morning talking of magic with Traven and now he was being told that a horde of monsters was on its way to attack Candus. The world he thought he knew was being turned upside down. It seemed strange indeed to be considering such things. However, he had met an elf the day before, and if there were elves, why not some other savage creature that no one had known existed.
“I say we go to the city’s east wall to get a better view of the situation,” he suggested.
“I agree,” Gavin replied, still in disbelief.
The messenger followed as they left the room and made their way to the outer wall of the city. After arriving at the east gate, they climbed the stone stairs to the lookout tower above it. They joined the two sentries who were intently gazing to the east. Both snapped to attention when they realized who it was that had joined them.
“At ease,” Blaize said as he peered into the distance.
The villagers were still too far away to see with any detail, but he could easily see the smudge on the horizon that foretold of the coming of a large group. Accommodations would need to be prepared for the refugees. He turned to the messenger.
“You said there are ten thousand villagers?”
“Yes,” the messenger replied. “Perhaps a few more.”
The best solution Blaize could think of was to house them in the barracks. Soldiers would need to be mobilized to protect the city from the approaching threat. By moving part of the army to the plains east of the city, there would be plenty of room to accommodate the refugees in the barracks. He supposed he might as well send the order. By the time the villagers arrived, he could have part of the barracks cleared and ready for them.
He gave the orders to one of the sentries on duty and sent the man running to the barracks. Twenty thousand soldiers would soon be setting up camp to the east of the city. Hopefully, that would be plenty to repel the monsters. He didn’t want to move any more troops until he had a better idea of the attacking beasts’ intentions. He needed a better idea of how many there really were and when exactly they would arrive.
It would also be wise to send a message to the other villages in the vicinity. The message would warn them of the impending danger and offer them safety within the city walls. Blaize let out a sigh. The recent battle had ended merely a week before and already it appeared that another conflict was on the way. He turned towards Gavin as the young man finally spoke up.
“We are living in strange times,” the future baron muttered. “It has been over a hundred years since Candus was last attacked. It is hard for me to believe the reports of an invading horde of beasts, but it would be unwise to not prepare for it. I wish there was some way we could see how great this new threat truly is.”
Blaize wished the same thing. If they had more intelligence on the beasts, it would be much easier to take the necessary precautions and form the proper defenses. He glanced out over the green landscape and watched as the group in the far distance slowly grew closer. If only he could see what was beyond that group. He paused as a thought occurred to him. There was a way.
“We can see the threat,” he said with a smile. “We just need to find Traven.”
6
Kalista happily made her way down the garden path. Bright flowers were in bloom all around her, and the sky was clear and blue. It was another beautiful spring morning, and she was looking forward to spending it with Traven.
Their previous meeting had been fantastic. She had learned so many interesting things and could not wait to find out what other surprises the young wielder harbored. Hopefully, he would be more comfortable and willing to show her more of his skills. She found it cute that someone with as much power as he possessed could be so timid.
She walked around a large tree and spotted him sitting on the same stone bench they had shared yesterday. He had his eyes closed and was sitting perfectly still. She could not tell whether he was asleep or merely deep in thought. A mischievous thought entered her mind. Maybe she could get back at him for his invisibility trick. She slowed down and started walking towards him very quietly. She had not taken more than a step past the tree when he turned towards her and opened his eyes.
She missed a step in surprise, but then started walking normally towards him. How had he known she was there? She was sure she had been perfectly quiet. He smiled as she finished making her way to the bench. He stood and waited for her to sit down before reseating himself.
“Good morning, Traven,” she said.
“Good morning,” he replied with shining eyes. “What would you like to see today?”
“Something powerful,” she replied.
She had seen that Traven could do many different things, but she had not seen him do the mighty feats of magic she knew he was capable of. She watched with excited anticipation as the young wielder’s forehead wrinkled in thought. He then gave her a shy smile and stood up. He reached his hands upward towards the sky and took on a look of concentration. Almost immediately, flames shot upwards from his hands. There was soon a large pillar of raging fire stretching up high into the sky.
“Can you make it rain?”
She had barely asked the question when drops of water began falling around her. Surprisingly, she remained completely dry. It was as if an invisible barrier surrounded her. Traven’s powers truly were magical.
“It appears you can do just about anything,” she said with a smile. Traven shrugged with a sheepish smile as the rain stopped.
“I can’t do any of this for very long,” he said as he came over and sat down on the bench next to her. “When I wield the ambience, it slowly drains my strength. If I wield too much, it will weaken me to the point where I’ll pass out.”
“I suppose that is one cure for insomnia,” she stated, thinking of her troubles falling asleep over the last week.
“I normally don’t have any trouble falling asleep,” Traven said with a smile. “I’m usually tired enough that I drop right off. If it cured me of nightmares, then that would be worth it.”
He was still smiling, but a slight change came over his features. She wondered if he continued to be plagued in his dreams by those who had died. She had dreamt of her deceased guards once again last night.
“I thought you said the deaths of the guardians did not bother you as much anymore?”
“It’s not that,” Traven replied. “My dreams are often too lifelike for my liking.”
Wielder's Fate Page 5