by Bill Mays
As the man strode away with a distant gleam in his eyes, Herrin scanned the items on the table that Thunaren had chosen for them to examine. She quickly grabbed several of the smaller scrolls and books as well as a small locked box and stuffed them into her many pouches. They were all pieces neither of them had been able to review yet.
“Forgive me, Nickadameous. I will return everything, I promise,” she whispered to the walls of the inner sanctum. “I simply fear that we cannot act on a whim.”
Herrin hoped she was doing the right thing. It was clear that Thunaren would not let her continue her research here. The high priest’s mind was made up. She had to study the rest of these writings. For all she knew the God of Knowledge might reduce her to ashes for stealing from his sacred temple. She held her breath and carefully followed the high priest, praying that she was not cursed for eternity for her efforts.
* * * * * * * * * *
Tark was busy laying open another large diagram of Villinsk on one of the many reading tables when the high priest and sage appeared. They stepped from behind one of the numerous freestanding shelves spread throughout the grounds.
“You see!” The priest stated aloud, “Another sign that my thoughts are correct!” Thunaren seemed overjoyed with himself. Herrin seemed less enthusiastic. “I am glad that we have found you here, my boy,” The prim man rested one manicured hand on the gladiator’s shoulder. “Already looking over the maps of the area I see. What pulled you to this section of the hearth? Was it the artifact that guided you or perhaps an inner voice led you to this spot?”
“What?” Tark pulled away from the priest’s touch. He was a little taken aback by the man’s sudden warmth towards him. “The artifact … a voice? No, I like maps; that’s all,” he stated honestly.
Thunaren seemed less pleased with the gladiator’s reasoning. “We are not always aware of the divine hand that guides us. Well, nonetheless, you are where we need you to be. That is what is most important.”
“Need to be for what?” Tark was getting annoyed. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on here? Herrin, did you learn something of my destiny or this gem? Is that what this man is rambling on about?”
“I beg your pardon?” Thunaren snapped. “I most certainly do not ramble!”
Tark ignored the man and kept his focus on the stooped woman. “We have discovered a few ties. Although I feel further investigation is in order here, Thunaren has formulated his own hypothesis for your destiny.” The sage was trying to state her case delicately.
“I have done no such thing,” the priest corrected with vigor. “There is no hypothesis to be formed. Everything is clear. You are destined to defeat the reivers and seal them back away in their dark abyss of a prison.” There was no question in the prim man’s tone.
“Defeat the reivers?” A high-pitched voice squeaked from nearby. The gremlin was just arriving on the scene with the fairy close behind him. “What sort of self-serving nonsense is that? Leave it to a priest of Villinsk to decide we have been sent here to save his land.” The little man was not one to mince words.
“Aren’t the reivers those things that don’t belong in our world?” Nivit asked meekly. Ado nodded to the fairy dismissively. “I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to bother them, Mr. Tark,” Nivit’s face was like a tiny portrait of fear.
“It has already been decided! This is fate’s plan for the warrior,” Thunaren stated emphatically. There was a wild look growing in his eyes.
“Is this true, Herrin?” Ado asked as he folded his little arms across his chest defiantly.
“It is one interpretation, yes,” she replied carefully.
“Interpretation?” The gremlin squeaked. “We need to know for sure! I’m as ready to go to battle as the next tremlin, but these reivers don’t sound like an easy kill, even for Tark … I mean even for us. Are you sure this book worshipper isn’t just looking for a couple of gullible wanderers to do his dirty work for him?” Thunaren was appalled at the gremlin’s statement.
Herrin traded quick looks with Tark behind the priest’s back. “I fully believe we shouldn’t waste any more time before making our way to visit the capital city. Why I think we should leave immediately. Perhaps the king and his court can shed some more light on the subject.” The sage was speaking rather nervously.
Tark caught on quickly. “So, we are to head to the capital, are we? I can’t wait to see more of your lovely country,” he spoke with a fake, exaggerated charm to the priest. The big man’s smile could have melted the coldest heart.
“Oh no, don’t tell me there’s going to be a ‘charming Tark’, too. I think I’m going to vomit,” Ado mumbled under his breath.
Thunaren was still staring down the offensive gremlin when Tark began speaking to him. The priest turned from the mage slowly and started explaining their discoveries and his ideas on their best course of action. Neither Ado nor Nivit seemed especially intrigued by the holy man’s plans, but Tark and Herrin both went along with everything wholeheartedly. Soon, they were set to journey from Vool Hearth to Villinsk’s capital city of Labellis. It was at best a three to four week hike from the temple and that was only by way of the most direct and well-traveled roads. The priest could not assure them the route would be a safe one either.
“You mean we are going to walk another month just to be told what to do by another royal faction?” Ado was in shock. “Isn’t that what got us into this mess in the first place?” Thunaren cast another dirty look the gremlin’s way.
“At least we’ll get to see the countryside, Mr. Ado,” Nivit chirped helpfully. Ado only muttered something unintelligible in reply.
