The Wizard's Tower 02

by Peter Last

  “Molkekk.”

  The solitary word came from behind Timothy. He turned to see Lemin rising to his feet; the elf had eyes only for the wizard.

  “Lemin,” Molkekk responded. Though he was across the room, his words could be heard clearly. “It's been a long time, old friend.”

  “Yes, it has,” Lemin said. “Last time I met you, you could still move outside of your tower.”

  “Things have changed,” Molkekk agreed. “Speaking of which, how is your friend Jothnial doing? I still have a score to settle with him.”

  “He's dead,” Lemin answered. “You can settle your score with me.”

  “Well, I would have preferred to kill him, but a stand-in is the next best thing,” Molkekk said. “Come then, let's fight this out.”

  “Now you don't think I'm that stupid, do you?” Lemin asked. “I've brought an army with me, and you think I'm going to fight you one on one?”

  “I had hoped,” Molkekk answered. “I think you owe me at least that much.”

  “I owe you nothing,” Lemin said simply. “Magicians, on me.”

  “You may owe me nothing, but I owe you,” Molkekk said with a laugh. He raised his hands, extending two tendrils of magic. One wrapped around Lemin while the other latched onto Vladimir. Before anyone could react, the two magicians were sliding across the floor toward Molkekk.

  Timothy was the first to react. He sprinted after his friends, eying the large opaque shield Molkekk was creating around himself. In a moment, his prey would cross the boundary and the shield would shut, effectively cutting them off from the rest of the magicians' assistance as well as their line of sight. Timothy gathered magic into a spell and flung it behind him at the ground near his feet. The explosion launched him forward through the shield just before it closed. He landed on his back, sliding a short distance. He drew his sword and jumped to his feet, blade outstretched and another spell crackling at the fingers of his left hand.

  “You rat,” Molkekk said. “What do I have to do to get rid of you?”

  “I'm just protecting them,” Timothy said.

  “Timothy, stand down,” Lemin said.

  “But Lemin...,” Vladimir began.

  “You are to stand down as well,” Lemin cut him off. “Molkekk wants a one-on-one battle, and he will get one.”

  “What about that army you were talking about?” Timothy argued.

  “Three hardly constitutes an army,” Lemin answered.

  “I won't let you fight alone,” Vladimir said resolutely.

  “Vladimir, I said to stand down!” Lemin shouted.

  In response, Vladimir raised his sword and rushed toward Molkekk. The movement was so unexpected of the young magician that Lemin was fully two steps behind him in his mad charge toward the wizard. With a laugh, Molkekk blasted two spells toward Vladimir, one head-on and one which approached him from the side. Vladimir’s ward took the head-on spell, but the second hit him full force. There was no explosion, no fireworks of magic, no dramatic flinging of his body across the tower. He simply fell like a sack of potatoes, tripping Lemin who was a half-step behind him. The elf flew forward, belly-flopping onto the floor as his head slapped down against it with a crack. He was out cold before his body ever came to a halt.

  “So it's just you and me, magician,” Molkekk said. “What's your plan, boy?”

  “I thought it was about time I defied you,” Timothy said in an offhanded manner. “It's time to break ties, if you know what I mean.”

  “So you're going to try and kill me?” Molkekk asked calmly. “That nullifies our deal. You know that.”

  “Our deal is broken already,” Timothy retorted. “I checked after we invaded the city. There's nothing here except for your armies and pits full of their victims. You never planned on delivering on your end of the bargain. I can’t believe I ever trusted you.”

  “Think about it, Timothy,” Molkekk said. “Would I keep anything of worth here, so close to Magessa? What you're looking for isn't here for its own safe keeping.”

  “You're lying,” Timothy said. “You would keep it here because you play your cards close to the chest. Only this time, I've seen what you hold and it's nothing. Nothing to keep me from doing what I'm about to do.”

