Mindbender

by David A. Wells

  “I delivered an offer of exchange to him—your lives for the Sovereign Stone.” Magda’s eyes bored into Isabel. “He refused.”

  The statement fell like a sentence. Abigail tensed as if preparing to spring into motion. Isabel calmed the hammering in her chest and willed steadiness into her voice.

  “Have you summoned us here to murder us then?” she asked coolly.

  “By all rights we should kill them,” Gabriella said heatedly to the other two triumvirs. “The Stone must be placed in our care. We should make good on our threat and then take it from him by whatever means necessary.”

  “We’ve already had this discussion, Gabriella,” Magda said with a tinge of ire in her voice. “You have been heard and the decision has been made.”

  Gabriella glared at the other two triumvirs and then at Isabel.

  “Isabel, your husband made a compelling argument,” Magda said. “The antidote provided by Mage Gamaliel will be administered this afternoon. Once you have completely recovered from the effects of your poisoning, you have a decision to make.”

  Isabel frowned. She could only imagine what Alexander had said to Magda to convince her to change her position.

  Before Isabel could respond or Magda could continue, Gabriella interrupted. “Your husband was willing to sacrifice you for his own power. Doesn’t that bother you?” Her tone had changed abruptly. She no longer sounded angry but was almost sickeningly sweet.

  “Not in the least,” Isabel said. “I’m proud of him for his courage and his resolve to preserve the future no matter the cost to himself.”

  Gabriella scowled. Exactly the response Isabel was hoping for. She understood Alexander’s heart better than any and knew that the decision to risk her life was made from necessity rather than lust for power.

  “Am I to assume that you have made an agreement with Alexander?” Isabel asked.

  “Yes, but there are conditions that must be met,” Magda said. “The Sovereign Stone has bonded to him and he has sat in council with the previous Reishi Sovereigns. The General Commander of the Reishi Protectorate has recognized him as the Sovereign, as has the King of Ithilian.

  “In the time of the Reishi Empire, only a witch was permitted to marry the Lord Reishi. His mate must be capable of standing with him over the course of his reign. Only a witch has the strength and longevity to do so.”

  Isabel felt a tingle of dread wash over every square inch of her body. The implications of Magda’s words terrified her.

  “We offered to provide him with a suitable wife, but he refused,” Magda said.

  Isabel again reminded herself to breathe.

  “I would make you the same offer,” Magda said. “Renounce your vows to Alexander and allow him to choose an accomplished witch from the Reishi Coven as his wife.”

  Her green eyes flashed and she bolted to her feet. “Never! He is my husband and he will be my husband for every day that I draw breath. What’s more, he would never accept such a thing.”

  Magda smiled slightly. “No, I don’t suppose he would. In fact, he reached for his sword when I suggested it to him. That leaves you with only one choice.” She placed two vials on the bench before her. “You must endure the mana fast and become ordained as a witch of the Reishi Coven if you are to be the Lady Reishi.”

  Isabel was stunned speechless. She had never even considered becoming a witch and would have never imagined that she might have the opportunity, let alone the obligation. Magda looked at her with expectation and maybe even hope, Cassandra wore an expression of skepticism, and Gabriella sneered with open contempt.

  Magda continued, “In times past, the fast took forty days and was performed at a secluded and secret location on the Reishi Isle where there is a naturally high concentration of Wizard’s Dust in the water. However, Alexander has provided us with enough Wizard’s Dust for each of you to undergo the fast, as well as a gift of enough for another of our conclave to be initiated.”

  Isabel and Abigail looked at each other and then back at the triumvirate. The decision was so simple. Isabel knew it was a risk but she also knew that she would do whatever she had to do to be with Alexander.

  “When can I begin the fast?” Isabel asked.

  “Are you sure about this?” Abigail said.

  Isabel looked over at her sister and nodded confidently.

  Gabriella snorted.

  “If you’re certain, then you may begin training for the fast as soon as you recover from the poison,” Magda said. “Normally, we train apprentice witches for many years prior to the fast but in your case I suspect you will not be willing to wait that long.”