As soon as the priest was finished with his instructions, he ushered them to the front doors of the temple. “Now, you must be quick about it. Only Nickadameous knows how long you have to accomplish this task. I will be praying for you on your journey. May Nickadameous watch over you, chosen ones. Be sure and send my regards to the king. Let him know that Vool Hearth is supporting his decisions.”
The companions, minus Ado, thanked the high priest for his hospitality and assistance. They also thanked him for the map of Villinsk, which he was kind enough to mark with the best and most direct route to Labellis.
“Not even a good night’s rest!” Ado grumbled from his seat on Tark’s shoulder as they made their way down the hill, which housed the gaudy temple.
* * * * * * * * * *
After a few miles had passed, Herrin called them to a stop. “This should be far enough,” the woman sighed.
“What was going on back there?” Tark was ready for some answers.
“Everything Thunaren said held truth except for his obsession with the reivers. I found nothing to indicate that you are tied to them in any way. Even though I hate to speculate, there is one thing I feel I must say. I really don’t think this gem is the gem of the legendary mage he spoke of.”
“Thank the gods!” Ado sighed. “I was beginning to think you were both under that man’s spell or something.”
“Then what do you think I’m supposed to do?” Tark was intent on the subject. Finally, there were some facts and possibly some reasoning surfacing.
“Unfortunately, I’m not completely sure yet,” the old woman sighed.
“Then why did we leave?” Ado squeaked. Tark and Nivit were both waiting on the woman’s answer, too.
“I’m afraid our friend, Thunaren, was becoming so blinded by his desires that he wasn’t going to let me search any further. I decided it was best to get far from the hearth before we all ended up under his control.”
“You think the nice priest would do such a thing?” Nivit gasped.
“I do!” Ado giggled. “He had beady eyes.”
“Fear has a funny effect on some people,” Tark agreed. “Good call, Herrin”
Herrin seemed embarrassed by the compliment. “I really must apologize to you for not being completely honest about my original intentions,” she began. “Thunaren was correct in his assumpti
ons about me and researching my cure …”
“Forgotten,” Tark smiled.
“Yes, he’s used to people using him by now,” Ado giggled as he darted out of range of retaliation.
“So, where do we go from here?” Tark ignored the gremlin and kept his focus on Herrin. He grew desperate for answers.
“Don’t we still need that big library?” Nivit was confused.
“Actually, I sort of brought the library with us.” The sage got a sly grin on her wrinkled face.
Everyone looked at the woman with puzzled expressions. Herrin broadened her grin and began pulling scrolls and books from her many pouches.
“You robbed the temple?” Nivit gasped in shock.
“I only borrowed a few things is all,” she clarified. “I will return everything when I’m finished with it.”
“First she tricks us into following her by lying to us about her true intentions. Then she fools a high priest into thinking she’s doing his wishes while stealing his most sacred treasures right out from under his nose,” Ado squeaked. “Tark, did I mention before that I like her? She’s got spunk!” The gremlin smiled revealing his sharply pointed teeth. Herrin could not help but chuckle.
“So, we wait while you study?” Tark sighed.
“Not quite, my boy, first we head to Talwen. Then we can do a little more research.”
“Talwen?” Tark began searching his map for the name.
“Did you say Talwen?” Ado squeaked in surprise.
“Yes. I take it you’ve heard of it then?”
“My old master, Edle, used to speak of it. He said it was an amazing city of magic unlike anything in the world, and that everyone aspiring to wizardry should visit it at least once in their lifetime.”
“It sounds like your master liked it there. I myself felt terribly uncomfortable and out of place, but I fear without some help of a magical nature we may never fully understand these writings.”
“We’re going to visit a magic city!” Nivit was twirling and flipping through the air as she cheered. It sounded exciting even though she was not really sure what a magic city would be like.
“Are you certain that’s a safe path?” Tark questioned. “You saw how that priest reacted to the gem, and he was supposed to be the head of his holy order. Who knows what kind of reaction we might get from a city full of mages.” The mere thought of a city full of mages sent a shiver up his spine. Magic was something that he learned to keep at a respectful distance.
“The city is maintained and governed by mages and they mostly keep to their own affairs; but you are correct in your apprehension. That is precisely why we aren’t going to mention that gem again, to anyone!” She gave her best, stern motherly look to both Ado and Nivit. “We will stick to deciphering the writings, nothing more. Oh, and if it’s any consolation to you, the city is comprised of all types of people not just mages, though there are a fair number of them that call the place home with the magic schools and all.”
Tark finally located the city on the map. “Let’s get moving then. At least it’s closer than the capital was. We will still have a couple of weeks of hiking ahead of us though.”
“I might be able to cut that time down a little,” Ado announced proudly.
“And just how do you plan to do that?” Tark asked skeptically.
“He’s learned a new spell!” Nivit cheered. ”And so have I! Want to see it?” The girl was very excited.
Ado cleared his throat loudly and then gave the fairy a disgusted look for stealing his moment. “I have learned a new spell!” He announced as if the girl had never spoken. Tark and Herrin both laughed.
“What kind of spell?” Tark was almost afraid to ask.
“It’s a ...” Nivit began, but Ado’s glare shut her up quickly.
