Zaconis - Guardian of Magic

by MJ Schutte

  Imlan sat on the bed looking at the piece of wood in his hand. Earlier that day, while he was on the docks, the Provisions Master walked up to him, shoved the wood in his hands and wordlessly left again. Imlan did not understand what he was supposed to do with the wood, but looking at it now, he could clearly see that it was meant to be a walking stick.

  The walking stick he was carving while on the ship had broken because he grew impatient with the slow progress and had used too much force.

  He pulled his knife from his belt and very carefully started carving a new walking stick.

  When the door to his room opened, he did not even look up.

  ‘I’m not hungry. Go away,’ he snapped.

  ‘I was not bringing you food,’ a melodic female voice answered.

  Imlan looked up. A beautiful, tall, slender woman was standing in front of him. She had long, straight blond hair and was wearing a white dress with thin straps going over her shoulders.

  ‘I said I’m not hungry,’ he repeated.

  ‘And I said I was not bringing you food,’ she purred as she slipped the thin straps off her shoulders. The dress fell to the ground and the woman stood completely naked in front of Imlan.

  Slowly he put the wood and the knife down and, keeping his eyes on hers, walked closer. His hand closed around her throat.

  ‘Go away,’ he growled as he pushed her through the open door.

  ‘Imlan, please. I can make all your dreams come true,’ Cathlin purred.

  Imlan released his grip on her, stepped back, closed the door and shoved the latch into place.

  ‘Imlan, could I at least have my dress back,’ Cathlin pleaded from behind the door.

  Imlan picked the dress up, walked to the small window and threw the dress out.

  ‘It’s in the street. Go fetch it,’ he replied.

  ‘Please don’t do this! I can’t walk through the common room naked. There are a lot of soldiers there!’ Cathlin begged as she banged on the door.

  Imlan picked up the wood and his knife, sat down on the bed and focused his attention on carving again.

  Cathlin continued pleading and banging on the door for a while but Imlan hardly heard. He was completely focused on shaping the wood in his hands and what he envisioned it would become.

  ‘Come in,’ Madam Jenneve said a few moments after someone knocked on her door.

  Cathlin opened the door and stepped inside the small room, clutching a blanket around her shoulders.

  Her eyes were almost swollen shut and her nose was bleeding.

  ‘Child, what happened?’ Jenneve exclaimed as she rose from her chair.

  Before Cathlin could answer, Jenneve said, ‘Did Imlan do this? I will tell Zaconis immediately! I will not allow…’

  She stopped short when she saw Cathlin was shaking her head.

  ‘Who did this?’ Jenneve asked softly.

  ‘The soldiers in the common room of the inn,’ Cathlin whispered.

  ‘Why were you there? You were supposed to go to Imlan,’ Jenneve frowned.

  ‘I did, Madam Jenneve. I went to Imlan’s room and immediately got undressed, as you instructed, but he locked me out,’ Cathlin sobbed.

  ‘And then?’ Jenneve asked.

  ‘I begged him to give my dress back but he said it was in the street. I had to go through the common room to leave and then the soldiers saw me,’ Cathlin said through her tears.

  ‘I see,’ Jenneve whispered.

  She did not need to ask Cathlin what happened next. She knew what soldiers were like when they saw a pretty naked girl and also knew how they would react if she refused to share her bedroom favors with them. A long time ago she was also a working girl, just like Cathlin and the rest of the girls in The House of Ladies.

  ‘Go get cleaned up. Ask Mistress Olivia to give you something for the swelling and then rest,’ Jenneve instructed the young woman.

  ‘Thank you, Madam Jenneve,’ Cathlin sobbed. She quickly left the small room to do as she was told.

  ‘Aiya!’ Jenneve called.

  A young girl, no more than thirteen years old, entered the room. Jenneve had recently saved her from an abusive home. Although not a pretty girl, and far too young to work as a prostitute, Jenneve felt sorry for her and took her in. Aiya worked as a messenger and personal assistant to Madam Jenneve.

  ‘Go tell Father Zaconis I need to speak with him urgently,’ Jenneve instructed.

  ‘Zaconis, so good to see you again,’ Jenneve said with a smile.

