“She's still standing somehow,” Simon said with admiration. “An amazing woman. I told her I'd ask if she could join you, now that she's all alone and there isn't anything tying her to Moscow.”
“Simon!” Clara exclaimed. “Ask me? By the gods, you must know me well enough by now to know the answer to that.”
The wizard nodded unconsciously.
“I do, but it is only courteous to ask. And I believe that Liliana would say the same thing.”
“Fine then. I formally give my consent, and I speak for my people in this, for Liliana to join our community. We would be honored to have her.”
She smiled into the wind.
“Good enough?”
“Good enough,” Simon said with a laugh. “With luck, I'll be strong enough in a week or so to Gate over to Moscow, pick her up and then bring her to you. After that, I'm going to have to impose on you for at least a night. I think I'll be too drained to risk Gating home right away.”
Kronk silently nodded his approval at this plan and Simon winked at him.
“Oh, we would love for you to visit for a while,” Clara said enthusiastically. “Getting away from that winter weather will do you a world of good.”
“I have no doubt about that. The snow is falling thick and heavy even as we speak.”
She grimaced.
“Delightful. I'm feeling less nostalgic about the old Nottinghill by the minute.”
“I'll call you the day I decide to do the transfer and I'll be bringing Kronk and a few of his friends along to help with the new buildings. That should speed things up a bit.”
“That would be very generous of him, Simon.”
“It will be our pleasure, lady,” Kronk spoke up and the cleric grinned.
“He loves to help,” Simon told her. “So, I'll let you get back to enjoying your day off. Talk to you soon.”
“I'm counting on it. Take care.”
He canceled the spell, put down the mirror and sat back in his chair. He rubbed his eyes and then looked at Aeris as the elemental cleared his throat.
“Hmm?”
“You look like you could use a nap,” Aeris told him pointedly. Kronk nodded vigorously in agreement.
“Sleep and eat. Sleep and eat. That's all I do now, you know that?”
“Big picture, my dear wizard,” Aeris said. “Get healthy, get strong, save the world, right?”
Simon burst out laughing.
“If only it were that simple. Okay, I'll catch a few winks before I visit the horses.”
He glanced at the window and the darkness that came with the heavy snowfall beyond.
“After all, there's no rush, is there?”
Chapter 22
The next week passed quickly for Simon, mainly because he spent most of it asleep. His new body was still growing and filling in and it needed to be fed and then allowed to rest. He occasionally felt like he was simply a passenger in the vehicle that was his body and was trying to enjoy the ride. It certainly helped him practice patience.
At the end of the week, the elementals allowed him to try several simple spells, but watched him like hawks for any sign of weakness. Simon felt like he was auditioning for one of those old television talent shows and he was more nervous than he expected to be.
“Okay, you guys pick the spells,” the wizard said at breakfast that day. For a change he was having hot chocolate with his toast and was feeling mellow and content, right up until the elementals mentioned the test.
The two were standing on the kitchen table and Kronk waved Aeris forward.
“Very well, my dear wizard. We have discussed this. Obviously you can cast your communication spell with little trouble, which is a good sign, so let's have you stretch your magical muscles a bit more and cast these spells.”
Aeris held up a blurry hand and ticked off the list on his fingers.
“Light, Shield and...” he paused dramatically. “Gate,” he finished and folded his arms, waiting for Simon's reaction.
“What?”
The wizard dribbled hot chocolate down the front of his robe and jumped up to grab a dishcloth to clean it off.
“Hang on just a second,” he said as he wiped himself off. “Light I can understand. Shield? Yeah okay. I always have that memorized anyway and it's a simple spell to cast. Bit draining though. But Gate? Come on. You two have been on top of me for a week to make sure that I didn't cast that spell. And now you've done a total one-eighty? What's going on?”
The elementals exchanged a look.
“We don't want you to Gate very far, master,” Kronk said with a nervous smile. “Just from here to,” he pointed upwards, “there.”
“You want me to Gate to the ceiling?” Simon said with a frown.
Aeris snorted.
“Of course not. I think you are still half asleep, my dear wizard. We want you to Gate from the first floor to the second and that's all. No further than that. I think all of us want to see what the aftermath of casting such a spell will be, in a controlled environment.”
Simon sat down again and watched his two little friends thoughtfully.
“You do realize that if I collapse, it could set our plans back for God knows how long, right?”
“Is it not better to know now, master, here at home, than possibly being trapped in Moscow or Florida after a Gate?” Kronk asked him, sounding like his usual practical self.
The wizard hesitated and then grinned.
“Okay, I can't argue with that. If I was rendered powerless in the middle of a Russian winter, and God forbid there was a wight attack, that would probably be the end of me and Liliana as well.”
He finished what was left of his hot chocolate and clapped his hands loudly.
“Well, I'm ready whenever you guys are.”
Aeris zipped across the room, grabbed Simon's staff where it was leaning against the wall next to the door and returned to hand it to him.
“Um, you think I need this?”
“I think you need all the help that you can get,” Aeris said tartly. “The staff helps to boost and channel your power and it may ease the shock to your system somewhat.”