“It’s a transportation spell. It will carry us across the land and to our destination in an instant!” The gremlin boasted.
“This is marvelous news!” Herrin clapped excitedly. “It seems that events are working in our favor.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Tark still was not comfortable with the idea. The last time he traveled this way was at the hands of Vergehen and look where that had gotten him.
“Of course I know what I’m doing! I’m not Ado the Magnificent for nothing you know!” Ado failed to mention that transportation on EL was always unstable do to the magical nature of the planet’s core.
The little tremlin began chanting and mumbling as he gestured this way and that way. His already high-pitched voice raised two octaves as he went. Eventually, he reached a crescendo. Tark was almost certain at least half of the display had been for show. Upon utterance of the last word, a shimmering circle appeared in the air before the little man. The portal was about six feet in diameter and hovered some two feet off the ground. Only the edges of the circle were visible as a wavering disturbance like the heat waves rising off a burning forge. The circle itself was as clear as an open window.
“How does it work, Mr. Ado,” Nivit asked in awe.
It took a second for the gremlin to respond. He seemed surprised at the results, too. “Simple, you just step into the shimmering circle and you’ll be to Talwen before you know it.” Ado was quite proud of himself. “After you,” he dipped in the air and extended a hand to the portal.
“That sounds like fun!” The fairy chirped as she dove into the portal and vanished from sight.
“You two are next,” Ado smiled at the humans.
They both looked a little skeptical. Finally, Herrin moved towards the portal then stepped in. She too vanished.
“Come on, Tark, we haven’t got all day, you know.”
Tark cast the gremlin a glare of annoyance then proceeded with caution. Before he knew what was happening, he was spinning uncontrollably through an empty tunnel of light. There was no up or down in the tunnel even though he felt like he was falling. His stomach was growing nauseous and his head was swimming. Eventually, he was dumped unceremoniously on his back in a puddle of mud. Herrin and Nivit were here, too. All three reeled from the disorienting experience. Shortly after Tark’s arrival, Ado was dumped into the big man’s lap with a shriek. Once their heads cleared, they scanned the area to try to get their bearings. There was no settlement in sight, only rolling hills of grass and mud. Evidently, a shower had passed through here not long ago.
“Where are we?” Herrin asked.
“That was kind of fun -- not really,” Nivit moaned.
“This doesn’t look like Talwen, does it?” Ado looked to the sage for confirmation.
She shook her head from side to side slowly. “This doesn’t look like anywhere,” she replied flatly.
“Well, that’s just great! We’re worse off than we were before. We don’t even know which way to go or where we’re at. We’re totally lost because of you!” Tark roared. “Ado the Magnificent, huh?”
- Chapter 16 -
Finding the Way
After several hours of wandering, the sun began to dip below the distant horizon. There was still no sign of any settlement. Tark and his companions traveled as aimlessly as ever. They set up their camp under one of the few trees scattered across the sprawling hills of green and yellow grass.
“If it’s any consolation, I think we’re still in Villinsk,” Herrin offered.
Tark had been in a foul mood since their arrival through the portal. The big man did little more than grunt and glare at everything. Ado was busy studying the book he acquired at the library temple of Vool Hearth. The little mage was rereading the spell he cast to get them here in an attempt to figure out what went wrong. So far, he discovered a couple of new and interesting facts. Evidently, he had somehow skimmed over many of the details his first time through. This revelation only helped further to sour the gladiator’s outlook.
“You mean to tell me that you never even read the spell all the way through before you cast us into it?” Tark roared. “We could have been killed you miserable little flying rat!”
“Now, now, Tark, calm down. There’s no need for name calling,” Herrin asserted her parental nature. “His intentions were good, if a bit misguided.”
Why was everyone always defending the gremlin? The big man sucked in a deep breath in an effort to calm himself. It did not work very well. “You said you think we are still in Villinsk, why?” His attempt to keep his voice composed proved only marginally successful.
“There are herbs growing here that I haven’t noticed in either the wetlands or Merintz. That’s not to say they don’t grow in those places, but I’ve never noticed them before. That leads me to believe that we are still on Villinsk soil.”
“I feel better now,” Tark grumbled sarcastically. “What new details have you picked up on this time around, Mr. Magnificent?” The gladiator directed his question at the tremlin mage.
“There are several interesting facts I missed before,” he admitted without shame.
“You don’t say,” the gladiator grumbled loudly. Every time Ado opened his mouth, Tark became angrier.
“I’ve learned things like the fact that there is a mild disorientation associated with this mode of travel.” Tark was ready to smack the little man. That mild disorientation the mage spoke of left them all sitting in a mud puddle fighting back to urge to wretch. It was not a pleasant experience. “But I’m afraid this just raises more questions. According to the book, this spell is meant only for small distance travel. I should have known that by how easy it was to master.” Ado began mumbling to himself about cheap tricks and parlor magic.
“Small distances, what is considered a small distance?” The old woman asked.
“Well, it states that all beginning and ending points should be no further than a few hundred yards apart. That’s the element that has me stumped,” the gremlin shrugged.