  “The sooner I complete the fast the sooner I can return to my husband,” Isabel said. “Provide me with the training that I require and let me take the fast.”

  Gabriella chuckled derisively. “Your arrogance will be the death of you.”

  Isabel had had enough of the third triumvir. “Why do you hate us so much?” she asked.

  Gabriella fumed for a moment before she burst out with a shout, “Because your husband killed my husband!”

  Isabel was shocked. It could only have happened during the wyvern attack off the coast of the Reishi Isle. She felt deflated as she imagined how she would feel if Alexander had been killed.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” she said quietly and sincerely.

  Magda cleared her throat.

  Gabriella struggled to hold back her tears.

  “Abigail, will you take the mana fast?” Magda asked.

  “Not yet,” Abigail said. “I still have a lot to learn about my wyvern. I should concentrate on that before I take on another challenge.”

  Magda smiled. “That is wise. I will hold the vial of Wizard’s Dust for you until you are ready. Alexander asked that I deliver a message of love to you both. And he gave me this necklace for you, Isabel, as proof that I had indeed spoken to him.”

  Isabel smiled radiantly at the medallion of Glen Morillian. It had been a family heirloom for generations. She thought she’d lost it forever when the wyverns snatched her off the surf surrounding the Reishi Isle.

  ***

  They returned to their quarters with a renewed feeling of hope and optimism. Isabel was a bit worried about the mana fast. She remembered the screams she heard coming from the tower when Alexander had undertaken the trials and hoped that she had the strength to survive. Alexander would never forgive himself if she died during a mana fast that he made possible.

  Wren was waiting for them with dinner when they arrived. She didn’t ask any questions but Isabel could see the curiosity burning within her deep-blue eyes.

  “It seems that Magda has gone to see Alexander,” Isabel said. “He convinced her to administer the cure for my poison. The healer should stop by this evening. I only hope that the magic Mage Gamaliel gave them works.”

  “I’m sure it will,” Abigail said. “He knows how important you are to Alexander. He would have sent the most powerful magic he could.” Abigail sat down at the table with a sigh. “I’m glad to hear that Alexander is well. I’ve been worried about him.”

  “Me, too,” Isabel said. “I can’t wait to see him.”

  “I’m still not sure how I feel about the whole Reishi bloodline thing,” Abigail said. “It doesn’t seem possible that we could be related to Phane.”

  “I know, but it has opened up a few opportunities,” Isabel said. “Do you remember how Commander P’Tal fought? He was terrifying. And now he’s protecting Alexander.”

  “That seems strange to me, too,” Abigail said. “How do you change allegiances just like that?”

  Isabel shook her head slowly. “I don’t think he did. I think he was loyal to the Reishi all along, and now that Alexander has bonded with the Stone, Commander P’Tal has found his true master.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Abigail said. “It does make me feel better to have him watching over Alexander instead of hunting him.” She chuckled at a sudden thought. “Can you imagine how mad
Phane must have been when he learned that Alexander bonded with the Stone?”

  Isabel whistled. “I feel sorry for anyone nearby.”

  Wren served dinner as she listened to their conversation with rapt attention. She was always eager to learn more about the workings of the world around her and she had become emotionally attached to her two charges.

  Abigail gave Isabel an appraising look. “Are you sure about the mana fast? You don’t have any training with magic.”

  Isabel shrugged. “What choice do I have? I won’t forsake Alexander and I would be able to help him more if I had magic of my own.”

  Wren’s eyes widened. “You’re going to take the witch trials?” she whispered with awe.

  Isabel nodded somberly. “It would seem so. The triumvirate thinks that only a witch can be married to the Reishi Sovereign, so they won’t let me return to Alexander unless I survive the mana fast.”

  “Is it dangerous?”

  Isabel nodded again. “I’m told that it’s very dangerous, but it’s the only way I can be with my husband, so I’m going through with it no matter the risk.”

  There was a knock at the door. Wren admitted three witches. The first carried a small box of carved bone on a wooden tray. The other two carried bags of healing supplies.