“Yeah, good idea. Thanks.”
Simon walked to the center of the room and settled himself down. He planted the end of the staff firmly on the floor and took a deep breath. His heart was racing and his stomach twisted in a mixture of fear and excitement.
“Light spell first?” he asked and both elementals nodded in unison.
“Okay then, here we go.”
He easily rattled off the incantation for the spell and a globe of brilliant white light appeared above his head, bobbing serenely and casting sharp shadows around the room.
“Well, hello there,” Simon said as he looked up at it. “Long time no see.”
“How do you feel, master?” Kronk asked quickly.
“Feel? Fine, I guess. No weakness, no dizziness.”
Simon sucked on his lower lip as he focused on his body.
“Nope, no reaction at all. That's a bit weird, isn't it?”
“Not really,” Aeris responded. “It is a simple spell, after all. The next one should be very telling though.”
“Shield? True. It's simple to cast but is usually fairly draining, even when I'm at full strength.”
He squared his shoulder, tightened his grip on the staff and looked expectantly at his friends.
“Ready?”
“Go ahead,” Aeris said. “Let's see what happens.”
“Okay. If I collapse, try not to let my head smack into the floor, would you?”
Kronk leaped off of the table and scurried across the room to stand next to him.
“I will not let you get hurt, master,” he said stoutly while Aeris just rolled his eyes.
“He's casting a spell, Kronk, not climbing a mountain. He'll be fine.”
Simon chuckled.
“Here we go,” he said and began the incantation.
Funny, he thought as he cast the spell. I'
ve been through death and been brought back to life and I still have these spells locked firmly in my mind. How is that even possible? Is it the mind that survives after death? Or are the soul and consciousness the same thing?
He pushed away those distracting thoughts and concentrated on the task at hand.
“Invectis,” he said tentatively.
There was the merest moment of silence and then a hazy globe burst into life around him, extending six feet in all directions. A slight feeling of weakness rippled through him, and he felt light-headed for a minute and swayed a bit.
Kronk braced his knees firmly and Simon felt like he was standing in a bucket of cement. The earthen's grip was absolute and he had no chance of falling, which he was sure he hadn't been about to do. Probably.
“Thanks, Kronk. I'm good.”
“Yes master. It was just a precaution.”
Simon smiled at his little friend and looked over to see Aeris' reaction.
The air elemental was looking a trifle smug.
“Perfect. Almost exactly what I had expected,” he said in a superior tone.
“Yeah right. Anyway, it worked and I feel fine.”
Kronk tapped his leg and gave him a skeptical look.
“Um, I mean I felt dizzy for a minute, but I'm okay. Really,” the wizard said, more to the earthen than to Aeris.
The little guy smiled and nodded, keeping one cautionary hand on Simon's knee.
“Do you feel up to the last test?” Aeris asked as Simon canceled the Shield spell. The field disappeared with a muted blue flash, while his globe of magic light continued to bob lightly over his head.
“I'm good. And no matter what happens, I'll make sure to rest once we're done. Better safe than sorry.”
He looked back down at Kronk.
“Want to come along for the ride?”
“If I won't be too much of a burden, I would like that, master.”
“You are never a burden, my friend,” Simon said fondly.
“Getting nauseous over here,” Aeris said in a snarky tone. Kronk glared at him.
Simon just gave him a look and an exaggerated sigh and began chanting the incantation for the Gate spell.
When he finished, he closed his eyes, keeping the image of his study firmly in mind and then, with some trepidation, he invoked the spell.
It was the shortest Gating that Simon had ever experienced. There was a quick moment of darkness and then he and Kronk were standing in the study.
“Whoa. That was amazing!” he exclaimed as he grinned down at Kronk. “If it wasn't such a strain, I think I'd just pop around the tower instead of walking.”
The earthen made a sound of disapproval.
“That would be most unwise, master. One stray thought and you could be trapped in the void...or inside of a wall.”
“I was just kidding,” the wizard said. “You are so literal sometimes.”
“Of course I am, master,” the little guy said stoutly. “It is in my nature. Let elementals like Aeris dream on; we earthen prefer concrete thoughts and deeds.”
Before Simon could answer, Aeris called up from downstairs.
“Are you alive up there?” he shouted.
“No,” Kronk rumbled back loudly. “We both died. We are now speaking to you from the void.”
The earthen's response was so unlike him that Simon completely broke up.
Kronk watched him with a tiny smile as the wizard bent over, trying to catch his breath.
“You see, master,” he said when Simon had finally calmed down. “Even an earthen can joke when the occasion warrants it.”
“You're right. I totally apologize for implying you're too stiff and one-dimensional to understand when I'm kidding. Now, let's go down and reassure Aeris that we really are alive.”
“Yes master,” the little guy said with a gravelly laugh and they headed for the stairs.
Back at the kitchen table with a fresh cup of tea, Simon endured several questions about his reactions to the spells.
“I'd say they were pretty good, all things considered,” he told Aeris. “Yes, I'm tired. My head feels like it's stuffed with cotton, to be honest, but physically it's only fatigue. That's a good sign, isn't it?”
