by C. G. Garcia
“As mine,” Maldon said with a sigh. “This is a question that needs to be posed to the Providencen priests. After all, they should be the foremost authorities on the Golden Mage, and perhaps this is a power that only you possess. The Providencen priests are very secretive, and there may be some information they have chosen not to reveal about you. However, we can do nothing until Aidric returns. You are, after all, his ward and under his protection. As such, we must seek his permission first.”
“His permission?” Allison asked incredulously, feeling her old anger surge within her. “Don’t I have a say in this?”
“Not when it involves your abilities,” Maldon replied firmly. “You are his ward, his apprentice. It’s the law, milady.”
Allison felt she should be outraged by such a backwards law, but strangely, she was a bit relieved that she wouldn’t have to face making those types of decisions. She knew next to nothing about her newfound abilities, so any decision she made concerning them might not be the wisest one. So why did she still feel so annoyed?
She nodded, accepting it for now, and then asked, “When do you think he’ll return?”
“It’s most difficult to say,” Maldon replied thoughtfully. “He could return tomorrow, tonight, in a few quarter-moons, or even a few moons. It just depends on how bad the situation is in Idona.” He eyed her strangely. “Or if your dream comes to pass. Yet, I’m not at all certain that your dream was a Foresight dream. Is there anything else you can tell us about your dream? Was there anything that you felt was strange besides the obvious?”
Allison shrugged uneasily and replied, “I don’t know. I know next to nothing about all these abilities, but—” She paused, and glanced uncertainly at both of them.
I don’t want to remember…
“Yes?” Maldon prompted.
“I could—I could smell the b-blood,” she stammered, shivering at the memory and feeling herself grow pale. “I could also smell the b-burning bodies. The stench was so terrible that I felt like retching. Even now as I think about it, I can still remember the smell.”
Maldon’s thoughtful expression grew troubled at her revelation. Raya appeared bewildered, and Allison didn’t like either one of their reactions. What have I done this time? she thought miserably. Will this nightmare ever end?
“All we can do is wait for Aidric,” Maldon said after a few moments of silence. “I’m at a loss to explain this.”
“As am I,” Raya put in quietly. “I only hope that Aidric won’t be as baffled as we.”
***
A terrible scream reached Aidric’s ears before his vision cleared enough from the bright flash of light that followed when his dagger of power found its mark for him to see who or what he had hit. A charred and bloody body lay just a couple of strides from where he stood, a hole the size of two of his fists clearly visible in his chest as the result of his body not being prepared to withstand such an attack. Even weak as he was, the force of energy Aidric had thrown had been more than enough to do its job.
Aidric tried to rise to his feet but immediately fell back down onto his knees as a wave of blackness threatened to overcome his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment in an attempt to drive away the darkness, while sounds of shouting from the battle that still continued around him echoed from the distance—a battle he knew he was too weak to give further aid to
After his head cleared a bit, he slowly opened his eyes and stared dully at the corpse who was most likely the mage who had been controlling the dyani swarm. He immediately saw that the mage clutched a dagger in his right hand. A spelled dagger, he thought grimly as he reached for it.
His hand instantly froze over the offending object as he saw the faintly green sheen coating the blade and realized that it was saturated with kalie, the only poison in Seni’s World that the healers could not counteract. He would have killed me unless—
“She called to me,” he whispered wondrously, staring down at the poisoned dagger with a sinking feeling in his stomach. “By Aidius, she knew!”
“Who called to you?” a voice asked behind him.
“She—Allison,” Aidric replied quietly, recognizing Keldan’s voice and not bothering to turn around.
“Allison?” Keldan questioned in surprise.
“She that was not a direct witness to this horror here,” Aidric went on as if he didn’t hear the bard. “She warned me of this mage’s attack before I sensed him coming. She called to me in my mind with a warning she could not possibly have known to give.”
Before Keldan could reply, Aidric shook himself out of the light trance he had fallen into and seemed to notice Keldan for the first time.