  “I am Mistress Lita, the chief healer for the fortress island, the Reishi Coven, and the Sky Knights. These are my attendants. Mistress Magda has instructed me to administer the magic sent by the Ruathan Guild Mage. Before we begin, I have a few questions to help me ensure the most favorable result.”

  “All right,” Isabel said. “Please, come in and sit down.”

  They seated themselves around the low table in the middle of the sitting room and Wren brought a kettle of hot tea.

  “I’m told that you were poisoned,” Lita said. “Was magic administered to slow or stop the effects of the poison?”

  “Yes,” Isabel said. “Master Alabrand, an alchemist, gave me a healing draught, then the next day he gave me another made with fairy dust under the guidance of a fairy named Chloe.”

  Mistress Lita blinked and then frowned. “I thought the fairies were creatures of story and legend. Perhaps there is a more plausible explanation.”

  Isabel leaned forward to emphasize her point. “I was married in the Valley of the Fairy Queen. They are real. Chloe is my husband’s familiar. She guided Master Alabrand in the making of the healing draught that has stayed the poison within me for the past several weeks. However, the power of the magic is failing.”

  Mistress Lita’s eyes widened and she cleared her throat. “Very well. Mistress Magda told me to accept your word and so I will. I do not fully understand the magic of this item,” she gestured to the small, ornately carved bone box, “but I have been assured that it was provided by the Guild Mage of New Ruatha as a cure for your condition. Do you know of this mage?”

  Isabel nodded. “He’s a friend.”

  “I’m always wary of using magic that is beyond my understanding,” Lita said. “Perhaps we should explore other treatments first.”

  “Do you have any healing magic more potent than fairy dust?” Isabel asked.

  Lita shook her head slowly.

  “Do you have power that exceeds that of a master alchemist?”

  Again Lita shook her head.

  “Very well then, how do we proceed?” Isabel asked.

  Lita looked at her for a long moment as if searching for another argument that might prove persuasive before she nodded.

  “First, you must ingest a healing draught. Then you must read the word on this piece of parchment aloud three times. Finally, you must break the seal on the box and open it. Once these conditions are met, the magic will be released and rid you of your poison. I must caution you, there may be other effects that are not known. This magic appears to be very old and there is no way of knowing what its true purpose is.”

  “I understand the risks,” Isabel said. “Mage Gamaliel wouldn’t have sent an item that would harm me. Proceed.”

  Lita placed the tray with the box before Isabel, handed her a wax-sealed piece of parchment, then placed a vial of syrupy-looking liquid on the tray.

  “Open the healing draught,” Lita said. “Once you drink it, you will begin to feel drowsy. You must speak the word on the parchment three times and open the box before you succumb to the sleep of the potion. We will remain in attendance until you wake.”

  Isabel took a deep breath and shared a look with Abigail.

  “I’ll be right here,” Abigail said.

  “So will I,” Wren whispered.

  Isabel opened the healing potion and quaffed it. She quickly took the parchment and broke the wax seal. She felt a little tingle of magic dance over her skin. For a moment the word was unreadable—the language it was written in was long dead. But a second later it shimmered and Isabel could read it and pronounce it clearly.

  “Desiderates,” she said deliberately. Isabel wondered what the word meant. “Desiderates,” she said again. It almost sounded like a name. “Desiderates,” she said one final time.

  All eyes were on her as she broke the wire seal on the carved-bone box. She was starting to feel the effects of the healing draught as she lifted the lid and gently tipped it back. She blinked at the contents of the little box. It looked like liquid light swirling around under its own volition. She had only seen a light so pure one time before, during the birth of the fairy Sara, Chloe’s daughter by Alexander. The light of that experience had been so pure and radiant that it rivaled the darkness of the netherworld for sheer intensity.

  She was looking into the box as the drowsiness from the healing draught threatened to overcome her when the light started to swirl as if it had awakened. It abruptly flowed up out of the box and expanded into a glowing cloud of shapeless, undulating light, floating before her over the table.