  With a conscious effort, Timothy began to scratch magic together into a spell he was not predisposed to create. Though he had studied its shape, size, positioning, and every other specification concerning it, the task was still difficult. Molkekk didn't stop him but watched with some amusement as he struggled to gradually bring a portal into existence. Once the portal was finished, the last touch was a bit of theatrics. Portals did not transmit smell or images, so Timothy added fire and the smell of sulfur burning so the wizard would know exactly where this one led.

  “Hell?” Molkekk asked in a bemused fashion. “You're going to send me to hell? You can't force me into that portal! You aren't strong enough.”

  “I'll certainly try to kill you,” Timothy said, “but that venture isn't a sure thing. On the other hand, there's something you care about almost as much as your own life, something I can affect.”

  Molkekk's eyes shifted to Lemin and Vladimir lying in a heap only feet from the portal.

  “Noooo!” the wizard shouted, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. Timothy's concussion spell had already detonated, unceremoniously flinging the bodies of Lemin and Vladimir through the portal, which snapped tightly shut behind them.

  “What have you done?” the wizard bellowed in anger and pain. “How could you do that to your own friends?”

  “It wasn't easy, but it was necessary, wasn't it?” Timothy asked, hoping Molkekk would overlook some glaring weaknesses in his strategy, holes in his plan, faults in his reasoning. “You wanted them alive, so I knew no matter how much I like them, they had to go. It was a bit drastic what I did, but I wanted to make it abundantly clear that I'm not your lackey anymore. I had to destroy them, and I had to make sure you saw me do it.”

  “Stupid magician,” Molkekk growled. “What's your plan now that you've killed the only magician who could stop me?”

  “It doesn't matter,” Timothy answered. “Whatever plans you had for Lemin and Vladimir won't work anymore thanks to me. Your secret weapon will never work now, and though you may kill me, there will be others who will take you down.”

  “You have no fear of death,” Molkekk noted with surprise.

  “Why should I?” Timothy asked coldly. “You took from me what I loved most. What else is there but to exact revenge and die?”

  “That's not the attitude of a follower of Elohim,” Molkekk noted with a slight smile.

  “True,” Timothy agreed. “Maybe I'm bluffing. Or maybe I just don't care anymore.”

  “Well then, let's get this over with,” Molkekk said. “A good ol' one-on-one wizard fight. May the best wizard win. And I will.”

  “Who said anything about one-on-one?” Timothy asked. “I brought an army of magicians with me, and I intend to use them.”

  “How?” Molkekk asked. “Have you forgotten my shield?”

  “No, but with a little smoke and mirrors and a dash of distraction, you have,” Timothy answered, motioning to the rapidly receding opaque shield surrounding them. Turning his head he shouted over his shoulder, “Magicians, attack!”

  He unleashed the fury of his spell on Molkekk, and from behind him a barrage of magic slammed into the wizard. Molkekk gave a bellow of pain as he tried fruitlessly to raise wards against the attack. For several long moments, the attack persisted. Molkekk continued to scream until without warning an explosion rocked the place he had been standing. The shockwave blasted through the room, knocking everyone to the floor and demolishing entire sections of the walls. Timothy rose shakily to his feet and began to make his way to where the rest of the magicians were.

  “Is everyone alright?” he asked, helping people to their feet.

  There was some complaining and muttering about pain here or there, but it was quickly repl
aced with excited congratulations and slaps on the back. They had just defeated Molkekk, bane of Magessa! The celebration was cut short by an ominous creaking from the tower.

  “Everyone on me,” Timothy called. As he formed a spell, the magicians gathered around him.

  “Brace yourselves!” Timothy yelled and threw the spell into the floor. The wood smashed downward under the group and they fell into the next level. This floor splintered as well, allowing them to continue their fall. The next floor disintegrated too, and the group of magicians slammed into the stone floor of the first level of the tower.