“Keldan! The battle!” he cried as he whirled his head around to look up at the bardic-mage. “Has it finally ended? Are Roderick’s troops defeated?”
“Yes, yes, everything’s more or less ended,” Keldan replied absently, shifting his feet restlessly as if something excited him. “Most of the enemy fled in terror when you cast the implosion spell. When the troops still remaining saw their mage fall, they turned tail and fled like the cowards they are. Our troops gave chase for a while, but when it became clear that they were retreating for good, we stopped our pursuit. We had prisoners enough. But never mind about that. What is this about the Golden Mage reaching you with a warning of danger?”
“Just as I said,” Aidric said with a puzzled frown as he accepted the hand that Keldan held out and slowly hoisted himself onto his feet again. Fresh blood began to trickle from his nose, and he wiped at it irritably. Keldan eyed him worriedly, but Aidric waved his concern away. It was nothing that a few days rest would not cure.
“She warned me of danger she couldn’t have possibly known of unless she was here.” He swayed as a new wave of weakness washed over him and leaned heavily on Keldan’s shoulder for support before continuing, “In my weakened state after I cast the implosion spell, that fool mage sneaked up behind me, intending to take a swipe at me with that poisoned dagger, but before he reached me, I heard Allison shout a warning in my mind. Because of that warning, I was able to ready an attack and strike him down before he could mark me. If it wasn’t for her warning, then you would have been presenting my corpse to Diryan when you returned to Lamia.”
Aidric sagged against his friend, feeling more exhausted than he ever had in all his years. “By the Thrones above, Kel, what in the six hells does this mean?”
“The Prophecy of the Six,” Keldan replied gravely as he helped Aidric walk over to where his brother was helping Selwyn and the healers with the wounded. “Seni, help us all, the Prophecy of the Six.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Sitting in King Diryan’s Council Room, Aidric tried to remain passive as General Caith reported on the situation in Idona, although inside, he was bursting with impatience to speak privately with the king—and to see Allison. It had taken those who had returned six days to reach Lamia again since the twins had put their foot down when he told them he wanted to build another portal to return. He had been tempted to order them to succumb to his wishes, but he knew, Mage-general or not, they still would not have obeyed his orders when they knew he was too weak to do any spellcasting.
The battle had also been extremely trying on his mage troops, and he would have died first before he allowed any of them capable of performing the portal spell to build the portal for him. Besides, no other mage could have transported so many people at once as he had. Therefore, they had commissioned horses from the very grateful Na’arans and had ridden home. A quarter of the army and a half dozen mages had remained behind to guard against any further attacks from Mihr in the coming quarter-moons.
Damned if Caith loves to drone on and on about his battles, Aidric thought irritably. I am almost tempted to pull rank and silence him!
“—though I regret, Your Majesty, that we weren’t able to supply you with prisoners this time,” General Caith was saying as Aidric brooded secretly.
“Oh?” Diryan inquired with a rais
ed eyebrow. “Why is that?”
Looking uncomfortable, Caith cleared his throat before answering, “My troops were able to capture several of Roderick’s men throughout the course of the battle, but as each was led away to be taken to our camp, they just suddenly started to convulse and then fall to the ground dead.”
“A death spell, Your Majesty,” Aidric broke in, feeling a little sorry for Caith despite his earlier annoyance and deciding to come to his aid, “cast over his troops to prevent them from betraying him should they be captured or become defectors. I had thought Roderick was not capable of casting such a spell, but we all know that he has been dabbling in the Dark Powers. This new turn of events doesn’t really surprise me. These men are nothing to him, sheep.”
“Wonderful,” Diryan muttered darkly. “So that path of gaining information is now closed to us. We shall just have to find another to replace it. General Caith, I charge you with the responsibility.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Arms-general replied firmly, looking eager for the challenge.