  ‘Jenneve, it’s been too long,’ Zaconis answered as he stepped closer to her.

  They shared a quick embrace before Zaconis stepped back, took Jenneve by the shoulders and looked closely at her.

  ‘As beautiful as ever,’ he smiled.

  ‘And you are as flattering as ever,’ she smiled back.

  ‘Would you like some refreshments?’ Zaconis offered as he gestured to a table.

  They were in the common room of the inn where Zaconis and the Elite Corpse were staying. There was nobody around except the two of them. Although the room was packed moments ago, Father Zaconis had it cleared when he heard Jenneve was there to see him. He preferred having certain conversations in private.

  ‘It’s terrible that we have to communicate via messenger now,’ Jenneve commented as she sat down.

  ‘You have business to attend to, as do I. Thank you for coming here to talk to me in person. I know you prefer not to leave the comfort of your home,’ Zaconis replied.

  He wished that the pleasantries would come to an end so he could enquire whether her girl was successful with Imlan.

  ‘You are the only person that can still get me to leave my rooms,’ Jenneve purred.

  ‘Wine?’ he offered. He filled her glass without waiting for an answer.

  Jenneve waited for him to offer her the glass before saying, ‘Thank you. I haven’t had good wine in a while.’

  Zaconis knew this was a lie. Jenneve’s wine collection was legendary in Celonis.

  ‘Tell me if you like this one. The owner of the inn has a number of bottles he would be more than willing to part with,’ Zaconis smiled.

  The promise of some more fine wine going into Jenneve’s collection had the desired effect. She sat back, took a sip of her wine and said, ‘We need to talk about Imlan.’

  ‘Yes, we do. The first girl you sent failed to seduce him. I hope the second girl had more success,’ Zaconis replied.

  ‘Sadly, no,’ Jenneve said.

  In brief terms she relayed what had happened to Cathlin.

  ‘Perhaps this man is beyond the charms a woman can offer?’ she mused.

  ‘No, he isn’t. We just need to find the right woman,’ Zaconis said pensively.

  ‘I sent my two most beautiful and skilled girls to him. Both claim they have seen stones with more desire for a woman! What else can be done?’ Jenneve frowned.

  ‘I spoke to the Provisions Master earlier and may have found something that could be useful to us. Imlan does not like seeing weak people victimized,’ Zaconis answered.

  After only a few moments he saw understanding in her eyes.

  ‘When do you leave?’ she asked.

  ‘Tomorrow morning early,’ he answered.

  ‘Will you be traveling along the normal route?’ she asked to which Zaconis nodded confirmation.

  ‘Send two soldiers to me. I will take care of the rest,’ she smiled.

  ‘I will send three,’ Zaconis replied.

  ‘Can he fight off three men?’ Jenneve frowned.

  ‘Easily,’ Zaconis answered.

  ‘Good, then send three,’ Jenneve said as she stood up.

  ‘It was good seeing you again, my friend. I will have four bottles of wine sent to your house,’ Zaconis said as he also rose.

  ‘Four bottles are so few. It won’t even last the night,’ Jenneve complained.

  ‘Five then,’ Zaconis offered.

  ‘You are most generous,’ Jenneve smiled.

  ‘Anythin
g for my friends,’ Zaconis smiled back.

  Jenneve drained her wine glass and walked to the door.

  ‘Until we meet again, Zaconis. Perhaps you would like to visit my house next time you are in the city,’ Jenneve purred.

  ‘Perhaps,’ Zaconis agreed although both knew it was a lie. Father Zaconis had no desire to visit a place filled with prostitutes and inebriated men.

  As soon as Jenneve had left Alexi walked into the room.

  ‘Father, the daraghna has arrived. It is waiting for you at the usual place,’ he reported.

  ‘Good. Tell the stable boy to ready a horse for me and then come back here. I have another task for you,’ Zaconis answered.

  The daraghna was not allowed in the city, as per Zaconis’ orders. Whenever one of them came to Celonis, it waited in a clearing just outside the city walls.

  Alexi stood on a fallen tree, looking at the soldiers in front of him.