  “Get out!” Timothy yelled over the din in the tower and made straight for a large hole in the wall. The other magicians were right behind him, and they burst out with no trouble. Timothy ran as hard as he could away from the falling structure and flung himself down the hill supporting the building. His companions followed his example, and none too soon; with an ear shattering explosion, the building blew into a million pieces. The incredible force of the blast concussed across the city, toppling buildings and crumbling walls. Timothy covered his head as the debris fell around him. He stayed like that for some time until the commotion died down. Only then did he dare to raise his head and look around. The tower was nothing more than a pile of rubble. So it was that Molkekk's center of power had become his unmarked grave.

  Timothy realized that something was digging into his leg, and he rolled to his side. Apparently, something had gotten into his pocket during the ruckus. With some effort, he dug a small black book from his pocket. This was the volume Vladimir had given him inside the tower. It had come from the room where all the furnishings were illusions, and yet it had not disappeared.

  Something was very odd about this book. He would have to read it before long.

  Eleven

  After the destruction of the tower in Vollexa Temp, there was nothing to incite the army to stay. Most of the city had been demolished by the explosion, and even the thickest walls had breaches in them. Miraculously, very few people had been injured or killed, and the survivors were anxious to leave the place behind. Consequently, the army moved out in the morning. The dragons matched pace with the infantry, providing an escort, even though it was obviously not necessary. The old enemy had been defeated, and there would finally be peace in the region.

  The soldiers who had lost their lives in the attack were mourned, and none so much as Lemin and Vladimir. As the only two magicians who had given their lives in the battle against Molkekk, they were already regarded as heroes. Many people felt the loss, but none as keenly as Timothy.

  As he led the remains of his squad of magicians into formation with the rest of the army, he could hardly hear the cheers of praise that were shouted at them. When the order to march came, he mechanically walked along, putting one foot in front of the other and not noticing how long they marched nor how much distance they covered. After the order to halt was given he sat alone and stared north to the ruins of the evil city. He hadn't realized how much a part of his life Lemin and Vladimir were until now. With them had gone his sense of direction. He was sitting this way when Senndra found him.

  “Timothy,” she said gently. He didn’t even turn to look at her, so she sat down beside him and was silent.

  “They should still be here,” Timothy finally said. The emotion was thick in his voice, and it sounded as if he might lose control any minute. “What happened couldn’t have been done any other way, I fully believe that, but they deserved better. If only I could have found a better way; if only…”

  “You’re being too hard on yourself,” Senndra said. “You did the best you could and you brought most of the team through it. This is war, and in war there are…” she could barely say it, and when it did come out she was just repeating a lesson from school, “…casualties.”

  “But what if I could have done something differently?” Timothy asked.

  “Molkekk was a powerful wizard,” Senndra said. “Defeating him at all is an accomplishment and a great victory. Lemin and Vladimir were glad to give their lives for the cause.”

  “I know,” Timothy agreed. “It worked. I just wish they were still here. For their leadership, their advice, and their friendship. I miss them so much already.”

  “Oh, Timothy I know it has been hard; I miss them too,” Senndra said as she looked up at him. “But Lemin and Vladimir did what they had to do. They died for a good cause, and they did so nobly. They wouldn’t want you to mourn them in this way. They’re in Elohim’s hands now.”

  “You’re right, I’m certain you’ll see them again one day,” Timothy said. Elohim had proved Himself faithful to his followers time and again, just not to double-crossing backsliders like himself. He rose to his feet and offered his hand to Senndra. She took it, and he pulled her up.

  “You’re right; death isn't permanent for those who believe in Elohim.” Senndra sniffed and wiped a tear from her own eye. Soon the tears were running down her face in small rivers. “Look here,” she said with a small laugh. “I was the one who was trying to comfort you, and now I’m the one who’s blubbering like a baby.”

  “It’s okay to mourn,” Timothy said softly. “Don’t hold your feelings in or you’ll just feel terrible.”

  At his words, Senndra dissolved into tears. She pressed her face against his shoulder, crying her heart out. Timothy placed his arms around Senndra and did his best to comfort her, though he had no idea what to say. He couldn't very well tell her that he was the reason Lemin and Vladimir were gone. He couldn't tell her the truth; he would someday, but not right now.