The air elemental nodded and looked at Kronk, who shrugged diffidently.
“I agree, master, but we must not rush this. The final decision is always yours, but I would recommend a few more days of rest to build up your reserves before you travel to the lady paladin's home.”
“That's a very good idea,” Simon said agreeably and both elementals stared at him, surprised.
“It is?” Aeris asked him incredulously. “You mean you aren't going to argue?”
“Of course not. Guys, I was sent back for a reason and it would be damned ungrateful if I jeopardized my recovery by being overly hasty. I'm quite sure that Liliana can hold out for a few more days. If she has any trouble, she can get my attention by using her lodestone. So I will practice patience, eat and sleep as much as I can and leave in, let's say, three days. Agreed?”
The elementals agreed, Kronk much more slowly than Aeris, and so Simon, relieved, finished his tea and headed off for some rest. In spite of what he had told his friends, part of him couldn't wait to get back into action.
Patience, Simon, he said to himself. Patience.
On the morning of 'the day', as Simon had come to think of it, the wizard woke up, got washed and dressed and ate breakfast. He called Clara first to tell her that he was going to be bringing Liliana with him that day, and to make sure to keep everyone clear of the center of town, since that would be his landing site.
The cleric was thrilled and promised him a fresh fish dinner when he got there. Then he called Liliana.
He had promised the paladin that he would let her know when he was coming, and 'the day' had finally arrived.
His hand was shaking a bit as he held the mirror, waiting for the spell to connect him with Moscow.
“Are you feeling all right, master?” Kronk asked him. He was staring at the wizard's quivering arm.
“I'm fine,” Simon told him, not quite truthfully. “Just excited, that's all. I know it's only been ten or eleven days since I returned, but it actually feels more like a month and I'm becoming quite concerned about Liliana and the fact that she's alone now.”
“Ah, I see, master. Yes, that is understandable.”
Aeris floated up from the basement with a heavy canvas bag in his hand.
“What's understandable?” he asked as he flew across the room and dropped the bag on to the table. “Here are the beets you wanted from the cold storage, by the way. Just as well you're giving them to Clara; they're beginning to get soft.”
“Thanks. They'll cook up fine,” Simon said with an absent smile as he watched the mirror.
“I was just asking master why he was shaking.”
“And he told you that he was excited? Naturally he's excited, Kronk. Aren't we all?”
Aeris nodded toward the window. Very little light was able to seep in because all of the windows of the tower were packed with snow. There had been intermittent flurries for the past several days and the snow around the building, except for the paths to the outhouse and the stable, was three feet deep.
“It will be nice to get away from this infernal winter, for all of us.”
“Yes, but we can't be gone for long,” Kronk protested. “The horses...”
“Will be well looked after by the three earthen that are staying here. Honestly, you're a worrywart.”
“I am?” Kronk asked with a confused frown.
“Guys? Trying to focus over here,” Simon said irritably.
The two elementals turned and hurried over to stand on either side of the wizard.
“No contact yet?” Aeris asked in a hushed voice.
“It's starting to clear now.”
The image of Liliana appeared out of the mist. She was sitting in a heavy chair and reading from a large leather-bound book. Several ca
ndles were placed on tables around her and Simon assumed that she was in a new retreat. He doubted that she would have stayed in the same place that her people had died.
For a change, her straw-colored hair was loose and hanging over her shoulders instead of pulled back and braided. And instead of armor, she wore a simple white shirt and brown leather pants. Her boots were black.
She was focused intently on whatever she was reading and frowning slightly. A glass of clear liquid sat on a small table next to her and Simon saw her take a small sip as she read.
“Hello Liliana,” he said to her.
The paladin raised her heavy head and her intense blue eyes roamed around the room.
“Ah, hello Simon. How nice to hear from you. How are you feeling?”
“Better, thanks. Not my old self, perhaps, but close enough. And you? How are you holding up?”
She sighed and put the book aside. She sat back in the chair, picked up the glass and drank down the contents.
“Fine. Surviving.” She raised the glass. “Perhaps indulging in a little too much vodka, but that is about all.”
“I see. Well, I've called to tell you that, if you are still prepared to go, I'm ready to take you to join Clara and the others.”
“Are you? Well now, a bit of good news for a change.”
Simon watched the paladin stand up, put down her glass and stride across the room.
“As it happens, I've been waiting for your call. The winter's gotten worse, if you can believe it, and I'm snowed in at the moment.”
She stopped and pointed to a small pile of bags. They were resting on top of an ornate Indian rug and behind them Simon saw a fire burning merrily in a large, marble fireplace.
“I've gathered all of my belongings. If you are going to join me soon, I will wear my armor rather than carry it.”
“Sure, that sounds fine. It looks like you found a rather nice place to hole up.”
She looked around and nodded vaguely.
“It is, isn't it? The abandoned home of an oligarch, I think. He lived rather well. This was his study, deep beneath his mansion. If you hadn't been able to transport me, I think I could have held out over the winter here.”
She chuckled lightly.
“He certainly had good taste in alcohol.”
Tales from the New Earth: Volume One Page 148