Aidric finally caught Diryan’s eye as the king turned his gaze from Caith to address his Council. Wordlessly, he made his need known to speak with him as soon as possible. Diryan gave him a slight nod, and Aidric relaxed considerably. The king, no doubt, had sensed his urgency, and Aidric knew he would keep his monologue to the Council short.
“Roderick grows bolder in his attempts to influence me to surrender Lamia to him,” Diryan began. “From what both the Mage-general and Arms-general have reported today, this little attack on Idona was only a taste of what we are to expect from him in the near future. I fear that soon the time will come when I’m forced to declare open war on Mihr.”
Everyone began to mutter to themselves at once, and a few of Diryan’s advisors nodded as they expected him to say as much. They all knew that war was eminent, but how soon warfare would break out was the question uppermost on everyone’s mind.
And I know what all of them are thinking, Aidric thought with a worried frown as he cast his gaze over all the faces circling the table. They believe that this is the war that Allison will play her biggest role in, and the question of whether she is our savior or our destroyer will be answered—and I don’t in the least like what their expressions are insinuating.
As if reading their minds, Diryan added, “I can’t tell you when this war will take place, only that I feel it will begin sometime in the next two years. Roderick’s impatience in his quest for more power won’t allot for any longer than that. Until then, we must increase our efforts in protecting our allies and keeping Roderick’s troops in Mihr where they belong. Now, I’m certain the Mage-general and the Arms-general are very weary from their journey and wish to rest, so I shall adjourn until tomorrow at nine sand-marks past the first morning-mark to discuss further strategies and also,” he looked pointedly at Aidric, “the Golden Mage.”
Aidric lingered behind as the king’s advisors and General Caith filed out of the room. “Nice speech,” he said casually when the last person was gone from sight. “I bet they’ll all be sleeping soundly tonight because of it.”
The king chuckled and said, “I was going to welcome you back, but now I’m not so certain I should. You would do best to leave that kind of sarcasm at the door.”
Aidric smirked. “The truth does sometimes sting, I’m afraid.”
“Especially coming from your mouth,” Diryan replied with a wry grin as he slapped Aidric heartily on the back. “Now come lad. Let us go to my study since I have a feeling that what you want to discuss with me must once again be done away from prying ears.”
Aidric sighed, all traces of his earlier humor gone from his expression. “I have only been back a little over a sand-mark with news of at least one problem resolved, only to bring you the news of another arising.”
“The girl?” he guessed as they both walked out of the Council Room and towards the stairs leading to Diryan’s private chambers.
“Who else?” Aidric answered wearily.
“Then you have spoken with Maldon Felan, I presume?”
Aidric stopped dead in his tracks. “No, I haven’t. I came straight to the Council Room to report. What’s happened?” Damn Roderick! I should have never had to leave her!
“It’s better that we wait until we are in my chambers before we discuss the matter further,” the king said, and Aidric nodded, though inside he was bursting with impatience.
Once safely inside Diryan’s study, Aidric wasted no time in spell-silencing the room against the all-too-eager prying ears of the servants. Diryan motioned for him to sit down as he, himself, took a seat. He poured wine into a couple of goblets and offered one to Aidric.
“I have a feeling we’ll need this,” the king said with a wry smile as Aidric gratefully accepted his cup.
“Tell me of Maldon,” Aidric said after taking a couple of sips of wine.
“The morning after you left for Idona, Maldon came running to me with the most incredible story. Apparently, Allison had been caught in a Foresight dream and couldn’t be awakened. While in her sleep, she drew power from the Mage-field, and Raya called for help since she was afraid that Allison would begin to recklessly cast spells in her sleep. Maldon and a few other mages came to her aid and cast the paralysis spell onto her. From what he told me, I understand that it took the combined efforts of all the mages just to cast that simple spell on her and hold it.”
“But—but that isn’t possible!” Aidric cried in disbelief. “She hasn’t yet Bonded with the Mage-field!”