  Just as suddenly, it flowed into her and she fell back against the couch from the intensity of it. Everything around her was engulfed in bright white light as pure as true love. She felt like she lost consciousness for a moment before she awoke. Scintillating white clouds floated all around.

  A man in white with long hair and a beard stepped out of the cloud and smiled at her.

  “My name is Mage Desiderates. You have invoked my final spell.”

  “Where am I?” Isabel asked a bit warily. The place was so unlike any she had ever experienced that she was starting to wonder if she’d passed into the realm of light.

  “You are within your own mind,” Desiderates said. “Do you not understand the nature of the spell you have invoked?”

  “Not really,” Isabel said. “I’ve been poisoned. The Guild Mage sent a carved-bone box along with a piece of parchment. His instructions were to drink a healing draught, read the word on the parchment three times, and then open the box. The magic was supposed to cure me of the poison that threatens to kill me.”

  “I see. Perhaps if I knew more I could suggest the proper course of action. May I search your mind for the information I need?” Desiderates asked.

  “I don’t understand,” Isabel said.

  He nodded sagely. “When it became apparent that I was dying, I chose to cast a final spell in the hopes that I could still be of assistance to those who served the light. I was once an arch mage of great power. I spent many years studying magic, always seeking to expand the realm of possibility. Quite honestly, I’m delighted to see that my final spell was indeed my greatest accomplishment.

  “You see, rather than die and allow my essence to pass from the world of time and substance into the realm of light, I chose to harness the power of my soul and my connection to the firmament within the constructed magic of the box. When you read my name aloud three times and opened the box, you activated the spell. I am here to provide you with that which you need most before I pass from this world.”

  Isabel blinked in surprise. She stared at the old man for several moments before she remembered to close her mouth. “I’ve never ev
en heard of such magic. How could this be possible?”

  He smiled somewhat smugly but with good nature. “As I said, I was a very powerful wizard. There were those who doubted me, to be sure, but I never doubted myself. And here we are.” He chuckled. “I would very much like to point out my success to a few of my contemporaries, but alas, I suspect that they are all long dead. Time didn’t intrude into the vessel that I have occupied but I sense that many years have passed since I walked the Seven Isles.”

  Isabel wasn’t sure what to do. This was so far outside the realm of her expectation that she feared she might miss an opportunity if she simply asked him to heal her poisoning.

  “What are the limits of your power?” she asked.

  “For our purposes, only the boundaries established by my conscience,” Desiderates said. “I can do nearly anything you need but I would caution you, once my magic is expended, I will fade into nothingness, so it would be wise to choose carefully.”

  Isabel frowned. “What do you mean fade into nothingness? Won’t you pass into the light?”

  “That is unlikely,” Desiderates said. “I have no passage through which to travel to the realm of light.”

  “So you did this knowing that you would forfeit your soul?” Isabel asked with a bit of alarm.

  “Indeed, child, I did just that,” Desiderates said with a gentle smile.

  “But why? Why would you do such a thing? Your soul is forever. You can’t just throw it away.” Isabel was becoming more distraught the more she understood the cost of undoing her poisoning.

  “Be calm, child,” Desiderates said gently. “You bear no guilt in this matter. I have done this freely, in part to be of greater service to the light, in part to expand the possibilities of magic, and in part to win a wager.” He smiled with satisfaction at the third point.

  Isabel looked at him with bewilderment. She started to wonder if all that time trapped in a box had driven Desiderates insane.

  “I was once challenged to create a wish spell. I took the bet and lost but never stopped trying to achieve this greatest of magical accomplishments. At the end of my life I realized what must be done and the cost to myself of doing such a thing. I lived for four hundred and thirty-seven years during the reigns of Sovereign Constantine and Sovereign Darius. I spent my whole life in the pursuit of magical knowledge. I counted both Constantine and Darius as my friends and they both consulted me on matters of magic. In fact, it was Constantine that bet me I couldn’t accomplish my goal. I have lived well and for all of my years, desire for greater accomplishment was the driving force of my life.