  They were gathered outside the gates of Celonis.

  ‘Father and the Elite Corps have gone ahead to Palentis. I am in charge of getting you lot there. I will not tolerate any trouble!’ he shouted.

  He jumped off the fallen tree and mounted his horse.

  ‘Alexi, why don’t we have horses?’ one of the new soldiers asked.

  ‘Because you’re a common soldier. Only Elite Corps members have horses,’ Alexi growled at the man.

  ‘But I have heard it’s a far way to walk,’ the man complained.

  ‘It will be difficult to walk with broken legs. One more word and I will happily arrange this,’ Alexi threatened.

  The soldier took a step back in fear.

  ‘MOVE!’ Alexi commanded as he spurred his horse on.

  The column of soldiers traveled at a steady pace until just before nightfall.

  ‘Camp here!’ Alexi instructed as he dismounted.

  Quickly the soldiers gathered wood and made fires.

  Alexi walked through the camp looking for Imlan. He found the big man quite a distance away from the other soldiers, sitting by a small fire cooking a rabbit.

  ‘May I join you?’ he asked as he walked closer.

  Imlan nodded without looking up.

  The two men sat in silence until Imlan removed the cooked rabbit from the fire.

  ‘Have you had supper?’ he asked Alexi.

  ‘No,’ came the answer.

  Imlan halved the meat and held out one piece to Alexi.

  ‘Thank you,’ Alexi said as he took the offered meal.

  Silence fell again as the two men ate.

  Eventually, after Alexi had finished his meal, he spoke again.

  ‘Imlan, best you sleep close to my tent tonight,’ he said.

  ‘Why?’ Imlan frowned.

  ‘You are not very popular with this lot. They might attack you during the night,’ Alexi replied.

  ‘I do not fear them,’ Imlan replied.

  ‘I know, but even you can not go up against ten men,’ Alexi said.

  ‘Why would you protect me?’ Imlan frowned.

  ‘It is my duty to get all of you to Palentis safely. I protect everyone here, not just you,’ Alexi answered.

  ‘Thank you, but I will be fine here,’ Imlan said.

  ‘It was not a request, it was an order. You will sleep next to my tent tonight,’ Alexi said sternly.

  Imlan shrugged and said, ‘Fine.’

  ‘Come, I need you to fetch water for my horse,’ Alexi said as he rose.

  Imlan quickly extinguished the fire, slung his bow and quiver across his shoulder, picked up the half finished walking stick and followed Alexi to his tent.

  Alexi handed Imlan a small pail, pointed to his right and said, ‘There is a stream just beyond those trees.’

  Imlan dropped the walking stick, took the pail and headed in for the stream. When he reached the water, he dunked his head in to rinse of the dust and sweat. Next he unhooked his water skin from his belt and filled it up.

  His head snapped up as a faint, muffled scream reached his ears. Sitting quietly he listened. He turned his head in the direction the sound came from but could not see much in the gloomy moonlight.

  When another, slightly louder scream came from the darkness, Imlan got up, dropped the water skin next to the pail and slowly walked in the direction from where he had heard the sound. Peering through the trees, he saw slight movement and heard muffled voices. Carefully, silently he crept closer to get a better look.

  Rage filled his mind when he saw what was happening. Three soldiers had a woman pinned down on the ground. Her clothes had been ripped from her body. Two of the men were pinning her arms to the ground while the other was trying to part her legs whilst fumbling with his trousers.

  Imlan stormed forward, forgetting about the bow that was still slung over his shoulder. He grabbed the man around his neck and yanked him away from the woman. Bones snapped as Imlan twisted the man’s head sideways, ending his life instantly.

  The other two men jumped up and reached for their swords, but it was too late for one of them. Imlan drove his fist into the man’s stomach, then brought his knee up with all the force he could muster. The man stumbled back, a gurgling sound coming from his throat. Imlan knew that broken ribs had gone through his lungs and that the would be rapist had mere moments left in the land of the living. He stepped away from the woman, fearing she might get hurt, and focused on the last man. The man’s sword cleared the scabbard and he pointed it straight at Imlan’s chest. Imlan stepped away a few more paces, the man following with his sword held shakily in front of him.