“I know,” Diryan said worriedly, “but that isn’t even the half of it. Maldon and Raya seem to believe that she was not having a Foresight dream at all, but something—else. In the dream, she claimed to have been witnessing the battle in Idona, and apparently you reacted to her voice when she yelled out a warning of danger to you—Aidric, what is it?”
Seni, Seni, it is true, Aidric thought, utter staggered. It’s just as I’ve feared. She has the ability described in that old spellbook, the ability only the Natian Six are said to possess!
“Aidric!” he heard Diryan shout, tearing him away from his troubling thoughts.
“She has it,” Aidric said urgently. At Diryan’s blank stare he explained, “The power to Soulwalk—by the Thrones above, Diryan, she has it!”
“What!” Diryan boomed. “You are saying that you did actually hear her give warning to you in Idona?” He groaned when Aidric nodded. “My dear Seni, if she possesses the ability of Soulwalking, then that means—”
Aidric nodded reluctantly and said gravely, “Yes, the Prophecy of the Six. I did indeed hear her give warning to me, and that warning saved me from the end of a poisoned dagger when otherwise I would’ve been killed.”
“Wait, wait,” the king interrupted in exasperation. “You failed to mention any of this in your report earlier.”
Aidric shrugged, undaunted by Diryan’s accusative expression, and continued, “I saw no reason that your councilors should know about that uncanny situation. Think, Diryan. If I would have raised my suspicions that Allison possesses the power to Soulwalk in that Council Room, it would have accomplished nothing other than creating chaos that we just do not need at the moment. You know as well as I that fear does disturbing things to a rational mind.”
“But the Prophecy of the Golden Mage never mentioned anything about the Golden Mage possessing the ability to Soulwalk!”
“Didn’t it?” Aidric countered and then quoted, “‘This mage will possess power such as no man has possessed…’ It says it. You just have to read between the lines.”
“I see your point,” Diryan said with a sigh. “Why now? And why, oh why, me? Why did this have to happen during my reign?”
“Seni knows,” Aidric replied, rubbing his temple. Damn, I feel a headache coming on— “The Prophecy of the Six is mainly the reason I wanted to speak to you in private. I wanted to ask your permission to take Allison to see the Providencen priests. They know more about the Golden Mag
e lore than we do—I suspect a lot more than they are willing to admit—and perhaps they’ll be able to shed some light on whether or not this is the age that the Prophecy of the Six will be fulfilled.”
“You have my permission, of course,” Diryan said, “but when are you planning to leave for this journey?”
“The sooner the better, “Aidric said firmly. “Tomorrow morning, if it’s at all possible.”
“I agree, but whether or not it’s possible depends upon the girl.”
“Why?” Aidric asked in alarm.
Diryan shifted in his chair nervously and answered, “It’s because I ordered the healers to keep her sedated with—with tangel.” He held up a hand before Aidric could begin to protest, and explained, “Believe me, lad, I had no choice but to order it. After that morning when she drew all that power from the Mage-field, she became deathly ill—the healers said from channeling more power than her body was able to withstand. Then, to make matters worse, along with the illness, she began to have nightmares. From what Raya has been able to wring out of her, they were visions of war and death, but she refuses to elaborate any further. I ordered that she be given tangel before she cracked.”
“It’s a wonder that she hasn’t been driven mad already, given everything she’s been through.” Aidric abruptly sprung up from his chair and declared, “I must go to her at once. It’s important that I rouse her from her stupor and prepare for the journey. The sooner we speak to the Providencen priests, the sooner I can begin instructing her.”
Before Aidric could raise a hand to dismiss his silence spell, the king rested a hand on his shoulder. His eyes rapidly cycled through a stream of emotions that Aidric couldn’t quite decipher before they finally hardened.
“Aidric, I’m well aware that your feelings for this maiden run more deeply than those of a teacher to his charge. I just want to warn you to be very careful, lad.”
Not bothering to deny it, Aidric met the king gaze for gaze and asked slowly, “Then you—disapprove of what I wish to do?”