  ******

  Josiah and Nathan entered the walled city side by side. Their scouts had reported that it was a position where they might be able to make a stand, and their assessment appeared to be well founded. The city was deserted due to the advancing enemy army, and the inhabitants had left behind enough provisions to resupply the army. The city was rather large and had a well-built wall surrounding it, making it a good, though not ideal, spot for a confrontation.

  Josiah looked up and saw dragons circling overhead. The elves and their dragons had been in constant escort since their arrival, always watching the progress of both armies and leaving only when necessary to slow down the enemy. With this support from the air, the armies of Magessa, the elves, and the ogres might be able to hold their own against Molkekk’s host. The recent fighting was taking its toll on the enemy, and their ranks were beginning to thin, though not enough to give the defenders a decisive advantage if they chose to attack head-on. Nevertheless, the progress was heartening and very good for the morale of the troops.

  “We can’t hold them here, even with the help of the dragons,” Nathan said. “The city is too small, and the enemy will just be able to bypass us.”

  “That’s probably true, but we need to do something,” Josiah said. “They’re marching unhindered across the country, sacking and killing everything they come across, and we aren’t doing anything to stop them. If we’re to have any chance of defeating them, we need to give our people more time to organize themselves.”

  “What would you suggest?” Nathan asked. “We’re too small to hit them head-on. If we make a stand in a single location, they’ll ignore us, as I said before or worse, surround us and wipe us out.”

  “You of all people know how much I detest cowards and prefer a fair fight, but perhaps it is time to consider other options,” Josiah said. “We’ve been acquiring horses for the last few days, and we have enough now to put together a significant mounted contingent.”

  “And what would riders do that we have failed to do so far?” Nathan asked.

  “They would be swift and able to strike the enemy where we have not been able to,” Josiah answered. “A mounted unit could successfully pull off hit-and-runs on the main army as well as on the supply wagons. It could also perform night raids with few casualties, I think.”

  “I don’t believe you are actually suggesting this,” Nathan said. “Although you’re right, I
never thought of you as the type to use tactics like this.”

  “I don’t like the thought, but I can see the definite advantage,” Josiah persisted. “If we harry them while they’re marching, they’ll be forced to march in their armor with scouts going before and behind them. This will slow them considerably; perhaps it will even give us enough time to raise a reasonable army.”

  “Not to mention the fact that it will annoy the heck out of them,” Nathan added. “It will demoralize them and deprive them of needed sleep and rest.”

  “So you agree to go with this plan?” Josiah asked.

  “Absolutely,” Nathan said.

  “Would it also be possible for you to organize the raids?” Josiah asked. “I have no experience in such tactics.”

  “We’ll plan them together,” Nathan said. “That way you’ll figure out how to plan them as well. We might even be able to organize two independent operations.”

  “I wouldn’t count on that for a while, but I’d be happy to learn,” Josiah agreed.

  “Actually, the essential points are pretty easy to learn,” Nathan said. “First of all, you need to make sure your men know the basic principles of these attacks. We don’t want to actually engage the enemy, as tempting as it may be at times. Our troops will have to be lightly armed so that they can maneuver quickly. Any places that could serve as ambush sights, we can use during the day. If we hide a few men in a small stand of trees, for instance, they can ride out, kill a few dozen men or ruin a few wagons, and then be gone before they are ever confronted. We need to make sure to avoid confrontation. The light arms our men will be using will be no match for someone in full battle array.

  “Of course, it’ll be easier to attack at night. We won’t have to find ambush sights or anything like that. If we’re clever enough, we can just ride into their camp, slash a few tent wires, burn some supplies, and be on our way. Again, it won’t harm the army very much, but it will kill their morale. I mean, just think what would happen to our morale if we knew that there were enemy soldiers sneaking into our camp at will.”