  The man raised the blade and with a battle cry charged forward. Imlan sidestepped the attack, avoiding the sword’s sharp point, and drove his fist into the man’s exposed ribcage. As the man stumbled sideways, Imlan’s foot connected with his knee shattering the joint completely. Imlan stepped behind him and caught him as he fell, pulled his knife from his belt and swiftly slit the man’s throat.

  A quick check of the other two confirmed that they would never again try to force themselves onto a woman.

  Imlan stepped closer to the woman, now sitting on the ground with her legs pulled up to her chest. He held his hands upwards, palms facing out to show her he meant her no harm.

  She whimpered and buried her face in her hands.

  Imlan spotted her torn clothes. He quickly picked it up and tossed it at her feet.

  ‘Get dressed,’ he said as he turned his back and walked away a short distance.

  After a few moments, he heard the woman approaching.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said as Imlan turned to face her.

  Imlan noticed that her shirt was torn badly in front, but it at least covered her. The pants she wore seemed to be in fair condition.

  ‘You’re welcome,’ Imlan shrugged.

  They stood looking at each other awkwardly for a few moments until Imlan said, ‘I have to get back to camp. Will you be alright?’

  ‘Uh…I…well, I came to the river to bathe when those brutes attacked me. I still haven’t bathed and now I really want to wash their stench from my body. Would you mind staying here for a while? I’m scared to be alone,’ she replied in a shaky, small voice.

  Imlan did not know what to say. He really needed to get back to camp with water for Alexi’s horse, but he did not want to leave the woman alone knowing that there were hundreds of soldiers close by.

  ‘Please, Imlan,’ the woman pleaded with tears in her eyes.

  ‘Fine, I will stay for a while,’ he sighed.

  ‘Thank you,’ she sobbed as she rushed forward and threw her arms around him.

  Awkwardly he put one arm around her shoulders and tried to sooth her. They stood like that for a while until she pulled away.

  ‘There is a nice shallow pool not far from here. Come, I will show you,’ she said as she took his hand.

  They walked only a short distance before she stopped and said, ‘Look, it’s well protected. Nobody can see us here.’

  Imlan let go of her hand and said,
‘Bathe quickly. I will stand guard behind these bushes.’

  ‘No, please don’t leave me,’ she replied, panic rising in her voice.

  ‘I’m sure you will want some privacy,’ Imlan replied.

  ‘Stay here, please. I will trust you not to look at me,’ she pleaded.

  A deep frown crept over Imlan’s forehead. It seemed slightly inappropriate to him, but he also understood her fear.

  ‘Fine, I’ll stay if you promise to be quick,’ he consented.

  ‘Look at those bushes while I get undressed,’ she said.

  Imlan averted his eyes while she stripped off the dirty clothes and entered the water.

  ‘You can look now,’ she called.

  She had gone so deep into the water that only her head was visible.

  Imlan looked down at the clothes on the ground. Something suspicious tugged at the back of his mind.

  What you see in front of you may not be everything there is, the old Provisions Master’s words rang in his ears.

  He looked up to where the woman was bathing. She was still neck deep in the water with her back turned towards him.

  He wanted to call her, but then realized he did not know her name.

  He watched her dunk her head and wash her hair. She turned around and moved towards dry land again, never looking at Imlan once.

  She waded out of the pool, shaking her legs and arms to get rid of the excess water. She looked up, straight into the wrong end of an arrow.

  Imlan stood with the bowstring pulled right up against his cheek, pointing the arrow squarely between her eyes.

  ‘Imlan?’ she stammered.

  ‘How do you know my name?’ he growled.

  ‘You told me,’ she stuttered.

  ‘No, I did not. This was all an act, wasn’t it?’ Imlan sneered at her.

  ‘Those men were going to rape me. You came just in time,’ she said as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

  ‘For a woman who was almost raped, you are far too willing to undress in front of yet another strange man. Tell me the truth!’ Imlan demanded.

  ‘Imlan, I promise, this was not arranged. I wanted to bathe and those men found me. If you hadn’t been close, they would have raped and killed me,’ she sobbed.